By Susan Smith, ContributorTHE JAMAICA Automobile Association (JAA) is steering towards restructuring itself and forging a partnership with another entity in order to boost the fortunes of the association.
The intention is to examine the structure of another similar but more successful car association, mirror it, then get a new entity on board as financial guarantor for its projects. President of the JAA, Mr. Garth Gibson, conveyed the new objectives of the association during his report to members and the secretariat at the annual general meeting of the JAA, last Thursday at the Hilton Hotel in Kingston. "We are seeking a partner which understands and shares the objectives of the JAA, is financially sound and has a strong national and international presence," he said. "This is really to anticipate greater funding so that the organisation can do more, provide more services to motorists primarily by commercial entities." An entity has not yet been chosen but Mr. Gibson assured members that once this is done, they will participate in ratifying the Boards' recommendation.
NEW STRUCTURE
Vice-president of the JAA, Mr. Alan Marshall says the new structure could have some elements of three international auto associations put together. "We have already taken three things into consideration for the new structure: the World Automobile Club. This was purchased by an insurance company, the American Automobile Association (AAA) commercialised and merchandised it services and is the bench mark for road side assistant services and the Automobile Association in England did a little of both. It set up an insurance company and a financial institution and became a credit financial service." Miss Dianne Clunie and Miss Karen Buchanan were the newly elected board members at the meeting.
The JAA, now in its eightieth year has enjoyed many successes in the past by adequately carrying out its duty as watch dog for the Jamaican roads. Both general road users and members have benefited from its existence. Some are better educated on road safety practices and feel more secure on the roads with more road signs or pedestrian crossings made available by the JAA.
MANY BENEFITS
Although many benefits for members have ceased they still have access to a few. They get a 20 per cent rebate on car insurance policies with Global Insurance Brokers and the AAA authorised a card which could give members some additional attractive benefits worldwide. "We got a card from the triple A which all we need to do is replicate it, pass it on to our members and we get benefits similar to the AAA all over the world such as discounts on hotel rooms or deals on car rentals," proclaimed Mr.Gibson. Others benefited in the past from the JAA's defensive driving lessons, chauffeur service for licensing cars or outreach projects.
CHALLENGES
Now according to Mr. Gibson, some of these income generating services are on the verge of going./ "Many of the services once offered by JAA are currently being offered by other entities and we cannot compete with them." he said. The association is currently been kept afloat by Victoria Mutual Insurance Brokers and Desnoes Insurance Brokers. The audited financial statement for year ended December 31, 2003 showed the JAA with a closing surplus balance of $177,558.00.
In spite of the challenges, the JAA is still committed to act as a mediator for road users and the National Road Safety Council in voicing concerns at a national level. The President believes that the restructuring will turn things around for the association and could better prepare the JAA to become by default, the Federation International de-l' Automobile (FIA) representative for motor sports in Jamaica.
