I'm a member of the Birmingham MMOC and the small fee collected from each member goes towards the hire of the room for our monthly get together, and perhaps the odd raffle prize should we have one. Anything left over goes towards our chosen charity for the year. We have an annual branch rally - sometimes we have to pay the venue a facility fee to go there, but this is then paid back from the profit made, again the rest going to charity.
If we didn't have the branches MMOC members would never meet up except at the National rally. Local contact is very helpful expecially when people have a problem with their car. They can contact each other locally.
Each branch has autonomy to set its own fees. Anyone who feels strongly on the subject could always join the local branch, serve on the committee, and propose an annual fee of nothing. It would be up to the branch to work out how to cover its expenses. I believe that some have no annual fee, but charge to attend meetings in order to pay for the room hire. Others are lucky enough to have free use of a room in a pub, in return for buying drinks and perhaps food. Really is up to those involved; but all seem to offer good value for money.
It depends quite a lot on what arrangement the branch has managed to make with the management of wherever they meet, some are more than happy to have extra punters mid week and wont charge extra for use of a room.
Others think that they can charge as if you will be having a wedding reception every month!
"Once you break something you will see how it was put together"
Thank you very much for your replies and contact details.
I Have found out that it cost £10.00 per year plus £5.00 per extra person in the household. Am more than happy to pay that. Am just wondering if there is any benefit to joining the national one as well?
Joining National gives you the bi-monthly magazine, discounts from parts suppliers, club insurance scheme, technical advice (apart from this forum), pays for this forum, spares service, great friends, and loads more. Crucially, your support of National also allows the club to interact with other organisations to fight stupid ideas (particularly from the EU) that could impact on our use of the cars - very important. It certainly is worth joining!
