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Why become a member
Benefits of membership
Categories and qualifications
Membership fees
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What benefits can membership offer you?
Letters after your name and use of the logo
In today’s competitive economy it’s never been more important to demonstrate credibility and professionalism. Membership of the Institute of Horticulture and the use of the letters FI Hort, MI Hort and AI Hort after your name is a sure way of stating your professionalism to employers, clients, colleagues and the public. And you can reinforce this by using the Institute’s logo on your notepaper, publicity material, business cards etc.
Your journal - The Horticulturist
Members receive the Institute’s widely acclaimed quarterly journal, The Horticulturist, packed with technical and professional articles, book reviews, news of the Institute and its members, details of forthcoming events and a round-up of horticultural science worldwide. The journal is sent free to members, but is also available to non-members at £88 pa.
Your area of the website
Members are able to access the ‘Members only’ area of the website to reach information about the Institute and its activities provided specifically for members. It will give you the opportunity to make a contribution to policy documents and discussions. It puts you in touch with colleagues in your Branch, in your area, through the Branch forums. And it gives you the opportunity to raise and discuss issues and read the views of other members in the Institute’s own forum.
Technical meetings and conferences
The IoH organises a range of national and local technical events throughout the year. The national conferences focus on current horticultural issues with speakers of national and international renown. The local events, usually organised by the Branches, provide more informal opportunities to meet other members and see places and businesses of horticultural interest. Branch events are open to all members regardless of the Branch area in which they live.
Irish Branch members discuss Phormium production
at one of their regular meetings
CPD and mentoring schemes
The Institute is currently developing schemes for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Mentoring. Informal mentoring has always been one of the strengths of the Institute, but with fewer opportunities now for members to meet informally, ways of linking newer members with their more experienced colleagues are being devised. Similarly, the Institute has always fostered the continuing professional development of members through its programme of meetings and its publications, but this now needs to be formalised into a CPD scheme which is accessible and workable. The Institute intends to roll out both these schemes over the next year.
Have your say in policy-making
Influence decision making by joining the Institute’s committees, representing the Institute on national bodies such as the National Horticultural Forum, and assist in the preparation of Institute responses to consultation documents.
Free access for members to Capel Manor Gardens
All members (except e-Affiliates) get free access to CMC college gardens on production of a valid IoH membership card. Over 30 acres of richly planted themed gardens including Historical Gardens, an Italianate Maze and a Japanese Garden. Gardening Which? Magazine demonstration and trial gardens, The National Gardening Centre with specially designed gardens including Sunflower Street … and lots more. Full details of the gardens here www.capel.ac.uk/gardens/
Maze in Capel Manor Gardens planted with Taxus baccata
Directory of Consultants
If you’re a consultant, the Institute will put your name and company on the Institute’s list of professional consultants, helping you to gain recognition for yourself or business, and promoting your services.
Networking opportunities
There are endless opportunities for networking with people both inside and beyond your own professional sphere: national and branch technical and social events; online in the national and Branch forums on the Institute’s website; at trade shows and other events where the IoH has stands. And if you want to take your involvement with the Institute a step further, there are Branch and national business and policy making meetings.
Business promotion
Members get discounted rates for circulation of promotional information either as a separate mailing or as an insert in The Horticulturist. Discounted advertisements on the website are also available to members.
Professional and public liability and other insurance
If you are providing professional advice, written or visual, can you afford not to be insured? Network direct offers insurance, investment and pensions services to private and corporate clients. Directors, officers and employers liability, business interruption, computer, buildings and contents, stock and equipment insurance are also offered. Contact admin@networkdirect.gg
Health, travel, life, personal accident and vehicle breakdown insurance
Savings of up to 50% on Medical Plans are one of the few benefits offered to IOH members by HMCA. For online enquiries go to www.hmca.co.uk/ioh.htm or telephone 01423 866985 for a no-obligation quote.
IoH merchandise
Tee shirts, sweatshirts, fleece jackets, umbrellas, lapel badges and ties featuring the IoH logo are available; contact the IoH office
Discount on ISHS membership
Save 10% on your subscription to the International Society for Horticultural Science if you pay your ISHS subscription through the IoH. ISHS furthers all sectors of horticulture by improving international co-operation for scientific studies and exchange of knowledge. It provides a forum for its members to interact with other horticulturists worldwide, detail on the ISHS website www.ishs.org
To take advantage of discounted membership, contact the IoH office