Proposed new membership model for CILIP.

1. Impact, inclusion, sustainability – a new
Membership model for CILIP
Meg Burke, Head of Marketing, Membership and Communications
Nick Poole, Chief Executive
September 2020

2. CILIP is asking members to vote for the proposed new
membership model to be introduced from November 2020.

3. Contents
1. Why a new Membership Model?
2. Introducing the proposed new membership model
3. How the model enables us to do more for members
4. Timeline and vote

4. Why a new Membership Model?

5. Our ambition is to deliver a successful, influential and
growing professional association that delivers impact
for our members.

6. New Membership Research
In 2019, we undertook a comprehensive survey of members and non-members and to advise us on our
member benefits and pricing model. This research told us:
• There is a clear appetite for a strong independent professional association
• Members need us to deliver relevant, expert products, services and training
• Members value Professional Registration, Member Networks, Diversity Networks and Devolved Nations
• Members & non-members are not clear enough about CILIP’s purpose in today’s sector
• We need to do better at telling people what we’re doing and the difference it makes
• People need a more democratic, open and inclusive CILIP that responds to their needs

7. Delivering more for our members
The proposed new model is focused on increasing the value that members get from your membership fees.
We have reviewed and updated our member benefits to ensure that they are tailored to the needs of new
and existing members.
Our member benefits are designed to help members succeed in their careers, future-proof their skills and
demonstrate excellence in their professional practice.

8. Member benefits
RepresentationCareer development NetworkingSkills & training
• Effective and influential
public and political relations
• Regular consultation on
campaign priorities
• Stewardship and advocacy
for our professional ethics
• Advocacy to employers to
invest in your skills
• International representation
through IFLA
• Representation tailored to
the Devolved Nations and
English regions
• Globally-recognised
professional registration &
Chartership
• A pathway for progression
independent of the day-job
• A ‘ladder of progression’
that develops with your
career
• Opportunities to develop
leadership & management
experience
• Access to information about
job vacancies and
opportunities
• Be part of the UK’s largest
information professional
community
• Benefit from more than 20
Special Interest Groups and
Networks
• Representation and
development through our
Diversity Networks
• Regular opportunities for
informal networking across
the UK
• Gain an unparalleled
overview of 20+ industry
sectors
• Access to the PKSB - the
Sector Skills Standard for
our profession
• Self-assessment tools to
help you plan and track your
skills development
• Sector-leading digital and
face-to-face training and
CPD
• Cutting-edge content and
guidance in emerging areas
of practice
• Access to ongoing research
and though-leadership to
futureproof your skills

9. Reviewing the current model
Our current membership model was introduced in 2018. We committed to reviewing it in 2020 and have
identified a number of significant challenges:
• The model has not succeeded in addressing the decline in membership numbers
• The 2018 model was based primarily on price rather than adding value for members
• The current model is not generating sufficient revenue to cover the cost of providing member benefits
• Member awareness of and engagement with benefits is very fragmented
• The model has not enabled us to engage potential new members in our work

10. 0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Historic analysis of CILIP membership (absolute)
CILIP membership has declined significantly since 2002 – reversing this decline has to be a key focus of our
future strategy and plans.

11. What’s changed?
The new model we are proposing takes the lessons and insights of the Membership Research and
would enable us to move forward in a way which supports members and secures our long-term
viability:
• The model is evidence-based (~6,000 contributions)
• Addresses the reasons for the historic decline in membership numbers
• Reflects the realities of today’s workforce, including part-time and lone workers
• Enables us to demonstrate the value we’re delivering for members
• Gives us the tools to deliver our commitments on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• Delivers financial sustainability for our professional body

12. Introducing the proposed new Membership Model

13. Proposed categories from 2020
The proposed categories for the new model are:
• Standard member
• Certified Member (ACLIP)
• Chartered Member (MCLIP)
• Fellow (FCLIP)
• Student member
In addition, we are proposing the following elements:
• Membership Plus
• Non-practitioner Member
• Friends
• Supporters
We will continue to maintain support for Life Members and Honorary Fellows in this new
structure.

