Should older boat club members have concessions ?
- Thread starter 534l4rk
- Start date
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
The Average age of the Bray committee and flag officers is probably 55 (Most in their 50's) which isn't that old, but I take your point!
Part of the problem is that the newer members are not able to deal with the high end stuff such as organising Cruises etc, especially tidal ones, which require some skill from Bray to Rochester for example, when you consider a range of slow to fast boats, bridge heights, tides, draft etc etc as well as moorings.
Bray are proud to be introducing newer members into the fold though, and training them for future committee and flag positions, the reason being we don't want to die like the clubs you mention.
Committee members do get a few concessions by nature of the job though, with all the latest news and priority moorings at events (after those who's physical demands require them of course...) due to arriving early and transporting stuff! We may even get the odd free drink. None of us ask for cheaper memberships or whatever though....
Part of the problem is that the newer members are not able to deal with the high end stuff such as organising Cruises etc, especially tidal ones, which require some skill from Bray to Rochester for example, when you consider a range of slow to fast boats, bridge heights, tides, draft etc etc as well as moorings.
Bray are proud to be introducing newer members into the fold though, and training them for future committee and flag positions, the reason being we don't want to die like the clubs you mention.
Committee members do get a few concessions by nature of the job though, with all the latest news and priority moorings at events (after those who's physical demands require them of course...) due to arriving early and transporting stuff! We may even get the odd free drink. None of us ask for cheaper memberships or whatever though....
534l4rk
Well-Known Member
My posting was made as a counter to the viewpoint made by Boatone that older couples should not have financial benefit with regard to club membership. I was pointing out that there were factors that appeared not to have been considered.
Many clubs have always provided free tuition on boat handling and maintenance. Navigation classes for tidal cruising have often featured in club programmes which in many cases have also been free for club participants. Indeed, it was often a main reason for new boaters to join clubs. Perhaps the advent of chart plotters etc. have given the newcomers to boating a feeling that they don’t need further tuition.
It would appear to me that Bray have a relatively young membership which must be a good thing. However, I would reiterate that personally I feel that club membership fee reductions for older long standing members who have contributed much over many years is warranted
Many clubs have always provided free tuition on boat handling and maintenance. Navigation classes for tidal cruising have often featured in club programmes which in many cases have also been free for club participants. Indeed, it was often a main reason for new boaters to join clubs. Perhaps the advent of chart plotters etc. have given the newcomers to boating a feeling that they don’t need further tuition.
It would appear to me that Bray have a relatively young membership which must be a good thing. However, I would reiterate that personally I feel that club membership fee reductions for older long standing members who have contributed much over many years is warranted
Ramage
Well-Known Member
Bray does, however, have some members who have been made Honorary Life Members for their Long and distinguished service.
We are also looking into Family membership to encourage the members of the future.
We are also looking into Family membership to encourage the members of the future.
apollo
...
Blimey if clubs gave old folks concessions they would mostly go bust cos that is all the members they have!!
Only club I have experienced with a greater age mix is TWYC and it is booming, there's a message in there somewhere!
Only club I have experienced with a greater age mix is TWYC and it is booming, there's a message in there somewhere!
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
Boating is something most older people can still enjoy, assuming they can afford to keep the boat that is!
Physically, you only need to get the boat off it's moorings, steer it, and get through locks, which doesn't take a lot of strength or agility. Thats why there are plenty of older people in boat clubs!
Thats also why there are not too many younger ones, as they are hampered by Money, time constraints and family commitments.
I think clubs need to cater for the possibility that younger members may have small cheap boats and not a lot of disposable income left, so good value for money is essential, as is a non-pompous attitude!
Until then, watch the clubs go pop one after another, as the undertaker steals the hierarchy...
Physically, you only need to get the boat off it's moorings, steer it, and get through locks, which doesn't take a lot of strength or agility. Thats why there are plenty of older people in boat clubs!
Thats also why there are not too many younger ones, as they are hampered by Money, time constraints and family commitments.
I think clubs need to cater for the possibility that younger members may have small cheap boats and not a lot of disposable income left, so good value for money is essential, as is a non-pompous attitude!
Until then, watch the clubs go pop one after another, as the undertaker steals the hierarchy...
boatone
Well-Known Member
Oh dear, big misunderstandings/interpretation of my earlier post! Although I used a club example of times changing as an analogy it was not a boat club and my point was simply that changing times bring changing circumstances.
My poorly expressed intent was to draw attention to the issues surrounding the funding of the river. A formula that worked in another time when there were many more boats paying licence fees and government and local authorities were more inclined to provide funding is now proving woefully inadequate to provide for the levels of service that we have been used to receiving and something will have to give.
Sorry for the confusion.
