POLL: Is The RSPB worth Joining ? (1 Viewer)

[Birdforum]

Same Rules apply, civilised debate NO personal attacks please.

 

[Nightranger]

Same Rules apply, civilised debate NO personal attacks please.

Hey, can we have a similar poll asking are the Wildlife Trusts worth joining too? Or even is the Bird Forum a worthwhile place to post?

 

[godwit]

Is the Pope a catholic?

Dave

 

[lee_adc]

There is only one reply...definately.

Free entry to wonderfull nature reserves, e.g. Oldmoor, Blacktoft Sands, Leighton Moss, Bempton Cliffs etc.

and a fantastic magazine.

Plus helping to support this countries wildlife, not just birds.

 

[pduxon]

Or even is the Bird Forum a worthwhile place to post?

stirrer!!

You could do a similar poll for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

It would be interesting what BF members think of the National Trust - they maintain a lot of coast and countryside.

How about a similar poll for US members?

Is the Audobon society worth joining.

As to this one? Well from time to time I'll disagree with the RSPB but generally I think they do a fine job.

 

[Alastair Rae]

This is a no brainer. If you are a UK birder you should join the RPSB. I can't think of a single argument bar poverty for not joining.

 

[Nightranger]

stirrer!!

You could do a similar poll for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

It would be interesting what BF members think of the National Trust - they maintain a lot of coast and countryside.

How about a similar poll for US members?

Is the Audobon society worth joining.

As to this one? Well from time to time I'll disagree with the RSPB but generally I think they do a fine job.

Indeed, I just could not resist a little tease.

 

[helenol]

What percentage of the membership fee is used for admin and/or advertising? I'm curious.

 

[desgreene]

Yes definately. If the RSPB didn't exist any number of well meaning individuals would never have anywhere near the RSPB's influence.

Also great value for money. A few reserve visits a year and you're in pocket anyway.

 

[walwyn]

I was a member for over 15 years but lapsed about 20 years ago. During that time I never visited an RSPB reserve. Since starting birdwatching again I've thought about rejoining but so far haven't. Currently I have family memberships with the WWT, local Wildlife Trust, and National Trust. Perhaps I'll do the RSPB again but there is a limit.

 

[marek_walford]

I agree that every British birder should join the RSPB if only to support the excellent work they do in land purchasing. In addition you get entry to many of their excellent reserves.

However, I do have a problem with the amount of money they spend on admin (don't know how much it is but IMO it's too much). I personally don't think too much of the magazine and I really think the amount of money spent on glossy leaflets, raffle tickets etc. could be better spent elsewhere.

 

[Bluetail]

What percentage of the membership fee is used for admin and/or advertising? I'm curious.

Quite a lot, I suspect, but you're paying for professionalism and profile. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

 

[Alastair Rae]

What percentage of the membership fee is used for admin and/or advertising? I'm curious.

See the Financial Statement link from http://www.rspb.org.uk/about/moneymatters2002.asp for a fairly readable balance sheet. I don't think there are any surprises there. They spend a heck of a lot more on buying and managing land.

 

[Vectis Birder]

Definitely. As are the Wildlife Trusts and any other conservation organisation you might name.
The RSPB do a lot of good and I would venture to say that the state of birds - and the public awareness of their problems - would be a lot worse if it weren't for the RSPB and other bodies.
I do agree with Marek though - I would like to see less of the leaflets and raffle tickets copious amounts of which fall out of the magazine! Birds itself isn't a bad magazine and I think it does a good job in keeping the membership (and patients in doctors' and dentists' waiting rooms!) informed of how the RSPB's campaigns, etc, are progressing.

 

[brianfm]

Without doubt worth supporting. The organisation has done some great work over the years. It does seem to take some stick on occaisions but lets face it, who/what, that is willing to make stands on principal does not.

My only gripe is that the area (North East England) where I live seems some what lacking from RSPB attention. Just take a look at the map of reserves! Still think they do a great job.

Brian

 

[helenol]

See the Financial Statement link from http://www.rspb.org.uk/about/moneymatters2002.asp for a fairly readable balance sheet.

Thanks for the link Alastair.

 

[Nightranger]

I do agree with Marek though - I would like to see less of the leaflets and raffle tickets copious amounts of which fall out of the magazine! Birds itself isn't a bad magazine and I think it does a good job in keeping the membership (and patients in doctors' and dentists' waiting rooms!) informed of how the RSPB's campaigns, etc, are progressing.

I think I should jump in on this one and point out that we do not have full control of some the flyers that are put in the magazine. It would be too costly to do all our own publishing so the magazine goes to an external source. This means it is also packaged and sent out from there and that is when the flyers enter the game.

As for admin etc, a necessary evil for anyone who handles finances, law etc btu the RSPB comes under the eye of the Charities Commission and everything has to be transparent. Most of the diversions fund themselves and feed back into the society rather than the other way around - as moust be the case for any charitable organisation. Hope that helps but the important thing is that the majority of the money goes to land purchase and management.

 

[Edward woodwood]

YES!

...and several others too.....

 

[Nightranger]

My only gripe is that the area (North East England) where I live seems some what lacking from RSPB attention. Just take a look at the map of reserves! Still think they do a great job.

Brian

Hi Brian,

Not the only place I am afriad but it is not for want of trying. It depends on what land becomes available or whether we get there first. Unfortunately, the National Trust got there first with some of the best bird sites in the northeast. In fact, that does allow the RSPB a bit of room to work because it helps build relationships with other organisations so there are postives even with this situation.

Ian

 

[Vectis Birder]

I think I should jump in on this one and point out that we do not have full control of some the flyers that are put in the magazine. It would be too costly to do all our own publishing so the magazine goes to an external source. This means it is also packaged and sent out from there and that is when the flyers enter the game.

As for admin etc, a necessary evil for anyone who handles finances, law etc btu the RSPB comes under the eye of the Charities Commission and everything has to be transparent. Most of the diversions fund themselves and feed back into the society rather than the other way around - as moust be the case for any charitable organisation. Hope that helps but the important thing is that the majority of the money goes to land purchase and management.

Cheers Ian, for clearing that up.