9 hours ago
Being realistic I would say the following two points apply.
1. Since clubs have a deadline of 31st December 2025 to pay then it's quite likely that some clubs tend to leave it to the last minute. So a comparison of last year's club memberships to this year's is like comparing congress entries a month before the event and seeing far less people have entered than in the previous year.
2. While my club I don't think even used our vote it is within the 8 to pay early. If it's considered that important then presumably the remedy is to make a motion proposing that clubs eligible to vote are clubs that either were members last year and/or have become members this year. This would mean clubs that pay at the last minute aren't disenfranchised of their vote.
I think this anomaly occurs since membership deadline for clubs is after the AGM. However I think few clubs would be keen on deadline being brought forward 8 weeks since I know of at least one club that forgot to pay and then had issues getting club games graded as membership benefits no longer applied so it was billed on a per game basis if wanting it graded. Tighter deadlines means more clubs are likely to forget especially if office bearers change and CS has old contact details.
1. Since clubs have a deadline of 31st December 2025 to pay then it's quite likely that some clubs tend to leave it to the last minute. So a comparison of last year's club memberships to this year's is like comparing congress entries a month before the event and seeing far less people have entered than in the previous year.
2. While my club I don't think even used our vote it is within the 8 to pay early. If it's considered that important then presumably the remedy is to make a motion proposing that clubs eligible to vote are clubs that either were members last year and/or have become members this year. This would mean clubs that pay at the last minute aren't disenfranchised of their vote.
I think this anomaly occurs since membership deadline for clubs is after the AGM. However I think few clubs would be keen on deadline being brought forward 8 weeks since I know of at least one club that forgot to pay and then had issues getting club games graded as membership benefits no longer applied so it was billed on a per game basis if wanting it graded. Tighter deadlines means more clubs are likely to forget especially if office bearers change and CS has old contact details.