Institute members work in many different fields, investigating, advising and carrying out solutions to organisational problems. They are consulted on problems of resource allocation and utilisation and measure the effectiveness of organisations, systems, methods and procedures. They are actively involved with designing and installing integrated systems of materials, equipment, people, information and energy to achieve maximum effectiveness. The use of information technology is now an integral part of management services practice.The particular management services skills of measurement, analysis, planning and implementation make our members the natural agents of change and in particular they are ideally suited to play a key role in quality management.There are four grades of membership of the Institute – Fellow, Member, Associate and Affiliate. Full details of the requirements for each grade are shown below. In return for a one-off payment of £200, a member is entitled to all Institute services for life. Members can elect to continue to pay an annual fee which for all grades of membership within the European Union is £100. Please enquire about subscriptions for non-UK members.The requirements for the different grades of membership are as follows:

Corporate

Fellow (FMS)

1. Age 30+; and
2. Member MMS (Dip) for five years; and
3. Currently holding a position of responsibility in management services.

Or

Age 35 + and having held a position of responsibility in management services for at least ten years and currently having a major responsibility for advising on areas within the Institute’s Body of Knowledge.

Or

In exceptional circumstances by invitation of the Council.

Fellowship is normally only available after holding the grade of Member/MMS (Dip) for five years continuously, prior to making application.

Fellows are entitled to use the designatory letters FMS.

Member (MMS Dip)

MMS(Dip) grade is designed to recognise members who have completed the full educational programme of the Institute. Thus award of MMS(Dip) is to members:

1. Holding the IMS Certificate; and
2. Holding the Management Services Diploma or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the Institute; and
3. Having three years experience in management services.

Member – MMS

1. Five years in Management Services; and
2. Currently holding a position of responsibility in management services; and either of the following points;
3. Holding the Management Services Diploma (but not the
   Management Services Certificate) or an equivalent qualification-in management services acceptable to the Institute;
4. Satisfying the Institute either by interview or by references to current or past employers of competence in management services.

Members are entitled to use the designatory letters MMS or MMS (Dip).
All Fellows and Members are entitled to vote at general meetings and are issued with a certificate of membership.

Non-Corporate

Associate (AMS)

1. Having obtained a Management Services Certificate or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the Institute; and
2. Two years in management services. Associates are entitled to use the designatory letters AMS.

Affiliate

Those who wish to be associated with the Institute in order to study for management services qualifications or to expand their knowledge contained within the Institute’s Body of Knowledge.

Membership certificates are not issued to non-corporate members.

Application For Membership

Application for membership should be made on the Application Form available from the Membership Department at Institute Head Office, Brooke House, 24 Dam Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6AA). Call (01543 266909), write or E-mail: admin@ims-stowe.fsnet.co.uk with your request.

Those who have previously held membership need not make a fresh application, but quote their old membership number and the year in which their previous membership expired.

Upgrading

Members who believe themselves entitled to seek upgrading should similarly apply to head office for an upgrading form. A non returnable application fee of £20 must accompany all applications for direct entry/upgrading other than to AMS, MMS(Dip) and from MMS to FMS if the grade of Member has been held for over five years. FMS upgradings will pay £25 .