Associates Scheme

[safespeed]

Introducing a new way to join the Safe Speed campaign - as an associate.

We have noticed that the bulk of our funds have always come from a smallish
band of loyal supporters paying reasonably substantial sums.

And we have noticed a very significant need for regular income. So much so that
operations have been significantly limited by lack of 'cash flow'.

And we have to avoid another crisis like the one that resulted in last year's
emergency appeal.

Taking all this information and having carefully considered all the issues
we're just launching the new 'Associates Scheme':

See www.safespeed.org.uk/associates.html

We ask - no we beg - that everyone with a love of driving; everyone who cares
about road safety; everyone who values their freedom; everyone who values
driver skill; and everyone who wants to be free to use the roads efficiently
and responsibly joins the scheme.

Associates can participate from just £10 per month. Put that in the context of
the costs associated with running a car and it's just chicken feed. We know
that the expense will put some off. But ask yourself these questions:

- Is any organisation doing more for the future of roads use than Safe Speed?
- Is any other organisation fighting nannying policies on a sound scientific
basis, every single day?
- Just how bleak is the future of motoring if Government policies go unopposed?
- Are you going to leave it to someone else?
- What have YOU done to fight back?

PLEASE Support Safe Speed. We need you, and you need us more than ever.

[safespeed]

Folks,

I'm going to be in trouble again with funding the Safe Speed campaign soon, and
I need your help.

Working with existing Safe Speed members, we devised the 'Associates Scheme'
which launched earlier in the week. But it's flopping badly with hardly any
uptake. This is in very sharp contrast with £500 per month in pledges in the
first 24 hours obtained from existing members.

Despite the crippling effect of inadequate finance the Safe Speed campaign has
been highly effects in highlighting the critical issues that underlie our
failed national road safety policy. No other organisation has done the
background work required to dig right down to the fundamental flaws. The ABD is
great within its own sphere, but is now heavily dependent on my work for
understanding the flaws and failures within policy.

The Safe Speed campaign needs about £30k per annum for basic operations. In
round numbers that's:

4000 telephone + Internet
8000 travel and motor
4000 Office costs (heat light rent equipment)
6000 my wages
2500 Professional services (accountancy, legal etc)
4500 Advertising and promotion
1000 Sundries

Since not all this funding has been available these past couple of years, the
budgets have been limited, with my wages, travel, and advertising and promotion
hit quite severely. This isn't good for the campaign. Right now it's very
important that I get on the road and see key people, but the travel budget
isn't there to enable me to do so.

I could divert all my energy to fund raising, but that wouldn't be good for the
campaign. As things stand, telephone and email alone are a full time job. I'm
also not in the least little bit skilled at fundraising.

Personally, I think the ideal solution is to find a couple of well heeled
patrons who could provide some significant financial support. But I've had no
luck finding such people. Can anyone help put me in touch?

So folks - advise me, please - what the hell am I supposed to do? Struggle on?
Give up? Wait for it to got pear shaped again and beg you good people to bail
me out again?

Best Regards,
Paul Smith
Safe Speed
www.safespeed.org.uk
tel: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

Edited by safespeed on Saturday 19th August 12:44

[safespeed]

I've realised that I didn't mention how valuable, appreciated and downright essential the support I have had from PHers in the past has been. Thanks folks.

[jith]

Allright, this is f***ing ridiculous Paul.
Six grand a year!!??
How the hell can you live on six grand???

Right you miserable, whining, tight fisted gits!
This man needs MONEY, and most of you are sitting there with wheels in excess of 30 grand, never mind your salaries.
If he and others don't succeed you won't be able to drive in this country in the not too distant future!
The population of this country is touching 60 million.
If only a thousand of us give him a tenner each, he's instantly out of trouble.
Anyone who doesn't pay I'll find out about: and if you thought Wallace was mental in Braveheart, you haven't seen me yet!!
We HAVE to fight these dreadful, mindless miscreants in the government, so PAY UP!!!!!!

[eliminator]

Paul

Great work you are doing. I already have the life membership so not sure signing up for "Associate" is the right course of action. Instead I have sent today a cheque to your postal address.

Regards

John

[eyebeebe]

Paul,

As well as monetary donations, have you thought about asking for pro bono work from any accountants/lawyers to help reduce your professional fees bills? 8% of your expenditure on fees seems very high

[Godfrey H]

Unashamed bump. I've already contributed have you?

Edited by Godfrey H on Tuesday 22 August 08:17