AV News 179 - February 2010
NON-MEMBER APPLICATIONS
We welcome applications from non-members for both the Licentiateship and
the Associateship. When submitting, you must be sure to complete the nonmember section on the application form and include the appropriate
membership subscription. If you are successful with your Distinction
application, your membership will be processed automatically as it is necessary
to be a member of The Society before a Distinction can be awarded. If you are
not successful, you have the choice of whether or not you join The Society.
Otherwise your application is treated in exactly the same way as a member's
and you will still receive the same guidance and advice.
WHERE DO I START?
Most people progress through the levels of Distinction starting with the
Licentiateship, moving on to the Associateship and finally to the Fellowship.
However, you can apply straight for the Associateship without being a
Licentiate member, although this is not recommended unless you have
considerable photographic experience.
HOW YOUR WORK IS ASSESSED
Submissions are assessed by a Panel of four or five Fellows of The Society and
a Chairman. Applications are assessed one at a time, anonymously (only the
Chairman has your application form).
LRPS and ARPS: These submissions are assessed in public. Anyone may
attend but everyone other than the Panel must remain silent during the
assessment. In both cases the Chairman asks one or more Panel members to
comment on each application and announces the result i.e. whether or not it is
being recommended to Council for the Distinction. It is only following the formal
ratification by Council that the result is official. If you are successful, then your
name is announced - usually to a round of applause.
FRPS: These submissions are assessed in private. However the applicant is
advised to attend the projection session to ensure that his/her work is
being shown correctly in all respects.
NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
Licentiateship and Associateship: Within two working days of the
assessment, a list of all the recommended applicants will be posted on the
website and all applicants who have not been recommended will receive
notification by e-mail. (If you do not have e-mail a letter will be sent by 1st Class
post.) Normally within 10 working days of the assessment, all unsuccessful
applicants will receive a comment sheet giving the Panel's reasons for their
decision.
Fellowship: The award of Fellowship is moderated by the Fellowship Board.
Submissions recommended by the Panels go to the Fellowship Board which
meets every six months after the spring and autumn round of assessments
(usually May and November). Applicants are kept informed of the