A key benefit of being a Member or a Fellow of a professional body is gaining enhanced professional status. Typically this gained following a period of training/qualification and/or meeting set criteria of membership/fellowship.
So, how can members outwardly display enhanced professional status? Usually this is done via a physical or virtual certificate, listing on a member directory/register and/or the use of post-nominals (letters after your name). E.g. MICAEW (Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales) or FCIPD (used by Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).
Post-Nominals have long been a member benefit, however they can seem a bit ‘Old Skool’ or completely misunderstood by new/incoming early career members. Its therefore our job; as Membership and Association Professionals; to put this right!
In a number of senior leadership roles I have conducted over the years I have found that members can sometimes believe they ‘own’ their post-nominals (after all that hard work!). However, we are well aware that they are a benefit of membership. I.e. should only be used by current paid-up members.
Sometimes it might be advantageous to remind members of this, however I would recommend doing so in a positive value-driven way. E.g. Reminding them of what makes them different as a Member or Fellow of your organisation, along with the more support/collective voice focused benefits.
One question we regularly hear: In what order should I put my post-nominals? Now there is a question. What should come first and what should come last?
Who is the best person to answer such a question? My immediate response – Barrister, Keith Lawrey – the irreplaceable gent who recently retired from The Foundation for Science and Technology and who supported no less than 30 or so professional bodies gain their Royal Charters.
In a recent article for the Foundation, Lawrey explains:
“Post-Nominals are important in identifying the skills (and possible liabilities) of other persons with whom one interacts. There is an accepted order in which they should be placed when included on lists or emails.”
The order is as follows:
- Honours (E.g. OBE or CBE)
- University Degrees (Bachelors first in order of the foundation of the faculty from which the degree was granted so, usually, theology then law then arts then sciences then business studies)
- Masters
- Doctorates
- Chartered Registrations (eg C Eng)
- Professional Fellowships
- Professional Memberships
- Diplomas
Your Call to Action – If Post-Nominals are a benefit of membership of your professional body, check that you are clearly communicating that they are indeed a benefit of membership, what they mean (to your members, their clients/customers and the general public) and how they should be used.
Also consider new and innovative ways for members display them. E.g. A decade ago it would have been business cards, but today it may be better via a digital badge, online credentialling / the ability to share/surface them via professional online social media sites, like LinkedIn or within email signatures.
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