RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
One person stated that. I think if we add up the numbers for and against the RYA on the two threads, the against come out on top.
RYA Subscription Cancelled
- Thread starter Sandy
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One person stated that. I think if we add up the numbers for and against the RYA on the two threads, the against come out on top.
Skylark
Well-known member
Let me repeat:-
……can’t please all of the people all of the time.
I often contemplate those “against”. Are they members who lobby RYA to have their voices heard or simply those that express a view, based upon perception, rather than fact, on interweb forums.
RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
... Are they members who lobby RYA to have their voices heard or simply those that express a view, based upon perception, rather than fact, on interweb forums.
I would guess it is a mix of the actions you state. Those who dislike the RYA and have expressed the reasons on this forum, do show that the RYA is not the panacea to recreational boating that some think it is. I would hope that the RYA periodically make themselves aware of viewpoints irrespective of source, as best they can. After all they claim to represent all leisure sailors in the UK, irrespective of membership.
Skylark
Well-known member
The scope of RYA is far wider than recreational boating but, on balance, I think that they serve us well, member or not.
I can recall many “tell us what you think” type of surveys over the years but I’m sure that they, too, are open to criticism. I always complete these and I’ve let them know my views on several different individual matters. There are many ways to give feedback, including getting directly involved.
RYA is not and I don’t believe has ever claimed to be a panacea.
I have a number of hobbies to keep me busy. I’m lucky enough to have the freedom to enjoy my recreation time relatively unhindered. I’m happy to throw in a couple of bob a week to a representative body if it helps maintain those freedoms. I’m hence a long term member of RYA, BSAC, BMFA and classic car clubs. Each to their own, of course.
benjenbav
Well-known member
I think one could draw a normal distribution curve for the membership of any organisation and label the x axis, at one end: “this organisation aligns perfectly with my views; that’s why I’m a member”, at the other end: “this organisation now pursues goals with which I disagree; hence I’m leaving”. In the middle might be something along the lines of: “I broadly agree with most - but not all - of what this organisation represents and, on balance, the benefits I get from membership outweigh the various annoyances along the way.”
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
My experience is people are far readier to complain than support. Trying to claim definitive answers by counting for and against votes on public forums is highly dubious IMHO. The RYA may not be perfect but it’s the best we’ve got. If people don’t like what they do, join up and start influencing policy.
RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
Your post is a good illustration of the problem with forums. Skylark attributes a single comment on another thread to "many", when it was factually only one person. I mention in response that counting positions on two threads would yield a result. The context of that result was challenging Skylarks incorrect claim of "many" supporting. You now think that the point I make in another post is a claim that the RYA should count forum responses to make policy.
Oh what a tangled web we weave!
I have been an active member of the RYA for decades, 80's or 90's when I joined, and continue to support them through membership and participation. They have protected our freedoms to sail free from the encumbrance of regulation rather well in all these decades, which in itself is worth supporting them as well as the olympic sailing successes. And now, with the near ubiquitous use of electronic navigation, once again they are moving in a direction to support this change, remaining relevant, never mind the D&I agenda that I mentioned at the start of this thread. All in all, I think that the RYA do a good job for UK sailors, whether they race or cruise. Indeed they are not everything for everyone.
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
There’s some misunderstanding here about what I meant. I certainly didn’t mean to suggest that the RYA should take the opinions of forums as a way of formulating policy. I too have been an active member for many years. I’m also aware that the senior management of the RYA monitor forum activity and opinions.
Mister E
Well-known member
Is some of the forum complaints from people who do not live in the country that the RYA represents?
PWLS08
Member
I'm not aware that the RYA exists to represent a country, those some of its officers may so believe. Personally I think that they should represent their members' (of which I'm one) interests wrt boating/yachting.
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riverliver
Member
stumbled on this thread the same week I got reminder of my renewal subscription.
Membership costs 50 quid and for that I get a free ticket to the dingy show - £21 and for the southampton boat show £29.
I honestly cant think of anything better value in my boat life.
PS also got a link to a member survey so if you want the organisation to change there is an opportunity to tell them
Membership costs 50 quid and for that I get a free ticket to the dingy show - £21 and for the southampton boat show £29.
I honestly cant think of anything better value in my boat life.
PS also got a link to a member survey so if you want the organisation to change there is an opportunity to tell them
Boathook
Well-known member
I considered going to the dinghy show but is only on a Saturday and Sunday so that puts me of. Another consideration is that my dinghy is a tender so not really into the small boat stuff.
dgadee
Well-known member
Dingy? Who wants to go to a shabby show?
zoidberg
Well-known member
I could quite happily use a free ticket to the Dinghy Show, if someone has one going spare. I want to buy something exhibited there....