Membership of the Federation is open to individuals or groups who are able to accept the Aims and Principles of the ISF which are set out above. There are currently members from some 35 countries across the world.

CAN MY GROUP OR ORGANISATION JOIN THE ISF?

1. Yes, membership of the Federation is open to groups as well as individuals, subject to the conditions stated below, and is granted only by the Committee. Groups may in clude societies, associations, churches, teaching groups etc. Groups applying for membership of the ISF must be able to accept all the Principles and rules of the Federation and the Committee must be satisfied that the group´s aims objectives and activities do not conflict with the purposes of the Federation and are consistent with membership of the ISF.

HOW DO WE APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP?

Applications can only be accepted if accompanied by an official Group Application Form which is available from the General Secretary. Details of subscriptions for groups are shown under the membership section but please do not enclose any money with your group´s application. Just complete the official application form and send it to the General Secretary with copies of your group´s rules and constitution. You will be notified after the next meeting of the Committee if the application has been approved and advised how much money to send at that time. PLEASE NOTE THE COMMITTEE ONLY NORMALLY MEETS TWICE A YEAR. THERE MAY BE SOME DELAY THEREFORE BEFORE YOUR GROUP´S APPLICATION CAN BE CONSIDERED.

2. Group membership is divided into the following categories:

a) National Groups: These are organisations which represent other Groups or Societies on a nation-wide basis. To qualify, such National Groups must, in the opinion of the Committee, represent other Groups or Societies on a nation-wide basis and have been in existence for at least two years at the date of application to the Federation;

b) Local Groups: These are organisations which represent other Groups and Societies on a local or area basis only. To qualify, such Groups must, in the opinion of the Committee, represent Groups or Societies on a local or area basis and have been in existence for at least two years at the date of application to the Federation;

c) Independent Groups: These are organisations whose membership consists solely of individuals. To qualify, such Groups must have at least fifty individual members and have been in existence for at least two years at the date of application to the Federation;

d) Associate Groups: These are organisations of any type which have been in existence for less than two years. On the completion of the two year period such Groups shall be redesignated under a), b) or c) above, as appropriate. Associate Groups are not entitled to vote on any matter.

Groups defined in any of the above categories shall be referred to collectively as "affiliated bodies".

e) Fraternal Association: The Committee shall be empowered to accept into "Fraternal Association" with the Federation any organisation whose constitution does not enable it to meet all the detailed requirements for full membership of the Federation, but whose objectives are not in conflict with the purposes of the Federation. Such organisations shall not have voting rights.

To join see 'subscriptions'.