The time of year is approaching when for most of us our annual subscription is due. With the introduction of the new website there have been a few changes to how we manage this which I would like to try to explain.
Most members who have been with the Club for more than a year or so probably know that our membership year ran from the 1st January to 31st December. Most of you have either used a standing order which you set up with your bank or simply posted a cheque to Dave Smith (The Club Administrator) each January. We do not send renewal notices out to everybody (it would be too expensive), so we rely on reminders in the newsletter. Unfortunately, some people always forget to post the cheque, so Dave does have to send reminder emails or even letters out to those who have not renewed, before we eventually cancel their membership if no payment is forthcoming.
For 2017 we would like to convince you to use the website to make your subscription payment. The reasons for this are as follows:
- If you pay by standing order or cheque, we must manually record that you have paid and give you access to the member’s area of the website. If you pay via the website this is all done automatically;
- If you pay by cheque it costs you a stamp and an envelope and we incur cost to process and bank the cheques;
- Once you are paying through the website it all happens automatically each year, your payment will be taken each anniversary unless you cancel your membership.
We know that not everyone is comfortable with websites and electronic payments, so we will still be happy to take payments by the traditional methods. But if you do use the website I hope you will find it makes things a little bit easier for all of us. If you are changing from a standing order, don’t forget you will need to cancel this with your bank.
If you unsure how to add your bank card details, and how to select your subscription type on the website, this document will guide you through the process – Membership Renewal Guide
There are some members who paid their 2016 subscription renewal late (either through the website or by other methods). Can I remind you that your 2017 subscription is due in January and ask that you pay promptly. Even if you paid via the website you should make another renewal payment in January, this will reset your annual payment date for future years.
Most new members are now joining through the website, if you are one of them you can sit back and relax, your next subscription payment will be collected automatically on the anniversary of your joining date. If you joined the Club in 2016 and did not pay via the website please renew via the website on the anniversary of your joining.
If you have any questions or feedback don’t hesitate to get in touch at [email protected].