Membership: What Does it Mean?

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by Gary Strang, PCI #1457
London (ON) Police Service
IPMBA Membership Coordinator

Historically, membership meant “belonging; being part of something as a group.” I can think of many groups that began modestly, only to grow into large associations and organizations. Governing bodies grow out of membership when the overall size of the group increases. This is also how developing “standards” and best practices begins.

IPMBA has done exactly that. We’ve grown to become a large membership group that has developed the comprehensive compendium of best practices, training and bicycle development in a public safety environment. Despite its name, IPMBA is not limited to only police officers; it includes EMS and security officers as well. We offer training, courses, resources, and other kinds of support to both officers and managers of the law. We’ve collaborated with product designers, manufacturers and suppliers to obtain the right product for the right price for our “membership”.

As in any organization, learning, developing and growing are necessary to stay ahead of the curve, to remain current and on point. The nexus is ensuring public safety cyclists have what they need both in training and equipment that is current with technology. For instance, we recently completed an examination of the issue of “flat pedals” and revised our position based on the development of this type of pedal retention.

IPMBA needs “Membership” to make this happen. It’s important for our members – and potential members – to understand the need to belong. To pay membership dues and to assist in any other way they can to help IPMBA remain financially strong. Membership dues have historically represented the primary revenue source for associations. During the last decade, as associations struggled to build membership, they have expanded programs designed to generate non-dues revenue. Associations have recognized that membership dues in combination with other revenue sources are an integral part of the overall financial solution necessary to provide superior, sustainable levels of service.

Fundamentally, people do not pay membership dues just to receive discounts on products but because they wish to join a community of peers. Membership dues represent the financial investment of the individual in belonging to the group. The amount of dues they pay represents the dollar value they place on this affiliation with their professional community. IPMBA remains vibrant and able to develop the courses it offers through membership and dues. We are a non-profit organization that is for the benefit of all public safety cyclists. We are the leader in establishing best practices and guidelines that protect each and every one – member or not – in their daily duties.

IPMBA membership dues are modest and reasonable. Certainly compared to many other organizations and associations, we’ve remained competitive and operate in a cost effective environment. I would encourage every member of this fine organization to consider what they’ve learned or taken away and to consider the membership fee as a continuation of this effective and comprehensive program.

I would ask every member to encourage other members of their departments to become a part of IPMBA or, if they’ve somehow fallen away, to re-establish that relationship and again become part of the greater picture of what it means to be a “member”. I would request that all Instructors take a moment in their classes to discuss these very points and to actively encourage their students to become part of the IPMBA team by enlisting into the membership program. Instructors are encouraged to incorporate the certified membership into their fee structure. When our future “members” understand the value of what IPMBA represents and the support it brings, they will want to be part of that group.

We all have a responsibility to preserve what we have developed and to ensure future quality programs containing current and relevant information is supported to the benefit of our successors.

Gary is a 32-year veteran of the London Police Service in London, Ontario, and is currently in charge of the bike unit. He rides to work and has done so for the past 19 years, including during the winter months. On weekends he races on a road bike. His favorite quote is, “cycling never gets easier; you just go faster.” He was certified as an IPMBA Instructor in 2014 and is currently serving as membership coordinator on the IPMBA Board. He can be reached at gstrang@police.london.ca.

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