The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists � Member Benefits

Introduction
The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) gives representation to more than 90% of the country�s motoring writers, broadcasters, photographers and commentators as Members, and a large percentage of the motoring public relations and communications fraternity as Associate Members.
The Guild has objectives which include the enhancement of the standard of motoring journalism, the promotion of road safety in all forms of communication, and the improvement of the relationship between motoring journalists and their audiences. The organisation presently has more than 300 Full and Associate Members.
Formed in the early 1960s, this voluntary, non-profit organisation has become dynamic and extremely active in the last one-third of its history.
It has a high profile stemming from its running of the South African Car of the Year competition, the founding of the Committee for Active Road Safety (CARS), the Motoring Journalist of the Year competition, the Motorsportsman of the Year award, an advanced driving course for members, the Guild/Industry �Weekender� gathering, and the generally high level at which it and its members are able to communicate with the motor industry.
The level of activity necessitated the opening of the Guild office during the late 80s and this facility has been expanded and enhanced ever since.
The Guild requires funding to make it effective. Apart from directly sponsored projects (the Car of the Year, the Advanced Driving Skills Course � through which each member must pass � and the Motoring Journalist of the Year competition) funding comes from individual membership subscriptions and a third vital source: Guild Corporate Membership.

Corporate Membership
Corporate members of the Guild benefit from a wide range of privileges in keeping with their annual level of contribution to the Guild�s operating fund.
This category is divided into three different levels of both contribution and facility: Gold, Silver and Bronze, depending on the size and influence of the company in the motor industry.
Gold Corporate membership has been reserved for passenger car motor manufacturers and importers, and Silver for the component service and automotive aftermarket supply companies. Bronze is for PR companies and small agencies.
The level of subscription varies downward from Gold through Silver to Bronze.

Privileges for all Corporate members include:

Because of the Guild�s requirement for financial support from these companies, it regularly shares its budgeting information with this audience. There is also a report-back mechanism each year where Corporate members can monitor actual expenditure and performance.

Experience has shown that Corporate member companies derive measurable benefits from the association both by exposure to the Guild fraternity, and by their own participation in Guild projects.

Quite apart from the prestige, a number of companies have already proven that Corporate membership of the Guild goes a long way towards enhancing their individual overall media communication strategies.

Guild Operation
The activities of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists are handled by and executive committee (EXCO). Presently this body operates on a simple portfolio principle:
Portfolios are assigned to EXCO members and progress, activity or problems related to each portfolio are tabled whenever necessary at regular committee meetings. For continuity and to ensure good succession, each portfolio holder has an appointed alternate to the position.

Summary of Portfolios

Guild Website
The Guild website on www.sagmj.org.za carries all the Guild member particulars found in the Blue Book, including up-to-date information on Guild news and activities, the launch calendar, the constitution, as well as guidelines pertaining to test vehicles. The site is accessible to all members, and a user name and password is obtainable from the Guild office.

Newsletter
All members receive a regular newsletter with updates and comments on Guild activities. It�s also a forum for issues and members are invited to contribute letters if they have something to get off their chests.

Guild Membership Cards
All members obtain a photo-bearing membership card. The cards are recognised by Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and give access to all national motorsport venues and events and certain international events.

Grand Prix Accreditation
The Guild will facilitate member accreditation for international racing events or advise members as to the requirements.

Benevolent Fund
The Guild has a Benevolent Fund for members and their families, or for people close to the Guild. The fund provides loans, bridging finance, or outright payments to those in distress. It is under the sole (and confidential) administration of three trustees who report to the Guild EXCO only on the state of funds. Various events are held from time to time when necessary to bolster the �Ben� fund.

Advanced Driving Skills Course
The Guild operates a unique Advanced Driving Skills Course (ADSC) in a bid to encourage safe driving amongst all its members. The intensive course includes skidpan and high-speed dirt and tar instruction carried out by skilled instructors. It is a constitutional requirement to pass this course to ensure continued Guild membership.

Bursary Student
The Guild runs a unique training programme where a number of juniorpost-graduate journalists are is selected selected to spend a year working at various motoring publications for a month at a time, and also spend a month in the public relations department of a motor industry company. This has been a highly successful programme and all former bursars have gone on to become full-time motoring journalists.

Language
The Guild has compiled a list of appropriate Afrikaans translations for English motoring terms, and these are available on the website www.Afrikaans.com
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