Governors Shoreline Storm Force Thank you As the New Year begins, the number of RNLI members now stands at a record 197,000. We would like to say thank you to every one of you for supporting the RNLI in 1991 - and look forward to your continued support in 1992.

With operational coverage now extended to 50 miles offshore and with FAB 3 on the horizon, your membership is more important than ever.

Not only does your subscription provide valuable funds but it also gives great moral support to the lifeboatmen and women working on the coast. Knowing many thousands of people actively support and have a genuine concern for your lifesaving activities is a terrific motivator, giving crews an ever greater sense of pride in their work.

On their behalf, thank you.

Direct debits - Direct savings Members pay theirsubscriptions in around a dozen different ways, and the one they choose depends on their individual needs and preferences. From cash tocredit card, standing order to CAP vouchers, the RNLI is pleased to handle them all.

Although we intend to continue offering these different methods, it would help us enormously to streamline administration of the membership scheme with the aim of cutting our costs. And this is where we need your help.

Processing a direct debit costs less than a third of the cost of processing a cheque.

So, some years ago the RNLI introduced 'fixed direct debits' as commonly operated by the major c [earing banks at the time.

More recently, banks have been switching to 'variable direct debits', which are easier and even more cost-effective to administer.

A fixed direct debit costs more because when you change your category of membership, the amount you pay or the date you pay, a lot of extra work is involved in form filling and processing the forms.

A variable direct debit saves money because we can implement changes in the circumstances of your membership without necessarily having to process extra paperwork or ask you to complete more forms.

Signing a variable direct debit still leaves you in total control, and you will always be notified of any proposed change to your payments at least four weeks in advance.

By encouraging members to complete variable direct debits, the Institution can save a significant amount of money - funds which can be redirected towards our aim of saving lives at sea.

And we handle thousands of personal changes each year, so you can imagine the benefit to the Institution.

Also, in response to members' views, we plan to increase subscription rates towards the end of 1992 (more news in the Summer issue). Our administration of this increase will be very much easier - and cheaper - for subscriptions paid by variable direct debit.

If you are currently paying by fixed direct debit, you will have recently received a letter asking you to sign the new variable direct debit.

Please accept our thanks if you have already returned the form.

If you haven't done so yet, please consider our request seriously.

New Year's Resolution New Year is a time of financial hardship. No, not because of the recession, but because of all those Christmas presents we bought and. of course, those charity appeals we all supported! With this in mind, here's a way to increase your contribution to the RNLI's work - without spending an extra penny.

Do you pay income tax on your salary or pension? Nearly all of us do pay tax, so there's no excuse for not signing a covenant! Many people are still anxious about what signing a covenant really means.

A covenant allows the RNLI to reclaim from the Inland Revenue some of the income tax that you have paid against your salary, pension or other taxable income.

If you covenant your subscription, then the RNLI can claim from the Inland Revenue approximately one third of the value of your subscription.

Signing a covenant does not affect you or your tax position in any way.

So, if you have not already covenanted your membership subscription, why not make it your New Year's resolution to do so? Please write to the Membership Department at Headquarters for further information and a covenant form.

Vital Attraction We are constantly experimenting with ways of attracting new RNLI members.

In November, with the aim of recruiting new Shoreline and Governor members, we produced a special promotional pack entitled 'These men have one of the most demanding jobs in Britain.' The pack describes the work of Tenby's lifeboat crew and was sent to individuals who currently do not hold membership of the RNLI.

Everything has been done to ensure that existing members do not receive this literature.

However, no system is perfect and it is always possible that a small number of members have been missed by our checks.

If you have received this pack and are a current member, please accept our sincere apologies.

Perhaps you would be kind enough to pass on the literature to a friend or colleague who may wish to consider joining.

We will carefully monitor the success of this venture, which we hope will be a very good fund raiser for the RNLI.

He'll face 30ft. waves, blizzards, force 9 gales and sub-zero temperatures.

All we ask of you is £6.

One element of the promotional pack These men have one of the most demanding jobs in Britain', designed to recruit new Shoreline and Governor members to the RNLI and which it is hoped will prove a great fund raiser for the Institution.

Please address enquiries or comments to Membership Department, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ, tel (0202) 671133..