Benefits of club and Association membership
I thought it might be appropriate here to give you a run-down of what benefits accrue to the club members who are affiliated with Four Wheel Drive NSW & ACT Inc (the Association).
Benefits of Association Membership 2012-13
Association membership provides the following benefits to member clubs and their members:
1. Representation & Recognition
Recognition of 4WD NSW & ACT as the peak user group representing organised 4WD clubs to:
National, State and Industry Organisations
Representation to legislators against changes to regulations many of which are dealt with at state and national levels in conjunction with industry bodies and other concerned groups, without troubling members. These include:
Vehicle modifications standards and processes (VSI50, VSB14, VSB09)
Australian Design Rules (ADRs)
Australian National Safety Organisations
changes to UHF radios and EPIRBS
To achieve this the Association works with the following organisations:
Four Wheel Drive Australia (4WD Australia) and each state 4WD Association
Australian Confederation of Motor Clubs (ACMC) membership
Australian 4WD Industry Council
Australian Aftermarket Accessories Association (including ARB, ECB, TJM etc)
NSW Department of Roads and Maritime Services
Australian Qualifications Framework
Australian Skills Quality Authority and many more
Land Managers and Owners
Representation to land managers to maintain access rights for you
as far afield as the Canning Stock Route as evidenced by the permit system
MOU with NPWS and Forests NSW and Lands NSW documenting our right to access
National track classification scheme ( to guide the use and maintenance of tracks)
membership of regional advisory committees of land management agencies
consultation on Draft Plans of Management
4WD Consultative Group comprising 4WD NSW & ACT and NSW Government bodies
o Environment, Climate Change & Water
o National Parks & Wildlife Service
o Forests NSW
o Land & Property Management Authority
Traditional land owners
2. Insurance
2.a Club level
Incorporated clubs must have insurance to cover:
Public Liability risk
Special Event & Voluntary Workers insurance
Executive officer indemnity
Non-member clubs are ineligible to receive the coverage offered under our arrangement with the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council Insurance Scheme. This insurance is specifically tailored to meet the needs of 4WD clubs and offered at a substantially discounted rate compared with other public liability type insurances available commercially. The per capita cost to member clubs for $20M is just $8.00 compared to $14 - $20 if not affiliated.
2.b Individual level
Access to member specific coverage anywhere anytime even on unformed trails through 5 specialised insurance covers to meet member needs with discounts for multiple policies.
4WD Motor, and Camping Equipment.
Camper Trailer
Home and Contents covers being:
Accidental Damage and Listed Events
2WD Motor, Caravan, Holiday Home & Boat
The coverage under this scheme is
the best and most comprehensive off-road coverage
covered anywhere anytime
you speak to a person experienced in 4WDing not an office clerk
Members must identify themselves as financial club members to gain the discount premiums
Membership is checked.
Clubs receive a small commission paid quarterly on any insurance policies taken out by their members.
3. Member Training (MTEC and DTU)
As an RTO the Association works to train all members of clubs in vehicle handling and safety. Driver training is a major component of this and can be delivered to nationally accredited standards. The Driver Training Unit (DTU) is staffed by competent and accredited Trainers and Assessors (Certificate IV in Training & Assessment costs $4000 subsidised by the Association) who volunteer their time to educate and support member clubs. The Members Training and Education Committee (MTEC) also offers discounted or subsidised training in first aid, chain saw use, track classification whenever possible.
Member clubs have access to the Eastern Creek Training Centre (increasingly valuable as it is developed).
4. Membership Stickers
On payment of affiliation fees clubs will be provided with the following:
two large Association emblems to place on their club banners to show affiliation
an electronic copy of the Association emblem to be placed on the club website
an Association windscreen sticker for each member. This is renewed annually.
5. Access to NSW State Forests
Under the MOU with NSW Forests access fees are paid by the Association annually to NSW Forests. This cost is covered as part of club affiliation fees. Without this club trips would need to meet the cost of $100 trip registration fee plus $4.00 per person participating.
6. Website and Forum
This is provided to members of all affiliated clubs so that they can access Association documents concerning them and their clubs and to facilitate the exchange of news and ideas:
Member clubs are offered the opportunity to have their sites co-hosted to save costs.
7. Four wheel Drive and Adventure show (Sydney 4WD and Adventure Show -)
The Association runs its own four wheel drive show especially for member clubs to promote our family friendly, environmentally sensitive activities to the wider community. Member clubs are entitled to a show space at no charge to promote themselves.
8. Membership Discount Card
The discount card is a joint venture with Four Wheel Drive Australia and all states and territories and will be released in a staged roll-out commencing in Victoria in the first half of the 2012-13 financial year. The card will:
offer substantial discounts to members from a range of businesses across Australia
be issued to all financial members of financial clubs
be issued annually at the time of affiliation renewal and valid for the financial year in which it is issued
carry the club and state logos and the name of the card holder
This should give you an idea of what the Association really is doing.
Bob
