OTCF Global Alliance FAQs
Becoming a Member
1. What is the difference between a Fully-Adhered Chapter and an Affiliated Chapter?
By visiting the Chapter page on the web platform, participants will discover that there are many OTC Country Chapters located around the world at present. On the map located on the homepage of the web platform, the Fully-Adhered Country Chapters are indicated in Dark Blue; the Affiliated Country Chapters are indicated in Light Blue.
Adhered Country Chapters are legally compliant with the rules of the OTC Foundation and have signed up for using the OTC Foundation web platform. Affiliated Country Chapters work in partnership with the OTC Foundation but run independent organizations and have not signed up to use this web platform.
2. How do I become a member of an OTC Chapter?
In order to become a member of an OTC Chapter, simply click the “Register” button located at the top of the homepage, or click on the “Membership Application” page found under “Membership” and complete the online registration form. The registration form creates the content for your eventual membership profile.
3. If my country does not have a country chapter, can I still become a member of OTC?
Yes! Participants working in a country without an organized OTC Chapter may join the OTC Foundation as an international member. On the OTC Foundation map located on the homepage of the web platform, OTC Foundation international countries are indicated in the color gray.
4. Why can`t I register for membership?
You probably cannot register for membership because you work within an Affiliated Chapter Country, which means your Country Chapter is affiliated with the OTC Foundation but has not signed up to use this web platform yet. Applicants from affiliated countries who attempt registration will be prompted to contact their local country chapter administrator for offline registration.
5. Can I be a member of more than one OTC Country Chapter?
No, you may only join one.
6. I live in one country but work in another. Which OTC Chapter should I join?
Please remember that the designated country where you work determines which OTC Country Chapter you may join. For example, if you live in France but work in Spain, you will need to join OTC Spain.
7. How do I register for membership?
Registering for the site is easy and several opportunities to register exist throughout the web platform. Click either the “Register” button or “Apply” link where available and proceed with completing your online registration form.
8. How do I upgrade my membership?
Participants have the opportunity of upgrading their membership at anytime. An upgrade can be performed during the initial registration phase by simply clicking the “Upgrade Membership” button. Alternatively, by visiting the Membership Benefits Page, you may select the “Upgrade Membership” button at bottom of the page. Or, even from your member profile page. On the member profile page, your membership status is listed just under your photo. Simply click the “Upgrade” button and follow the steps until payment. Your status upgrades immediately upon receipt of payment.
9. Is there a membership fee?
Yes! Actually, there are two levels of memberships: Associate and Full Membership. Participants can join as Associate members, which is free but access to selected areas on the web platform are limited. For those selecting Full Membership, there is a 50 Euro annual fee with unlimited access to the web platform. Please review the Membership Benefits (link) page to compare the two available packages.
10. Is my membership renewed automatically?
Yes, your membership is renewed automatically by credit card. However, all members will be reminded of their membership status 60 days and again at 30 days prior to automatic renewal.
11. How do I cancel my membership?
While we hope you will not do so, Full Membership is downgraded to Associate Membership status after 12 months of inactivity. Associate membership is cancelled automatically after 12 months of inactivity. For additional questions contact the OTC Foundation at info@otcfoundation.org
Member Profile
12. How do I add a profile?
Literally, membership begins by adding their profile during the registration process. Once registered, members have the opportunity to make changes to their profile at any time.
13. How do I update my profile?
Once registered, members can update their profile at any time. From the member profile page, members will find “Edit” links located throughout the “General Info”, “Professional” and “Works” tabs. These edits allow members to update contact information such as phone numbers or email addresses; add additional languages spoken, adding links to social media, make contact information private or public, etc.
14. Can I delete my profile?
Yes, but once the profile is deleted, it is merely invisible to other members, preventing them from viewing your profile or making contact. After one year of inactivity, the OTC Foundation administrators will delete the profile. In order to become a member of the OTC Foundation again in the future, a new registration will be required.
