Just so everyone knows I posted the piece below on the members forum earlier: I was reminded over a month ago to renew my membership from 29 May - I have today received a 2nd reminder. I have been thinking off and on over this last month whether to do so or not. I have decided, on balance, not to renew my membership. Reasons: I feel IOSH has done nothing for me since I first became a member. I have gone well over a 18 months without receiving the SHP mag - even with constant reminders I never received a reply as to why. I don't believe you have to be a member to get a heath and safety job - not that there are many companies out there who understand or have a scoobie do on what: NEBOSH is; what the post nominal letters mean; or what actual qualifications you need to be a health and safety professional. I may continue to dip in and out of this forum but for now: It's good by from me - stay healthy and safe.

Thinking along the same lines myself. Similar issue re mag.

MrsSheila That's a real shame but I do hope you continue to enlighten us with your posts. I know many members stay with IOSH for the kudos it allegedly brings via the post nominals etc. It was the same when I was in a Trade Union strangely enough - most members only stayed with the union in case they got in disciplinary trouble and not for altruism. I can't agree that prospective employers don't understand NEBOSH. The better ones do and many jobs do insist on NEBOSH or equivalent, IOSH membership or similar ie Chartered, GradIOSH, etc. If like me you are at the back end of your career I guess it does not really matter that much. If you can live without IOSH all well and good. I wonder is it about the money, because saving about £160 per year does not seem a bit churlish, albeit if it's a matter of principle I can understand that as well. Ray

Maybe the question should be what do you get for membership? Take away that a lot of firms ask for membership. I joined some of the extra parts 'fire' being one and I don't think I have had anything from the group or they have run any information days.

It's not just IOSH. I'm also a member of The Ergonomics Society (or whatever they call themselves now). Was going to leave but they set up a monthly direct debit for membership fees so you don't notice the £15 odd going out as much as the gaping hole it used to leave. For that I get a rubbish newsletter plus my "choice" of journal. While those are great for anyone working in research or interested in a specific topic and the research being carried out, they are a complete waste of time for everyone else but you can't have punch without Judy (so no journal, no membership as an ordinary member). Only reason I've kept it going was it took me so long to get the full membership I'm loathed to relinquish in case I ever change jobs and start doing loads of ergonomics instead of Health and Safety again. Don't mind IOSH as much as a) it's cheaper b) I do sometimes read through the magazine c) I have to for my job role (it's in the contract that I be a member of IOSH - though that was when the organisation paid membership fees and those days are long gone).