Writers /journos- can anyone help me re: NUJ membership

[BetteDavisEyes]

Hoping someone can help.

I'm a f/l journalist but haven't been doing a huge amount of writing since getting pg (had some other work going on which formed my main income).

I am a member of the NUJ but I'm not working at the moment (am on mat leave)

I have never really used my NUJ membership and it's £15 going out of my account every month that I don't really wanna pay for.

Is it very poor form to stop being a member?
Are there any reasons to stay one? Does anyone know if I can "get it back" if I relinquish it?

I'm sure I don't pay £15 pm.

I think you can allow your membership to lapse - in fact if you're not working as a journalist you probably should (I don't mean mat leave, that's fine).

Not a problem AFAIK rejoining if and when journalism forms the main part of yr income again.

I'd also get that figure checked sounds like a lot.

HTH

afaicr there are various rates depending on income, just ring and ask. I'm sure you should have a subscription holiday when on mat leave anyway.
(ime the press card pays its way as waving it gets you in to see the Terracotta Army/wotnot for free)

You've probably called them by now, but yes - you're entitled to a subscription holiday while on mat leave (I'm in this situation at the moment). Give the membership office a call and let them know, they were v helpful with me.

It's worth it for the press card....but...

Agree, give them a ring.

You do get maternity leave from your payments - I stay a member in case I ever get into trouble on a story - you do get legal advice etc for free.

What sort of thing do you lot get for free....ideas welcome!
Last time mine was any use was blagging a better car parking space at a sports event by waving it around but that was ages ago. I think I've been missing out...

I've only used it for art galleries (lots of queue jumping) but there's a decent discount from the apple store I think... check the nuj site

I've only used it for art galleries (lots of queue jumping) but there's a decent discount from the apple store I think... check the nuj site

Off there now. Didn't realise I could queue jump....ooh am almost excited about this!

I'm in the BAJ and it's a flat rate £10 a month for freelancers

oh look -- NUJ discounts on funerals too

Marvellous. Some magazines I work for seem determined to force me into an early grave. Or not pay me till I'm dead.