15. Can I make my information public?
Yes, the information found on your member profile is made public by default. However, your level of membership (Associate or Full Membership) determines who can view your personal profile. For example, both full and free members can view the public information of another free member profile. However, only full members can view the public information of another full member profile.
16. Can I make any of my information private?
Yes, all members can make portions of their member profile private. Contact information can be made private by clicking on the “Works” icon next to the professional details tab. There you will find the “Other Settings” section. Click the “Edit” link and from there simply uncheck the items you would like to render private. Then click the “Submit” button.
17. Do I have to share my social media networks?
No, if you prefer not to share your social media networks with other members, simply leave the section blank. However, we do hope that you will consider sharing them as it helps to foster a stronger community.
Course Registration
18. How do I register for a course? Online course registration is easy.
Visit the Courses page under Education or click on a link from the side menu on any page in order to access the Course page. From there, simply search for the desired course by any number of different criteria including, course type, location, country, language, etc. The “Register” button means that a member may register and pay for the course online using PayPal or a credit card. The “Register Offline" button means that the course registration is only available via the Affiliated Chapter. Thus, the member must contact the local country administrator for further instructions. Finally, courses listed as “By Invitation Only” are self-explanatory and are private in nature.
Participants follow the prompts to payment via PayPal or credit card. Registration is immediate upon receipt of payment. At this point, members can make their profile public.
19. What happens when a course is fully booked? Is there a waiting list?
Courses that are “Fully Booked” are self-explanatory, but members can make contact with the Education Manager at the OTC Foundation in order to be added to a waiting list or kept informed on future offerings.
20. Why can`t I register for a course?
You probably cannot register for a course because you work within an Affiliated Chapter Country, which means your Country Chapter works in partnership with the OTC Foundation but has not signed on to use this web platform yet. As participants representing affiliated countries attempt course registration, they will be prompted to click on a link which will either lead to their local country chapter administrator or the Education Manager at the OTC Foundation. From there the participant can arrange further course registration offline.
21. Can I register for an offline course?
Yes, please contact either the local country administrator directly or the OTC Foundation Education Manager.
22. How can I pay for a course?
Payment options include PayPal, Credit Card and Vouchers.
23. Must I use PayPal in order to pay for a course?
No, you may use your credit card. For any additional questions please contact the OTC Foundation Education Manager directly for additional options or instructions.
Fellowship and Grant Registrations
24. How do I register for an Education Fellowship?
Education Fellowships registration is easy and can be accomplished online completely. Simply visit the “Education Fellowships” page under Education. After reading the page very carefully, hit the “Apply” button and begin the registration process. Once the process has been completed, all required documents will be sent to the Education Fellowships Manager at the OTC Foundation. For additional questions, please contact the Fellowships Manager directly at education.fellowships@otcfoundation.org.
25. Do I need to be a member to apply for a fellowship?
Technically, one must be at least a free member of the OTC Foundation in order to apply for a fellowship. However, if the participate is a member of one of the Affiliate Chapter Countries, registration online may not be possible. Thus, the participant will be directed to make contact with the Fellowships Manager at the OTC Foundation for further instructions.
26. How do I register for a research grant?
Simply visit the “Research Grant” page under Research. After reading the page very carefully, proceed in downloading the Administrative Policies and Procedures and Pre-Proposal Application forms and submit them to Research.Grants@otcfoundation.org.
Miscellaneous
27. Where can I find the site General Terms and Agreements?
The General Terms and Agreements for the Web Platform can be found and downloaded during the initial registration, but also as a link in the footer of the web platform. Please contact the OTC Foundation at info@otcfoundation.org for additional questions.
28. How do I subscribe to the newsletter?
Registering for the OTC Foundation free bi-monthly newsletter is easy. Just click on the button found on the right side menu on every page of the web platform. Contact the OTC Foundation at info@otcfoundation.org for additional questions.