Hey everybody,
Would you recommend joining the IPMS? Is it really worth it?
Regards,
Manny Prego
I am asking myself the same question. Lately, I tend to think that $35 for membership at the convention is $35 less I get to spend at the vendor tables…
Well I have been a member for 20+ years it that says anything.
Membership did just go up to $25 and you do have to be a member to enter a model.
Besides all of the tips that I have received from my membership, it is the friends that I have made that make IPMS special to me. Growing up as an Air Force brat, we moved around a little. One thing I could pretty much count on is that there would be a club nearby and all you had to do was show up to be surrounded by people with the same passion I have.
The internet and the forums out there (like this one) are great for getting tips, seeing others work and making friends that you may or may never meet (hope to see a bunch of you at the convention). Belonging to a club lets you meet this crowd 1(or more) times a month, see someone demonstrate that new technique, see the parts fit on that new kit , etc.
My vote is yes. It isn’t a perfect organization but has been great for me.
(by the way, if you do join up at the convention or other, you can put my member # on the form and I get a 2month extension [:D]).
#8739
There are two main reasons why people join in. First and foremost, it’s to be able to compete at IPMS shows, and then it’s for the mag you get in the mail every so often. Before you join the IPMS USA, you may just want to consider what your interests in modeling are… If, for instance, you do Israeli stuff, you may wish to join the IPMS Israel instead as their mag will be much more suited to your tastes. I’ve found the IPMS USA quite ‘bland’ actually, too generic for my tastes. I was IPMS Brasil for some time as this interested me much more than being member of the IPMS Belgium (fantastic if you build Belgian Air Force aircraft!) or IPMS UK.
However, with the net, the info is nowadays much easier to locate and own. I’ve done my share of IPMS competitions and have found them to be maybe a bit too elitist, and because of that, I do not require any IPMS membership anymore…
It all depends on what you want to get out of it?
If you want to meet fellow modellers face to face(The idea that always puts me off[;)]) then it’s probably a great idea.
Or if as DJ says you want to enter competitions, however if like me, you just want to get on with some modelling, then I just don’t see the point.
Karl
I would say yes to membership. As it was said it’s not perfect but they are the biggest lobbying voice to manufacturers and have had some input through polls and talking to members as to what new kits come out.
If you want to enjoy the events that the organization puts on, you should be a member. I know you don’t have to be to come in to see the vendors and the models, but it’s kind of like showing up at friend’s picnic, eating their food and not bringing anything to share. This is just my opinion, I just think if you want to be part of the group, BE part of the group. Plus, as stated elsewhere, the National membership fee is $25, not $35. Less than the cost of a decent kit, or 5-6 Monograms, or about 100 starfixs. [:D]
Another reason to support IPMS is the influence the organization has on promoting the hobby & influencing the kit manufacturers. Like it or not, IPMS is the only voice we modelers have that is loud enough to be heard.
Regards, Rick
Last I check the registration is still $35 for an adult.
I allowed my membership to lapse years ago. Here is why: I had decided that since I had been a member for so long, I should make a bigger commitment to the organization. Specifically, at that time the pubications had really gone downhill (The Quarterly and I forget the name of the other one at the time). So I sent a letter and a resume to the officer in charge of publications. He was an Air Force Capt. in a Pentagon desk job, and I guess he had plenty of time on his hands. By that time, I had several years experience in the writing and production of magazines, and had won numerous awards for both magazine and newspaper work. I was a member in good standing in the Aviation and Space Writers Association. While I didn’t feel those things gave me any right to arrogance, they did make me qualified to work on the IPMS publications. Well, this officer wrote back a terse, overbearing letter that sounded as though he were rattling off orders to a grabass airman, and rather than requesting my help with specific tasks, he TOLD me what I would be doing. That was enough for me. I never again paid dues to an organization who treated my offer of help with so much contempt. Overly sensitive? Maybe. But, for those who remember, IPMS was at that time giving its members almost nothing in return for their dues, and I was never sure where that money went. Certainly not toward the production values of the IPMS publications. Certainly not toward those wonderful bonus decal sheets and occasional AM parts that caused me such a thrill when they arrived in the mail completely unexpectedly.
Nope – IPMS, I feel, had a good, dedicated member in me, and they drove me away.[V][V]
I just joined this year after being into the hobby since the late 80s. I have only gotten very serious about my builds for the last few years and decided it would be fun to enter some competitions including Nationals, where membership is required. I think the magazine is OK and the website is good though the IPMS forum is fairly quiet. I don’t think one should feel bad about not joining especially if you have no plans to compete. I don’t have any regrets about doing so however.
I made the comment recently at the IPMS forum on chapters that local membership might improve if many locals would do a better job of keeping their websites updated. These are volunteer type things but its disappointing to go to a chapter/club website only to fine it has not been updated for months. It leaves me with the feeling that there is not much organization in the organization. Volunteer work is always tough to get people to do though and having done it myself I know one’s motivation level can vary depending what else is going on in my life…
Just a few thoughts![8D]
Joe Youngerman
I was a member for about 5 years, but I let it lapse last year. I gave it up mostly because I was tired of all the politics and arguing about rules and judging. The only bright spot in the whole Journel was Eddy Waas’ column. As a Canadian, I probably should not have joined in the first place. I might yet join the IPMSCanada, but I don’t know. I get a lot from here at FSM and Hyprescale.
Thanks everyone for your input, I think i"ll wait. I don’t intend to compete, as this(modeling)is a stress reliever and I don’t want or need more pressure(a 19 month old and a private business is enough!).
Regards to everyone, I really appreciate the input.
Manny Prego
That is registration for the National Convention (now closed), not IPMS Annual Membership.
Enjoy your modeling…
Joe,
I agree. Have you checked out our site?
I had not…very nice Phil! Looks like you have a very complete website that is informative and up to date! Thanks, I’ll mark it as a favorite.
Joe
Thanks Joe,
We are up for Webmaster of the Year at the Nats this week (fingers crossed). I will be shooting a ton of pics and posting them on the site (not sure if we can post while down there but will try).