Official Club Membership Enquiry

[fabianyee]

Dear all, This thread is designated for queries and suggestions regarding the official BMWClub Malaysia Membership. Post your questions and suggestions here. Thanks, Fabian Yee FAQ section: Q: Where to obtain the application form?A: Application form can be downloaded HERE or obtain from the committee members during official Club Event. Q: Who to submit the application forms? A: Completed application form to be submitted to the committee members assigned to collect membership registration form and membership fees:- i) Registration Fee (RM150)ii) Annual Fee (RM150)A receipt with the official BMW Club chop will be issued for the payment of the membership fees. Application form and cheque can also be mailed to the correspondence address stated in the application form. Q: Do I need an introducer or a sponsor? Some club required this?A: Introducer is currently not compulsory. Q: If i don't register as Official Member of BMW Club Malaysia, can I still use the forum?A: As a non-official BMW Club Malaysia member, you will still have access to the forum but only the non-restricted section. Q: What are the benefits and priveleges of an official members?A: Please read HERE for more details. Q: Can the Club terminate any membership?A: Taken from the Club constitution: Article 10 : Termination and Expulsion10.1 Any member wishing to terminate his membership in the Club must provide one (1) month’s written notice to the Secretary and settle all payments due to the Club 10.2 Any member who fails to comply with the Club’s Constitution or has acted in a manner to bring disrepute to the Club, may be expelled or suspended for any period of time as the Managing Committee deems fit. This shall be carried out via a formal notice to the relevant Member, who shall be given an opportunity to show cause why such action should not be taken. In any event, the Managing Committee shall retain its sole and absolute discretion to affirm or reverse its decision to expel or suspend the said Member. 10.3 Any person who has terminated his membership of the Club may subject to Article 6.1 of this Constitution be re-admitted as a Member of the Club.

 

[jsen]

is there any way, the membership fees ( annual) can be revised it down to an affordable amount.. eg. rm50?

wat are the upcomin events for such a high fees imposed?

thks man...

 

[XXX]

if not mistaken even the waja or gti club is around the range ...this is BMW we should be higher than them...even our cars cost more. We want this to be a prestigious club just like the car so when u say youre a member of the club you can have some sense of pride. The fee I would say is very reasonable, all the tips and savings u get from this site itself would already justify the fee.
On top of that when u join the stuff u will receive in the starter pack would already cost more or equivalent to what u have paid. As for events I dunno what this fee has got to do with it, bcos now free also the respond is bad just look at the insurance clinic and the christmas charity drive, but definetely there will be events organised but that doesnt mean all events are free, members pay special rate compared to non members, also certain events are members only.

 

[kelvinp]

if not mistaken even the waja or gti club is around the range ...this is BMW we should be higher than them...even our cars cost more. We want this to be a prestigious club just like the car so when u say youre a member of the club you can have some sense of pride. The fee I would say is very reasonable, all the tips and savings u get from this site itself would already justify the fee.
On top of that when u join the stuff u will receive in the starter pack would already cost more or equivalent to what u have paid. As for events I dunno what this fee has got to do with it, bcos now free also the respond is bad just look at the insurance clinic and the christmas charity drive, but definetely there will be events organised but that doesnt mean all events are free, members pay special rate compared to non members, also certain events are members only.

can i suggest something?
Well in my opinion, to get more registered members and current forum members to join and participate into this "registered club" and its events, i suggest the club to have a "physical office" to show its credibility and genuine responsibility towards its members and other upcoming sponsors or events alike. It will also cater to non-IT savvy and non-english speaking BMW drivers who wish to join the club.

Let it be a small room office or it can even be situated in an auto-accessory shop.
Of course, this will take up time and money, but it shows authenticity.

 

[ah lian]

no niid for "physical office" lar. who's going to man it? hire someone to sit there who day swat flies? no one will do it for less than rm500 wor per month wor. now, where got enough funds to do that? dun you wan dat money to be spent on club activities instead?

anyway, most registered clubs are all online registration or do it on mobile (during tt and other gatherings). anyone actually knows an (auto) club that has a permanent physical office? the most is an address for depositing the form (with payment) or a meeting room sponsored by the agent/marketing arm used for meetings of the committee.

authenticity? its all in the paper issued by the ROS. you dun trust the commitee isit?? ha ha ha ha ha!! sked they buy kacang puteh wid the membership fees ahh??

aiyoh, pelan pelan kayoh lor. lets get the existing forumers registered as members frst (quite a lot right??) and we can reach out to any others in due time...

 

[fabianyee]

can i suggest something?
Well in my opinion, to get more registered members and current forum members to join and participate into this "registered club" and its events, i suggest the club to have a "physical office" to show its credibility and genuine responsibility towards its members and other upcoming sponsors or events alike. It will also cater to non-IT savvy and non-english speaking BMW drivers who wish to join the club.

