The AA

**YellowDog** · 5th December 2009, 21:24

I have an AA membership card that gets me 10% off at Burger King. I guess I must therefore be a member. My wife pays that she pays $13 or $15 bucks or something for me to have a spouse membership or something.

So count me in

**Conquiztador** · 5th December 2009, 21:24

Originally Posted by jeffs

Yes I know you all know this but, Just to make sure you understand who long they have been actively lobbying the government to up motorbike levies, and understand what you are up against.

This page was Posted 13 May 2009 just before the ACC started working on their discussion doc on ACC levy changes.

AA have always been behind a lot of this.

http://www.aa.co.nz/about/issues/roa...motorists.aspx

Quote;
"A higher and fairer ACC levy for motorcyclists

The AA is opposed to the continuing cross-subsidisation of motorcycle/moped injuries by other vehicle owners.

Motorcyclists should pay a higher ACC levy that is closer to the actual amount of injury compensation they claim each year. Currently around 80 percent of the cost of motorcycle/moped injuries is funded by motorists and owners of other vehicles. More than 40 percent of motorbike crashes are single vehicle, and the costs for these should be fully covered by motorcyclists."

Nice. They really know how to support their members...

**jeffs** · 5th December 2009, 21:29

I have both my motorbike insurance and roadside car assistance with the AA. So if you want my proxy vote you have it.

But I recommend your inquire and find out who in the board is the main advocate of this drivel, and vote them off. and make it clear you are planning this, that should make them concerned.

And AA !! We know you are reading this.

So be like the UK and work for all motor transport not just cars. or you will find that being associated with the ACC changes will be detrimental to your profile.

**Conquiztador** · 5th December 2009, 22:30

Originally Posted by p.dath

Refer to post #7.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...52&postcount=7

Cheers.

Just having a read. here what I find:

- Each year a minimum of two of the District Councillors are to stand down. It is the two who have been serving longest, and they are able to stand for re-election.

- Only at National council level can any national motoring policy issues be decided.

- Note that the AA also has a Board that operates. I know this structure: The National Council only meets once (or a few times) a year. The Board meets once a month and is the one that really runs the show through the CEO.

- The Board is really handpicked by the National Council. There is enough gaps in the constitution for this to happen. You can not get on to the board if you do not have a year in the National Council or on the Board behind you...

And this one:

"26. DISQUALIFICATION OF OFFICERS

A person will be disqualified from holding office as a District Councillor, a National Councillor or as a member of the Board if he or she:

(i) behaves in a manner which in the opinion of a majority of the members of the District Council, National Council or Board (as the case maybe) has brought or may bring the Association into disrepute or in a manner which is contrary to the objects of the Association;"

That one really says: If you do not act as we, the "Old Boys Network" want you to, you are gone!

- The way I read it is that you will need to be in for a minimum a year before you have any chance to make any changes to any national motoring policy, as the regional AGM's are held inside Feb and also the National. But as any proposals need to be lodged a min of one month in advance, you are out of luck...

A cumbersome constitution. And made so that it will be tricky for a "newcomer" to make any impact. It will take a min of a year before anything can happen. And even then, to get past the "Old Boys Network" will be a mammouth task. But it can be done, by those who have the conviction and the stamina to hang in there. Is that us?

**jeffs** · 5th December 2009, 22:48

I suspect that means, instead of my proxy vote, you will get my, poxy worthless vote.

Truth is there are so many personal agendas in this small country, they do not even need to hide them, they just get lost in the crowd.

**flyingcrocodile46** · 5th December 2009, 22:57

Originally Posted by Voltaire

Its an Incorporated Society so as members you have a say

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

Originally Posted by Conquiztador

- The way I read it is that you will need to be in for a minimum a year before you have any chance to make any changes to any national motoring policy, as the regional AGM's are held inside Feb and also the National. But as any proposals need to be lodged a min of one month in advance, you are out of luck...

A cumbersome constitution. And made so that it will be tricky for a "newcomer" to make any impact. It will take a min of a year before anything can happen. And even then, to get past the "Old Boys Network" will be a mammouth task. But it can be done, by those who have the conviction and the stamina to hang in there. Is that us?

Nevertheless it is still a plan worthy of execution. The ongoing need to have a fair representation in shaping future motoring policies particularly around issues such as improving road maintenance standards, rider training, cheese cutter barriers etc, demands that we act to ensure that AA works more closely with and endorses MNZ and Bronze recommendations

**Motu** · 5th December 2009, 23:00

They turned me down for a job - bastards,they'll never get anything out of me.

Mind you,the ponytail,beard,scruffy clothes and leather jacket....and turning up on a Norton with open megas didn't help.But they should've seen through the act....I was just dressing up y'know....

**Conquiztador** · 5th December 2009, 23:06

Originally Posted by Motu

They turned me down for a job - bastards,they'll never get anything out of me.

Mind you,the ponytail,beard,scruffy clothes and leather jacket....and turning up on a Norton with open megas didn't help.But they should've seen through the act....I was just dressing up y'know....

So who did get the job as the cook?

**Paul in NZ** · 6th December 2009, 05:58

I've dealt professionally and privately with the AA before. Good luck to you. I've never been shafted like I've been shafted by them.

**p.dath** · 6th December 2009, 06:51

Originally Posted by Conquiztador

Cheers.

Just having a read. here what I find:

- Each year a minimum of two of the District Councillors are to stand down. It is the two who have been serving longest, and they are able to stand for re-election.
...

I don't propose trying to get on a district board. I agree, you wont get anywhere.

However I do propose we ask everyone standing for election on their position. We can let them know this is an issue for the association members, and that we have a voting block that will help us vote out anyone strongly opposed to our viewpoint.

If we can get two councillors in every district that support our view then that would be a huge achievement.

And lastly, I'd like to propose we put several motions to the AGM. Namely attempt a constitutional change to explicitly support motorcycles (probably fail on this one, have to have 2/3 of the votes of those present - but hey its easy to propose and you'll never make a change if you don't try).

I'd also like to motion that the association supports the Woodhouse principles of the ACC, and effect a policy change. I think we could achieve this one. I can't see that many car members being so upset that they would bother to actually vote and oppose it.

**Grahameeboy** · 6th December 2009, 07:03

Originally Posted by Trudes

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.

For 12 years they must have done something otherwise you would not have stayed with them...why di they have to share bikers view...

**wingrider** · 6th December 2009, 07:04

Was a member but droped them after a bad deal. Staff in the local branch were ok, pestered the hell out of me to rejoin but were only doing their job.

I also used them in my business capacity until they went septic. When i get a rep stating that unless i was going to increase my advertising account, they were not interested in even talking to me, I threw them out.
Sent letter to HQ, got a most unbusiness like reply.

It's not all that long ago that if you rented a car you always got the AA Accommodation guide. Now I dont know of one rental company that supplies it.

I personally think that a lot of members only use them for the breakdown assistance.

**p.dath** · 6th December 2009, 07:09

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

For 12 years they must have done something otherwise you would not have stayed with them...why di they have to share bikers view...

I've been with them 15+ years.

The issue is not so much them not sharing our views - is that they are actively campaigning against us.

We are also members and part of the motoring fraternity. Their first objective (in their own written rules) is to support the motoring fraternity.

I originally joined because of the break down service. Now I'm more tempted to join the Honda Riders club.