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Is the CIH elitist?
Over
1400 years ago, a monk named Benedict
knew then what we know now: the best organisations require effort to
join. This effort is the main reason they are superior organisations –
it sets up a virtuous circle where the best remain the best.
Benedict
goes on to detail the process of becoming a Benedictine monk, and this
brought to my mind the membership requirements for joining the
Chartered Institute of Housing.
If it's
true that the best
organisations have a recruitment process and are viewed as 'elite', why
are we afraid of that term? I think it's because "elitist" has a
negative connotation these days. And yet, the work 'elite' means:
"a
group of people regarded as the best in a particular society or
organization".
When I attended
the branch officers conference in
autumn 2004, part of the discussion turned to the CIH and whether it
was 'elitist'. I asked what was wrong with being an elite organisation
- we can be elite, and remain true to our motto of "open to all, closed
to prejudice". What's wrong with saying our members are "regarded
as
the best"?
The Chartered
Institute of Housing is an elite
organisation. It is now chartered, which means it is recognised as the
body for housing professionals. It has criteria for membership, but,
like the Benedictines, anyone with patience to learn can join. Further,
the routes to joining are varied.
Like the
Benedictines, a
range of skills is needed in order to maintain the order. This range of
skills, backgrounds, passions and abilities strengthens an
organisation. The Chartered Institute of Housing recognises that there
is a wide range of professions covered by "housing". Membership is open
to a range of people – those in housing management, as well as those in
finance, maintenance, law and administration. The Chartered Institute
of Housing recognises, like the Benedictines, that many skills are
needed to successfully run a community.
So why don't more
members in the housing profession join? As regional Branch Education
officer, this is one question I have turned over in my mind on more
than one occasion. I was fortunate enough to speak to the new housing
students at DeMontfort University last September. Most of them were not
members; in fact, they did not seem to realise that membership was free
for students! After completing their studies – like completing their
novitiate – they are full members of the community, able to make their
contribution.
Becoming a full
member of the CIH means payment of
fees to our "community", and a commitment to on-going professional
development. Surely that is not too high a price to pay to recognised
as an elite member of a noble profession?
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