Let it be a small room office or it can even be situated in an auto-accessory shop.
Of course, this will take up time and money, but it shows authenticity.

There is a correspondence address which is required by the ROS and the address submitted to the ROS is our president's office in Kelana Square. However, this address can be changed later with a formal letter to the ROS to inform them of the change of address..

 

[safrul]

the annual fee rm150.... err...ok la...

but registration fee also rm150..... ?

 

[sesat88]

hehehe.. this sesat ah beng agree with ah lian. no need to have physical opis... waste of money. Normally, when a car enthuiast club begins, they will have a "big bang" gathering, be it mamak or a grand highclass profile event if can afford. This is for both for announcing club officiation plus a recruitment drive. It gives the members an opportunity to register on the spot and get to know one other. You can get the press to join as well to popularise the club... that's if they decide it's worthwhile and publish it. Mind you, they are the "VIPs" of the event. Maybe if budget permit, some banners would be nice and prob some reasonably high profile AB representive to be present for an impact.

Well, that my 2sens....

Cheerio.

 

[sesat88]

on the matter of reg and annual fees... RM300 for a start is very reasonable indeed.

There goes the changing of the covers of my front spot lights... for a couple of months at least... hehehehehehe

 

[GMENG]

I support the club's decision on the membership and one-time registration fees. It's reasonable. Keep it up EXCO.. Thnx.

 

[Vanquish]

if not mistaken even the waja or gti club is around the range ...this is BMW we should be higher than them...even our cars cost more. We want this to be a prestigious club just like the car so when u say youre a member of the club you can have some sense of pride. The fee I would say is very reasonable, all the tips and savings u get from this site itself would already justify the fee.
On top of that when u join the stuff u will receive in the starter pack would already cost more or equivalent to what u have paid. As for events I dunno what this fee has got to do with it, bcos now free also the respond is bad just look at the insurance clinic and the christmas charity drive, but definetely there will be events organised but that doesnt mean all events are free, members pay special rate compared to non members, also certain events are members only.

XXX,

I agree with your thoughts generally but we need to understand the fact that our current member demographic is made up of different level of income groups and background. Frankly, even you and I may view the value of RM 300.00 in different manner so we need to think about the masses here a little. One of the main grouses that I hear from members that I have shared the info with is why wasn't there any form of discussion / brainstorming on an open platform about joining/annual fees ? It's almost as if the committee got together and decided : "Hey, this is it - this is how much we're gonna charge so it's pretty much a take it or leave it scenario!"

I know that is hardly the truth and a lot thoughts/concerns/ views must have gone into the decision making process itself. The only trouble is most people may not know it and it's almost as if their thoughts and suggestion were not even asked for. The other thing that does bother me ... and perhaps even others here is if we're trying to play this game of "my club is more exclusive than yours" by pricing our joining/annual fees higher than the lesser (by the virtue of brand recognition) clubs. A sense of pride and belonging should not come purely from the fees that we pay to get ourselves into a club or community but rather from the non-tangible things such as the level of interaction, participation, unanimity, team-spirit and camaraderie that keeps us going even in the light of disagreement and discord in hard times. Surely, there must be a more cohesive set of reasons and justification for our fees to convince the prospective members that all this will be money well spent at the end of the day.

Regards,
VaN.

 

[kelvinp]

no niid for "physical office" lar. who's going to man it? hire someone to sit there who day swat flies? no one will do it for less than rm500 wor per month wor. now, where got enough funds to do that? dun you wan dat money to be spent on club activities instead?

anyway, most registered clubs are all online registration or do it on mobile (during tt and other gatherings). anyone actually knows an (auto) club that has a permanent physical office? the most is an address for depositing the form (with payment) or a meeting room sponsored by the agent/marketing arm used for meetings of the committee.

authenticity? its all in the paper issued by the ROS. you dun trust the commitee isit?? ha ha ha ha ha!! sked they buy kacang puteh wid the membership fees ahh??

aiyoh, pelan pelan kayoh lor. lets get the existing forumers registered as members frst (quite a lot right??) and we can reach out to any others in due time...

I guess you dont get the whole picture here. It's just my humble opinion and suggestion. If the club wants to do something right, it better be done properly right to achieve long-term stability.
We're talking about hundreds of ringgits here in order to jump-start as an offical BMW Club Member. When I say "aunthenticity", it means responsibility, reliability and integrity of the Club and not just a piece of paper u hang on the wall.

 

[fabianyee]

I guess you dont get the whole picture here. It's just my humble opinion and suggestion. If the club wants to do something right, it better be done properly right to achieve long-term stability.
We're talking about hundreds of ringgits here in order to jump-start as an offical BMW Club Member. When I say "aunthenticity", it means responsibility, reliability and integrity of the Club and not just a piece of paper u hang on the wall.

