Yesterday club secretaries received the following from AGB.
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Hello there,
With restrictions easing and guidance in place to reopen clubs, we’re looking forward to getting back to archery.
We are now in a position to let you know about fees for renewing members to help the sport to get back on its feet.
New and Lapsed Members
First of all, to recap, the new member fees were announced in 2020 for this membership year. There is no change to these prices and these can be found here.
Lapsed members, or range returners, are archers who have been a member in the past but were not a member in the 2019/20 year. They too can join and pay the new member fees. They may need a refresher course or in some cases a bit more support to get back shooting. We’ll be sending out further details about how to support range returners with free training for your club launching soon.
Renewing Members
We recognise that many members may not have renewed up to now for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they or a family member was shielding, maybe caring responsibilities left them with less free time or perhaps your club couldn’t open.
When outdoor shooting returns, we recognise that they shouldn’t miss out for those months when they couldn’t shoot. We want to ease the burden of administration on our club volunteers, and use this opportunity to try something new.
From 2 April, renewing members will be provided with 12 months membership from the point of return, if they join before 30 September.
The membership renewal date will then be personalised to the member rather than us. They’ll be able to renew from 2 April themselves (which is new!) through the membership portal.
However, you as the club secretary still have the option to renew members – so if they pay you, they are classed as a member from that point and therefore can shoot.
Next Steps
All non-renewed members will be sent a similar communication to let them know what they can do next. They have the option to either:
• Renew their membership through the online membership system (from 2 April) and pay directly to Archery GB (online payment only); or
• Pay the club (with a cheque or BACS) and then shoot as soon as payment is received by the club – the club then pays the renewals as usual.
Support
We know that you may be worried about members joining your club that you are not aware of. Renewing members have the option to choose their club, but the club will have 10 days to accept or reject membership (after which membership is approved).
The member will receive an e-card and the club system will be updated. So, at all times you will be able to see who is and isn’t a member.
To make things easier we have produced a Guide to Online Renewals for Secretaries, which is attached to this email.
We can’t wait to see shooting lines full of archers again. If there is anything we can do to help please do not hesitate to get in touch by email
[email protected] or call 01952 677888.
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I love the line "We know that you may be worried about members joining your club that you are not aware of". Is this an April Fool?
There's been no consultation about this, it's just been imposed and will come into effect next Friday. Though it only applies to lapsed members, this is basically a first step towards regurgitating the modernisation proposals of 2012, which were rejected by clubs, counties and regions because they would result in administrative chaos, with affiliations being due at all times of year eventually, and club officials losing track of who is insured and who isn't. Maybe a small club with set times could make it work, but a larger one with 24:7 access hasn't a hope.
But in addition to this, they're also going to contact all old members on their books and, without the club's consent, without any regard to membership levels or even whether the club wants that member back, and offer them the chance to rejoin. The club then has 10 days to reject it otherwise their silence is taken as acceptance. Not that our secretary can accept it because people are supposed to apply for membership and it gets voted on at a meeting.
This is really quite amazing. I've seen some crazy ideas from AGB down the years but this is right up there. To me this looks like a blatant power grab, and an attempt to get as much money as they can from anywhere without any thought for the poor so and so's who are going to have to make it work.