SOC Membership cards

[Aubrey Hawkins]

Hi All, it's been some time since i posted so was just wondering what others were thinking about The committees vote on STOP issuing the plastic membership cards. I have only been a member for about 10 years and will miss the card in my wallet. Many thanks Aubrey (Norfolk Area)

[marshman]

I belong to 4 car clubs, annual fees are all similar. 1 issues no card at all, 1 used to issue a plastic card, then went to paper/card now they just email one for you to print if you want, the other has always issued a simple thin card. The SOC issue the plastic one which I am not bothered about, its only purpose it to remind me of my membership number when my renewal comes up. I would rather they didn't issue one as a "custom" printed plastic card can't be cheap.

[Goldstar]

I agree with Roger. I recognise some people like them but I don’t need one or particularly want one. My membership number is in my profile here so don’t even use it for that.

id go one further and save the £100k from the printed magazine and spend it on making more parts. The days of using the magazine for body work repairs is hopefully gone but new panels are always needed.

cheers
Paul

[marshman]

My membership number is in my profile here so don’t even use it for that.

Ha so it is, so yes I don't even need the card for that

[Philip Wardle]

The membership card doesn't appear to serve any useful function these days, but we could produce an online card that could optionally be downloaded from the website and printed out when people renew their subscription. This could be personalised with name and number.

[DJT]

I'm in my 34th year of SOC membership and only produced my card a handful of times, for National Day entry. Surely it could be available to download into your Apple Wallet, or whatever the Android equivalent is. If I can get on a flight with a digital boarding pass, I should be able to get into a SOC event with a digital membership card.

Even after all these years, I can remember my membership number without reference to a card.

[Tim Ward]

40th year for me , only shown it once to an over excited lady at SOC event. Good idea to have on your phone

[ramjam2005]

I'm in my 34th year of SOC membership and only produced my card a handful of times, for National Day entry. Surely it could be available to download into your Apple Wallet, or whatever the Android equivalent is. If I can get on a flight with a digital boarding pass, I should be able to get into a SOC event with a digital membership card.

+1 agree with you there too

[Philip Wardle]

If I can get on a flight with a digital boarding pass, I should be able to get into a SOC event with a digital membership card.

Yep, I'm happy with that

[Goldstar]

As an aside but in a related piece of information, the uptake of digital magazines is gathering pace, more than 10% of the membership so far. Every month, as subscriptions become due, there are more taking that option.

[alan_thomas]

The membership card doesn't appear to serve any useful function these days.

I can think of one, you try scraping the ice off the windscreen with a digital membership !

Seriously though I hate throwing plastic cards in the bin knowing they take generations to break down. If the consensus is to keep them then at least make them from card like the National Trust.

[Philip Wardle]

If the consensus is to keep them then at least make them from card like the National Trust.

So if we give members the option to download and print-off, if they feel the need, they can use their media of choice - plastic for ice scrapers, or paper for recycling

[jbuckl]

Printed Magazine is now much less useful without the members adverts.

Costs of printed magazine now appears silly considering the size of the club.

A single login for member area / forum is essential.

Having 2 logins is an unnecessary detractor / pain.

If there was 1 login the statistics will likley be further skewed in favour of a digital only magazine probably.

publish the magazine on the forum for members only or publish the forum on the members area.

get rid of the need for 2 logins please.

[Registrar]

As membership secretary I can confirm that the membership card has been discontinued in order to save around £5k a year which can be put to better use. There will be a replacement in a digital format when the memsec has been able to find a suitable format. This is not straightforward so, In the meantime, Marilyn and I would ask for your patience. if anyone needs to know either their membership number or renewal month, pop us an e-mail on membership@stag.org.uk or give us a ring on 01379 677735.

Peter

[dasadrew]

Good Grief! I'd been nurturing my plastic membership card to be able to present it at Halfrauds etc. during my next UK visit to obtain a handsome discount. Now no longer?