NADJ is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) working for the benefit of its members and the wider DJ industry.
The DJ industry has changed dramatically over the past three decades. As technology has evolved, so too have the needs of DJs and the role of professional associations.
Many of the benefits that once formed the backbone of association membership were created during a very different era. Services such as website hosting, email accounts, online storage and personal webspace were once expensive, difficult to obtain and genuinely valuable to working DJs.
Today, those same services are available from hundreds of commercial providers at very low cost. In many cases, a DJ can purchase hosting, cloud storage or a professional email account in minutes for just a few pounds per month.
As a result, the National Association of Disc Jockeys has taken the decision to move away from what might be described as “filler benefits” and instead focus on the things that individual DJs cannot easily create for themselves.
Historically, many membership organisations attempted to justify subscriptions through long lists of individual benefits. Over time, this often resulted in membership brochures filled with services that members rarely used but which looked impressive on paper.
NADJ believes a modern professional association should be measured not by the length of its benefits list, but by the strength of its community, its influence within the industry and the value it creates for members.
That is why today’s membership proposition is built around participation, representation, networking, education and professional credibility.
Modern NADJ membership focuses on benefits that can only be delivered through collective participation.
These are benefits that become more valuable as membership grows. They are benefits that cannot be replicated by purchasing a low-cost commercial service elsewhere.
As part of this review, NADJ has also moved away from the traditional model of restricting core benefits to higher membership tiers.
In the past, associations often created increasingly complex structures where each membership level unlocked additional benefits. Whilst well intentioned, this could unintentionally create divisions within the membership and discourage participation.
Today, all NADJ members receive access to the association’s core resources and community platforms.
We believe that a stronger association is built when members learn together, network together and contribute together.
The level of membership a person chooses should reflect their professional identity and the level at which they wish to support the organisation, not whether they are permitted to access the community.
Standard Membership has been designed as an accessible entry point for new DJs, bar DJs, club DJs, hobby DJs and industry supporters.
Professional Membership remains the recommended choice for working mobile DJs, wedding DJs, corporate DJs and those who earn income from DJing. For many members, this represents the natural home within the association.
Gold Membership is intended for established professionals and those who wish to invest further in the future development of the DJ profession and the association itself.
All members belong to the same community. The difference is not one of exclusion, but one of identity and support.
The decision to move away from legacy technical benefits does not mean members are left without support.
Members who require website hosting, web design, email services, digital marketing support or related services can continue to access discounted commercial services through NADJ Media Ltd.
This allows the association to focus on its primary role as a professional body whilst still providing members with access to trusted business services when required.
Importantly, 20% of all sales generated through NADJ Media Ltd are donated directly to NADJ CiC, helping to fund educational initiatives, outreach projects, community programmes and the future development of the association.
NADJ’s mission remains unchanged: to support DJs, promote professionalism, provide industry representation and create opportunities for members to develop, connect and succeed.
The difference is that today’s membership model is built around the realities of modern DJing rather than the technology limitations of the past.
By focusing on meaningful benefits, reducing barriers to entry and strengthening the community at the heart of the association, NADJ is positioning itself for the next generation of DJs and the next chapter of the profession.
20% of all sales are reinvested into NADJ CiC, helping fund initiatives, resources, and support for DJs across the UK.
Avtar ThethyWHAT WILL I DO?
I have a ‘Goldmine’ of ideas, that, if elected, I will endeavour to implement and achieve top results.
EQUALITY
Equal partnerships with manufacturer’s and service providers within the DJ sector.
Strengthen existing relationships and look for new participants to drive us all forward.
Create more fund raising opportunities for NADJ.
Social Events
The 1st Internal NADJ DJ Awards evening.
We all are from the same entity, so I believe that we as a membership, we deserve equal recognition as other Associations, past present and future.
ACCOUNTABILITY
To promote the visibility of NADJ, at exhibitions and shows, both Nationally and Regionally.
Reintroduce the NADJ clothing range, with additional items.
To make myself as the National Chairman more accessible to existing Members in all classes of membership, and new ones – introducing new opportunities for the membership as a whole to perform at top level events and functions.
Allowing the membership to “air” their views as we go on, and make a positive but constructive contribution on matters that effect YOU the member.
Have standardised forms available for the whole network to use and adapt, with all Health and Safety documentation required by venues in a Welcome pack.
STRENGTH
To be a strong chairman who truly represents the membership interests at high level meetings and events.
To maintain, strengthen and underpin the membership voice by improving the NADJ’s representative role in the open marketplace.
Empower all members and NADJ Reps to become co – creators of Change (Regional Led Projects)
INNOVATION
Improve NADJ facilities to allow Members to deliver a more professional service in their own respective businesses, in an ever growing industry.
The development of a more social and approachable network of DJ’s across the UK.
Introduce a ‘one stop shop’ making it easer for the member and client to obtain everything under one roof.
WHO AM I ?
My name is Avtar Thethy, 55 years old, married and a father to two boys.
Based in West London for last 52 years.
Running my own business LED Factory for last 9+ years.
An active and helpful member of NADJ London and I’m also the London Chairman.
I am determined, committed and will always endeavour to get the best results possible for YOU, the Member.
WHY ME?
Existing NADJ Member, Chairman for London.
I’ve been blessed with many opportunities week in week out to attend the TOP Events up, down and across the UK – as a supplier, organiser, judge and simply as a guest.
I enjoy the creative benefits of product and service integration with the following well established AV companies daily:
Kudos Av & Kudos Music
Calibar Events
Ritzy Music
UVD Ultimate Visual Display
AVH
(There are many more.)
We are consistently facilitating well over 100 events pa. All of them different,
So you can see that not do I only talk the talk, but I am constantly and walking the walk.
