Your 2014 RIBA Membership. Why you should renew.
Sign-up for 2014 now. It’s time to renew your RIBA Membership for 2014. In this leaflet, you’ll find a brief reminder of some of the ways in which the cost of your RIBA Membership represents an excellent investment in your career, your practice and your profession. Please pay your 2014 subscription as soon as possible, preferably switching to direct debit, if you haven’t already. In the past 12 months, the RIBA and our members have achieved a great deal. In 2014, working closely together, we look forward to achieving even more.
Our Chief Executive writes…
Dear RIBA Member I am pleased to send your membership renewal pack. Thanks for being part of your professional body in 2013 and I do hope you will join us for another year. You may have seen from our 2012 Annual Review the ways in which we are gearing up our work to champion architecture and to support our members. As you’ll see in these pages, we are achieving the goals of our five-year strategy Leading Architecture, and we have notched up some real successes on behalf of the profession. In addition to increased policy influence, campaigning, a new website and gallery (highlighted elsewhere in this leaflet), I am delighted that we are also investing in other major projects that will set us up to deliver effectively for many years to come, including: • Developing our membership structure to attract and retain world-class
members while supporting the needs of a thriving profession
• Initiating a research programme to develop indicators of the economic
and social value of architecture
• Reviewing and updating our client facing work to provide coherent
client support.
Membership subscriptions will increase by 2.7% in 2014, in line with the consumer price index. This is only the second increase in six years and equates to ÂŁ10 per year for full Chartered Membership. Alongside this, as part of our commitment to supporting members in financial difficulty we are increasing the annual earning threshold for reduced rate subscription. If you are struggling to pay for your RIBA Membership, please contact Membership Services who will do their best to help find a solution. With your continued support and backed by the combined strength of our great profession we will do even more for architecture and our members in 2014 and beyond. Regards
Harry Rich Chief Executive
Why renew now? For a more powerful voice… The RIBA is an increasingly powerful political force, constantly campaigning to influence opinion, and tirelessly working to create the conditions in which good architecture can thrive. Your continued support strengthens our political influence… To highlight just a few of the more important strands of campaigning and lobbying activity we’re currently engaged in:
Housing: leading the push for more and better homes
Planning: helping shape the new framework
Procurement: driving forward the case for reform
The future of architecture: making it a matter of policy
Following the Future Homes Commission report, we directly influenced a change in government policy to allow local authority pension funds to invest more in housing. With our HomeWise campaign we are looking to influence the government’s housing standards review.
We’ve strongly argued the case for reform of procurement in both public and private sectors. In 2014, we’ll be using our new Plan of Work to help embed good practice and good design within the procurement process.
We successfully influenced the new planning policy framework. In 2014, we’ll continue to work with government on guidance to sit alongside it.
We’ve worked closely with Sir Terry Farrell in his review of architecture. In 2014, we’ll be vigorously pursuing its recommendations, using all our influence to ensure they feature prominently in the policy commitments made by all the parties in their manifestos for the 2015 general election.
Why renew now? For what we can achieve together‌ Together we have achieved much in 2013, including: Launching the RIBA Plan of Work 2013, setting new ways of working, and making it easier for clients to commission well designed and sustainable buildings.
Renewing our commitment to client support through the publication of Design Competitions: Guidance for Clients and Client Conversations, providing guidance to support clients to commission well designed and sustainable buildings.
Campaigning hard for better quality new build homes, championing the voice of the consumer and directly influencing standards for new homes through our HomeWise campaign.
Developing our international influence, both supporting members living overseas and helping UK architects work internationally.
Conducting the largest full-scale survey of our members in the last 10 years, with more than 10% of members participating.
Delivering Love Architecture 2013, drawing crowds to our national architecture festival, providing an inspiring introduction to architecture.
Allocating ÂŁ250,000 worth of much needed financial support to architecture students, academics and practitioners.
Why renew now? For what we can achieve together… Turning to the year ahead, your renewed 2014 Membership and continued involvement with the RIBA will help us to: Positively influence our leaders
In the run-up to the 2015 general election, we’ll be lobbying hard to ensure that all the party manifestos include provisions that promote the interests of architecture.
Provide expert support and guidance
We’ll continue to provide specialist knowledge and support, including updated Fee and Quality Management tools in line with the RIBA Plan of Work 2013, and guidance for architects undertaking research.
Enhance your personal development
We’re increasing the scope and reach of digital CPD, meaning improved access to essential topics for members across the globe, along with CPD support for business and management.
Improve our online presence
In early 2014, we’ll be launching a much improved website to promote the benefits and value of good architecture so that architecture.com becomes the online destination for architecture.
Provide a world-class showcase
Our new permanent gallery at 66 Portland Place, and our new architecture centre in Liverpool will allow us to showcase even more of one of the world’s finest architectural collections.
Why renew now? For personal and career development‌ As an individual, you stand to gain from continued RIBA Membership in numerous ways. In addition to the professional status membership brings, some of the many benefits available to you include: Access to information and expert advice
As well as the UK’s most comprehensive architectural library, you can draw upon a vast reservoir of knowledge, guidance and ideas through the website, RIBA Information Centre, and our Specialist Practice Consultants.
Making the most of business opportunities
We can help you build valuable new relationships and explore collaborative opportunities at our regular networking events.
Developing your skills and knowledge We’re here to help you with every aspect of Continuing Professional Development, providing free CPD roadshows, a wide range of specialist advice and guidance, as well as discounted CPD courses.
Staying connected and getting involved
You can attend all our lectures, seminars and exhibitions at discounted rates. We’ll keep you abreast of key developments in a number of ways, including the RIBA Journal and your local, RIAS, RSUA or RSAW network.
Demonstrating professional excellence
For RIBA Chartered Members, the title Chartered Architect and use of the RIBA affix after your name demonstrates your professional excellence and is seen globally as the gold standard in architecture.
Find full details about membership benefits
When to renew? No time like the present… We hope this leaflet has demonstrated to you the value in being an RIBA Member. Renewing is quick and easy. Simply pay your 2014 subscription online today. To show our appreciation for early payment we’ll send you a voucher to spend in the RIBA Bookshop. There’s also a great incentive for those switching to direct debit.
We very much look forward to continuing to represent your interests and concerns, and to working together to ensure the best possible future for our profession, in 2014 and in the years to come.
Get in touch. If you have any queries about your RIBA Membership, please email us at membership.services@riba.org or call us on +44 (0)20 7307 3800 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. www.architecture.com/membership