The Society currently has three categories of membership.
Fellow
Fellowship is the highest level of membership of the Society. A Fellow of the Society is a calligrapher recognised by his or her peers to be at a high professional level of achievement. New Fellows are proposed and elected by existing Fellows, who scrutinise a body of work submitted by the candidate. Rules and guidelines for what is expected of this submission can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary. (link to Who Does What page). Like other members, Fellows pay an annual fee as listed on the Membership Rates page. Fellows receive all the benefits listed below, except for exhibiting at the Lay Members’ Exhibition.
Lay Member
A Lay Member of the SSI will:
- each year receive two issues of the Society’s journal, The Scribe. This builds into a unique reference library of modern research, studies of historical hands, book reviews and innovative techniques.
- be regularly updated on events and happenings in calligraphy world-wide via the Newsletter four times a year. Members with access to the Internet will also find the SSI home page directing them to ongoing discussions.
- be able to contact the Secretary as a first stop for telephone advice.
- have access to advancement in the craft via the Advanced Training Scheme (for committed students with a high level of ability).
- be regularly informed about the activities of local groups of calligraphers (UK only).
- have access to the reference library of the SSI, held at the London College of Communication.
- be offered calligraphic supplies, videos, books and slides.
- be invited to exhibit at the annual Lay Members’ Exhibition (displayed at the Capital Letters meeting) and receive a critique from a Fellow.
- be invited to contribute work for selection in the Society’s exhibitions.
- be able to attend all meetings of the Society. Guests may be brought to all meetings except the Research and Technical Day.
Friend
This is a membership category designed for those who cannot or do not wish to attend meetings and who do not wish to exhibit work. Friends will receive all the Society’s mailings. They may also attend workshops, use the SSI Reference Library and buy calligraphic supplies, books, videos and slides.
