Membership

3. Membership is open to any person who is interested in the aims of the Association. Members may be enrolled in any one of the following grades and shall be entitled to enjoy the rights and privileges specified in each case.

A. Professional Membership (PHKGISA): 

Professional membership is designated for individuals with GIS-related experience and background. On the payment of the biannual subscription of $1200, Professional members shall have the rights: 

(i) to participate in the activities of the Association; 

(ii) to receive current publications of the Association; 

(iii) to receive notice of and to attend the Annual General Meeting with the rights to vote; 

(iv) to receive notices of and to attend conferences and meetings of the Association; 

(v) to be nominated, and to make nominations, for election to the Executive Committee subject to the Regulations of the Association; 

(vi) to enjoy such other rights and privileges as the Executive Committee may from time to time determine. 

(vii) to receive a membership certificate upon successful payment and fulfillment of recertification terms and achievement points.  

Eligibility：

• Only individuals with GIS-related education or work experience can become Professional Members. Please note that there are two pathways for professional membership entrance: 

1) Individuals with GIS-related education background/qualifications, and shall take at least two GIS-related courses or include GIS-related elements in their Final Year Project/Honours Project; or 

2) Individuals without GIS-related education background/ qualifications, but with 2 or more years of GIS-related work experience. Individuals should also fulfill the achievement hours requirement below.

• Please refer to the list of local accredited / recognized programmes by HKGISA. Holders of academic qualifications not listed are acceptable upon the approval from the Executive Committee.

Terms of renewal:

• Professional members should renew their membership biannually. First-time applicants are required to submit a 500-1000 words personal statement,  documentation and certification to fulfill the recertification terms and achievement points, together with the biannual subscription fees of $1200 during their application. Current professional members that are renewing their membership are not required to submit documentation and certification. However, please keep record of the supporting documents in case of sampling check. Sampling check will be conducted for professional membership renewal to ensure professional members stay current in the field through readings and professional development. 

• Individuals who cannot fulfill the recertification terms and achievement points will have a grace period of half a year to fulfill the previous recertification terms and achievement points.  

Requirement of achievement points in two years for Professional Members:

Types of achievement points Example 

Academic - Online and instructor-led courses
- Other types of training from accredited institutions

Contributions to the Profession - Recorded activities which would enhance career
(conferences/ volunteer work) - Professional development in GIS- related fields

Work Experience - Full/ part time job
- Staff training

Total 32 points minimum

B. Associate Membership (AHKGISA): 

Associate membership is designated for individuals who are interested in GIS-related topics. Associate members shall have the rights:

(i) to participate in the activities of the Association;

(ii) to receive current publications of the Association;

(iii) to receive notice of and to attend the Annual General Meeting with the rights to vote;

(iv) to receive notices of and to attend conferences and meetings of the Association;

(v) to make nominations for election to the Executive Committee subject to the Regulations of the Association;

(vi) to enjoy such other rights and privileges as the Executive Committee may from time to time determine.

Eligibility：

• Individuals who are interested in GIS-related topics are welcome to become Associate Members

C. Student Membership (SHKGISA): 

Student membership is designated for full-time secondary and college students at an accredited institution. Student Members shall have all the rights as the Associate Members in manner specified in the Regulations listed under B. 

Eligibility:

• Only full-time students can become Student Members.

D. Fellow Membership (FHKGISA): 

Fellow membership is designated for individuals who have been a loyal member of the Association and show contribution to the Association. On the payment of the biannual subscription of $2000, members shall have all the rights as the Professional Members in manner specified in the Regulations listed under A.

Eligibility:

• Individuals who are members of HKGISA for at least 7 years and have made significant contribution to the work of the Association or GIS-related work in Hong Kong can be Fellow Members.

• Individuals can become Fellow Members upon the nomination by a Fellow Member and approval of the Executive Committee. 

E. Institutional Membership: 

Institutional membership is designated for organizations and institutions that are involved in GIS-related projects or provide GIS-related training and jobs. Organizations and institutions can apply for the following institutional membership:

1. Corporate Membership: 

Corporate membership is designated for firms and organizations that are involved in GIS-related projects or provide GIS-related training and jobs. A firm, government department, and research institute with the approval of the Executive Committee, may become Corporate Member on payment of appropriate annual subscription. On the payment of the $20,000 biannual subscription, Corporate membership entitles the institution to:

(i) to participate in the activities of the Association; 

(ii) to receive current publications of the Association; 

(iii) receive notices of and to send one representative only to attend the Annual General Meeting with the rights of voting; 

(iv) receive notices of and to send a maximum of 5 representatives to meetings as desired (unless otherwise specified) but to send one representative only to meetings where numbers are restricted (as stated in the notice of meeting); 

(v) to enjoy such other rights and privileges to the Executive Committee may from time to time determine.  

Eligibility:

• Organizations that can provide a GIS-related portfolio or provide GIS-related training and jobs can become Corporate Members upon approval of the Executive Committee. Please note that affiliated staff under the said organization will not become corporate members. Individuals who wish to join HKGISA may apply for Associate Membership or Professional Membership.

2. Society Membership: 

Society membership is designated for schools and Non-governmental organizations (NGO) that are involved in GIS-related projects or provide GIS-related training and jobs. A college, school, educational institution approved or recognized by the Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or NGO approved or recognized by the Companies Registry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with the approval of the Executive Committee may become Society Member. Society membership entitles the Member to: 

(i) to participate in the activities of the Association; 

(ii) to receive current publications of the Association; 

(iii) receive notices of and to send one representative only to attend the Annual General Meeting without the rights of voting; 

(iv) receive notices of and to send a maximum of 2 representatives to meetings as desired (unless otherwise specified) but to send one representative only to meetings where numbers are restricted (as stated in the notice of meeting); 

(v) to enjoy such other rights and privileges to the Executive Committee may from time to time determine. 

Eligibility:

• A college, school, educational institution approved or recognized by the Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or NGO approved or recognized by the Companies Registry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with the approval of the Executive Committee. Please note that affiliated staff under the said organization will not become Society members. Individuals who wish to join HKGISA may apply for Associate Membership or Professional Membership.

4. Membership applications shall be vetted by a Membership Subcommittee. 

Membership Subcommittee shall include at least two Executive Committee members and one Fellow member (to be appointed after the grandfathering period). Membership applications recommended by the Membership Subcommittee shall be approved by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee members sitting in Membership Subcommittee cannot vote in this matter.