The AA

**Voltaire** · 5th December 2009, 16:34

There are lots of KBers talking about cancelling insurance and membership.
Ringing up some call centre operator and venting is ok for a minute....but just how many KBers are members and have insurance with the AA.
Putting my motorist hat on , I think they do a good job.....but what has brought about their attitude against their two wheeled road sharing cousins???
Probably lack of motorcyclists within.

I propose to go and see one of their senior brass and find out.
I have already written two letters complaining about their stance on the Northern Gateway and ACC proposals.

Its an Incorporated Society so as members you have a say.....although your voting papers probably get binned....as the names on the list mean nothing...

It would be interesting to see what numbers we have as a potential voting bloc.

**flyingcrocodile46** · 5th December 2009, 16:45

Originally Posted by Voltaire

There are lots of KBers talking about cancelling insurance and membership.
Ringing up some call centre operator and venting is ok for a minute....but just how many KBers are members and have insurance with the AA.
Putting my motorist hat on , I think they do a good job.....but what has brought about their attitude against their two wheeled road sharing cousins???
Probably lack of motorcyclists within.

I propose to go and see one of their senior brass and find out.
I have already written two letters complaining about their stance on the Northern Gateway and ACC proposals.

Its an Incorporated Society so as members you have a say.....although your voting papers probably get binned....as the names on the list mean nothing...

It would be interesting to see what numbers we have as a potential voting bloc.

Me no member. I use Swann insurance (& their breakdown service) and AMI

Sorry

Good idea though

**sunhuntin** · 5th December 2009, 17:10

im not a member either, and never will be. bad enough ive gotta go through them to get my license. currently im uninsured [bad charley, bad!] but have used star insurance in the past, but ditched them after getting a cheaper quote from kiwibike. star insurance i thought was quite good as they allowed me to use a call out after mum locked her keys in the car. pity they were so expensive... $500 a year.

**wickle** · 5th December 2009, 17:17

Been a member for a few years now, must be the branch's/office's in other areas have found them always very helpful locally, have also used them for resuce (AA plus) arranged the return to home of friends bike I [I]had borrowed for ride[I]

**zahria** · 5th December 2009, 17:19

I'm a member, Happy with their service, unhappy with their stance on Acc for Bikers.
Am entering correspondence soon to let them know my position.
Curiously noted the Fatal down south re: modded illegal WRX. Do they have a stance on vehicle mods and levies?

**p.dath** · 5th December 2009, 18:03

I have just emailed the AA asking when there next AGM, and how I can find out the stance of the current board members with regard to ACC and motorbikes, so I can work out who to vote for.

**p.dath** · 5th December 2009, 19:52

After much painfull searching, I finally found the rules for the AA:
http://www.aa.co.nz/SiteCollectionDo...NZAA_rules.doc

Basically each district has a council, and then there is a National Council composed of members from the district council.

The AGM's for the district councils have to happen in February, and the national council on or shortly after the 28th of February.

Those wanting to become a district councillor may optionally forward to the chair up to 120 words describing themselves and their experience. This may be requested from the chair.

So this is what I'm thinking. For each district, lets put forward a motion (has to be done in writing about a month before the AGM) that the district support the Woodhouse principles, and that motorcycles not have their levy assessed on risk - and that all road users contribute the same - as per the Woodhouse principles.

I would guess that 100 votes would probably be enough to carry such a motion (I can't see that many people being so incensed as to actually vote against it). We don't actually all have to attend, we can give a proxy vote to someone we trust.

I would also suggest we put forward a motion that all councillors standing for election declare their thoughts on the issue - so we can make it clear that we don't wish to vote those councillors in.

If we managed to get at least half the districts to pass the motion, then the national council would have a majority of support for the entire association to adopt the bike friendly view.

It if gets to the National level, I wonder if we could propose a constitutional change that all road users are to be treated similary by the AA.

One thing to note. Reading through the rules, I can't see any requirement that you have to reside in the district for which you are voting. So if we could get 1,000 KB AA members to give their proxy vote to one person to attend each meeting, then we are likely to get what we want - support of another major organisation with lots of Government lobbyists.

**p.dath** · 5th December 2009, 19:56

Has anyone got any idea how many people usually turn up to the AA's Auckland district meeting?

**p.dath** · 5th December 2009, 20:09

Sorry for the repeat posts, but this is the important bits from the rules:

28(a):

The Annual General Meeting of the Personal members of the Association shall be held as soon as practicable after the 28th day of February in every year at a time and place as may be decided by the National Council but with the intent of holding it if possible the evening preceding the Annual Conference. The business of the Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be to receive the Annual Report and Balance Sheet, to be notified of the appointment of the National Councillors, to appoint an Auditor, and to transact any other business of which due notice has been given or which these Rules otherwise provide for.

28(e):

A notice of motion to be put to a General Meeting of the Association shall be in writing and in the hands of the Chief Executive not less than one (1) calendar month prior to the General meeting at which the motion is to be considered. The Chief Executive shall upon receipt of any notice of motion forward to each District Council a copy of the notice.

30(a):

(a) At all General Meetings of the Association every Personal member present in person is entitled to one vote or if a Personal member is unable to attend that member may by written notice, on the form prescribed and personally signed by that member, appoint a proxy to attend and vote on that member’s behalf.

**The Everlasting** · 5th December 2009, 20:10

Nope,I have all my insurance with state,I would never use the AA.

When I went for my license,they asked me about 5 times whether i wanted insurance with them,they sure are persistent!

After hearing that they approve of the levies,i won't ever go to one of their branches again!

**Trudes** · 5th December 2009, 20:13

I've been sent my membership renewal, however they can suck my balls, they won't get another cent out of me. Thanks for 12 years of nothing AA.

**p.dath** · 5th December 2009, 20:14

We could also move that the objectives be changed from:

(a)

To promote an organisation or association of persons who own motor vehicles or are otherwise interested in motoring.

to:

(a)

To promote an organisation or association of persons who own motor vehicles, motorbikes or are otherwise interested in motoring.

What do you think? Can we turn the AA in our favour? I think we could!

**Ixion** · 5th December 2009, 20:19

OK. 28th Feb. I think we have just set the date for BIKEOI-2 . x thousand bikers dropping in on the AGM (y% being actual members) might make them think again

**p.dath** · 5th December 2009, 20:21

Originally Posted by Ixion

OK. 28th Feb. I think we have just set the date for BIKEOI-2 . x thousand bikers dropping in on the AGM (y% being actual members) might make them think again

The thing I like about the AA is they have a formal advocacy group, an advertising budget, Government lobbyists, and a huge member base to make them look credible.

I need to find out where the national AGM is held.

EDIT: If it happens on February 28th, then that is a Sunday, and would help get a good turn out!