Acceptance
as a member of ICEFAT indicates the applicant has had a minimum
of three years experience in the field of fine art and exhibition
logistics; has worked with several ICEFAT members who are willing
to testify to the quality of their service and will support their
application; and has demonstrated responsibility in financial
matters.
The application
process is handled by the Membership Sub Committee, which is
made up of 4-5 individual members along with a Steering Committee
Liaison. The Sub Committee members are charged with the responsibility
of processing membership applications and making recommendations
to the Steering Committee.
Once an application
for membership is received by ICEFAT Secretariat it is passed
to the Sub Committee. All documents supporting the application
are reviewed and all references are checked. This checking process
is quite intensive – the supporting members are required
to provide feedback on all aspects of their experience with
the applicant including how often they have worked with the
applicant, the number and nature of projects they have collaborated
on and other relevant details. Results are communicated to the
Sub Committee, who twice a year meet to review all applications
and vote on whether applicant/s should be recommended for membership.
The Steering
Committee then reviews the recommendations and passes them to
the General Membership for comments. Any objections from the
General Membership are considered before the application is
either accepted or denied.
Successful
applicants are invited to attend the next ICEFAT Convention.
I spoke
with Oliver Howell from Gander & White in London who is
Chair of the Membership Sub Committee.
ICEFAT:
So Oliver, how did you come to be working on ICEFAT Membership
issues?
Whilst I was on the Steering Committee I was the liaison between
the Steering Committee and the Membership Sub Committee. When
I stepped down from the Steering Committee in September 2007
I took over the position of Chair of the Membership Sub Committee,
so my involvement with Membership has been over the last seven
years.
ICEFAT:
That’s a long-term commitment Oliver. Aside from receiving
and vetting Membership applications, is there any other work
the Membership Sub Committee is involved in?
One thing we are faced with on occasion is dealing with member
companies who do not fulfill their Membership requirements.
Being part of ICEFAT isn’t just a matter of being accepted
or of paying your dues, it is an on-going commitment which requires,
among other things, regular attendance at ICEFAT Conventions.
Has
the process changed over time?
During my time we have worked hard to improve the application
forms and the information required from the applying companies.
It’s important to get all the right information and doing
that while keeping the application form simple has been a challenge.
Since January
2006, ICEFAT has received well over 100 requests for information
on joining ICEFAT. Of these more than 30 have resulted in formal
applications. In the last 3 years 12 companies have been accepted
as members.
Any
final comments, Oliver?
I would like to thank all those who have given their time to
the Membership Sub Committee. It is a vital part of the organization
and we are currently looking for another volunteer to join us.
If any members out there are interested please contact me oliver.howell@ganderandwhite.com.
It really doesn’t take more than a couple of days a year.