I feel the Association needs CHANGE and Change for the better, It needs to recognise the huge talent that it has within and needs to promote that from within.
It also cannot have its members to have disproportionate inequality in the outside world.
I certainly have the Passion, Commitment and fully understand the hardships in running a business without help.
In talking to a few fellow members, over the last few years, I understand what is missing and what Needs need to be addressed – If you can see these gaps, then,
I am the man to deliver.
Avtar Thethy
Led Factory / NADJ
Fabio CapozziChange is good but change for change sake can be a sign of not understanding the true needs of what must be done. I believe the secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. The Association is long overdue revision and reform that better suits the members.
A new approach to reviving the many reasons why membership is the right choice for hard-working DJs is a better understanding of today’s DJ. By helping members maintain a better work-life balance with money saving benefits or having access to advice from experienced fellow members or sharing work opportunities, it is all for naught unless there is a fundamental mutual respect towards everyone, no matter their view or standing.
Community is important to the success of NADJ and it is the huge support of the membership that we can all pride ourselves on. It is, however, inevitable that a collective of people will disagree from time to time, albeit having a common goal. It is essential that open and fair discussion is encouraged to allow opinion and debate to enhance the values that NADJ stand by. I believe that by creating a culture of positive ideas backed by action this forum can encourage us to move forwards in boosting the public opinion of UK DJs. By way of a campaign, aimed directly at the consumer, NADJ in collaboration with other associations and DJ groups, can represent the benefits of choosing a DJ that is encouraged to apply best practices towards their clients with a view to enhance their business. This path can be applied to all types of DJ, from bedroom to festival and radio and by being more inclusive and properly acknowledging these equally important types of DJ into our community, we can be enriched with their viewpoint and expertise of the industry we all work in.
Our industry is one of supplying a serious amount of dedication and excellent customer experience wrapped in an evening of fun, music and dancing. When you are passionate about your work and strive to be professional, it is a welcome relief to be able to meet, network and collaborate with industry colleagues whilst having a little fun. The branch sessions, events and gatherings that happen across the UK require dedicated committee officers to make these happen regionally and nationally. Without the hard work, that is volunteered, the branch sessions would not be possible – and I thank all of you for your unflagging efforts to run great branches. I agree with opinion that NADJ life has become overly serious and in some cases stale, adopting a tired constitution, no longer in keeping with current member needs and aspirations undermined by language that is outdated. I see the need for reform of the constitution, more inclusive language and attitude, updated to reflect the industry we work in today and instrumental in helping the membership to grow and develop by attracting younger DJs to understand how the NADJ can offer a sound platform to boost their DJ career.
All this I believe is important to make being a member an enjoyable and enriching experience but the serious business of running an association is not all about fun (not for NEC committee members anyway), it is a task that relies on consistency, diplomacy and the ability to make new relationships whilst maintain the ones we have happy. Without the support of members and the industry, no matter how much fun and energy you would like at a branch session, it will be difficult to achieve without the help of great content organised on time and with consideration – this is not a job where you can ‘wing it’… I have never winged anything. I look forward to your vote.
Alastair CraigMy name is Alastair Craig and I am a full time DJ with over 30 years’ experience of providing services to many events, including Weddings, Birthdays and Corporates.
Apart from DJ’ing I am also involved in the IT industry and have been advisory on protecting Children’s Data and more recently been involved in testing software for a leading DJ company.
Outside of work I am is a keen Scuba Diver and currently serve as the Diving Officer for Reading University in which I also act as a mentor and Assistant Instructor.
I am running for Secretary for NADJ as I feel that I can bring some new ideas as well as my organisational skills to the table, not just from my experience within my DJ work but from my other involvement in IT to which assessment, planning through to delivery was key to my role.
At this time, I feel NADJ is ready for change and I am certainly open to listening to new ideas from the membership to move the association in a new fresh direction.
Let’s leave the politics behind and concentrate on building new relationships from within as well as looking after the ones that have already been established.
Yes, it will be a challenge for the new committee but no doubt, as D-ream sang “Things Can Only Get Better” 
Dave MillsFirstly, thank you to those who felt I was worthy to be nominated for a position on the National Committee. I’m not sure I should be grateful, but I am very honoured by your faith in me.
Some of you may know me as the fun, gig addicted, rock music loving Chairman of the South Central Branch but if you don’t and haven’t seen my recent profile piece in Pro Mobile issue 95 (yes shameless self-promotion) then let me briefly introduce myself.
I’m Dave Mills; I had been a struggling DJ for many years working for an agency in Berkshire until I was invited to a NADJ meeting. The people I met within NADJ inspired and helped me to leave the agency and successfully branch out on my own. I’ve made some great friends and learned A LOT. By joining the committee and then becoming the south central chairman I have found myself in a position to encourage and support other aspiring DJ’s to do the same as myself. The range and wealth of knowledge, experience and professionalism within NADJ still floors me making me feel in awe but very proud to be a part of it all.
I am open minded to new ideas and using feedback from our members and non-members, working together as a team so everyone has a voice and every member gets something extra from being in NADJ (not just a P.L.I.) and feels part of our mad music addicted community.
*I hope I haven’t bored you to death yet, nearly there*
I would like to think that my 6 years on an NADJ committee have given me the experience required to move up to the challenge of becoming National Secretary. I am under no illusion that there is a difference between running a branch and taking on a role at national level and it’s not always going to be easy (but I hope not to the point of sitting on a chair sticking pencils up my nose, with pants on my head and saying ‘wibble’) but for some insane reason I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge.
If you are kind enough to vote me in, my main aims would be to help make the association more open and inclusive, encouraging and supporting the current membership as well aspiring DJ’s of any age and gender to join us in our mission to make the DJ industry truly recognised as a profession in a positive, encouraging way.