Issue 48: Spread the word

The BMC has a mountain to climb - and needs your help

We have a problem. After many years of sustained membership growth, our membership numbers have plateaued at around 60,000. That’s a respectable figure for sure, but one balanced by the twin facts that our running costs keep increasing and the Sports Council grants are being squeezed due to the Olympics. So, unless we can increase our income, we’ll have to cut back on our work.

The BMC has gone from strength to strength of late - and has achieved some real successes - but continued growth is essential to the good health of any organisation. Of course, I’m preaching to the converted here, reading this there’s a good chance that you’re a BMC member already. And whether that’s the result of a positive step on your part to support British climbing, hill walking and mountaineering, or you were simply attracted by our travel insurance, then you have my thanks.

As part of our 60,000 strong membership, you’ve helped put your weight behind some serious initiatives in the last year; buying Craig y Longridge, fighting for coastal access, funding £20,000 worth of bolt replacements, keeping your local crags open. And member power isn’t to be underestimated, the more members an organisation has, the louder its voice to those that count. So let’s start getting some more members, and really starting to speak.

Estimates of the number of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers in the UK are hard to come by, but it’s safe to say that it’s far more than 60,000. The Ramblers Association has over 300,000 members, so there must be plenty of more adventurous mountain-goers who’d like a loud representative voice.

The challenge is of course persuading people that joining is the right thing to do, for both them and their sport. We’re making membership even better value with comprehensive nationwide retailer discounts, direct debit incentives, and slashing member prices in our online shop, so people can see a real cost saving when they join. And then there’s our civil liability insurance - priceless if you ever come to need it.

Look out for our new adverts in magazines and websites near you, but perhaps the real key lies in member power. If you think we’re doing a decent job, and value what you get out of being a member, then spread the word. Keep your membership card in your pocket next time your friend asks to borrow it - why should they get a free ride? Get them to join instead. If every one of you convinced a friend or colleague to join, then any funding problems would be solved overnight and your representative body would be twice as strong. Simple.

- Dave Turnbull, BMC CEO.

10 reasons to join

• Your national body. Adding weight to the BMC’s national and local level voice for climbers and walkers.
• Access & environment. Getting behind our work keeping our crags and mountains open through negotiation, management and ownership.
• Grassroots action. Opportunities to get involved at a grass roots level and make a difference on projects that matter to you.
• Summit magazine. Through your letterbox four times a year.
• Facilities & events. Access to our huts, competitions, seminars, courses and meets.
• Safety advice. Access to up-to-the-minute research and expert advice on all safety and technical issues.
• 3rd party insurance. £5m of 3rd party liability insurance cover.
• Retail discounts. A BMC discount card which gives you 10% off at 600+ UK shops, as well as savings on big names like Hertz and Sea France.
• Travel insurance. A choice of market leading trekking and climbing insurance cover.
• Your worldwide voice. Most of all, being in the BMC means that you’re part of the worldwide voice for British climbers on policy, conservation, to get the best we possibly can for our sport.

Find out more about the benefits of joining the BMC at www.thebmc.co.uk/join.