B. R. S..... joining or not

boerboel


Joined: 02/05/2009
Posts: 290

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 13:22

Do you think it is worth joining the BRS...YES or NO...

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 13:29

er, no....

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 13:44

Depends how old you are and your sexuality.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 13:46

Tim. What if you're old and cannot make your mind up? )

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 13:52

A self serving introspective organisation of little merit.



Richard

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 14:09

Yes



If Richard (I am not sure he is) is right the only way you can make it less so is to join and change it from inside. I am sure it was set up for the right reasons when there were only a few hundred mainly British expats on the island.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 14:25

No. I did not come here to be British, I came here to live with the local population under their laws and by their rules - why should I now support an organisation that wish's to change that?

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 14:27

group hug anyone ?

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 14:29

I'm still proud to be an associated member - the first non-British EU citizen. And I've met a lot of people (non-members) who suddenly needed the BRS for some reason or another. The stronger the BRS, the better for all expats.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 14:46

The BRS as far as I know does not want to change North Cyprus they seem to want to work for British Expats who want to live in North Cyprus. Waddo why not ask at the hut and come back with your impressions on this htread afterwadrs?

denflolad


Joined: 18/06/2009
Posts: 67

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 14:53

Waddo I am very sorry to have to inform you that IF you are British born and you used a British passport to enable you to travel to this fine isle then whether you came here to be British or not -



YOU ARE STILL BRITISH

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 16:36

dutchy have to agree might be a bit fuddy duddy no offense intended



but they do try and help and they keep trying

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 17:02

mess 9 - well that does it for me then - avoid aqt all costs.....

begonia


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 20:32

Most of the BRS have seen Cyprus as it was. They were were a great help when I needed it. Don't be a load of inverted snobs.

begonia


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 20:35

What in God's name is wrong with you all. Would BRS have you as members ? DC right as usual !

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 20:53

BRS ripped me off on the exchange rate but didn't realise they were in the market of foreign currency control to make their profit!



Richard

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 20:53

Dutchie,did the BRS give help to these non members who needed help?

It has been reported in the local press numerous times over the last few years how someone has suddenly died and their loved ones have gone to the BRS for help only to be shown the door as they were not members.

Brinsley msg 5 hits the nail on the head.

Maybe Stephen Day and the other new members of the committee can drag them into the 21st century,I certainly wish them luck.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 20:57

Msg 10 - Tried two years ago, got the upper class sneer and the cold shoulder (typical British attitude of I have knowledge and you do not) so never went back again - I have been treated better in true third world countries than I have been at the Round Tower!



Msg 11 - Correct, my passport lists me as a British Citizen, try to tell the British Government that when you wish to claim to be British and have already informed them that you have left for good! Any idea of the amount of help you get? About the same as the amount of help the British Government gives its own troops abroad.



The whole point is that if I had made up my mind to go to Pago Pago and there had been no BRS there, would it have mattered to me? It was my choice to come here I did it with my eyes open and on my own. I did not ask for help from the BRS to get here and no help was offered.



Why now ask me to join an "Ex Pats" club for the good of all ex pats and locals - I have been helping locals since I ar

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 20:58

I pay my subs every year, never sought advice yet but you never know. Even if you're not a member they will still help.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 21:05

Tony



Fine for you being down to your last 3 or 4 million £, it must be pretty hard on which organisation you should contribute too!



Richard

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 21:12

RE msg 17, gooligan: (...) Dutchie,did the BRS give help to these non members who needed help? (...)



=> Can you play football for a club when you are not a member? Any Brit and non-British EU citizen can join the BRS this very moment and find help when and if needed. I do respect any reason not to become a member - but then one must realise that such a decision has consequences.



I don't understand why (again, like others in earlier threads about this subject) you suggest that the BRS has obligations towards non-members?

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 21:20

Hans



Disagree, they wanted all the information from Christina (nurseawful) from the data base she's building up and would not cooperate in a reciprocal way. They are only interested in their own self glory.



Richard

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 21:33

RE msg 22, Brinsley: I'm also sorry that no cooperation appears possible (where did I say different - I think I suggested such a development), but that's only my opinion and by far not enough to talk bad about the BRS. I think the expat community is too small for two blood donor organisations. And for your information: now there's another initiative: a dinner dance (60 TL) to raise awareness of the Lefkosha blood bank... It's very confusing for people who might consider to help one way or another. Too bad.



P.S. I still would like an answer to my post # 22.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 21:49

I am sure if someone was in trouble the BRS surely would not turn any one away, its one way of getting people to join, if you help others.

