Comments on: Fixed or Flexible?

By: phanswblogeditor

phanswblogeditor — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 01:08:15 +0000

Judith Nissen comments: Wearing my hat as Professional Historians Australia President and former ACPHA Accreditation Secretary … One way of resolving some of these issues is for PHAs to break the link between membership fees (the amount you pay annually to be a member of a particular PHA) and accreditation level (a national standard which depends on qualifications and experience). Membership fees would be set by a PHA according to whatever criteria it wishes. Not the complete or ideal solution, but it may be worth considering?

By: Pauline Curby

Pauline Curby — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 05:16:37 +0000

It’s good to consider these issues but I think some that Bruce raised have never occurred. For example I’ve never heard of anyone ‘downgrading’. While it might be a sound idea to vary membership categories as he has suggested depending on what phase of life a member is at, s could be a nightmare to administer. In relation to retired members,PHA Vic has some experience of this – not sure but I don’t think this is viewed favourably there. We can find out more if this is ever considered in NSW.

By: Janette Pelosi

Janette Pelosi — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 10:13:00 +0000

Perhaps the membership categories could take into account income. The Australian Society of Archivists has Professional members paying full membership but also Professional members (retired/concessional) who earn less than $35,000 paying a reduced rate. There are also reduced rates for the Associate, Associate (concession) and Associate (student) categories for the ASA. That way a member can still retain professional membership status while paying a reasonable fee relating to their income. There would be no need to “downgrade” due to your circumstances at the time nor to be concerned about financial implications of “upgrading” and the members list online would not need to say what fee you were paying only that you were Professional, Associate or Graduate.

By: Katherine Knight

Katherine Knight — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 05:55:31 +0000

Hello Bruce,
Thank you for your careful exposition of the issues faced by the committee in considering possible changes to pathways between membership categories. I’m not sure that I can add much, but rather assure you that I have been thinking about it. I’m one who has been in the category of graduate member since my application was accepted in 2007. Mine was a late career application and the category has undoubtedly provided recognisable accreditation, which I’m glad to maintain. The graduate status was granted after the few commissioned history projects I have undertaken were completed. I was already researching and writing my self-funded book “Passion Purpose Meaning – Arts Activism in Western Sydney”, published in early 2013. The critical response has been gratifying, but sales have been slow, so it will be a long time before my investment may be recouped. This would be my only source of professional income, so I am reluctant to pay more than $65 annually to maintain PHA membership. This is certainly not saying that I think fees are too high in any category. I don’t. I am certainly glad to attend CPD workshops from time to time and maintain a blog “Western Sydney Frontier” http://westsydneyfront.wordpress.com/ to promote the book and the continuation of stories of arts activism in western Sydney.
Even if I were granted professional historian status, I’m not sure it would offer any greater benefit, though if it became mandatory after the committee’s consideration, I think I would accept it.
I’m afraid this response only continues the dilemma of what to do, but I hope it is of some use.
Thanks to you and the committee for all your careful review.
Katherine