ABD Membership?

[smifffy]

Right then.

I've received my ABD membership renewal through the post and I'm wondering if it's really worth me spending another £20 beer tokens to sustain their none-too-obvious efforts.

I remember a few years ago, whenever there was debate about speed cameras or "traffic calming" (euphemism for shite in the road) in the media, there was always an articulate and passionate member of the ABD getting airtime and representing the drivers' perspective.

However, now all I ever get is a newsletter. This just contains rants, nothing about actual effort in terms of lobbying or media coverage, and no obvious benefit for actual being a member.

So then, I throw it open to PH Do I renew my membership and keep the faith , or do I say bollox I'm off to the pub with a 20 quid note

?

[CarZee]

If I thought for one minute that without that £20 you couldn't afford to go to the pub then I'd say give the ABD a miss

I can't say for sure that things with the ABD are going to get better, but I'm giong to the meeting on the 23rd to find out what the hell is going on.
After that I'll know more.

if you put it on direct debit, it's only £17 a year - you'd at least have change from your twenty for a crafty pint..

[smifffy]

CarZee said: If I thought for one minute that without that £20 you couldn't afford to go to the pub then I'd say give the ABD a miss

Now then! It's the principal of the matter. I don't give 20 squid a year to the scholarly societies project 'cos I haven't got a clue what they do. Same applies to the ABD.

I can't say for sure that things with the ABD are going to get better, but I'm giong to the meeting on the 23rd to find out what the hell is going on.
After that I'll know more.

Sounds like it could be fun if you're off to give 'em a slap. When/where?

if you put it on direct debit, it's only £17 a year - you'd at least have change from your twenty for a crafty pint..

Ah, but then that would take the decision process away from me as to whether i think they're value for money or not. Making the effort of fulfilling a payment makes me consider - is it fcuking worth it?

[AlexH]

Smifffy - you must be reading/watching different newspapers/tv stations to me, because I have noticed they do seem to pop up whenever the debate features and certainly the Daily Mail (Ok I'll admit to reading it! ) always has an opinion from them when relevant.

[CarZee]

There's a big meeting on 23rd November at the motor museum at Gaydon.

I'll be going along to see what the deal is, find out what the future holds for the organisation and ask some probing questions.

I have to admit I share your despondency regarding the ABD, but if everyone took this attitude then the organisation wouldn't even exist and there'd be no respesentation in the media at all against the T2k lot. The ABD do still make representations in the media and they are represented om teh Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Strategy (PACTS). Not very high profile in the media, but they are amongst political circles. - ie where the decisions are taken..

The organisation is still very much in the ascendency. T2k has been going for 30 years so it's little wonder that they've grown to be a more effective campaign group than the ABD. The ABD doesn't yet have enough funds through membership or corporate sponsorship to employ PR/Legal/Media professionals who can repeatedly hammer home our message in opposition to the rampant vegetablairians.

I really think it's too early to give up on the ABD - at least until I've had a chance to find out what's happening, where the organisation is going, and to participate and put my own ideas forward, which I intend to do on the 23rd.

What can I tell you... give it one more year..

If you really can't bear to do that, withhold your payment until I can report back from the meeting....

I was about a month late with my renewal money.. they didn't discontinue my membership - they can't afford to be so strict..

[smifffy]

I have to admit I share your despondency regarding the ABD, but if everyone took this attitude then the organisation wouldn't even exist

Yeah, Of course I've thought through these type of arguments and considered if I'm being a stroppy impatient twat. (never let it be said)

What time's the meeting at Gaydon?

[smifffy]

AlexH - Hmm, I very rarely see anything quoted by the ABD these days and I do read the press every day. I think the idea floated of associate membership would be a quick boost to ABD membership numbers.

I can't help feeling there's a massive public support for this type of argument that is lying dormant due to a lack of a single voice.

[CarZee]

smifffy said: I can't help feeling there's a massive public support for this type of argument that is lying dormant due to a lack of a single voice.

No - IMO, the potentially massive public support for the 'anti-speed-kills' movement is dormant because not enough people care enough about it.

I've said it before, but the critical mass of support will come when enough middle class law-abiding types have had their livelyhood destroyed by losing their license over a minor infraction against artifically low and arbitrary speed limits coupled with revenue gathering cameras..

read my comments here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=2&f=0&t=20665&h=0 for further ideas/theories on the matter.

When the critical mass is reached, we'll need the ABD as a vehicle for change.

[smifffy]

No - IMO, the potentially massive public support for the 'anti-speed-kills' movement is dormant because not enough people care enough about it.

mm, you may be right, but that's probably only because the roads are far too conjested to enjoy motoring. But then we open another can of worms.

In fact you may well, be right. A quick straw pole at work reveals that there are only 2 people here who really give a toss. As you say, maybe when they feel the pain....

How depressing.