Membership Changes

Changes in Structure and System

Substantial changes to our membership structure and system started in 2023.  The previous variation of membership fees between Branches has been removed.  The “Associate” and “Branch” descriptors will give way to a single one of “Society”.  A common membership year for all, from September to the following August, will come into place. A key aim of the changes is to automate many of the tasks involved in the running of the membership system, thereby speeding up responses to membership applications and reducing the workload on our team of volunteers.

Migration of Branch Members

During April and May current and recent Branch members will be migrated to the new membership system.  An email giving details of the changeover has been sent to members to guide them through the process of activating their account.  New membership numbers in the M series will be allocated.

Joining the Society

This is now done through the new website at membership.nifhs.org.

Some notes about the new Membership System and Website

  • The Membership website at membership.nifhs.org is separate from the existing NIFHS website at www.nifhs.org.
  • The new membership system amalgamates the previous Associate and Branch structures.
  • The standard membership year, from 1st September to 31st August, is adopted.
  • There is a transition period from 1st January to 31st August 2024 for re-aligning the previously different membership years.
  • A Membership Account is used for subscription payment purposes through which details about postal address and email address are kept up to date by the member.  It will provide, at a later date, the access to resources for members.
  • Each Member will be allocated a new membership number in the “Mxxxx” series (x = digit).
  • The new membership number is used as the username for the membership account. The password for the account is chosen by the member.
  • A Member, who so wishes, can choose which Branch to be linked with.
  • An email reminder about membership renewal will be sent in mid-August each year.
  • Renewal of membership with subscription payment is normally automatic unless an opt-out is made before the expiry date.

Transition Arrangement for Associate Members

Starting in 2024 the Membership Year for all members of the Society is from 1st September to 31st August.

The Associate Membership Year up to 2023 has been from 1st January to 31st December.  In future it will be from 1st September to 31st August.
For Associate Members whose renewal is due on 1st January 2024 the subscription will cover the eight months from 1st January to 31st August 2024.

Renewal has to be done by using the link included in the email sent to Associate members in December 2023.

The annual renewal cycle for all members will come into effect for the year 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025.

Payment Platform

The new membership system uses Stripe for handling subscription payments.  The payment card brands accepted by the platform are Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.  The use of this online payment method allows the prompt subsequent automated membership processing.

Change Password

The new membership system uses “membership accounts”.  A member with a “M” number can reset their account password if it has been lost or forgotten.

Use the “Lost Password?” link below the “Log In” button on the Log In screen.

Sorry – it’s not easily found.

Frequently Asked Questions

The new membership system brings the facilities for online applications and payments, along with means for members to keep their own details up to date.  As with any new system there may be many questions that need answers.  Some of these at set out in the “FAQ” page.  More items will be added when feedback from members and others identifies topics that need clarification.