MEMBERSHIP

How do I join?

Full membership costs £30 per year (£25 if paid by standing order), or you can join as an Associate for £20 (£15 if paid by standing order). Associate membership is for those who do not own a boat - you get most benefits, but cannot vote at the AGM.

While crews do not need to be members under the rules, regular crews are encouraged to become Associate members in order to support the association in its activities, from which they benefit.

We are encouraging new members and renewals to sign up via the 'Join Now' section on our website, and where possible please can you click and follow this process.

We appreciate that online forms and payments are not for everyone, if this is your position please contactthe Membeship Secretary to request a membership application form and a standing order form (unless you wish to pay by cheque), and post to the membership secretary (the address is on the forms).
Renewals are due 1st January each year.

Who works on the committee?

See everyone's names and contact details (including some dodgy photos!) here

What does the committee do?

1. Furthers the interests of your class (see below)
2. Encourages class development at a sensible pace
3. Works to maintain residual boat value / prices, and maintain a secondhand boat list
4. Organises the National and Inland championships
5. Coordinates various open meetings, regional series and the Silver Tiller series (and Silver Pole for crews)
6. Publishes event guidelines to help clubs running open meetings
7. Runs race training days
8. Keeps older boats competing with vintage racing
9. Produces this website, which includes a members-only library
10. Sends you a bumper magazine 3 times a year
11. Publishes a yearbook containing history, rules, details of boats built and members
12. Allows anyone to try a Merlin Rocket for free - therre is a class-owned demo boat
13. Promotes the use of a handicap (PY) adjustment table for older boats

In more detail...

The committee of Merlin Rocket Owners Association is the management team for the membership. Committee members are voted in at the AGM, and the committee elects a Chairman from their number. Under the class rules, the committee is charged with furthering the interests of the class, and governing the affairs of the class. The Merlin Rocket is a National Class, which means that the RYA has ultimate responsibility for the ensuring the class runs within the class rules; any changes to the rules have to be ratified by the RYA. The committee meets about 10 times each year, one of the meetings is an all day affair, called the 'Away Day', at which long term strategy for the class is planned.

'Furthering the interests of the class' is interpreted to mean activities that relate to:

1. Promotion of the class to the public with a view to - growing the membership, maintaining the strong profile of the class in the sailing press, working to maintain residual boat values/ prices
2. Keeping members informed about the Association's activities
3. Organising events for members
4. Arranging the class presence at the The RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show
5. Promoting changes to the class rules that it feels will benefit the current members and help to secure the future of the class. The policy currently being pursued is to avoid any changes to the rules that could be divisive to the membership

'Governing the affairs of the class' is interpreted to mean:

1. Organising the requisite General Meetings
2. Ensuring that the Association complies with any legal requirements to which it is subject (auditing, data protection etc)
3. Setting in place financial strategies that plan for the present and the future, and ensuring that the strategies are followed. Association income is primarily from subscriptions, but is enhanced significantly by revenue from sales of merchandise, advertising in class publications, and sponsorship for the National Championships. The Association plans to break even each year, but by good financial management and cost control over the years there is a healthy balance currently.

Minutes

Minutes of the AGM are published in the magazine and on the website.  Reports from committee meetings and the 'Away Day' are published on the website (in the library) for members to read.