What exactly does the BRS do?

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 18:40

It's not a daft question but since the MM days what does the BRS actually do?



The 60's and over two years residency thing is a farce.



The current regimen for those that have to do the residency is beyond parody.



See the threads about going to Girne hospital, rubber gloves, chest Xrays etc.



So to paraphrase John Cleese



"what have the BRS ever done for us?"



Us being the under 60's.

Tango1


Joined: 19/02/2011
Posts: 1151

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 20:25

Will be interesting to have a reply wouldn't it? But don't hold your breath. I suspect all that will happen is that you'll be directed to their web site.

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 20:43

I suspect you're right.

passionflower


Joined: 20/09/2011
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 20:59

they talk a lot and offer advice.

hadenough


Joined: 14/08/2011
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 21:07

Who!!!!!!!!!!



Oh yes they were the mob whom I contacted for advice on advocates, builders, banks, precedures, & pitfalls,



homework I believe you call it!!



Fat lot of good they were ! pompous lot so they were.

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 21:10

OK, here is my answer to this question. Many years ago, i had absolutely nothing nice to say about the BRS, I was never a member and never wanted to be at all!!

Then one day i was unfortunate to have a most serious car accident. Hit by a drunk Turkish driver. No compensation whatsoever!



The BRS together with St Andrews church ( never been there either) made sure i was completely taken care of!! Food was bought to me daily, my dogs were walked and fed, my house was cleaned and tidied also convalescent care for 6 weeks was all paid for...



None of these things and more was ever asked for or expected...but was given freely!



Including a wheel chair and crutches (for when i could finally get out of the chair)



So in answer to your question...A LOT!! If you are lucky enough to never need their help, rest assured that someone will need and get their help....well worth the fee in my opinion...



DD

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 21:11

msg 1,, Don't you realise that here in the TRNC, once you are over 60 you are immune to all diseases... I, at 61 am now happy that according to the TRNC am as fit as a fiddle, and totally immune..".Always look on the bright side of life"...

Cocklebay


Joined: 26/02/2011
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 21:14

What an angry thread!!!! Who has upset who now!!!!?

vonny


Joined: 25/06/2009
Posts: 476

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 22:07

im not a member of the BRS either,but im sure when i went to life hospital over a year ago there was a notice which said that members of the BRS were given huge discounts on their medical bills,im not sure if its still the same now.

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
13/10/2011 22:53

Cocklebay;



read the first post then see panchocats thread.



But as your given age is 68 you're alright Jack.

Cocklebay


Joined: 26/02/2011
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
14/10/2011 07:41

Newscoop! Really not sure what any of this thread is about, however age has nothing to do with any of it, as residency etc has no boundaries here!!! Don't forget the income from Residency applications is a major financial source for the KKTC! Oh! and by the way I am not a BRS member.

colinbrs


Joined: 15/09/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
14/10/2011 13:35

Yes, I am going to say "look at the website". That's what it's for and it won't fit in here! I have just answered another thread by pointing someone to the website. If anyone really wants to know, rather than just carping, it's at

http://www.brstrnc.com

There are huge improvements in the way the residency application process works, mostly as a result of BRS lobbying.

Members get a wide range of discounts and the discount scheme is being re-launched soon.

We have advice centres at the Hut behind the Post Office in Girne, at Lambousa, at St Andrews Chuch and the Altinkaya Holiday Resort. Details are in Cyprus Today each week. Come and see us!

However, while we do lobby on behalf of the community and we do help non member is dire need ((Thank you, Daisy!) most of what we do is for the benefit of our members. After all, they do pay (very small) subs for what they get.

If you want the BRS to do something for you, why not join, and even join the Committee?

passionflower


Joined: 20/09/2011
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
14/10/2011 13:53

@colinbrs How can any one trust the brs information when it is out often out of date or wrong?



driving licence info over 60s residency to name but 2 examples.

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
14/10/2011 13:58

I joined the BRS several years ago. I have kept up my membership each year.

BUT!!!

I have not received and of the newsletters or information on events etc

I contacted them and was told that a new Membership Secretary had been appointed and was updating the systems.

