RYA Joining Point - Earn commission and share the benefits of membership

by Emma Slater 4 Dec 2016 08:31 GMT 4 December 2016

Since its relaunch two years ago, 400 boating organisations have signed up to the RYA Joining Point scheme earning them commission by promoting the benefits of RYA membership and helping the association grow its membership base.

In the last year there has been an 14% increase in the number of clubs, training centres and marine organisations benefitting from the scheme, with the RYA recording its highest ever membership figures at the end of September 2016 at 108,176.

"Joining Point is our way of thanking those organisations that do a fantastic job promoting the benefits of RYA membership to their customers and signing them up as members to the association", commented Conor Swift, RYA Membership Development Manager.

"With their support we are able to build our membership base, and every member that joins adds their voice in support of the work the RYA does ensuring that legislators, regulators and other authorities understand and take account of recreational boating activity."

The scheme provides a quick and easy way for those organisations registered as RYA Joining Points to encourage their members and customers to join the RYA and experience the many great benefits of membership, from specialist and technical boating advice from our in-house experts, to access to exclusive offers and discounts from over 50 member reward partners, helping members keep down the cost of their boating.

As a thank you for spreading the word about RYA membership, Joining Points receive a commission for each Member recommended; £10 for every Family Membership, £7.50 Adult Membership, £5.00 Under 25 Membership and £2.50 for an Under 18 Member, which can be fed back in to their organisation. In 2016 the top performing Joining Point (as at 20 November 2016) earnt £1000 in commission for their organisation.

Candi Abbott, Principal at RYA Training Centre, Marine Education commented: "Marine Education signed up as an RYA Joining Point mainly because many of our students are based overseas. This means it allows us the ability to sign up our students for RYA membership either online or in-situ whilst we are in a position to explain the various membership options and benefits.

"RYA Membership is an 'easy sell' due to the nature of our client base, as most are looking towards gaining an ICC or are striving to gain an instructor qualification. It also helps gain awareness of the work the RYA carries out to support the boating sector both in and outside the UK.

"Each time we gain commission we put it into a 'centre fund' which once a certain level is met, allows us to invest in new training kit and expand our website, both of which offer a better experience for our students.

"There is no reason why every training centre/club shouldn't become an RYA Joining Point, simply because the combination of simplicity and being able to offer an additional student service, let alone the fact that it offers more income to your business / club that can go to assisting development of your training centre."

Kevin Burke, Chief Instructor at Westminster Boating Base commented: "We've been part of the RYA Joining Point scheme pretty much from its inception. It seemed a no-brainer to join in and receive payments for our users joining up to with RYA.

"The payments started to come in straight away, but in very small numbers as we weren't running as many Level 2 powerboat courses back then. Since we have expanded our powerboat tuition the amount of people joining the RYA has increased, and so have the Joining Point payments. And the payments now really make a difference.

"We are a small children's charity and have to raise all the funds needed to keep afloat. Getting someone to buy us a brand new shiny boat is not too difficult. Getting someone to help with the utility bills is a different matter. So that's where all the Joining Point money goes to."

On registration as an RYA Joining Point, organisations receive a Joining Point Pack containing everything they need to promote RYA membership to their members and customers, explaining the importance of supporting the RYA and all the work it does on behalf of the recreational boating public, and the numerous membership benefits, rewards and services available.

Each Joining Point pack provides the club or centre with the possibility of earning up to £1,000 in commission depending upon the number of members signed up. Commission is paid on a quarterly basis and the amount depends upon the type of membership signed up to.

Packs contain:

• A3 and A4 posters
• Membership Leaflets containing a pre-paid post application form, pre-printed with your
• Joining Point reference number
• Quality leaflet holders
• Promotional stickers
• "How to" Joining Point Swatch containing everything there is to know about RYA membership and Joining Point

"Throughout the year those organisations signed up as Joining Points can also take advantage of our special 'double commission' months, where they get exactly that, double the commission for each new member they sign up", Conor concluded.

Signing up as an RYA Joining Point is completely free and easy to do, simply email to register and get started.

Find out more about Joining Point at www.rya.org.uk/go/joiningpoint

Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 02380 604 159, email or visit www.rya.org.uk