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Professional association versus professional members
Authors: Andrew McEwenPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2012, Issue N.Z.J.For. 57(4) 2013, pp 3, Jan 2013
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: A survey in 2007 showed a majority of NZIF members wanted the Institute to be more professional. The Council embarked on a programme of activity to achieve this. Accounting processes and reporting to members have been overhauled, a new membership database integrated with a new website has been introduced, new rules have been approved by members, and the NZIF office was moved to Wellington. Here it has a higher profile and is more accessible to members and others. Alongside this, membership has been retained and expanded, with a record 880 members at 31 March 2012. The number of registered members stands at 95 after dropping to 73 in 2009, but is still short of the high of 106 in 2001. The Journal of Forestry continues to be produced each quarter and new publication processes have been implemented. The newsletter, started in 2003, continues to arrive every Friday. Successful annual conferences have taken place, with the last five all producing financial surpluses which have helped fund other NZIF activities and keep annual membership fees down. Submissions and representations continue to be made on diverse topics.