This is basically a move to give us the Public Liability Insurance we need as a club, for events and general practice.
We had joined the ACU but it transpires that they are unable to give us what we need, and the BMF have been superbly welcoming. I realise that some of you will have your own opinions about them but please understand, this is a tool rather than a political decision.
This does not cover individuals as such, but protects the club against the acts of individuals or scrapes you get into in the name of the club.A specially tailored insurance scheme to protect motorcycle club officials and members is included in your affiliate membership. All the cover that your club needs in one convenient package.
Injury to the public
Claims against club officials
Legal & court costs
Supervised rally games
Catering activities
Leased or rented premises
Libel & slander
Liability arising out of advice
Product liability
Alleged negligence on a road run
They will only cover clubs/ forums like ours if we have a separate section that is accessible only to 'members' . Hence a new area has been born called 'Full Membership'. Within this section will be posted all the benefits we each get from the affiliation, including 50% off RAC cover etc.
Full Membership
Costs:
For 2012/2013, the costs involved will be covered by money made at the events, so for this year, anyone attending an event will automatically become a Full Member for the year. Everybody else is welcome, at a cost of £10 per year.
What if I join in September?
The membership year will be 1st April to 31st March. If you join after 1st October the fee will be £5.
Im already a member of the BMF, so I don't need the benefits.
Fair point, the reason for us joining isn't about your discounts, its mainly about club insurance so we won't mind for a minute if you decline.
What else will I get for being a Full Member?
For this year, only the benefits that will be listed soon, i.e. discounts at various places. Within the next 12 months we may, depending on discussion, amend the permissions for the Technical sections, i.e. anyone can read them but only FM's can post or reply. Same for the Classified sections. This will help to control the number of people who join up just to sell stuff, or just to ask a question about their Rotax powered shopping trolley etc.
This may also enable us to work out a proper membership number system.
This will also give YOU the confidence of being part of a proper club rather than a forum type club entity (don't worry, we won't do 'year bars' for your patches

Im hoping to join an event in September, so will that cover me or shall I pay up now?
Up to you, entry fees to club events will be reduced by £10 to FMs so you won't lose out either way.
So. We move forward but without too much bureaucracy or red tape. Like you, we want keep the club as it is, a very social and non political community.
Slowly we are adding the Stafford peeps to the list, for everybody else there will soon be a button in the shop or maybe we'll convert the 'donation' button to 'Join Us'.
We welcome any feedback.
Thanks
Simon & team