Membership comprises of qualified Guidance Counsellors in branches nationwide. There are five categories of membership:
The Constitution of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors states:
4.1 Membership shall be open to all persons holding one of the following qualifications:
4.1.2 In the case of [2] and [3] above, when the applicant's qualification is not accepted as equivalent to [1] above by the Membership and Registration Committee, that pathways by which such equivalency can be achieved be indicated to the applicant by the Membership and Registration Committee. On successful completion of these pathways, the Membership and Registration Committee will grant membership.
4.1.3 That the decisions of the Membership and Registration Committee with respect to 4.1.i. and 4.1.ii above shall be absolute and final.
4.2 Membership shall be Chartered and Non-Chartered.
(1) There shall be two grades of Chartered Membership.
(i) Fellow Member [inclusive language]
(ii) Chartered Member
(2) There shall be four grades of Non-Chartered Membership.
(i) Qualified Member
(ii) Honorary Fellow [inclusive language]
(iii) Student Member
(iv) Retired Member
4.3 Fellow Membership
(i) Fellow Membership (denotes female and male) shall be open to all chartered Members who satisfy the Membership Committee that they have made a significant contribution to the Advancement of Guidance Counselling. It is designated by the letters F.M.I.G.C. [Entitlements: Appendix 1]
(ii) Branches may submit suitable nominations to the Membership Committee. The final decision will be taken by the National Executive.
(iii) Honorary Fellowship is afforded to Non-Members who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of Guidance and Counselling. Nominations must be approved by the National Executive. [Entitlements: Appendix 1]
4.4 Chartered Membership
Chartered Membership is afforded to Qualified Members who have been members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors for a period of not less than four years, and in addition have practiced as a Guidance Counsellor for those four years. Evidence of participation in on-going In-Service training and Branch activities during these four years must be provided. It is designated by the letters C.M.I.G.C. Nominations must be approved by the National Executive. [Entitlements: Appendix 1]
4.5 Qualified Membership
Qualified Membership is afforded to all persons with qualifications as outlined in Article 4.1 and designated by the letters Q.M.I.G.C. [Entitlements: Appendix 1]
4.6 Student Membership
Student Membership shall be open to all persons in the process of taking a course of not less than one academic year in Guidance and Counselling. [Entitlements: Appendix 1]
4.7 Retired Membership
Retired membership shall be open to Qualified and Chartered Members who have retired from the profession on the grounds of age or health, who pay one half of the annual fee. [Entitlements: Appendix 1]
4.8 Affiliate Membership [Closed]
Affiliate Membership as a grade of non-chartered membership is now closed. It shall however be retained as a closed membership for those members who already hold this grade, work related areas of guidance and counselling, but do not have the qualifications specified in Article 4.3. above. [Entitlements: Appendix 1]
4.9 The Membership and Registration Committee shall be drawn from the National Executive. It shall meet specifically to deal with all matters of Registration and Membership.
4.10 Application for Membership and Registration
shall be made either through the Branch or the National Executive but the National Executive decision thereon shall be final.
4.11 Maintaining Membership
Subject to the above prescription for Membership any person who undertakes to accept and abide by the Constitution and Code of Ethics of the Institute in the performance of their duties, may join the Institute on payment of the annual membership fee and shall remain a Member by:
a) continuing to comply with the Institute's Code of Ethics.
b) by renewal of the annual fee.
4.12 Maintaining a Register
There shall be a Register of Bona Fide Chartered Members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
4.13 Annual Membership Fee
The membership year and annual fees for membership shall be fixed or altered by Annual General Meeting only.
4.14 Cessation of Membership
A person shall cease to be a Member of the Institute if s/he fails to renew membership by paying the annual membership fee before December 15th.. of any year, or if in the opinion of the National Executive a person's professional conduct makes it desirable that they should not be on the Membership and /or Register of Practitioners List.
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Entitlements and Conditions of each Membership Grade.
1. Student Membership:
Student Members shall be entitled to Guidelines and Journal. Their names shall be included on the mailing list for general information. They may attend conferences and seminars.
2. Affiliate Membership: [Closed Grade]
Affiliate Members shall be entitled to Guidelines and the Journal. Their names shall be included on the mailing list for general information. They may attend conferences and seminars.
3. Qualified Membership
Qualified Members shall be entitled to all the benefits of non-chartered members. In addition they have full voting rights and may hold office as outlined in article 12 of the Constitution. Qualified Membership will be subject to an annual review. To maintain Qualified Membership the following conditions must be met:
1. Five hours of In-Service training annually in an area pertinent to the work of a Guidance Counsellor; i.e. Personal/Social, Educational, Vocational guidance and counselling.
2. Comply with Branch procedure for monitoring this annual review.
3. The Executive Member of each Branch will liaise with the Membership Committee in order to implement and comply with these conditions.
4. Chartered Membership
Chartered Members, in addition to receiving the entitlements of Qualified Members, shall have their names included on the Register of Professional Practitioners. Chartered Membership will be subject to an annual review. To maintain Chartered membership the following conditions must be met:
1. Ten hours of In-Service training annually in an area pertinent to the work of a Guidance Counsellor; i.e. Personal/Social, Educational, Vocational guidance and counselling.
2. Comply with Branch procedure for monitoring this annual review.
3. The Executive Member of each Branch will liaise with the Membership Committee in order to implement and comply with these conditions.
5. Fellow Membership
Fellow Members shall enjoy the full entitlements of Chartered Membership and be registered on the Register of Professional Practitioners accordingly.
6. Honorary Fellowship
Honorary Fellows shall receive the Institute of Guidance Counsellors'; Journal and other appropriate communications as decided by the National Executive.
7. Retired Members
Retired Members shall be entitled to Guideline and the Journal. Their names shall be included on the mailing list for general information. They may attend conferences and seminars.