New membership categories and benefits proposed

The Board of Directors is currently considering some changes to our membership categories and benefits. We are now inviting feedback from our members about these changes, which are proposed to take effect from 1 April 2018.

Why are we proposing changes?

We want to make joining Canoe Wales easy – easy to understand which category is right for you, easy to sign up or renew your membership, and easy to stay in touch with us.

We currently have a lot of different membership categories which are difficult to explain and administer – and we also have hundreds of club members who aren’t members of Canoe Wales. This means that we don’t know some important information about paddlers in Wales – and we find it hard to communicate with all of you and to serve as the voice for paddlesport in Wales.

These new categories make it simple – and they also mean that we’ll be able to communicate with everyone who wants to hear from us and be a stronger voice for our sport.

What are the key changes we’re proposing?

1. We are proposing to eliminate our current membership categories and replace them with three simple categories:

• On the Bank – for volunteers and officials who don’t paddle
  

• On the Water – for most paddlers

• Club Only – for individuals who only paddle as part of club sessions

2. We’ll still offer big discounts for U18s, couples and families – but these will be applied to the membership price rather than classed as separate membership categories.

3. All club members will need to purchase a Canoe Wales membership – a club can purchase membership on behalf of members, but each membership will have to be in the individual member’s name with their contact details for their insurance to be valid.

Full details of the proposed changes to membership can be downloaded here.

How can you share your thoughts about the proposed changes?

Included in this year's Annual Survey is a section for feedback from members about the proposed changes - this feedback will be shared with the Board of Directors to assist with their decision-making process. You can access the survey here.

We'll also be holding a series of road shows in early 2018 to give members a chance to meet with us in person and share your thoughts, ideas and questions.