Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel leyland
Clive, you have effectively cited socialising, communications and events as benefits......no reason a Group cannot extend those to fellow Responders, it's been done across the country for long enough.
James, Your concern is training and competency. I refer you to" ...3. There is a mutual aid policy which includes temporary "Responder loan". (requiring only an information exchange between controllers) ..."Liability mitigated![/COLOR][/COLOR]
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I would have thought that Socialising, Communications, and Events are probably the highest benefits, making being the member of a group worth while, so definitely not something to be sniffed at... I guess from what you appear to say is, within 4x4R there are groups that are "just groups", and groups that act and feel like a "Club". Luckily I am a member of a group that the committee and senior members have worked very hard to make into a "club"
Within our group, I have seen members regularly helping other members move trailers, cars and caravans, loan trailers and tools, assist with fixing other's vehicles, work on a members wood land, plus many many other things that are not in anyway 4x4R related.
These people have become friends as well as 4x4 responders, and as a direct result of this internal networking, and the realising of peoples abilities and assets, many fantastic days out have been arranged for all the members of the group... Why would the group members want to extend these already busy and well attended social events to people from other groups, who are completely unknown to them, and who did not put anything into creating this network. It would be like inviting the receptionist of the your dentist office to your child's birthday party, you could do it, but why would you?.
Basically, while we technically pay into our "club" to cover our 4x4R insurance, with all the events, member interaction, plus all the other benefits this creates, it feels like we are getting a lot back for our money, making the membership money feel worth while...
So, here is another reason to be a member of more than one group... if I was ever to move away from Kent, judging by the way you talk, it looks like I peaked by joining SE4x4R as my first group, and will feel very let down should I need to join another one. For that reason alone, I would keep my SE4x4R membership going, just for when I was staying with relatives, and could still enjoy the friendship of the nice guys in the South East.
