The Benefits of Membership
Becoming a member of the ARA opens the door to professional recognition in the record-keeping sector and provides you with a host of career boosting benefits, support and resources.
Sign up today and be part of our professional community at the forefront of archives, archive conservation and records management.
Join the conversation
We provide regular email updates containing news, events, jobs, professional development and other member initiatives.
We tweet news and updates from the ARA and the archives and records sector and share views and experiences in our monthly Archive Hour on Twitter.
We provide an active community for members with different professional interests to engage and connect. You can do this via our online community link to the ARA Together hub, social media and a wide range of events including our annual ARA Conference.
Professional Registration
Individual Members are eligible to enrol onto the Professional Development Programme, and qualify for ARA professional registration, enhancing their career prospects and opportunities.
Once qualified, members are entitled to use the post-nominals FMARA (Foundation Member of the ARA), RMARA (Registered Member of the ARA) or FARA (Fellow of the ARA).
ARA Professional Registration sets national standards for the sector and is a core benefit to our members. The benefits of registration include;
A nationally recognised professional qualification that validates your work experience and professional development
A demonstration that you have the skills, expertise and ethical behaviours that employers value and trust
A commitment to your CPD and to reflective practice
A fantastic addition to your CV – a real boost to your employability and future career opportunities
Access to our knowledge, information and support resources
We provide a host of resources for all those working or volunteering in the record keeping sector, including best practice guidelines, surveys and skills audits and emotional support guides.
ARC Magazine, our regular membership magazine contains news, knowledge and valuable insights from those working across the sector. This publication is emailed free to members and can be downloaded from our website.
Archives and Records, our renowned research journal, is issued three times a year to all Student, Individual, and Corporate members.
ARA Today is our monthly member e-newsletter. Packed with ARA and industry news, forthcoming training opportunities and legislative updates, ARA Today keeps you up to date with developments across the archives and record-keeping sector.
Events, training and networking
Continue with your professional development by attending ARA events. Benefit from free places and discounted delegate fees at ARA Regional and National events, ARA Section events, and the ARA’s flagship Annual conference. Bursaries are also available.
Our Archive Conservation Training Scheme gives you the opportunity to gain a recognised and respected qualification that leads to a career in archive conservation.
ARA members can access free places at Digital Preservation Coalition events and training.
ARA members are assigned to the relevant ARA Nation and/or Region whereby they can access a range of activities, events and training opportunities. Additionally as a member you can choose the most relevant area of interest and join the related Section to access further events and training opportunities most relevant to you. All Nation, region and section contact points can be found here.
Connect with our professional community
Our sections represent key disciplines in the archives and records sector. They share knowledge, offer practical advice, best practice, useful resources, organise events and opportunities to network, and connect with other organisations.
Get involved
Volunteering
Volunteer members help set the strategic direction of the ARA, contribute to its governance, oversee activity and contribute to the development and delivery of member services. Volunteering provides opportunities to connect with professionals locally, nationally and internationally, helping you raise your profile in the sector and giving you excellent opportunities for professional development.
We provide a wide range of opportunities for members to volunteer with the ARA, including; the ARA Board, committees supporting ARA Ireland, Scotland, Wales and English regions, our Pay Review Group, Professional Development Programme Assessors and Mentors and as part of the ARC Magazine editorial team. It’s a great way of developing your knowledge, your professional connections, and of giving something back to your profession.
Have your say
ARA members have a voice in how the ARA is run through voting at Annual General Meetings and elections. Members are also able to stand for election on most ARA committees.
Call our Membership Team today on +44 (0)1823 327077 or email membership@archives.org.uk to find out more.