Dear FSA Member,
Just letting you know that, as of today, membership fees have increased from £30 per year to £40 per year. This will not affect you until it is time to renew your membership, whether your renewal is due today or in 364 days time.
The reason for this increase in membership fees is our need to cover the costs associated with new membership services, such as the member mapping scheme, and the development of new projects, such as support for local Forest School groups around the UK. We trust that you understand why this raise is necessary.
PLEASE NOTE: Trainee members and members who set up recurring fees by PayPal. You will receive a notification from PayPal that your subscription payments to the FSA have been cancelled. Sorry, but the fee increase means that you will need to set up recurring payments again, at the new rate, once it is time to renew. It is not like direct debit where we can vary the charges without you needing to act. The good news is that you will still enjoy the £5 annual discount for paying in this way.
Just to be really clear … all paid up members will continue as they have been until it is time to renew, at which point the higher rate will apply. You will receive a reminder from the office when it is time to pay your membership fees.
The same applies to our trainee members. Although you signed up using PayPal, this subscription has now been cancelled so that when your free membership period comes to an end you will need to renew just like any other member.
Best wishes
Gareth Davies
Chief Executive
I just wanted to assure all FSA members that we will be continuing to prioritise the development of membership services over the coming year, having already established:
procedures for local groups,
a quarterly newsletter format,
improved members’ discussion forum,
and social media forums.
member mapping and qualification verification schemes
Members should receive a link to a revised 3-minute FSA membership benefits survey within the next few days. We hope that you’ll have time to let us know your thoughts and ideas on what we should develop first.
Apologies to the 70 or so people who filled in the first version – I didn’t spot that question 3 could be interpreted two ways, with the result that it’s impossible to interpret the results with any confidence. I’ve saved all your suggestions for services, and amended the survey based on your feedback. Hopefully 2nd time is a charm!
All the best.
Aline Hill (deputy chair)