Frequently asked questions
We answer some key questions about our name change
Have my member benefits changed?
All your existing member benefits including unlimited legal advice and public liability insurance remain unchanged. Music Journal has been overhauled with a fresh new look and in line with member feedback will now be published quarterly. Further new member benefits are planned and will be announced shortly.
Why have you changed the name?
Our new name underlines the ISM’s independence – a quality that has always been at the heart of the ISM’s work and which is vital in enabling us to campaign effectively on behalf of the sector.
The Society was forced to adopt the word ‘Incorporated’ back in Victorian times for technical reasons, but has become irrelevant and there has long been a desire to modernise it.
By contrast, ‘Independent’ reflects who and what we are as an organisation. The blog and editorial in the autumn of edition of Music Journal explain the changes in more detail.
Do I need a new PLI certificate?
Your existing PLI certificate remains valid. However, if you wish to have a PLI certificate that bears our new name, you can download a copy from the members area of the website. Log into your account and go to Your Insurance documents to access your document.
I pay for my membership by Direct Debit. Do I need to do anything?
No, the Independent Society of Musicians is a trading name. This means that our legal company name remains Incorporated Society of Musicians and therefore your direct debit is unaffected by the change in name. Your bank statement will continue to debit your account from the Incorporated Society of Musicians.
Does the new name affect my voting rights at the AGM?
The ISM is a democratic organisation that only allows its members to sit on the ISM Council. The Independent Society of Musicians is a trading name. There has therefore been no change to our legal name, articles of association or any of the ways in which the Society operates.
