Subscriptions

[chrisd]

Interesting argument and I understand both sides of the debate.

However, committees in clubs (not just golf) always make things complicated and difficult for themselves.

If you don't renew on time and can meet with the committee to explain your own circumstances, why can't members have a window to rejoin (say 2 months) during which they can pay the remainder of the year but have to pay an "admin fee" (£25/£50/£100/whatever) to do so. This would obviously have to be agreed at the discretion of the committee based on the personal circumstances involved (i.e. "I don't fancy playing in the cold" would not be valid!).

Discussing things like this in advance is always much better than trying to resolve something after the event IMO and this way all parties involved are up front about it.

We do have a time limit which is effectively 2 months but there is a cut off by which time membership ceases. That allows new members who are waiting to join, to be admitted but after that date it has to be that they have left.

As a committee you get all sorts of requests for pay delays eg sickness, broken legs etc and you really can't give allowances as every case has it's merits and it's impossible to differentiate between reasons/excuses


Chris

 

[ivan]

i spend 4 - 6 months most winters in spain and asked local clubs here if there was any way i could pay a 6 month summer membership. all but one said no - the one that talked to me eventually offered around a 20% discount on the full fee but said that even this had caused some consternation amongst the committee and members. they were worried ( as noted in previous posts) about those who didn't play in the winter/took long holidays/had illness etc wanting to do the same thing with the obvious loss of income to the club.
just as a matter of interest i reckon its time for all clubs to drop the joining fee - certainly puts me off going to them.

 

[CallawayKid]

The problem is nowadays Managers aren't allowed to 'manage', the use of discretion is not often allowed as someone will always be a jobsworth. As I said, face to face, chat openly with them and if they can't see your argument then it is time to leave.

As to not playing over the winter months and not paying, this is hardly the same thing. It's like comparing apples with baboons!

If one of our members is too sick to play we hold their membership until they are well enough to play again. I don't mean a sniffle or the dreaded man-flu but something serious like a hospital stay or broken limb. This keeps our members generally happy.

CK

 

[NWJocko]

Interesting argument and I understand both sides of the debate.

However, committees in clubs (not just golf) always make things complicated and difficult for themselves.

If you don't renew on time and can meet with the committee to explain your own circumstances, why can't members have a window to rejoin (say 2 months) during which they can pay the remainder of the year but have to pay an "admin fee" (£25/£50/£100/whatever) to do so. This would obviously have to be agreed at the discretion of the committee based on the personal circumstances involved (i.e. "I don't fancy playing in the cold" would not be valid!).

Discussing things like this in advance is always much better than trying to resolve something after the event IMO and this way all parties involved are up front about it.

We do have a time limit which is effectively 2 months but there is a cut off by which time membership ceases. That allows new members who are waiting to join, to be admitted but after that date it has to be that they have left.

As a committee you get all sorts of requests for pay delays eg sickness, broken legs etc and you really can't give allowances as every case has it's merits and it's impossible to differentiate between reasons/excuses


Chris

Seems a sensible approach and one that's fair to all concerned.

Obviously there has to be a line drawn somewhere as to what is and isn't acceptable.

You and your committee seem to have the balance spot on to me.

 

[DCB]

Did you formally resign, by that I mean a letter notifying the club of your intention not to take up membership this year due to working abroad ?

Or, did you just not return the Renewal paperwork with your cheque for the years subs ?

If you did the later, I think the club are correct in their actions. If the former, then they really should be taking things into consideration.

 

[granters]

We do have a time limit which is effectively 2 months but there is a cut off by which time membership ceases. That allows new members who are waiting to join, to be admitted but after that date it has to be that they have left.

As a committee you get all sorts of requests for pay delays eg sickness, broken legs etc and you really can't give allowances as every case has it's merits and it's impossible to differentiate between reasons/excuses


Chris

that's as sensible a policy as i've seen. That's the kind of club that will do well for itself. Of course it's impossible to keep everyone happy, but i think all we ask as members is that if something serious did happen, then we have full support from the club.

 

[Don70]

Formally resigned.

I think many of you are missing a point, if a new member joins they pay a full 12 months subs which is valid for 12 months golf, in their second year their subs are pro-rated bringing them into line with all other members, i understand many of your points but do not see why this could not be applied in my case.

 

[Macster]

Whatever the Club's reasons for sticking to their guns,......I can only assume that you were'nt that bothered about staying there, and playing with your father or whatever.

Quite frankly, I LOVE playing at my club that much that something as petty as what you are talking about wouldnt come close to pissing me off that much to consider resigning.

Hell, when the kids were young, there were years of my membership when I perhaps played a dozen times or less, but still didnt ever consider giving up my membership,.

Good luck finding somewhere else. Seems stupid to me.

 

[richart]

I'm with Mac on this one. I gave a loan to the club of £250 when i joined, which was returned when you left. No joining fee at the time. Club then wanted to write off debt, and offered six green fees instead. In value nothing like £250, but because i love playing at the club so much, i was happy to go along. £250 when i'm dead wasn't going to be much use to me.

I think if you heart is in your club you will put up with what you perceive as an injustice.

Good debate, and am sorry that Don felt he had to resign (again).