Page 12 - the SyI Quarterly 11

Know your Institute
Know your Institute

Increasing rates of recruitment and overall membership is of course extremely important…but just as
important is reviewing rates of attrition, understanding why members leave the organisation and how
Validation Board update these aspects can be addressed.

Although 332 fewer members at various membership levels left the Institute in 2021 compared to 2020,
the number was significantly higher than in 2018 and 2019. 2020, was something of an anomaly – a large
number of students left that year – but that was a consequence of a one-off major student reconciliation
- Tony Aston FSyI project undertaken by Headquarters staff.

It could be said that as overall membership increases then it is more likely that this will be reflected in the
rate of attrition – but that does not mean that we should do nothing about it .

Non-payment of membership fees and/or lost contact of members are the main reasons why members
are shown as leavers, followed by students not wishing to regrade to a professional membership level
As I enter my 5th year on the Board of Directors I am once their studies are complete. The Institute is focussing on the issue of attrition through its strategy
pleased to be able to present a report on the activity during programme and vigorously undertaking work to more deeply understand why members choose to lose
2021 of the Validation Board (VB) and Institute Membership. contact with us, or to not pay annual membership fees.
2021 was another year in which the Institute, in a similar How have we started 2022?
way to many businesses, was significantly affected by the Rates of recruitment and leavers for the first quarter of this year are broadly the same as for the same
Covid-19 pandemic. Once again, we saw much more of each period last year. The aim is to increase the former and decrease the latter.
other on screen rather than face to face, including the AGM
last year and previously in 2020. It was online technology And, today, our membership falls a little short of 4500, continuing to increase by an average of 95 a month.
that enabled the work of the VB and its Working Group, to But, as we know, numbers and statistics often fail, in isolation, to give full picture.
continue apace.
As important as the quantity of members and groups in the Institute, is the quality.
The VB today comprises some 40 members, each one
a specialist in their own particular field of security. This But such significant increases in quantity and quality do not happen on their own. It involves significant
includes representation from members, or former members, input and effort from the whole Institute – from the HQ team to the wider membership – and everyone in
of each of the armed services, the blue light services, prison between. What a team we all make! Truly RESPECTED RECOGNISED AND PROFESSIONAL
service, UK Security Services, industry, commerce and
corporate. A typical VB meeting will comprise between 12 The VB Working Group, has had another busy year. Generally tasked by the Board of Directors, primarily as
and 20 members. a consequence of issues and matters that have arisen during validation processes, the Group meets on a
quarterly basis, often following a monthly VB meeting – and these are some of the topics that were on the
A total of 21 virtual VB meetings were held last year Attendees of the recent hybrid VB meeting agenda during 2021.
during which almost 1100 membership applications, held on 28th June at the ‘India Office Council
and revalidations, an incredible volume, were individually Chamber at the Foreign, Commonwealth and • Reviewing points awarded for qualifications and training not currently covered in the scoring
reviewed. The only face-to-face meeting last year took place Development Office at King Charles Street. matrix.
between lockdowns, in a secure location, to cater for • A similar review of points scoring for those primarily involved in the sales side of security
applicants from more sensitive organisations. equipment and systems.
• Random quality checking of previously validated applications
Once again, I am delighted to say that members of the VB across the United Kingdom and overseas stepped • Professional Commitment – How to assess social media groups/content management
up to the plate magnificently. • Proposal for scoring membership applications relating to sales professionals
For the second successive year, in 2021 over 1000 new members were recruited into the organisation, I would like to make special mention of Mike Cannon FSyI and Graeme Addy FSyI, both long-standing
marginally fewer – 1050 against 1171 – than in 2020. and extremely valued members of the VB and VBWG who, during 2021, stood down from the VB. An
incalculable number of application validations must have crossed their paths in that time. My thanks, and
Each month, except August when there was no VB, saw between 47 and 157 applications reviewed and those of current and former VB members, are extended to both Mike and Graeme, not only for all of the
validated. work they carried out during their time in office, but also for their friendship.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are important and key elements of Institute recruitment. Congratulations go to Mike Lees CSyP FSyI, another senior member of the VB and security lead for the NHS
at Barnsley, for receiving the Institute Volunteer of the Year Award at the Gala Dinner in November. Well
With regard to the membership gender split the percentage calculations for recruitment show that: done Mike – truly well deserved.

In 2018 15% of members recruited were female In summary:
In 2019 it was 15.7% • VB distance teaming continued last year although I am pleased to say that the face-to-face
In 2020 this rose to 23% meetings recommenced in March this year. These are planned to be held quarterly.
And last year it was 22% • Successful adaptation of a variety of technical systems will continue for the remainder of VB
meetings
So, the gender gap is slowly decreasing which demonstrates that more females are entering the security • 2021 was another year of major increases in recruitment – 1050 – the second successive year
community than ever before – a very welcome sign which indicates that we are heading in the right direction. when over 1000 new members joined the Institute.
However, we all know that gender is by no means the only diversity factor and the Institute is focussed on all • 4308 members at 2021 year end – almost 4500 by end Q1 2022
areas of equity, diversity, and inclusivity. • Strategic pillar workstreams reviewing Membership Experiences and addressing rates of attrition.
The total membership of the Institute at the end of 2021 was 4308. This represents, in real terms, an
increase of 582 over 2020 – 15.6% - real growth - and I expect the organisation to be approaching, hopefully
exceeding, the 5000 mark by year end. Significantly, if one looks at growth in the last 4 years since 2018,
membership has increased by a massive 51%. Again, we are clearly doing something right !
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