Like i had explained earlier, we have no plan yet to have an physical office. And we also do not want to 'tumpang' a place hastily as that can be another can of worm in the making as it could mean endorsing that premise whether it's a workshop or accesories shop. Not having a physical office does not mean the committee or the future committee any less responsible.

 

[kelvinp]

Like i had explained earlier, we have no plan yet to have an physical office. And we also do not want to 'tumpang' a place hastily as that can be another can of worm in the making as it could mean endorsing that premise whether it's a workshop or accesories shop. Not having a physical office does not mean the committee or the future committee any less responsible.

Look, i'm not doubting the responsibility of your committee, i'm just here to give a suggestion. Don't like it, then just drop it.

You as a committee member should take all suggestions under consideration and not just reject it with an arrogant excuse.

 

[fabianyee]

Look, i'm not doubting the responsibility of your committee, i'm just here to give a suggestion. Don't like it, then just drop it.

You as a committee member should take all suggestions under consideration and not just reject it with an arrogant excuse.

Pardon me but I don't think I sounded arrogant in my reply. I just stated the reasons in my first reply and explained further in my second reply after you asked again.

We have thought of some of the issues prior to them being brought up here like your suggestion. We have decided it's not neccessary to have a physical office for the time being. However, please don't feel offended if your suggestion was KIVed by the committee before you brought it up.

All suggestions would be taken into consideration.

 

[OSFlanker]

To be fair, enquiries and suggestions should be kept to something more immediate like some of the questions already posed regarding members benefits, how to sign up, etc. Suggestions on longer term issues such as bricks & mortar are too premature coz the club doesn't even have members yet! I feel these long term policy issues should be debated in a proper setting by members only as the club funds belong to them.

From my experiences, clubs & association take a long time to be stable financially to afford a club house, be it rented or purchased. I know one ex-pat association has been accumulating a building fund for the past 20 years!

As for the issue of fees, wasn't a poll conducted a couple of years ago on this? I could be wrong, can someone please step forward if one remembers such a poll.

 

[Vanquish]

As for the issue of fees, wasn't a poll conducted a couple of years ago on this? I could be wrong, can someone please step forward if one remembers such a poll.

OSF,
Thanks for highlighting that. If one was done, we need to publish the result of it atleast to clear the air and avoid any form of misconception. But let's be fair here - whatever poll or census of opinion done must be current and relevant since I'm quite sure a fair number of members have come and gone over the years.

Kelvin,
Yeah, the question of a building or office would be rather premature at this stage - not that the committee is rejecting the idea entirely but at this stage, our main priority would be the recruitment drive itself and building the membership base across the nation ideally. As they always say, there's a time and place for everything ... so let's start with some baby steps first before anything else, eh ?

Cheers,
VaN.

 

[OSFlanker]

OSF,
Thanks for highlighting that. If one was done, we need to publish the result of it atleast to clear the air and avoid any form of misconception. But let's be fair here - whatever poll or census of opinion done must be current and relevant since I'm quite sure a fair number of members have come and gone over the years.
...........

In principle you are right. But being in a over-legislated and over-regulated country, membership fees have to be stated in the club articles for submission to the ROS. This means the fees can only be amended in a members' general meeting.

I feel the amount set is reasonable. Let's face it, a club should be a body of persons whose aims and aspirations are similar, or at least in the same general space dimension. Clearly one who does not agree with the joining fees is one whom should review if this is the right club for one to join.

AROC charges RM120 a year and I feel it's value for money just for the one big event they hold every year i.e. the Grand Tour (mille miglia). Those choosing not to join AROC has an alternative in Italia Auto which is not a registered club but a forum based gathering. Both have their merits and many Alfa owners are members of both.

This illustrates that despite the presence of a non-paying "club", there are still people who chooses to pay to join a car club. I will leave it to the committee to enlighten members on the benefits of joining the club as it is not for me to speculate.

 

[Vanquish]

OSF,

I hear you, mate and I'm really not here to debate the logic behind the fees as set. I'm fine with the amount personally but then again, the club too is not made up by just you and me. Ultimately, it's the members who make or break any club for that matter and all I'm saying is that they too should be given an avenue to voice their opinions/feedback/etc. The ultimate decision whether to become an official club member or just remain as a part of the forum community alone is one that each of them will come to and make eventually.

Regards,
VaN.

 

[XXX]

What members? nobody has paid yet so practically we have none. We need to get people to join the club first and as this was the fee structure that was earlier
agreed upon and submitted to ROS, and only members can amend the fee structure in the next AGM as such there is nothing much we can do now. Until we have members and enough of it to set a quorum for voting purposes to elect the new committee, we can debate all we want and nothings gonna come out of it.So I say we do the membership drive, get the members, vote in the new committee and let the new committee work from there.

FYI once everything is in place the forum can only be viewed by members only, non members will only be allowed to certain sections.