Senior membership £5, Junior membership £2, Flat rate levy £1.30 per run. These are the figures proposed by the Board following a conference call on Sunday 12 February to discuss the membership and levy proposal for the AGM. A number of issues had been raised since the decisions taken at the Board meeting on 14 December 2011.  These were discussed and the following points agreed:

• A single tier of membership, that is no National or Local Membership.
• There should be 2 categories of membership – senior and junior. There would be no family membership category.
• A membership fee of £5 which was considered to be the lowest level feasible is to be included in the proposal. This results in all membership fees being lower across Local and National members.
• A junior membership fee of £2 is to be included. This indicates that we believe there should be a significant differential between senior and junior membership.
• Seniors to be defined as those people in the MW21 age class (21 or older) in the membership year and juniors at the MW20 or below age class (20 or younger in the membership year).
• Junior to senior membership should not be a ratio of the total income to be generated through membership and freedom left to future AGMs to change the ratio although it was noted that a significant differential should be maintained.
• No ‘student’ membership category will exist
• Levy, there should be a single level at all events except for those events covered by the ‘Partnership Agreement’ (JK/BOCs).
• A flat rate levy of £1.30 looked appropriate from current projections
• Levy, the ratio of 3 juniors equating to 1 senior for levy purposes should be maintained.
• Levy, the ‘student’ category of levy fee will not be maintained although students that are junior members will be treated as juniors for levy purposes

The proposed changes to fees and levy have been calculated on the basis of being 'budget neutral', that is they will generate income of approximately the same amount as anticipated being generated in 2012.

The Board wish to stress that the levy fee is used to generate part of the money British Orienteering needs to collect to meet the needs of the governing body, however clubs are encouraged to charge entry fees that meet their needs. Levy and entry fee are different. For example a club could provide reduced entry fees for juniors, students, retirees, etc. The club will need to cover the levy fee paid to British Orienteering for the event however this could be covered by other entry fees or met from profits at other events.

Comments and feedback on these proposals should be made to feedback@britishorienteering.org.uk as soon as possible please.

Posted by Mike Hamilton

Following on from the Sky Sports News coverage of Orienteering last week - (which can now be found here) there will be more coverage this weekend on the BBC 1 Countryfile Programme (Sunday 19^th February – 6:30pm).

BBC Countryfile were updating the programme they did last year about Wild Ennerdale. West Cumberland Orienteering Club were invited along by the Forestry Commission to explain how the removal of various fences in the valley has helped both the roaming cattle and the competing orienteer. The club had a great night event there early in November and have spent quite a lot of time creating a permanent orienteering course in the area. Filming took place 2 weeks ago in almost warm sunshine and clear skies, which will give the viewers a wonderful picture of the valley. Two young members of the club showed presenter Ellie Harrison how a training exercise works amongst the large boulders in the forest. See the WCOC Facebook page for photos of the session.

 Steve Vernon

This Saturday (11^thFebruary) Orienteering will be a feature on Sky Sports News from 7am as part of their ‘Get Involved’ programme. The programme aims to provide information on how to get involved in different sports and also highlight sports with less media coverage.

Filming took place last week at the Manchester and District Orienteering Club Night in Hazel Grove and also at the Regional Event at Concorde Chase near Farnborough. As well as footage of Orienteering taking place the crew from Sky Sports conducted interviews and provided information on British Orienteering’s clubs, events and activities.

More information can be found here

Steve Vernon, Participation Manager

Why not enter the British Orienteering Club of the Year Competition?

• Is your club an important part of the local community?

• Providing opportunities for everyone to experience high quality activities at all levels of your sport or recreation?

• Demonstrating a commitment to the development of participants as well as coaches and volunteers?

• Taking an innovative approach to the promotion of the club?

If the answer is “Yes” then you should enter the Club of the Year Award.

Submissions should be sent to enicholas@britishorienteering.org.uk and the closing date is Monday 27^th February.  The award will be made at the 2012 AGM.

Nomination Forms can be found here.  

Edward Nicholas, Development Manager

I am pleased to announce that Buff are generously supporting the 2012 Jk and the 2012 British Championships. Buff are providing customised Buffs for the events which will be a great prize and memento.

Buff have an excellent range of products to suit all ages. Please take a look at their website.

Item posted by Caroline Povey