G o v e r n o r s - S h o r e l i n e - S t o r m F o r c e Moving with the Times The Institution's membership scheme continues to flourish, with a total of almost 177,000 members at the end of 1990 giving an increase of more than 15% on the figure for the end of 1989.

Breaking the figures down shows that single annual members account for more than 106,000 of the total, joint members for another 40,000 and Governors and Life Governors accounting for some 30,000.

The total income from subscriptions during the twelve month period amounted to more than £ 1.7m, a very impressive contribution to the Institution's income. But, just as income from the membership scheme grows so too does the cost of the lifeboat service.

In order to carry out tasks in the very worst of conditions and to safeguard the volunteers who crew them the key factors in lifeboat design and construction are quality and efficiency, neither of which can be compromised. Inevitably, excellence is not cheap.

Modern lifeboats are sophisticated, and when the new 17m Fast Afloat Boat (codenamed FAB 3) enters service in a few years time the cost of each boat is likely to be more than £lm.

Perhaps, therefore, it is time to consider how the membership scheme can grow and evolve alongside the changing face of the lifeboats and the lifeboat service which it supports. Could this be the time to move forward along lines which we should even now be discussing? The basic subscription is an obvious starting point. It has been fixed at £6 for some years now, and merely taking inflation into account we should at least be examining it.

But, to increase subscriptions across the board may well not be the whole answer. There are dedicated supporters to whom the £6 subscription is a financial sacrifice, and others to whom it is but a drop in the ocean. Should this be reflected in the membership structure? Exerting Influence Equally we have some 30,000 Governors or Life Governors, each entitled to attend and speak at the Annual General Meeting and to exert influence on the way in which the Institution conducts itself. This is a powerful and influential position and there could be a case for reflecting this in the financial contribution which the Governors make to the organisation over which they have sway.

One line of thought leads to a more stratified approach to the membership scheme and another point of view is to have a very few basic minimum rates, and then encourage members to give at levels appropriate to their means. Members' views on these approaches would be appreciated.

So, let us fly some kites, and hope that members respond with ideas and suggestions. A selection can be included in the letters page of the journal in future issues to fuel discussion.

What if the £6 membership fee was retained, as a base level for pensioners or those not at work who wish to show their support for the lifeboat service but who are genuinely unable to contribute more? To this could be added another category, perhaps with a minimum subscription of, let us say, £20, Those more closely involved with the sea, boat owners or yacht club members perhaps, might feel that £30 is such a tiny percentage of the cost of running their boats each year that it could become their minimum contribution.

The Journal One could also reflect the level of membership in the benefits received. Although this journal is extremely cost-effective and costs far less to produce than might be supposed would members object to being asked for an additional £5 a year to receive it? Frankly, £5 for four issues of the journal would more than cover the direct costs and would leave membership fees as a clear contribution to the lifeboat service.

We have already remarked on the considerable influence which can be exerted by Governors and Life Governors, so perhaps there is a case for recognising this with a substantial increase in the minimum donation required. One has to accept that this might deny some supporters the opportunity to become Governors, but looked at in the harsh light of the real world the current £200, a once-only payment for Life Governorship, would not buy a large voting share in a respected commercial organisation with a £44m turnover, and £20 per year is a comparatively small sum for annual Governorship. Should we consider moving Governor rates to, say, £50 for annual Governorship, and bringing Life Governorship into line with the provisions of Gift Aid by setting it at £600, thus enabling the Institution to reclaim tax and receive £800 gross? The membership scheme has to move with the times, and as it is your scheme, it is your views which should be canvassed. The letters page in the journal awaits your comments. Train to be named after Storm Force! The big news for Storm Force members at the moment is the naming of one of British Rail's new InterCity 125 trains 'Storm Force' - and the chance for one Storm Force member actually to name the train at Poole station. 170 members will be able to travel on its inaugural run from Poole (or other stations en route) to a Storm Force Rally at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre and then return to their station on the same train.

The InterCity 125 will be named at Poole station on Saturday 27 April and 85 Storm Force members, each accompanied by an adult, will board it for the trip to Birmingham International - stopping twelve times en route to pick up more members and their adult companions.

As only 170 members can travel on the train applications were invited in the latest issue of Storm Force News and the names of the 338 people who applied were put into a hat.

The winner, who will name the train, and the others with places on it will have been drawn from the hat and notified by the time this issue of THE LIFEBOAT is published..