14. Proposed fee structure from 20201
Additional categories
Membership Plus Membership fee plus £50
Non-practitioner Member £80
Supporter £30
Friend £120
1 All prices quoted are per annum
2 Exclusive of registration fees, as per current model
Level Student Standard Certified2 Chartered2 Fellow2
Full
£60 3
(£5/month)
£160
(c.£13/month)
£190
(c. £16/month)
£210
(c. £18/month)
£230
(c. £19/month)
Part-time N/A
£128
(c. £11/month)
£152
(c. £13/month)
£168
(£14/month)
£184
(c. £15/month)
Concession
£40 4
(c. £3/month)
£96
(£8/month)
£114
(£9.50/month)
£126
(£10.50/month)
£138
(£11.50/month)
3 Student (non-CILIP-accredited course)
4 Student/Apprentice (CILIP-accredited course)

15. Historical comparison*
Membership level 2016 avg. 2018 avg. Proposed new avg.
Standard member £200 £100 £160
Higher level (Leaders Network) – no discount £220 £180 £210
Professionally Registered (avg.) - no discount £230 £150 £210
Concession (lower) £74 £80 £96
Concession (higher) £40 £50 £64
Student Free £40 £40**
* It should be noted that since the Membership 2018 model marked a move away from an earnings-based
structure, there is no direct equivalence between 2017, 2018 and the proposed new model. We have therefore
used averages to demonstrate approximately equivalent levels.
The majority (c. 80%) of CILIP members are in the two ‘mid-tier’ categories (Standard Membership and MCLIP).
** If studying on a CILIP-accredited course of study in LIS or a related discipline

16. Why a price increase?
We recognise that this is a very difficult time for many of our members and that the idea of an
increase in fees will be challenging.
There are two main reasons why the CILIP Board has decided we have to implement this new model
now:
• The current model is not delivering against our ambition to be a growing, influential and member-
led association. Engagement with benefits is fragmented and it is clear from the Membership
Research that the model implemented in 2018 has not delivered the engagement or value for
members that was intended;
• Despite implementing significant reductions in spending (more than £1m since 2018), the
association is not financially sustainable with this new model. This problem has been accelerated
by COVID, but fundamentally if we retain the existing pricing structure, the organisation will no
longer be viable.

17. What the ‘levels’ mean
Level Definition
Full The ‘full’ membership rate is the annual rate members will pay if they do not qualify for a discount or
concession
Discount The discount rate has been proposed to allow CILIP to recognise and acknowledge the contribution of
our volunteers to our work. It is available to members of our Boards and Committees or people
involved in Professional Registration and related assessment activity
Part-time The part-time rate (which also incorporates ‘term-time’ contracts) has been proposed specifically to
make membership accessible for people who are working outside full-time employment – particularly
women who make up the majority of the part-time workforce
Concession The concessionary rate has been proposed to make membership affordable for people with
disabilities, people who are in receipt of income support or who are on very low wages and people on
a carers allowance. This rate also applies to Retired members (see slide below).
Student The student rate is designed to make CILIP membership accessible for people who are studying on a
course of instruction in Library and Information Science or a related discipline or who are undertaking
an LAIS Level 3 Apprenticeship.

18. Retired members
CILIP believes that retired (and ‘semi-retired’) members are an important strength of our community and that we
need a specific offer and strategy in order to support and retain members in this category.
We are also aware of a significant income differential across this category and want to ensure that we have a
clear and affordable offer for people moving into retirement.
We are proposing to bring retired members into the new model on the concessionary rate and then to work with
the Retired Members Group during 2021 to research and develop a bespoke model which meets the needs of
these members (see also ‘Further work’ below).

19. ‘Membership Plus’
Membership Plus is a discretionary £50 contribution that members can make on top of
their membership fee which will allow us to deliver on much-needed development
programmes and campaigns which we will otherwise struggle to fund. These include:
• Taking forward Apprenticeships for the library and information profession
• Enhancing our support for new and emerging leaders in the profession
• Strengthening our Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives
• Implementing our plans for a sector Research and Evidence Base (to promote evidence-based
practice in the information, library and knowledge profession)

20. ‘Non-practitioner Member’
The proposal to introduce a non-voting ‘non-practitioner member’ category is based on our
discussions with Member Networks.
It is designed to give Member Networks a structured way of engaging and working with people who
want to be involved in their work, but for whom CILIP membership is not appropriate or relevant.
Where previously ‘group-only membership’ was available to information professionals, ‘non-
practitioner membership’ is available to those outside the profession, but who want to be involved in
our work.
‘Non-practitioner’ membership costs £80 per year per Member Network joined.

