Luton & Dunstable CSSC Area

Luton & Dunstable CSSC Area NEWSLETTER February 2015

The committee would like to share with our members the latest news and any feedback we have from our meetings. For this New Year 2015, we would first like to issue a copy of the policies to cover Discounts, Subsidies and the Cancellation Policy for trips organised by the committee.

Definition of Discount – Committee Organised The National Policy for discounts is the member receives the discounted price, previously the discount did cover more than one person, when CSSC offered family memberships, this is no longer available and they have bought in Linked Memberships, anyone on a linked membership is also offered the discount.

Discounts Available to the member at the discounted price, the member can bring up to three others at a non-discounted price. Linked in member gets the same benefits as a member. Trips organised by the committee will continue to be sent out by email and advertised on the CSSC website

Definition of Subsidies – a trip is booked by a member or bought for them. Subsidies Available for 2 persons x 4 times a year. The reason for allowing 2 persons is because people rarely go to events on their own. Tickets must be received by the treasurer within a month of the event, this allows us to keep an eye on the money we have available for organised trips. Events £24.99 and under receive £5 per ticket Events £25 and above receive £8 per ticket. The year is from January to December and the policy will continue to be reviewed on a yearly basis each January.

Cancellation Policy With budgets getting tighter, costs going up and the subsidy we receive from CSSC getting smaller every year, we have to protect those who have a membership therefore we feel that we should have a cancellation policy.

When booking spaces on a trip, payment must be received immediately after the booking is made, if payment is not received then the places booked will be lost and those places re-advertised. If members and guests do not attend the event no monies will be refunded. If members are unable to make the trip, they can sell their tickets so as not to lose their money, (if tickets are sold for the event, the organising committee member should be made aware if tickets are being given out on the day of the event.)

Linked Membership Linked members benefit from our discounts on trips and subsidies the more members we have in the region the more money we receive from CSSC and the more we can offer you our members. From the CSSC Website CSSC launched the Linked Membership scheme meaning members can now link up to three adult family members or friends to join CSSC with you. This means you can now get friends and family to join and take part in events/activities/trips with you. Or they can simply take advantage of all the great deals we have through our Countdown discount scheme and online shopping scheme which includes hugely discounted cinema tickets. All you need to do is complete the membership form with your CSSC number and name and we will send you a £5 Sainsbury's Giftcard as a 'thank you' for encouraging more people to join CSSC! Membership has also been opened to anyone who works in the Public Sector. Do you know someone who works in the NHS, police officers, teachers, firefighters or for a local authority. Here's your chance to help us increase the number of CSSC members and open up even more opportunities for you and to try new leisure or sporting activities along with accessing some fantastic benefits. Get them to join and you will also get a £5 Sainsbury's giftcard if they put your details on their form. Start saving your £5 up now, there's no limit to the number of members you can encourage to join, so it really could be a nice little earner for you! Up and Coming Trips Our train trips have been very popular and here are two we are looking at planning if you are interested – Posters with full details and prices to be issued by end of February 30 May 2015 – 1.The Eden Project 2. Padstowor Bodmin & Wenford Railway from London Paddington or Slough with a coach from Stevenage to/from Slough or 13 June 2015 – The North Riding -- four different destinations – 1. Scarborough 2. York 3. Castle Howard 4, Revaulx Abbey This train goes from Kings Cross. AGM Will be taking place soon, would you like to come to the meeting, get involved with the committee. Look out for the posters confirming the date, the place and time. Are there any trips or ideas you would like to put to the committee if so please contact [email protected] or [email protected] and we would be happy to take your ideas forward to the Committee members