1. Description:
NAMS (New Active Member Scheme) is intended to encourage new active participants at Sussex Yacht Club (SYC) to join the club by offering a 12 month discount on subscriptions. Having additional active members at SYC is to the benefit of all members, helping to provide income for the club, the franchisees and building a stronger membership as a whole. NAMS should be viewed as a pathway towards full shareholding membership.
2. Eligibility:
Only a number of clearly defined club activities are included within the scheme, focussing eligibility solely on active participants. Unless an SYC activity is specifically nominated and approved by the Board as a NAMS eligible activity then it is excluded from the scheme. The current list of activities require candidates to be involved at SYC through one or more of the following (to be clear if a joint or family membership is being taken then at least one person in the application must be over 18 years of age and qualify under these eligibility terms);
2.1 The candidate either has an invitation to, or is already sailing or racing at SYC as a guest aboard a yacht owned by a current SYC member (the skipper must confirm the candidate as a crew member).
2.2 The candidate wishes to take up dinghy racing at SYC as crew or helm (excluding those only taking part in dinghy sailing activities as part of organised training).
2.3 The candidate is a skipper, owner, or crew of a non-SYC yacht wishing to participate in an SYC series/race.
2.4 The candidate is a paid up member of BSAC 007 but has never been a member of SYC.
2.5 The candidate has taken or intends to take up sailing with Sussex Sailability but has never been a member of SYC.
2.6 NAMS may also be extended by invitation of a current member at one of the SYC nominated events such as Open Day.
3. Exclusions:
3.1 Current or historic SYC members paying standard membership rates who resign or leave SYC for any other reason are excluded from re-joining under NAMS for a period of 3 years from when their previous membership lapsed (such lapsed members can rejoin paying standard rates at any time).
3.2 A NAMS candidate that leaves the NAMS scheme through non-payment or cancellation of direct debit during the 12 month NAMS membership period cannot rejoin through the scheme (but may settle the outstanding account and apply to join as a full member, subject to payment of any rejoining fee and board approval of their application).
3.3 Members joining under NAMS do not qualify for member rates for any SYC boat yard services or club moorings during the introductory NAMS period, but can enjoy such member rates if they change to a standard membership subscription (see 5.4 below).
3.4 Members joining under NAMS do not qualify for member rates on any form of RYA training at SYC including participation in any practical sailing program (however a candidate may still apply if they are eligible under another approved activity).
3.5 The NAMS scheme does not apply to group, young persons, student or cadet membership applications.
3.6 SYC reserves the absolute right to refuse any application under NAMS and has no obligation to enter into any correspondence over any refusal.
4. Benefits:
4.1 During the 12 months NAMS membership a NAMS member will enjoy the same benefits and access to facilities, events and functions as other standard subscription paying members of SYC except for those member rates specified in 3.3 and 3.4. (but may purchase such excluded services at non-member rates).
4.2 NAMS members will qualify for member rates relating to room hire for functions.
5/. Subscriptions and Payment:
NAMS provides for a 40% discount on standard membership subscriptions for a maximum period of one year from the date of application and the waiving of membership entry fees as follows;
5.1 NAMS membership accounts will be based on an annual charge with 12 monthly payments made to clear the charge (but see 5.3 below).
5.2 If a NAMS member leaves the scheme and club due to non-payment or for any other reason SYC reserves the right to initiate recovery of the outstanding annual charge plus incurred expenses.
5.3 Although monthly direct debit is the preferred payment method for NAMS membership (with annual statement) if a NAMS candidate does not wish to pay by direct debit they may choose to pay the annual subscription in full in advance.
5.4 No refunds on subscription payments will be made but if a NAMS member chooses to change to standard subscription membership at any time they can do so with a single pro-rata payment (pro-rata rate calculated as a daily figure from date of change to standard subscription rate to the NAMS application anniversary).
5.5 One month before the end of the 12 month NAMS period a statement will be issued by SYC and unless the NAMS Member confirms in writing that they are resigning from SYC their membership will automatically convert to standard subscription rates for the following and subsequent years based on the same payment terms as under NAMS (i.e. monthly direct debit or annual payment in advance).
6. Joining Procedure:
NAMS candidates will complete and sign and deliver to the SYC Office a NAMS Application Form and by so doing confirm acceptance of these terms and conditions and SYC rules;
6.1 Applications will be checked by SYC office staff and if deemed to comply with these Terms and Conditions and payment has been made the candidate will be deemed to be a probationary NAMS member able to use SYC facilities.
6.2 Applications from probationary NAMS members will be submitted to the SYC board at the next committee meeting for ratification. If approved the candidate will be recognised as a NAMS member enjoying all SYC member benefits with the exemption of certain member rates as described in section 3 above.
6.3 If either the SYC office or the SYC board find an application for membership under NAMS does not meet the criteria within these terms and conditions or refuses an application for any other reason the candidate shall be invited to apply for standard membership or if this is not acceptable any subscription already paid by the candidate under his/her NAMS application shall be refunded.
Posted: June 25th 2013