My poorly expressed intent was to draw attention to the issues surrounding the funding of the river. A formula that worked in another time when there were many more boats paying licence fees and government and local authorities were more inclined to provide funding is now proving woefully inadequate to provide for the levels of service that we have been used to receiving and something will have to give.
Sorry for the confusion.
534l4rk
Well-Known Member
[QUOTE=No Regrets;4484978
I think clubs need to cater for the possibility that younger members may have small cheap boats and not a lot of disposable income left, so good value for money is essential, as is a non-pompous attitude!
There are older people too who have smaller low cost boats and not a lot of disposable income !
I think clubs need to cater for the possibility that younger members may have small cheap boats and not a lot of disposable income left, so good value for money is essential, as is a non-pompous attitude!
There are older people too who have smaller low cost boats and not a lot of disposable income !
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
I didn't say there weren't! You're right though, there are all sorts.
However, the ones who will keep clubs alive are younger ones.
Tricky though, too many users will mean it's impossible to get moored up anywhere, and I'm already thinking I may moor up with an anchor and use the tender next year if I particularly want to stay somewhere.
Of course it's the narrow boats who take up all the mooring space, rarely rafting etc etc eh?
However, the ones who will keep clubs alive are younger ones.
Tricky though, too many users will mean it's impossible to get moored up anywhere, and I'm already thinking I may moor up with an anchor and use the tender next year if I particularly want to stay somewhere.
Of course it's the narrow boats who take up all the mooring space, rarely rafting etc etc eh?
534l4rk
Well-Known Member
I totally agree.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
" Should older boat club members have concessions ? "
Sorry but No .
The average age of our club is mid Sixties. We could soon arrive at the situation where the majority of the club would be in receipt of some sort of discount simply due to being able to stay alive. The resulting shortfall in income will then have to be made up from a fast dwindling band of members paying a surcharge on top of the normal subscription.
Members already benefit considerably with regards to mooring fees and other benefits and discount in club fees would reduce a majority of members to contributing virtually nothing useful at all to towards club finances.
You will end up with similar situation with UK pensions where a very small number of workers are facing the funding of an increasing number of pensioners who are going to be drawing down cash for a great deal longer.
Do understand the time and effort that previous club members have put in over the years which enabled those of us who came later to benefit from the club,but officials and members surely did this for the club and not for personal reward.
All our maintenance is done by retired club members and all will be doing it mainly for the benefit of future club members.
Glance round any club room, you are far more likely to see grandchildren than sons and daughters.
In order to attract the the next generation you most certainly do not want to put up club fees to subsidise a section of the club that can well afford to pay what amounts to probably a £100 pounds or so a year at most.
Sorry but No .
The average age of our club is mid Sixties. We could soon arrive at the situation where the majority of the club would be in receipt of some sort of discount simply due to being able to stay alive. The resulting shortfall in income will then have to be made up from a fast dwindling band of members paying a surcharge on top of the normal subscription.
Members already benefit considerably with regards to mooring fees and other benefits and discount in club fees would reduce a majority of members to contributing virtually nothing useful at all to towards club finances.
You will end up with similar situation with UK pensions where a very small number of workers are facing the funding of an increasing number of pensioners who are going to be drawing down cash for a great deal longer.
Do understand the time and effort that previous club members have put in over the years which enabled those of us who came later to benefit from the club,but officials and members surely did this for the club and not for personal reward.
All our maintenance is done by retired club members and all will be doing it mainly for the benefit of future club members.
Glance round any club room, you are far more likely to see grandchildren than sons and daughters.
In order to attract the the next generation you most certainly do not want to put up club fees to subsidise a section of the club that can well afford to pay what amounts to probably a £100 pounds or so a year at most.
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534l4rk
Well-Known Member
Here I half agree. As with State pensions I think the age limit should be raised on the basis that people are living longer and the younger workforce cannot be expected to pay for this increased period. Similarly with boat clubs. In my opinion the reduction for long standing members should remain but the age limit should be raised. I have no doubt that many will disagree with this.
CJL
Well-Known Member
Interesting reading.
Perhaps younger people should have concessions to remove financial barriers to participation and also as they tend to use the less????
I met with the RYA recently and their focus for the future is on encouraging volunteers specifically those in post university as they tend to drop out of the sport after university with all the other demands they have on them. Encouraging the school children to participate in our sports is a relatively easy task compared to recruiting and retaining those post university.
CJL
Perhaps younger people should have concessions to remove financial barriers to participation and also as they tend to use the less????
I met with the RYA recently and their focus for the future is on encouraging volunteers specifically those in post university as they tend to drop out of the sport after university with all the other demands they have on them. Encouraging the school children to participate in our sports is a relatively easy task compared to recruiting and retaining those post university.
CJL