21. ‘Friends and Supporters’
‘Friends and Supporters’ are not membership categories and do not confer voting rights. Instead,
they provide a mechanism by which people can donate in order to support our work as a Charity
focused on literacy, access to information and libraries.
• Supporters are asked to make a £30 annual donation to support our work
• Friends are asked to make an annual donation of £120 or a monthly donation of £10 to support
our work
CILIP has succeed in developing a database of 10,900 ‘supporters’ through the Libraries Deliver
platform and we will incorporate this into a Fundraising Strategy to be implemented from 2021.
We will also seek to enhance the value of gifts and donations through Gift Aid.

22. Future work
CILIP believes that further work is required in order to develop member benefits and
pricing models that meet the needs of some sub-categories of membership, including:
• Retired members (who will be permitted to retain their post-nominals under the new model)
• Overseas members
• Student members
We will undertake further research and engagement with members and non-members to refine and
strengthen our offer for them.
We have also set out targets for retention and new member acquisition through to the end of 2023.
We anticipate that the transition to the new model may drive increased attrition during 2020-21 and
are committed to a future programme of marketing, engagement and communications to attract and
retain additional members over the lifetime of our next 5-year Plan.

23. We believe this model enables us to move forwards
together as the effective and sustainable professional
body our community needs and deserves.

24. How the model helps us do more for members

25. A model to strengthen our community
The new model enables us to move forwards with our Community Strategy – investing in and
strengthening our work together:
• Recognising and celebrating the central value of Member Networks to our membership
• Strengthening regional representation & leadership through the Regional Member Networks
• Strengthening national representation & leadership in Scotland, Wales and NI
• Developing and supporting the new Diversity Networks
• Enabling us to recognise and acknowledge the commitment of our volunteers

26. A model for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
The proposed model enables us to put our commitments on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into
practical action:
• Concessionary rate for people on Universal Credit/income support
• Free/subsidised membership for BAME professionals
• Concessionary rate for people with disabilities
• Recognising pay inequality for women (particularly working in part-time roles)
• Strengthening representation through Diversity Networks
• A model which funds our work in lowering barriers for people from marginalised communities

27. A model to strengthen professional registration
The new model enables us to make good on our commitment to strengthen the role of professional
registration in our current and future work:
• Smoother transition from ‘standard’ to ‘professionally-registered’
• Easier progression through professionally-registered membership
• Streamlined, simplified and improved professional registration & revalidation processes
• Stronger engagement with employers to promote the value of professional registration
• Encouraging wider adoption and use of the PKSB

28. A model for a more democratic association
Members want CILIP to be more open, inclusive and democratic and to do a better job of representing you,
your values and interests:
• Regular consultation with the whole membership
• Representation through the Members Council
• Regular feedback on the impact of our lobbying, advocacy and campaigns
• Working to make our governance more open and inclusive

29. A sustainable financial model
The model introduced in 2018 is not delivering enough money to cover the costs of running CILIP –
despite implementing over £1m in cost-savings since 2018, we are still making a significant loss
which has been made worse by COVID-19.
The CILIP Board has a legal duty to ensure that the Charity is solvent and able to meet its
commitments on behalf of members.
We recognise that this model represents a significant fees increase across most categories of
membership. We are proposing it on the basis that it is a fundamental course-correction which will
enable us to deliver for our members while securing the viability of the association.

30. Timeline and vote

31. Key milestones
Decision point Date
Board approval of AGM Resolution (electronic vote) concluded 28.08.2020
AGM Notification issued with Resolution in Information Professional 09.09.2020
Online voting on Resolution opens 18.09.2020
Online voting on Resolution closes 29.10.2020
AGM and result of member vote 29.10.2020
January 2021 Renewals Notices issued at new price point (if approved) w/c 09.11.2020

32. Resolution
CILIP therefore invites all members with voting rights to lodge their vote in support of the
following Resolution:
“The voting members of CILIP hereby vote to adopt the new fees
structure and model for CILIP membership proposed for
introduction from November 2020 and recommended to the
membership by the CILIP Board, Treasurer and Finance, Audit and
Risk Committee.”
Cast your vote before the 27th October. More information from
http://www.cilip.org.uk/membership2021