Integrated, really interested in your comments.  MP need numbers.  If the organisation doesn't change then it will die.  However I do believe the changes are prompted by two things - 1.  They have been challenged by the Federation as to their claims of "voice of industry" based on their numbers of 700 odd.   2.  There is a huge need to get more members to be able to claim numbers represented, and also to maintain business sponsorships etc.  Suppliers are providing a lot of money to this organisation and are simply not getting bang for buck in terms of visibility with low conference attendances, with membership not growing at a fast rate etc. 

I think the new membership concept has been badly packaged and delivered.  Traditional MP membership does not like change and needs to be brought along slowly to any new concepts - this has been slapped on them and then there is going to be an attempt to bulldoze it through a special general meeting.  I think they have misread their membership at large.  Destablizing the Associations is a dangerous thing to do as most grass roots members would cite this as their most important reason for joining.

I think the Plumbers Journal is an excellent publication.  I don't think much of the CEO's comments in the opening pages - I think that it is again a mis-read of members wants.  MP has been too slow to take up the grievances, and too quiet.  You can work hand in glove all you like with politicians, the PGDB, the officials at MOBIE - but it has good MP sweet f**k all in terms of true outcomes that benefit their members and industry.  In fact one could say the softly, softly approach is probably what got us in to this mess in the first place.  If MP had come out harder with the PGDB in the early days we may all have been better off.  Still it was hard to do that when both organisations shared so many members.

I think the Federation has filled a great void in the industry and has given a voice to a many from apprentices to retired tradespeople, from council inspectors to officials who are not happy in the industry.  All of these people have been provided with an equal opportunity to speak.  I would venture that the patronising, and slightly derisory comments by the CEO of MP could come back and bite said position in the backside.  This is our industry, plain and simple.  Sure they don't speak like architects, (or charge like them either), but they are plain speaking, and if I recall, most of what the Federation has pointed out has come to pass to be 100% true - so much so the Government are having to restrospectively alter legislation to put right what is wrong and save the Board's arse yet again.

I whole-heartily agree Jax - it is a sad situation that they now find themselves in, I have not renewed membership and will not be gaining membership with a new business venture either - and I no longer shop at Plumbing World - the type of work I mostly do doesn't require it these days anyway...


And yes bowtie they allow non-tradesmen as members - just a different class of membership, you can bet your bottom dollar they are counted for consulting though!!

In fact the last few meetings I attended the bulk if not majority - meaning more than half of those in the room were "associate", "partner" or "affiliate" members - mostly corporate and supplier middle management!! Its an absolute joke and a travesty! And yes they have an input...

Yep, I was at the AGM where they voted that you didn't need to be a plumber to be a Master Plumber(ironic and a bit of a oxy moron), just run a plumbing business with a Muppet signing all your work off for you while the owner takes all the profit and the goon who signs everything off takes all the responsibility. Lovely jubbly. Beginning of the end really.

sound very familiar badger! .. another season to step away from them as far as I am concerned.