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Professional Membership

Professional membership, or membership for ICT Professionals, is the primary and prevalent level of membership in the NZCS.

Whilst the Society also offers Affiliate-level membership options, our professional members run and represent the Society, and the NZCS is here to serve and promote ICT professionals and the ICT profession first and foremost.

There are three professional levels of membership available: Associate Member, Member, and Fellow. Professional members are entitled to use the postnomimals AMNZCS, MNZCS and FNZCS respectively.

Associate Member (AMNZCS)

Associate is the entry grade to professional membership, and is generally for professionals new to the Society but experienced and/or qualified sufficiently to be considered a professional.

Associates also make a commitment to professionalism, agree to abide by the NZCS Code of Ethics, and commit to continue to develop themselves professionally.

Associates Can:	Access the NZCS Membership Benefits Use the post-nominal "AMNZCS" (eg the initials after a name on a business card or email signature to indicate professional membership) Be elected to Branch Committees Pay a discounted rate to attend NZCS events
Associates Commit To:	Abide by the NZCS Code of Ethics Agree to uphold the Responsibilities of Professional Membership Continually develop themselves professionally, and complete at least 10 hours of CPD per year (see below) Stay up-to-date with their professional membership dues
Eligibility:	Hold an accredited ICT qualification at Level 4 on the NZQA framework (or equivalent), and Have at least 1 year full-time post-graduation ICT experience OR: Have at least of three years' full-time experience as an ICT practitioner
Application Process:	You can start the application process quickly and easily online now!     Click Here to apply for membership.

 

Member (MNZCS)

Full Members of the Society are those with significant experience and seniority in the field of ICT. Members are expected to be active in the community of ICT professionals and must have gained the respect of their peers.

Members also make a commitment to professionalism, agree to abide by the NZCS Code of Ethics, and commit to continue to develop themselves professionally.

Members Can:	Access the NZCS Membership Benefits Use the post-nominal "MNZCS" (eg the initials after a name on a business card or email signature to indicate professional membership) Be elected to Branch Committees Be elected to the NZCS National Council Sponsor other members for advancement to Member Represent NZCS on advisory boards or committees of educational institutions (upon NZCS approval) Make NZCS-supported presentations Pay a discounted rate to attend NZCS events
Members Commit To:	Abide by the NZCS Code of Ethics Agree to uphold the Responsibilities of Professional Membership Continually develop themselves professionally, and complete at least 20 hours of CPD per year (see below) Stay up-to-date with their professional membership dues
Eligibility:	Hold an accredited qualification at Level 7 on the NZQA framework that contains ICT papers at least to the second year of study, and Have at least 4 years' full-time post-graduation ICT experience, including 2 years in a team leader, supervisory or senior position OR: Have at least ten years' full-time experience as an ICT practitioner, including 3 years in a team leader, supervisory or senior position
Application Process:	You can start the application process quickly and easily online now! Note that applications for Member level requires sponsorship by 2 other senior ICT professionals, either existing Members or Fellows of NZCS or non-members in recognised senior positions (ICT manager / CIO / etc) who are prepared to vouch for the applicant's suitability Click Here to apply for membership.

 

Fellow (FNZCS)

Fellows are the most senior members of the Society and hold a position of eminence or authority within the discipline of ICT. Fellowship is achieved only after a strict advancement process.

Fellows also make a commitment to professionalism, agree to abide by the NZCS Code of Ethics, and commit to continue to develop themselves professionally.

Fellows Can:	Access the NZCS Membership Benefits Use the post-nominal "FNZCS" (eg the initials after a name on a business card or email signature to indicate professional membership) Be elected to Branch Committees Be elected to the NZCS National Council Sponsor other members for advancement to Member or Fellowship Represent NZCS on advisory boards or committees of educational institutions (upon NZCS approval) Represent NZCS or be endorsed as a member of Government or industry bodies Use the NZCS logo on business cards or stationary (within NZCS guidelines) Make NZCS-supported presentations Be listed on the NZCS website, including a link to your own site Review NZCS submissions in relation to academic programmes Pay a discounted rate to attend NZCS events
Fellows Commit To:	Abide by the NZCS Code of Ethics Agree to uphold the Responsibilities of Professional Membership Continually develop themselves professionally, and complete at least 20 hours of CPD per year (see below) Stay up-to-date with their professional membership dues
Eligibility:	Be regarded as a senior ICT professional occupying a position of eminence or authority in your field Have held MNZCS status for at least 3 years, or hold a Fellowship in a reciprocated Computer Society presented and/or published within the discipline of ICT AND either: Hold an accredited qualification at Level 7 on the NZQA framework that contains ICT papers at least to the second year of study, and Have at least 15 years' full-time post-graduation ICT experience, including 5 years in a team leader, supervisory or senior position OR: Have at least 20 years' full-time experience as an ICT practitioner, including 10 years in a team leader, supervisory or senior position
Application Process:	Application for Fellowship requires sponsorship by 2 existing Fellows who are prepared to vouch for your suitability. Fellowship applications must be voted on by the existing Body of Fellows of the NZCS. 2/3s must approve the Fellowship, with at least 50% voting. Please Contact NZCS for more information and to begin the Fellowship application process.

 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

One of the key philosophies of professionalism is continual learning and growth.

NZCS professional members meet this requirement by committing to continue learning and developing, and completing a minimum amount of formal learning and professional development on an ongoing basis (Associates: 10 hrs/year, Members and Fellows: 20 hrs/year).

Whilst core technical knowledge is very important, being an ICT Professional isn't just about technical skills. Professionals continue to develop themselves in a range of professional areas such as communication and leadership as well as core ICT, and any of these may count towards CPD requirements.

Formal CPD may include any of the following:

• IT-related or other courses that further a member’s professional development
• Attending NZCS-organised branch or national professional events
• Giving ICT-orientated presentations to NZCS or NZCS-recognised events, seminars or conferences
• Training that aids in professional development - inhouse or formal
• Maintaining a subscription to an ICT industry-related publication (up to 50% of CPD)
• Attendance at seminars or conferences related to the member’s profession
• Active involvement in NZCS Branch Committees or National Council
• Any other professional development activity or training that relates directly to your professional duties and responsibilities

 

Definitions

ICT Practitioner

ICT practitioners/professionals are defined as those whose work is primarily in the field of information and communications technology. The Affiliate membership grade is designed for those who are peripherally involved in the industry, who are interested in maintaining contacts within the industry; or who just have an interest in information and communications technology.
 

Team Leader, Supervisory or Senior Position

Some examples of supervisory positions might include:

• In education, you should be a full-time lecturer teaching ICT subjects at NZQA level 4 or above. You should be responsible for the development of courses which are used by other lecturers and/or you should be supervising significant student projects with demonstrated successful outcomes from the teaching process
• In industry, you should be operating as a team leader, be in a staff supervisory role, or be responsible for significant customer account outcomes
• If self-employed, you should be working as a senior ICT practitioner with significant supervisory responsibilities and you should be able to demonstrate successful outcomes from your work

NZCS will also accept full membership of other recognised professional ICT bodies (for example BCS, ACS, CIPS) as suitable criteria for full membership of NZCS.
 

Join the NZCS

Joining NZCS is quick and easy, only costs a little over $5 a week (or less than $1 a week for students and recent graduates), and you can complete the first steps online right now.

Join NZCSand become part of the community of ICT professionals in New Zealand.