Then recently they said they were looking into property problems, so I emailed them. They said I could come to the Saturday Lambousa Market the next day. Unfortunately they had left as 12noon. I went the next week and they were not there so I gave my contact details to the Membership Secretary and she said that they would get in touch....................Still waiting................

gallop


Joined: 12/12/2010
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
14/10/2011 14:50

HildySmith. Sounds like they have got into the Cypriot way of dealing with things.

colinbrs


Joined: 15/09/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 08:09

@passionflower. Thank you. I'll check the info. We do rely on people to tell us of changes they spot, so that we can spread the word. If you'd like to help, please email info@brstrnc.com with corrections.



@HildySmith. We advertise the time we attend contact points in CT. Our hours at Lambousa are 1000-1200. For information about property, please email us at info@brstrnc.com marked for the attention of Malcolm

colinbrs


Joined: 15/09/2011
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 08:14

@HildySmith A PS - On property the best source of information on the practical procedures and for "how to" guides is http://www.hbpg-trnc.net

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 09:18

I'm pro-BRS, but I'm rather annoyed that I've never had an email either, although I've given my email address more than once. Maybe associated members don't qualify for BRS email?

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 10:05

passionflower - Ive just read the residency requirements and cant see anything wrong - it gives first time and renewals info - mentions no blood test for over 60's if renewing etc which is as about up to date as you can get. Driving licence stuff also seems ok unless changed in the last few weeks - again!

passionflower


Joined: 20/09/2011
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 10:18

Over 60s Do not need residency they can stay by renewing 90 day visas !



2,3,5, or 10 years not available for Brits ,only 2 or 3 possibly 5 I will need to check on that 10 is out !

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 10:50

Over 65 years old expats can ask (Immigration Office in Lefkoşa) for a two years valid residency.

View or print a "Map to Immigration Office" here:

▶ [ http://www.allcrusades.com/CD/cypmap/nicosia_immigration_office/nicosia_imm_office.html ].

gusanova


Joined: 23/11/2010
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 10:53

Newscoop,



I was very critical of BRS on this forum, and I used to be a member.



I would say look at their website, and there are a lot of contacts there regarding issues.



The BRS are NOW instrumental in the property Saga- very good article by M Mitcheson, also they have been 'advising' Government on a solution along with other friends of Cyprus who are not that publicly known - Lord Drumglass. All these people are in conjunction working for the EXPAT COmmunity but as saying goes - you cannot please everybody.



I think Newscoop you were 'fishing' by posting the question and hope you have a sensible answer and not based on a particular topic.

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 21:08

cocklebay;



as you're such an upstanding person who is more than happy for under 60's to pay up every year for the good of the TRNC, why don't you waive your right to your over 60 concessions and do the same?



colinbrs;



by improvements I take it you mean that 60 and over don't have to trawl through the beaurocratic swamp every year whereas under 60's do? Case in point the new imposition regarding blood tests and for some strange reason chest xrays at the state hospitals. Or don't you know or care about them?

Geejay


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 475

Message Posted:
16/10/2011 22:47

There seems to be some confusion as to residency rules and the activities of the BRS........'newsscoop'. Do you really think that the BRS or anyone else can change the laws of the TRNC other than government officials. The BRS cannot demand changes, no-one can.

passionflower.....It's just a myth that over 60's can legally bypass the residency laws by renewing 90 day visas. However old, one needs a temporary residency stamp in their passport. It may work at times due to a rather lackadaisical approach by the police/border guards, but one will be running a risk which could end in tears.



I understand the reservations that some like DC and others have because I share some of those. I also know that the BRS is trying to address their failings part of which is lack of communication.

To those who just knock the efforts of the BRS and other voluntary NGO's like HBPG or KAR. Why can't you be more positive, less destructive and help improve their services to the community by supporting them.

Cocklebay


Joined: 26/02/2011
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
17/10/2011 07:56

Newscoop, for goodness sake where are you coming from!? What concessions for the over 60s!?

Please check your facts and for god's sake stop knocking everything that could be /is positive in the KKTC!

CyprusNow


Joined: 16/07/2011
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
17/10/2011 15:26

As usual, Brits moaning.