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 21:52

So There you have it.

The BRS is on record saying they wont help non members.

Message 19 (member) says they will help and message 21(associate member) says not becoming a member has it's consequences.



Dutchie,

Say for instance someone was having a walk round a golf course with a view to joining and collapsed with a suspected heart attack and one of the members says "Sorry old boy,cant help,you're not a member"



It wouldn't happen would it.



By all means pay your subscriptions and enjoy cheap insurance, get togethers and trips abroad but if you have infomation that could help someone out who is in dire need of it then give it freely.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 22:06

Hans



Not too many English speaking expatriates living in Nicosia so I assume this is TC/T orientated. And once again Christina is setting up a blood DIRECTORY/DATA BASE not a blood BANK!



Richard

Godzilla


Joined: 23/07/2009
Posts: 24

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 22:13

I think the BRS already do what Nurseaweful was trying to do. Maybe that is the reason the BRS rejected it. Just a thought

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 22:27

Msg 27



No, they only give out vital life saving information they hold on file to members only, reluctantly, at a push to non expatriate members and not a chance to CT's or T's.



Richard

begonia


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 22:53

I repeat they gave me a lot of help when I needed it and I will always be grateful for that. And I am not a member.

begonia


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 23:13

I repeat they gave me a lot of help when I needed it and I will always be grateful for that. And I am not a member.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 23:18

Well, whatever. Become a member and you don't have to beg nor do you have to "claim" rights you don't have as a non-member. Easy, ain't it?

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
11/08/2009 23:53

Joining the BRS is a BIT LIKE getting married - there are many reasons for joining the union. ~So, if you feel it might be for you - ask others who belong, or as someone said go to The Hut, or now see the delightful Trevor at Lamboussa on a Saturday morning. People join cos they get cheap insurance and other discounts; others join if they are new to get answers to their questions; others feel it is a good social club and yet others run away saying 'No no no'. It exists for those who want it - just as marriage does! And if you feel it doesn't work for you, then walk away; cease your membership and get on with life without the other 'half'.

Like all organisations it has its fans and its enemies, but don't knock the organisation and the good that people try to do, just decide if it is for you. As for me - been there, done that, and prefer my independence - but then I am like that. But Ihave some good friends who are members!

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
12/08/2009 09:21

MarieB,

Agree completley. The original question was Do you think it is worth joining the BRS.... Yes or No. That is a difficult question to answer without giving a reason. I gave my reasons why honestly without trying to "Knock" the existing organisation. It is simply not a part of my life but for those who want/need the reassurance of further European support then it is perfect for them.



As an aside for Gooligan - your reference to the heart attack that would not receive help is not true really. Before I retired from the MoD I worked with the Military and the orders that came from both the civilian and military management amounted to this: Civilians are not allowed to give first aid to Military personnel as they have not been first aid trained! Military are not allowed to give first aid to Civilian personnel or they may lay the Military open to legal action. This is not a club we are talking about here - this is life! I left disgusted.



Good luck BRS

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
12/08/2009 09:41

msg 16, don't know how they ripped you off Richard, they're not moneychangers. I've been a member for 6 years and i've always paid 50tl or 20gbp subs, regardless of exchange rate,



Tony

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
12/08/2009 09:52

Waddo,mine was a *hypothetical* response to msg 21 where Hans stated he doesn't understand why the BRS has obligations to non members.I was just pointing out another scenario where just because you a member of a 'club' you wouldn't give your help freely if it were needed.I think Hans understands the point I was trying to make.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
12/08/2009 10:29

Tony



Many years ago I was invited on an Istanbul Wine trip with them and payed up £ weeks in advance. Two days before departure I was 'bumped' off as their members decided to go at the last minute. I was reimbursed in Lira being told they had no Stg. No good to me as the Lira was in daily free fall at that time but was given no choice. They are rip off merchants.



Richard

exnavalperson


Joined: 22/07/2009
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
12/08/2009 10:31

The short answer is "NO" do not join.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
12/08/2009 12:20

Gooligan,

Sorry, I did understand but the memory of the set of disgusting orders that came out in the MoD and Military just over two years ago still stuns me with its stupidity. That I am ex-military myself is beside the point but could I honestly say that when my military comrade was strapped across a 500V circuit that I would have to go and find another military person to help them off and assist in first aid????? It was with great good humour (I think) that all my military buddies of the time said what a great order it was for them - now they could legally "Not pi** in my face if I was on fire"!!!