In each edition of this e-newsletter, our aim is to shed light on the Pathways to Membership Restructure process and its expected outcomes. This week, we look at the topic of equity in membership.

Several years ago, the number of General members began to exceed the number of Ordinary members and continues to outgrow Ordinary memberships, this while Ordinary memberships continue to decline in absolute numbers.

General members tend to fall into two categories: spouses of Ordinary and General members and/or crew of RPAYC racing yachts, or both!

General members, by the very nature of the category, may not vote on any club matter, may not be a boat owner, or a marina, hardstand, or mooring client of the club. Moreover, a General member may not stand for any Officer position in the club. However, they may be a committee member.

Notably, the average age of General members is 63 years, almost 7 years lower than Ordinary membership average age. Plus, the General membership category is a growing category of membership.

A situation where more than 50% of our adult membership do not have a say in club affairs suggests we have an equity issue that needs attention. The Pathways to Membership committee is addressing this inequity in their deliberations on a new membership structure.

Robert Alpe
Rear Commodore Membership

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.In each edition of this e-newsletter, our aim is to shed light on the Pathways to Membership Restructure process and its expected outcomes. This week, we delve into the topic of ‘Anti-discrimination considerations regarding Age-Based Membership Fee Structure.’

The pending membership restructure introduces the concept of ‘Individual and Family’ membership categories, which utilize four distinct age layers for pricing: Junior, 26-35 years, 36-45 years, and 46 plus years.

The question arises: Does this pricing structure amount to age discrimination?

Our perspective is that the proposed age-based pricing for membership subscriptions is not discriminatory by age and does not violate item 49ZYP of the Registered Clubs section of the act. We were guided by the Anti-Discrimination Board to reference the relevant legislation, specifically Section 49ZYP under Registered Clubs that states:

(1) It is unlawful for a registered club to discriminate against an individual (excluding those under 18 years of age) based on age, including:
(a) Refusing or failing to accept an application for membership.
(b) Determining the terms under which an individual is admitted to membership.

(2) It is also unlawful for a registered club to discriminate against its members based on age, which includes:
(a) Denying or limiting access to any club-provided benefits.
(b) Depriving a member of their club membership or altering the terms of that membership.
(c) Subjecting the member to any other form of detriment.

(3) Subsection (1) and (2) do not apply to a registered club:
(a) Whose primary objective is to provide benefits to individuals of a particular age or age group.
(b) In a manner that prevents the club from maintaining various membership categories for individuals of different ages or age groups.

(4) In determining whether a registered club’s primary objective aligns with subsection (3)(a), several factors are considered, including the club’s essential character, the age composition of its beneficiaries, and other relevant circumstances.

In light of this, our position remains that the proposed age-based membership subscription pricing does not constitute age discrimination and is in accordance with item 49ZYP of the Registered Clubs section of the act.

Robert McClelland
Commodore

In each edition of this e-newsletter, our aim is to shed light on the Pathways to Membership Restructure process and its expected outcomes. This week, we delve into the topic of ‘Anti-discrimination considerations regarding Age-Based Membership Fee Structure.’

The pending membership restructure introduces the concept of ‘Individual and Family’ membership categories, which utilize four distinct age layers for pricing: Junior, 26-35 years, 36-45 years, and 46 plus years.

The question arises: Does this pricing structure amount to age discrimination?

Our perspective is that the proposed age-based pricing for membership subscriptions is not discriminatory by age and does not violate item 49ZYP of the Registered Clubs section of the act. We were guided by the Anti-Discrimination Board to reference the relevant legislation, specifically Section 49ZYP under Registered Clubs that states:

(1) It is unlawful for a registered club to discriminate against an individual (excluding those under 18 years of age) based on age, including:
(a) Refusing or failing to accept an application for membership.
(b) Determining the terms under which an individual is admitted to membership.

(2) It is also unlawful for a registered club to discriminate against its members based on age, which includes:
(a) Denying or limiting access to any club-provided benefits.
(b) Depriving a member of their club membership or altering the terms of that membership.
(c) Subjecting the member to any other form of detriment.

(3) Subsection (1) and (2) do not apply to a registered club:
(a) Whose primary objective is to provide benefits to individuals of a particular age or age group.
(b) In a manner that prevents the club from maintaining various membership categories for individuals of different ages or age groups.

(4) In determining whether a registered club’s primary objective aligns with subsection (3)(a), several factors are considered, including the club’s essential character, the age composition of its beneficiaries, and other relevant circumstances.

In light of this, our position remains that the proposed age-based membership subscription pricing does not constitute age discrimination and is in accordance with item 49ZYP of the Registered Clubs section of the act.

Robert McClelland
Commodore

This week we look at WHY WE NEED TO CHANGE?
 
There are many competing and contributing factors in why change is needed, most of which are discussed frequently by our elected officers and members. The three key ones are:
 
• Declining participation, especially of 26–45-year-olds.
Participation = Value in membership. An active club is a vibrant club. We are seeing declining participation in most club events across all age groups except Junior, but especially from the 26–45-year-olds.
 
• High membership attrition rates.
Member attrition rates for our peer clubs in Sydney and around Australia run at between 3.5% and 5.0%. Our club runs at around 10%. We have little trouble in attracting new members but big trouble in retaining them. Retention is ‘somewhat’ about membership structures and policies [20%] but is more about club product [40%] and club culture [40%]. Where value is perceived and club culture is rigorously upheld, enhanced and treasured, membership continuum is more likely to be achieved delivering lower attrition rates.
 
• Ageing membership: Average age of Full Members is 67; General Members is 57; Marina Occupants is 60.
It is to be expected that our average members age will increase in line with life expectancy in Australia. We have seen an increase of 13.7 years for males (to 81.3) and by 11.2 years for females (to 85.4) over the past 5 decades [ABS data.] But an objective to attract and retain younger members that grow memberships in absolute numbers is mission critical. We enjoy the best facilities at the RPAYC. It costs money to run and maintain these. Dwindling patronage from a dwindling membership cannot be sustained.
 
Other factors that the Pathways to Memberships Committee is considering is the complexity and cost of our membership structure:
 
• Currently there are 28 categories and sub-categories of membership in the Club’s Constitution. A nightmare!
• There are more non-voting members than voting members. Potential for significant inequity.
• The average age of voting members is increasing. It currently exceeds 67.
• Only voting members can stand for elected positions. Our Officer pool is rapidly dwindling.
• There are a decreasing number of new members available or willing to stand for elected office. Since 2009 there has been decline of Full Members. This decline continues.
• Subscription fee structures where Full members paying the full subscriptions are only 23% of total members. Unsustainable!