Should I Join IPMS

[Werner Voss]

Hi All,

Maybe not the right place to post, but should I join IPMS? My reason for asking is I enjoy going to shows and aspire to enter some contingent up the outcome of my builds over the winter. I want to make certain I stay informed on shows and dates. To my disappointment, yesterday I drove an hour to an advertised show only to find it was canceled months ago despite listings all over the web saying it was on.

Thx!

 

[the Baron]

I joined for a couple of reasons:

1. To support the largest organization in the US that promotes the hobby. Membership includes voting. And if you're a member of an IPMS chapter, the organization's regions usually have a person who collects chapter newsletters and announcements and distributes them to the chapters in his region. That helps keep abreast of shows and other activities that might be of interest.
2. I had joined a model club, an IPMS chapter, and it helped us maintain the number of members we needed to be an IPMS chapter.
3. I get the IPMS Journal, a monthly periodical that is better than many modeling magazines.
4. I don't compete, but if I wanted to, some of the shows have required membership to enter the competition.

But then, I'm a joiner, too. I tend to join organizations and participate at a higher or deeper level in that organization.

As far as staying updated on shows and show updates is concerned, you can access that info on the IPMS/USA website:

https://ipmsusa.org/

From that page, click News & Events in the menu bar across the top of the page.

But that's not a panacea. The page, the list, is only as good as the people who send in their show's info, and the people who maintain the website and its pages. That some websites weren't updated isn't a surprise. Remember that it's a volunteer hobby, so the quality and competence of any chapter or show committee depends on how good, how diligent, the chapter's or show committee's members are.

Hope that was informative!

Best regards,
Brad

 

[Werner Voss]

Hi Brad,

Thanks for your insight.

Bill

 

[RocketRanger]

This information is about my own personal experience as a member of IPMS.
I thought about joining IPMS for decades but never followed through. Then after 9/11 and all the negative realities that were a byproduct of this event, I decided that I needed to get on with something positive and attended my first local IPMS chapter meeting with a friend who was a member. I found a really welcoming community of really excellent modelers who were willing to take me under their wing and help me out with finding model kits and accessories.

Here are some random benefits I found from joining IPMS.
1) The IPMS chapter members get a discount on purchases at the local hobby shop
2) Access to inexpensive and hard to find kits through privately announced garage and estate sales and info on local modelling events
3) Participation in community events that the local IPMS was asked to sponsor such as make-and-takes
4) Attendance at local, regional and National model contests and I discovered the excitement and satisfaction of winning awards and recognition for my work
5) Finding a group of modelers to draw advice, recommendations and inspiration from
6) Development of a really close set of good friends who share a common interest
7) Field trips with a group of like-minded modelers to museums, airshows and other events.
8) My model building skills improved with advice and information from other members
9) An unexpected IPMS benefit was acquired from being elected the President of my local IPMS chapter several times where I gained experience and learned how to lead, manage, problem solve and inspire people which turned out to be an extremely valuable skills at my real job.

I strongly encourage you to attend a local chapter meeting a couple of times to see how you like it. If you don't and there's another local IPMS chapter, attend one of their meetings since each chapter has a different "flavor".
Speaking for myself, I have found that my association with IPMS has greatly enriched my life in general and recommend that you give it a try.

 

[Werner Voss]

Hi RocketRanger,

Thank you!

 

[stevethefish]

Has anyone's worst IPMS experience entailed a bunch of elderly men with no joy in their life, standing around scratching their bellies, counting rivets and griping about anything SF-related?

 

[Edbert]

My vote is "yes".

I stand by that even if you ever attend a show, enter a contest, or go to a meeting.

My POV is that it is a small price to pay to support the hobby, nothing more.

 

[Littlemarten]

My vote would also be "yes." All the "local" chapters in my area are well over an hour's drive away, in rush hour traffic. I used to attend one that was 1.5 hours away, but all expressway driving—but they changed locations and are now over two hours away. I wish there was one closer.

 

[Littlemarten]

Has anyone's worst IPMS experience entailed a bunch of elderly men with no joy in their life, standing around scratching their bellies, counting rivets and griping about anything SF-related?

There are people like that everywhere, in every group. There are also people who are supportive and fun.

 

[the Baron]

Has anyone's worst IPMS experience entailed a bunch of elderly men with no joy in their life, standing around scratching their bellies, counting rivets and griping about anything SF-related?

That's Hyperscale.

Sarek of Vulcan sez:

 

[Project510]

Brad's post sums it up. I joined IPMS recently. Found a local club which I plan to start going to the meet ups once my sons schedule doesn't interfere. And I am attending my first IPMS show in a couple weeks. And I 2nd that the IPMS Journal is a great read.

 

[Demolition]

I know this is older but I wanted to add the military, vets get a year free upon sign up. You just gotta email them.