Scottish Target Shooting is pleased to announce it has now opened up its membership system for new applications and renewals for 2018.
As agreed at our 2017 AGM, our prices are remaining the same but there have been a few changes and we have introduced even more benefits for 2018 but before looking at those, we just wanted to remind you of some of the highlights of 2017:
- STS ran shooting events for over 1,000 participants.
- STS members received reduced entry fees at STS events.
- STS held a forum with Police Scotland for members.
- We were able to signpost individuals to STS member clubs
- STS funded and delivered and number of courses for coaches
- STS helped a number of clubs with child protection, including PVG checking coaches
What's New In 2018?
Great New Reward Scheme for Clubs
Sport wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the passion, hard work and expertise in our clubs and that is why STS wants to support them as much as possible. In 2018., STS is introducing a new reward scheme for clubs allowing them to receive benefits for doing very little. The rewards are calculated and based on the number of members from that club with STS membership as of 1st June 2018. Depending on the type of STS membership that individual has he or she will be allocated points and the total number of points accumulated by the club by 1st June 2018 will determine the reward received by the club.
Benefits range from FREE Club membership worth £30 all the way up to FREE Club+ Membership and a cheque for £250 worth a total of £400 (clubs already with STS memberships will simply have this refunded to them along with any additional rewards they are due). These rewards will benefit clubs of all sizes right across Scotland.
Supplier Discounts for STS Members Coming in 2018
In 2017 carried out a survey asking members what additional benefits would they want to see. What of the common responses centred around STS negotiating discounts with suppliers on behalf of its members. STS is currently talking to suppliers around providing this service and we plan to begin delivering this service to our members in 2018. We will send out more details around this next year.
Legal Support Desk for STS Members Coming in 2018
STS has agreed a partnership with one of Scotland's leading firms with huge experience of the sporting sector. As part of the partnership, STS members will be able to get legal advice on firearms issues free of charge for quick questions and will received reduced rates should the enquiry be more complex and require additional work to be carried out. We think this will a valuable addition to the services members receive and will send out more details in early 2018 once the details of the agreement have been finalised.
Bluefin Appointed STS Insurance Brokers for 2018
In 2018 STS will be changing our insurance provider to Bluefin. A leading insurance broker in the sporting industry, Bluefin already have a number of large clients in the sector including the FA, British Fencing and the NSRA. From our members point of view, there will be very little change to the level of cover provided but we are confident you will notice an enhanced level of service in 2018. Details about the cover will appear on the STS website shortly.
Plus All The Great Benefits from 2017
In 2017, STS Membership provided members with the following benefits that we will continue to deliver in 2018 in addition to the other benefits mentioned:
- One membership fee to cover all disciplines
- Discounted entry fees at STS Events
- Voice through STS at the Scottish Firearms Practitioners Group
- Direct forum with Police Scotland to raise individual and collective concerns
- Direct forum with the Scottish Government to raise collective concerns
- STS organised and funded courses to produce 60 new Club Instructors over the last 2 years
- Affordable insurance packages
- Reduced memberships for Juniors
Pistol OR Gallery Rifle?
In 2018 pistol and gallery rifle will no longer be one category to choose from but two separate categories. This means, when applying for your 2018 membership, be sure to check what Primary Discipline is listed in your profile. All previous members listed as 'Pistol & Gallery Rifle' have now defaulted to 'Pistol' so if this not right for you, be sure to update your profile. If you have any problems doing this, contact the STS Office using the details provided and we would be happy to help.
Repeating Direct Debit Now Available
We had a number of members contact us in 2017 expressing their desire to set up a repeating Direct Debit so their membership fees could be paid automatically each year. STS is pleased to confirm that for our 2018 memberships, this will now be available. All members need to do is complete the registration process through the online membership system. On checking out, simply select the Pay via Bank option. The payment will be made through GoCardless as it has done in recent years but this will automatically set up a repeating Direct Debit that customers can cancel at any time, but if not cancelled will recur at the same time every year.
Customers wishing to make a single, non-repeating payment, should pay through 'Pay with Card' option where your payment will be processed by Stripe.
Updating Our Child Protection Records
We all know the wellbeing of young people is paramount in everything that they do and sport is no exception. Sport provides great opportunities for young people but unfortunately this means it can also attract people into sport with ulterior motives. These people are rare but when incidents do occur the whole sport suffers.
In 2018 STS will be looking to update our information and to help with this, we will be asking clubs child protection related questions in the membership application process. There are no wrong answers but please be honestly.
Equality
As part of our commitment to the Equality Standard, Scottish Target Shooting continually reviews its membership demographic so we can report on how representative it is of the wider Scottish population and identify communities that we need to engage with more. Therefore, on renewing your membership in 2018 you will be prompted to complete a series of questions to help us with this. For each question, there will always be the option 'Prefer Not To Say' and all responses are anonymised and only used in aggregated, numerical reports. This work is vital to our planning so STS asks all members to complete these questions on your profile. If you need any help with this then please contact the STS
