LRPS - Vague application form

[Bendihossan]

Just a quick question really...I'm applying for an LRPS because I have an A Level and qualify for exemption so I thought "What the hell!". But I've started filling out the application form and er...I'm finding Section 13 to be as vague as vague gets! Can anyone out there who has been successful with RPS application forms help me?

It states:

I enclose remittance / authorise you to charge my credit card to cover the following:
Licentiateship Application Fee : £50
Resubmission Fee (once only): £25
Excemption Fee/Student/Under 25s (proof of status required) : £25
Return Postage - please complete with appropriate sum : <empty box>
...

And then at the bottom there's a "Total" box and I don't understand if I have to add up 50+25+25...or just 50+25 for the application fee and exemption fee...and what on earth do I put in the return postage box as I don't enclose anything (other than photocopies of stuff) which need to be returned! Stuck here scratching my head as I don't want to do this wrong and then have them charge me only to say that I filled it out wrong or something! :bang:

 

[Bendihossan]

Oh, and before anyone says so I've phoned all three telephone numbers on the form only to get answering machines.

 

[TheBigYin]

I'd give them a Call to be honest - get the gen. from the horses mouth... +44 (0)1225 325733

edit: okay - leave a message then

 

[Bendihossan]

I'd give them a Call to be honest - get the gen. from the horses mouth... +44 (0)1225 325733

edit: okay - leave a message then

Unless the TP Gods can save me I'll leave them a message but I was hoping to send the form off this afternoon and get it over and done with. Thanks though!

 

[Kev M]

I'd say it was just the £50 for the licentiaship fee. Stick the cheque in the post, if it's wrong they'll tell you quick enough.

 

[2blue4u]

I would have thought that you only need pay £25.

Anyway, why would you want to join an organisation that won't answer their telephones?

 

[Carol]

Those are the 3 different prices, you only need to pay one of them (plus postage to return your panel of images if you're submitting a panel). If you qualify for an exemption then its probably £25. Best to check with someone though. Its the Focus show in Birmingham so they're probably a bit short-staffed in the office.

Hope that helps!

 

[TheBigYin]

well - it's only a thought, but it is pretty much lunchtime, if there's only a few admin staff, maybe they've nipped out for a butty and a pint, and just leave the answering machine on for the duration, and answer any calls when they get back. Leave a message, what's the worst that can happen? You can always ring back after lunch if it's desperate.

Sorry - i'm a one-man-band company, and really get hacked off with people (mainly punters!) that won't talk to answering machines :shrug:

 

[Bendihossan]

I'd say it was just the £50 for the licentiaship fee. Stick the cheque in the post, if it's wrong they'll tell you quick enough.

Thank you, but I'm paying by Direct Debit so I think I need to know the exact amount.

I would have thought that you only need pay £25.

Anyway, why would you want to join an organisation that won't answer their telephones?

So I can brag about having a few fancy letters after my name? Why ever else would I even think about it!

well - it's only a thought, but it is pretty much lunchtime, if there's only a few admin staff, maybe they've nipped out for a butty and a pint, and just leave the answering machine on for the duration, and answer any calls when they get back. Leave a message, what's the worst that can happen? You can always ring back after lunch if it's desperate.

Sorry - i'm a one-man-band company, and really get hacked off with people (mainly punters!) that won't talk to answering machines :shrug:

No problem

Those are the 3 different prices, you only need to pay one of them (plus postage to return your panel of images if you're submitting a panel). If you qualify for an exemption then its probably £25. Best to check with someone though. Its the Focus show in Birmingham so they're probably a bit short-staffed in the office.

Hope that helps!

Ah, yes! Forgot about Focus and I was there on Sunday :bonk:

 

[tlitody]

I suggest you read their small print very carefully. An LRPS or ARPS can only be used by you if you have paid and you MUST pay every year if you want to use those letters after your name. Its like saying you must pay every year from now if you want to claim you have an A level or a degree otherwise you lose the qualification. It reduces the award to an exercise in buying letters after your name. Nice to do once just to see if you get the award but why should you pay every year? Well its not a qualification. It's just a title they give to indicate the standard of their members. If you don't retain membership then you lose the title. So just understand what it is you are paying for. If you want membership and intend to be a participating of the RPS then go ahead and do it. But if you only want the letters then I wouldn't as they are only worth what you pay for them. i.e you have a £50 title or whatever it costs annually.

 

[Bendihossan]

I suggest you read their small print very carefully. An LRPS or ARPS can only be used by you if you have paid and you MUST pay every year if you want to use those letters after your name. Its like saying you must pay every year from now if you want to claim you have an A level or a degree otherwise you lose the qualification. It reduces the award to an exercise in buying letters after your name. Nice to do once just to see if you get the award but why should you pay every year? Well its not a qualification. It's just a title they give to indicate the standard of their members. If you don't retain membership then you lose the title. So just understand what it is you are paying for. If you want membership and intend to be a participating of the RPS then go ahead and do it. But if you only want the letters then I wouldn't as they are only worth what you pay for them. i.e you have a £50 title or whatever it costs annually.

Yes, I know this. It's not in the small print it's made pretty clear on their website and the application form itself. It's not reducing the value on the A Level by any means it's just another way of getting recognised. The RPS are a charity and like all charities they have to make money by whatever means they can including membership fees just like camera clubs, magazine subscriptions, even industry organisations like the British Computing Society...the list goes on!

Anyway, I managed to get through a voice and left a message with her and she said she'd double check and get back to me once she can get a hold of the distinctions officer or his assistant.