The Motorcaravanners' Club

This is a wakeup call for all who have an inverter installer in their Motorhome. After theNational in Tamworth, Andy, Audrey and I travelled to Aberystwyth for the holiday rally withthe MCC South & West Wales group.

While there, we were alerted to a smoke alarm sounding in one of the Motorhomes. Theowners of the van had gone out for the day and unfortunately the group did not recordtelephone numbers on their sign in sheets as Northern Ireland do. With the result valuabletime (fifteen minutes) was lost in gaining their contact details or for the surrounding vansand in the event of an emergency, seconds DO count. Andy and I went to assist and I foundit really surprizing that although there were seven men around the said Motorhome, notone of them had brought a fire extinguisher, apart from myself. Apparently at the start,some members had seen smoke inside the van, although it had now subsided, the firebrigade were called and while waiting and searching for possible hidden spare keys, someonlookers were suggesting breaking a window to gain access! This would have allowedadditional oxygen into the van, which would have fed any small fire.

Hidden spare keys were eventually found, the van opened and Andy was able to disconnectthe inverter, which had been left switched on! The Fire Brigade arrived and checked for any“hot spots” within the vehicle. It transpired that the inverted had overheated and meltedplastic internal components within the outer casing, fortunately the fuses had blown andisolated the power going to it, thus the fire failed to develop.

Although not common, but inverters can and DO causes fires, this was the third incident ofan overheated inverter that I have witnessed. This highlights why, contact numbers must berecorded by the hosts, in event of a fire, especially as almost all Motorhomes carry gascylinders and when subjected to intense heat will and do explode, much like a small bomb,setting fire to any other vans in close by. If you have an inverter fitted, it is HIGHLYRECOMMENDED that you switch it off after every use as a safety precaution, in additionwhile the inverter is powered on (even not in use) will have a small drain on your leisurebattery. SAFETY is everyone’s responsibility.

Firstly, let us thank you for offering or being cajoled into running a rally. Please don’t stress it. Although it can be a busy, responsible weekend it does feel very rewarding to have helped out in this way after all is done. So down to business. 

• The Hosts and Co Hosts are usually people who know each other. If not then have conversations is what both couples would like to do. Rallies can be quiet affairs or filled with lots of activities. Entirely up to you, but try to agree, on a level that suits both couples. 
• Hosts can find a template in the host box of what a Welcome Sheet should include. You can print your own welcome sheets or contact the club Secretary to print off for you.
•  For special rallies that food is supplied e.g., Burns night, Mistletoe and Wine night etc. with committee approval the amount will be agreed to meet the cost. An expenses sheet is in the host box and this should be filled in, given to the Treasurer/Secretary along with receipts before any money is refunded for your expenses.
• On arrival vans are asked to produce their membership card. Hopefully members will have details of Name, Telephone number, and their motorhome number plate on a piece of paper within a clear pouch with rally fees enclosed.  This helps avoid wrong information being recorded on the initial booking in sheet. This information is important in the event of a fire when we need to ensure the whereabouts of our members.
• The treasurer or secretary along with the host will count the raffle money. A raffle money record sheet, found in the host box, should be signed by both. The band and caretaker fee will be taken out of this money and also recorded on the sheet.
• The treasurer will give the hosts two “one night prize vouchers” for their raffle up to 29 vans. Additional to this one voucher for every ten vans thereafter will be given. Vouchers for the number plate draw at coffee morning will be one voucher per 25 vans plus one voucher in place of quiz. 
• During the rally there should be one couple who remains on site at all times. After coffee morning, whilst everyone helps with clearing away, it is the host’s responsibility to ensure the premises are left clean and tidy after a rally. Also, after everyone has vacated the grounds to wait to give over keys etc. to the caretaker.
• Please enjoy your hosting experience and don’t forget we are all here to advise and help as required.

A list of committee numbers is in your host box. Regards from Chairman and Committee.

New updated products available on web page. Contact Audrey at any Rally. 

Disciplinary Policy and Procedure Appendix J of the MCC UK Constitution   When a complaint is made to the MCC group chairperson, of misconduct or inappropriate behaviour by any group member, the MCC UK 

Disciplinary Procedures require the chairperson to investigate the complaint and set up a disciplinary subcommittee from existing group committee members. The member(s) complained about and, if appropriate, any witnesses, can be asked to attend a meeting with the discipline subcommittee in order that all information is available to them. 

Where the misconduct is considered to be of a minor nature the disciplinary committee has the discretion to deal with it locally by verbal or written warning if considered appropriate or to dismiss the matter entirely. If, however, the behaviour or misconduct is considered to be of a more serious nature the subcommittee cannot deal with it and is obliged to gather all information available in a file and forward it to Head Office for the matter to be dealt with there. 

If the member(s) complained   about decline to attend the meeting with the disciplinary subcommittee then the meeting proceeds without them and sends all available information to the MCC UK head office. The disciplinary subcommittee is NOT the complainant merely a gather of information and facts in order to assist with any decision made locally or at Head Office. 

The MCC UK Disciplinary Procedures are detailed in Appendix J of The MCC UK Constitution available to members on the MCC UK website at www.themottorcaravannersclub.co.uk

No other Fire Extinguisher is as practical, safe, versatile, effective and easy to use as the Fire Safety Stick. Compact and safe to store, this 100 second version (takes 100 seconds to fully discharge) is ideal for Motorhomes, smaller boats, cars, kitchens, garages, workbenches, small caravans & camper vans. It weighs far less than a conventional fire extinguisher and can operate for much longer. And best of all, there is NO residue left behind after use.