just a question rattling around in my head. i am not yet but am planning on soon joining this group.
I’m a local club member, but have not been a member of the National for many years. As an individual, it just wasn’t worth it for me.
As a local club member, however, the more folks who are members of the National, the better. Without the National, the local clubs would still be able to exist, but certain advantages, such as automatic insurance coverage for shows and such, would go bye-bye.
In the end, though, being a member of a local club, IPMS affiliated or not, is worth more to me than being a member of IPMS USA. Even if the local club went under, I’d still have a buncha pals to get together with.
Fade to Black…
I’ve been thinking about it for quite a while, but just never gotten around to it.[:I]
Probably because I’m spending too much time on the forum[:o)]
Paul
Been a member of IPMS USA off & on since it was organized back in the 60’s. Sadly, I let my membership lapse a few times so I don’t have the original low membership number. Have also been active in the local chapter in the past, but not currently as it’s meetings are held quite a distance from my home. If you get the right mix of modelers, the chapter meetings can be fun & informative. For National membership all you get is a bi-monthly mag that is about 50% IPMS politics, 30% bitching & 20% modeling. Still, I think it’s worth supporting as it does have some positive aspects.
I recently retired and joined our local modeling club, IPMS, and AMPS. In fact I’ve just received my first issues of both the IPMS Journal and AMPS Boresight magazines.
It’s a little early to judge whether or not membership will be benificial, but to me the magazines alone are worth the annual dues. As has been mentioned above, my membership also helps the local club maintain it’s IPMS charter status and that has a bunch of benifits for everyone.
Never would join IPMS, not very interested in their politcs, joined a local and more socialable club, who meet on a saturday night, instead of the uncivilized week night.
Rob.
Although I don’t do contests, I am a National member. There is no local club to which I can travel that is close enough (I don’t drive).
The main reason that I re-joined was to become a member of their “Review Corps.” In the past year, I’ve received enough in kits to cover the cost of my membership for the next six years.
As for politics, you will find that in any large organization. I’m not influenced by another’s opinion, and I don’t try and influence others. If someone wants to wrap themselves so tight over trivial “rivet counting” details, so be it. It’s their ulcers, not mine. [:D]
How on earth can you became of member of the Review Corp?
To Dave Voss I volunteer to review the new Trumpeteer and Tamiya kits, Impartial reviews guaranteed…I am gonna have them for free and mine to keep right?..
[8)]…nope…at least not yet anyway…
when i lived in north Texas, i suppose i had numerous opportunities to join their chapter but, i’m not a politicker and saw some distinct disadvantages because of that (being dictated to as to what to build & how soon to have it finished…eeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkk)…and any club who would have me as a member, i just couldn’t face…[B)]…[;)]
now, that i’m over here…i’m craving to have 3D contact with anyone who dabbles in styrene…[:D]
by the by…i voted no and was prompted that i could not vote more than once…is something broke ?[:0]
Can anyone detail just WHAT the advantages would be for joining IPMS?
I’ve been a member of several car clubs (1:1 scale!) and was amazed and disappointed at the political manouvering/backbiting/snobbery that was evident - I choose not to be a member anymore - can’t be bothered with the bulldust.
What’s in it for me?
I had joined years ago and somehow my membership lapsed. When I tried to contact them for a renewal they never responded to my request even after multiple tries so I gave up. Since moving to South Carolina I found a local chapter here in Sumter and might look int it.
Richard
For $25 per year ($49 for 2, 78 for 3) [as of 1 July 2004], you get,
- IPMS/USA Membership - Your membership card entitles you to discounted entry fees at most IPMS sponsored shows and competitions. Additionally, there are some hobby shops around the country that offer discounts to IPMS members.
- The IPMS Journal - a bi-monthly (6 per year) modeling magazine that contains about a 50-50 split between IPMS business information for members and modeling information.
- Access to the “members only” areas of the IPMS web site.
- A closer affiliation with like-minded organizations around the world (i.e. IPMS/UK, IPMS/Manila, etc.).
That’s what you get.
well i am , in the uk i should of spent the money on a kit instead
I used to be a national member, but I got tired of reading the rivit counter kit reviews, and about the politics. I didn’t think it was worth that little bit of money.
I’m not a member.
To be honest, most of what I hear about the organization is negative.
But then again, the only time I hear anything at all about IPMS is when someone is ranting about it, so perhaps over the years I’ve gotten a skewed impression of the real situation.
Is there an IPMS chapter in Japan?
Non-member, thought about it from time to time. But no local, and really too busy anyways.
Been a member for about 6 years now. Been to a couple of Regionals and a National. I know there are people who have had bad experiences with politics, complaints, disputes, and the like. I’ve even had a couple myself. But you have that in every group you encounter, its part of this thing we call life. I’ve met some really good people, and I’ve met some people I wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on if they were on fire. And I’m pleased to tell you the former absolutely outnumber the latter. All in all, it’s been worth my time and money.
I was a member years ago
but i dont think its worth it, id rarther get another kit with the money
I am a member of the local IPMS club, but I’m not a member of the national organization. I have heard too many stories about backstabbing and politics to make me wonder if joining would be beneficial for me.
I have to tell you, guys, everything I’m reading here is making me reconsider my original intention to join.
Paul