This document discusses the importance of being involved in professional organizations and societies for various fields like photography, journalism, and design. It lists several relevant UK-based organizations and societies someone in those professions could join. Such groups advocate for the profession, provide legal advice and support dealing with media, and help reduce isolation through connecting with others in the same field. The document also quotes Paulo Coelho emphasizing the importance of community and drawing inspiration from others.

1. ©2015
The importance of being "in"
Simon R Leach

2. “...I'm here. I am the result of everything that happened and
will happen, but I'm here.”
– Paulo Coelho : Aleph

3. Fossils
Grumpy old men
Bad politics
It is not your market place !

4. Benefit by association
Knowledge
Passion
Inspiration
Reduce Isolation

5. Politics
Rights
Media

6. "If you don't have this membership you really should get it
immediately... , these organisations are the ones that
represent your sporting the political arena both in the UK
and in Europe. They will provide legal advice and can help
in dealing with the media. It is important they are properly
funded to do this."
Steve Wright – Falconry : The Essential Guide

7. Frame -
Association of Photographers – the-aop .org
The Royal Photographic Society - rps .org
Pro Imaging – pro-imaging .org
National Union of Journalist – nuj .org .uk
British Institute of Professional Photography – bipp .com
Editorial Photographers UK – epuk .org
British Assoc' of Picture Libraries & Agencies – bapla .org .uk
British Press Photographers Association – thebppa .com
National Association of Press Agencies – napa .org .uk
Master Photographers Association – thempa .com
The Societies -
Stop 43 – stop43 .org .uk
Photographer, Not aTerrorist! - photographernotaterrorist .org
Design and Artists Copyright Society – dacs .org .uk
British Design & Art Direction (D and AD) – dandad .co .uk

8. “...The writer, the singer, the gardener, the translator, we are
all a mirror of our time. We all pour our love into our work.
In my case, obviously, reading is very important, but anyone
who puts all his faith in academic times and creative writing
courses is missing the point: words are life set down on
paper. So seek out the company of others”
–Paulo Coelho : Aleph