29 Jan 2005 by IOG member (or not?)
IOG increase subscriptions
I've just received a letter from the IOG asking me to renew my membership. The cost has risen AGAIN, to £37 a year. Can anyone tell me what extra I'm getting for my money? I can't see any additional benefit and am seriously considering not renewing this time.
29 Jan 2005 by Anthony Asquith
IOG membership
The only thing i subscribe to the IOG for is the monthly magazine.I feel that the service i get is very dissapointing to say the least,only the other week i left numerous messages via email,telephone and i`m still waiting for a reply and it`s been three weeks now.If i knew that i could order the magazine directly from the IOG without being a member i most certainly would.However i don`t feel that £37 quid a year is going to break the bank but i do feel that we could get more for our money from the IOG.
IOG
I think that the IOG needs to decide whether it is a professional body or just another organisation. I myself stopped being a member a year or so ago because of their lack of member care.
I recently asked for an application form (twice) for one of their one-day courses and I am still waiting, over a month later, for any sort of reply. Pretty poor service!
If they had the infra-structure and were willing to stop sitting on the fence over a number of important discussions that are occurring within our industry, I would consider rejoining. But alas, I think that there is a serious case of the old boy network present within the organisation and that it is unlikely to change.
A shame because it is a great opportunity missed.
29 Jan 2005 by IOG member (or not?)
subscription
....so I'm basically paying £37 a year for the magazine then.
29 Jan 2005 by Brian
groundsman magazine
There's nothing in the magazine except adverts-so you're paying £37 to receive a load of ads!
IoG
Subs. They may have gone up but did you know that the £37 can be added to your tax free allowances with the Inland Revenue as the IoG is a recognised professional body (that's £37 @ 22% = £8.14) so your subs will be in effect £28.86. Is that better?
Benefits of being an IoG member. The magazine, as you mentioned (and there are sometimes interesting articles plus situations vacant; and the adverts can be useful). Discounts on their courses, which I've found to be generally excellent. And if you look at the range of courses now and the various sports associations involved with them, that has to be a major step forward.
I've found the IoG efficient in my dealings with them (such as booking courses).
Like a lot of old institutions (and businesses) they have had to (and are) adapting to modern requirements but it takes time. They can always be better (as we all can) bit I think they're doing allright.
31 Jan 2005 by IOG member (or not?)
subs
so, if I don't need to go on any courses then the magazine is the only benefit I receive for my £37 a year?
I would still like to know why they needed to increase the fees by £5.50 a year.
IOG
I just renewed my membership by direct debit at only £33.30, also being an active member of the kent branch I not only get the magazine but go on
outing to major sports clubs ie wimbledon tennis and Manchester united football club and have the chance to be shown around by the top groundsman in our profession, so I,am very happy with my yearly membership.
2 Feb 2005 by Big D
IOG/BIGGA
The above messages reignite that old argument....Should both the IOG and BIGGA be brought into one organisation? For their personal financial reasons ONLY, they would resist change, however it would be up to us as members to bring that change about should it be in OUR best interests! They must remember, without us there is no organisation "old boys network or not". We need a professional body representing us as we must be professional in the way we present our end product!
Big D
IOG
Once again the IOG is in for a knocking. I have been a member for 30 years, in that time the Institute has helped me meet and make friends, receive advice, attend training courses and conferences and attend some very good social events. They say you have to put something in to get something back. Perhaps the people who knock the Institute do not try to get involved and stand back shouting expecting others to do things for them.
Pitchcare is an excellent place to find out information in the industry, share technology and is one of the best things to come out of the industry in the last few years, but people still have to tap the keys to get things out.
Are these same people who knock the IOG shouting at their computers demanding information and don’t use the keyboard.
Working together is the key to success.
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