New dual-level individual member model automatically assigns Standard membership to all certified practitioners, with Premier level available for those seeking greater impact in the industry.
International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) is pleased to announce a significant modification of its individual membership package that makes it more practical, accessible, and flexible for a broader range of lubrication practitioners. Individual membership is now available at two levels: one that is free and automatic for every ICML-certified professional, and another that is an upgrade option with additional benefits and opportunities.
These changes are effective immediately and impact all current ICML certificants.
“It is important that everything we do prioritizes the needs and advancement of lubrication practitioners in the field,” says ICML Executive Director Leslie Fish. “Realigning ICML membership to include a free and automatic extension of certification is a smart move to support ICML’s credentialed practitioners.”
The modified structure for individual members includes two levels: Standard and Premier. Standard membership is free and automatic for all individuals who hold any current ICML credential. Some benefits associated with the previous membership package have been extended to Standard members, enabling these members to gain in new ways from their newfound status.
The second level is Premier membership, which is an updated version of what was most recently known simply as “Individual” membership. Premier serves as an upgrade option for those who seek even more benefits, exposure, and engagement with ICML.
“Now, for the first time ever, we offer two levels of individual membership, which means that practitioners who want to engage even further with us have the flexibility to do so, gaining even more benefits while being recognized for advancing ICML’s longstanding mission,” says Fish.
“As long as your ICML certification remains current, then your membership remains current, with access to opportunities not previously available,” adds Marketing Manager Paul Hiller.
Purposeful Membership
As Standard members, one of the biggest changes certified practitioners will see is that they can now subscribe to the ICML eLibrary at a special member rate. The eLibrary (hosted by ICML partner River Publishers) is an excellent source of books, articles, and other media not only for general knowledge but also as an extensive compilation to help prepare candidates for ICML and other certification exams.
“ICML’s eLibrary is a dynamic knowledge resource that is useful for all lubrication and oil analysis practitioners,” says Hiller. “It is important that all our individual members have easy access to this eLibrary, so now our Standard members can subscribe at a special rate whether or not they upgrade to Premier. Yes, it’s that important.”
Standard members can also take advantage of occasional offerings from ICML’s partner organizations such as SMRP, and they continue to receive quarterly issues of “The Lube Room” e-newsletter.
Because Standard membership is automatically issued at no cost alongside ICML certification, there is no application form required for this level of membership. To take advantage of the low eLibrary access rate, Standard members must subscribe through ICML.
Premier Memberships Help Shape the Industry
As an upgrade, the Premier level membership package includes the new, all-important Lubrication Experts Panel. This exclusive group comprises Premier members who will represent ICML’s lubrication expertise from the field when opportunities arise for press releases, team articles, co-presentations at conferences/webinars, and more.
“By regularly involving this panel’s Premier members in different public settings, ICML showcases them as experts worth following, while helping them build their curricula vitae, all while spreading ICML’s reputation for excellence,” says Hiller. “It’s a win-win-win.”
Additionally, Premier members will find their ICML eLibrary subscription is already included, so they can start using that resource right away. They will also find that the former 10% exam discount benefit has been converted into a flat credit balance that operates much like the exam credits associated with ICML’s corporate memberships. Premier members also receive a free copy of the ICML 55.0 Standard, “Optimized Lubrication of Mechanical Physical Assets Overview,” which sets the stage for applying the complete ICML 55® Standard series for lubricated asset management. Additional cross-benefits are made available with partner organizations on an ad hoc basis.
Premier membership is also available to non-certified individuals who want to show their support for ICML’s programs while reaping some of the same eLibrary and other benefits as their certified colleagues.
There is a separate application form for upgrading to Premier level. Pricing for Premier membership remains unchanged from the previous Individual package rates. Current Associate and Individual members are grandfathered into the new model on a case-by-case basis, so these individuals are advised to contact ICML Service Support as they consider renewals or upgrades.
ICML’s corporate membership packages remain unaffected at this time. Additional details and application links are found at ICML’s website.