FAQs

There are categories of membership for everyone working in or with an involvement in internal communication. Full membership generally requires at least two years’ relevant experience. See Membership categories for further information.

Is my membership tax deductible?

The membership fee is normally tax deductible. There will be a section in your self-assessment form to claim it as a tax-deductible expense.

Someone in my company is a member. Does that make me a member?

IoIC membership is for the individual rather than the organisation. However, there is a Group category of membership for organisations with more than one individual who would benefit from membership, so you should check to see if your company has joined on this basis and if you are listed as part of the Group. See Membership categories for further information.

Saving you time and money

Are there any financial incentives for a group of staff to join?

Yes, there is a sliding scale of discounts for organisations with two or more members. The joining fee is also waived for organisations with 10 or more members. See What does it cost? for further details.

Can IoIC save me money?

Yes, for just one short training course members get a saving of 20-25% which typically amounts to over £100, and they benefit from reduced rates for awards and national and regional events.

Members also have ready access to a telephone helpline covering a variety of financial and legal issues relevant to both the workplace and home life. The costs for such expert advice, without access to this service, would quickly mount up.

In addition, all the resources available to members make it easier to find the information and people you are looking for, saving valuable time.

I am so busy in my job, I’m not sure I would have time to make use of membership benefits

There are a variety of different benefits so there is something for everyone.

If you can’t make it to national events, there are a number taking place at regional level.

There’s a comprehensive programme of discounted short courses and qualifications available to you whenever you may need them.

Membership helps you to access information, organisations and people that you may need at any time throughout your career.

Also, don’t forget that employers and recruiters are increasingly looking for objective evidence that an individual is committed to best practice and continuing professional development – something that membership of the institute helps to provide.

And headquarters staff are always pleased to have a chat with you about how you can get the most from membership.

Meeting individual needs

I am a student, how can Institute membership help me?

It’s a good way to keep in touch with the issues that are challenging practitioners today and current workplace scenarios, along with who the major players are in the sector and what they are saying.

Special IoIC arrangements are available on some courses—a free year’s membership for individuals undertaking IoIC’s Foundation Level of Proficiency in Internal Communication and Kingston University’s Diploma in Internal Communication Management.

I’m just starting out in internal communication, how can membership help me?

Access to IoIC’s information and networking resources helps you to build up your internal communication knowledge more quickly and develop a clearer picture of the internal communication sector today.

It also keeps you in touch with training and qualification options which will help you to perform to the best of your ability or contribute towards career development.

Institute membership also gives reassurance to your current employer, potential employers and recruitment consultancies that you are committed to best practice and continuing professional development.

I’m a very experienced internal communication practitioner and have not needed Institute membership to date. Is there anything that it can do for me?

The world of internal communication has become more complex and demanding in recent years. Leaders are increasingly recognising that effective internal communication is key to achieving business objectives, but they also want to see evidence that communication activity is having the desired results.

Practitioners also have to deal with an endlessly evolving landscape, not least in relation to technology and what this can bring.

Information resources and networking opportunities help members to keep track of changes and what constitutes good practice in particular circumstances, and gives perspectives on how to convince employers of the value of internal communication and to measure results effectively.

Regardless of someone’s experience, employers are increasingly looking to see other proof of an individual’s commitment to best practice, high standards and continuing professional development – something that membership of a professional institute helps to provide.

I have a broad-ranging communications role and am a member of other industry bodies. Is there any point joining another one?

There are a number of bodies with a relevance to communications, employee engagement and change management activities – so this can be a bit of a dilemma, particularly when budgets are tight.

However, it should be borne in mind that IoIC is the only UK professional body dedicated to supporting internal communication practitioners. A key reason for its foundation was the recognition that —with the demands placed on internal communicators today, the increasing number of individuals in dedicated IC roles and appreciation of the complex dynamics associated with workplace behaviour—the profession now needs to be treated as a specialisation in its own right.

I am a supplier to the internal communication sector. How can membership help me?

Internal communication professionals like it when suppliers have a genuine appreciation of what they are doing and the challenges they are facing.

Membership helps to keep track of what is going on in the sector, and also provides valuable networking opportunities.

How can I find out more about membership?

Go to Why join? or contact Tim Beynon at tim@ioic.org.uk

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