IPMS Membership

[Guest]

I may have mentioned this before but I am considering joining the IPMS. They have a weird totally outdated membership system for some reason, posting a form with a cheque??? I have not had a cheque book for 5 years now. Also, on their site they recommend joining a local club to see what the IPMS experience can be.

There are two reasons why I would like to join, one is the obvious of supporting what has to be the best known modelling organisation in the world. The other, maybe a little shallow is to get the magazine and to be able to add models to the IPMS stand at the local show.

Early this year, the Peterborough Show was the first modelling event I attended. I had a great chat with a guy on the IPMS stand who said that next year, if I was a member of IPMS, I could contact them about placing a model on their stand. Not sure I have anything good enough to put with the stuff I was drooling over that day on the stand but, who knows for the future.

So, is anyone a member and do they think it is worth it?

[Guest]

Hi Graham, i know a couple of our memebers at Exeter model club are IPMS members. As you say they get a mag, which i believe is quarterly. For a single membership its £20 pa. There are other benifits, for instance its free to put an exhibit into the show at the nationals in Telford.

At the shows i attend i have had the privllage to meet many IPMS clubs and members, all have been incredibly friendly and very helpful.

As an orginisation they are a great bunch, and of all the clubs ive met NONE will put you down or diss your modelling. I thinks some people have it in their heads that the IPMS are some sort of elite modelling group that only allow the elite to join and display their models, nothing could be further from the truth. They encourage all ages and abilities, and you will pick up some really useful tips and ideas.

They welcome beginners and expierienced modellers alike, and they also have 3 individual forums for those that cant make club meetings, they can be found on their main web page but they are called "The British Buldogs" and the other is "Locate and Cement" and of course the main IPMS forum itself. Its like a virtual meeting room really, so very good.

Please DO NOT be put off from displaying your work Graham. I display mine at every show on our club table and if i can display mine then yours is certainly good enough, its addictave mind so watch out lol.

I must admit i love being a member of my local club, (i say local they are 27 miles from where i live) and i love attending all the shows, we do around 20 shows per year. The company and comaradery is superb, i have the best mates anyone could wish for, we are only small with 12 members but we have the best time imagineable.

I know its difficult for you to be away from home sometimes Graham, but have you ever thought of setting up a model club local to you? Why not put up an advert , i bet you will be suprised at the response. We meet once a fortnight throughout the year as well as that we have all the model shows and on top of that we attend things like airshows, re-enactments etc, so all good fun.

Something to think on anyway, all the very best, Martin :-)

[Guest]

Cheers Martin, you have confirmed what I thought. There is a club fairly close, about a mile and a half away but as you say, not always easy to get to meetings.

I think I ill join the IPMS though but not for forums new. All the mates I need are on here so I don't need other forums.

[Guest]

Sorry Graham, wa not my intention to take you away from this forum, certainly not the case....was just pointing out the fact that IPMS provide forums for those that CANT get to meetings.

[Guest]

Never thought you were Martin, sorry if it came across that way.

[Ian M]

Funny, I was looking at IPMS.dk yesterday, Wondering what its all about. Might be worth it just for the magasin. Its the only model mag in Danish, so could be interresting. They also have trips out to museums, shows and the like. Oh I could also enter in the Danish show circuit. (they have never seen any of my offerings!!!). But I know what you mean Graham. I too look at some of the things the Danish guys show and think "dude I got a long way to go". Which on the positive side also means I have a lot I could learn.

Go for it Graham.

Martin. While we are on the subject, all these shows you visit. Any chance of duing a photo report at some of them. It would make fr good reading here on the forum.

Ian M

[Guest]

Hi Ian,no problem mate will be a pleasure to do some photo reports. The next one is on 4th September, a week this coming Sunday. Its in Cornwall and is orginised By Cornwall IPMS Club. Look forward to covering it, regards Martin :-)

[Guest]

if you go to the nationals on both days you get in free if you are a member.more than worth it.

regards

greycap