In February 1968 under a blazing sun in the outback of Western Australia I was staking out mining claims with theodolite and chain.
Suddenly through the heat shimmer that made the theodolite inoperable we could see a figure approaching at a steady jog. It was an aboriginal runner bearing a message in a cleft stick advising me that my RICS subscription was overdue and I was in danger of expulsion. At the time I recall being somewhat phlegmatic about this crisis.
Recently a similar letter arrived at my door and I recognised that I had little excuse for not dealing with it as I had continued my membership although prudently ceasing to practice. This missive from HQ in Westminster advised me I could pay online using the secure payment system or call the contact centre. I tried the contact centre and was given a series of options. I think I managed to get the correct one and was told that due to the large number of calls they were unable to take the call and would call back as soon as possible. I left my number but rather than wait then went online and made my payment by credit card but was advised that my payment was not necessarily secure.
I emailed several times to confirm my payment had been made but was met by a standard reply.
Suddenly I recognised what a huge and significant organisation I was dealing with; one that had developed and become so much more sophisticated and influential in the last 50 years with now over 160,000 members worldwide.
Shortly afterwards I received a polite email from Mr Knights at the Institution advising me that my payment had been safely made. Completely mollified I recognised that any shortcomings and insecurities were entirely at my end!