Extracts from the writing of MCSA President, Dave Jones:

"A very good question, given that a significant portion of an MCSA member’s annual membership fee goes towards meeting UIAA subscriptions, payable in Swiss Francs, and virtually all meetings are held in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the benefits are very real and expanding each year, which is why, together with our other lonely Southern Hemisphere member-federation in New Zealand, we remain active and valued members.

The good news is that the same question was recently asked by very powerful federations, two of whom actually withdrew their membership - the German and Austrian clubs, with a combined membership of around 750 00. This was partly because they felt that not enough was on offer for ordinary mountaineers (as opposed to those partaking in competition or ice climbing, and Alpine skiing). It brought about a serious re-think and, under the forceful leadership of the UIAA President, Mike Mortimer of the Canadian Alpine Club, the organization is determined to transform itself and to give better value to ordinary members. Significantly, there were clear indications that the Germans and the Austrians will be coming back into the fold.

No MCSA member planning a climbing or hiking trip overseas should consider going it alone - first see what support and advice can be given by the UIAA head office or by member federations in the area you plan to visit. Those going into wild parts of the planet in search of high mountains should also first check the UIAA web site - there is much information and advice on offer. At even the most basic level, it is remarkable what discounts are available to card-carrying members at overseas camp sites and climbing shops – the magic wand is the UIAA mark on the reverse side of your official and valid MCSA membership card.

Here are ten examples of advantages to individual members, as confirmed at the 2010 General Assembly held in the Italian Alps in October:

1. A feeling of value, as the contributions of the MCSA to UIAA Commissions are recognised and valued. The MCSA is also accepted as the voice for Africa, as currently its sole member federation.

2. A network of valuable information available from UIAA web pages and open channels of communication with other member federations.

3. Useful mountain-health advice readily available from the Medical Commission. Its historic emphasis on high altitude conditions is now being augmented by sound advice for mature climbers and hikers venturing into the mountains with pre-existing medical conditions.

4. A growing data base of access and license requirements for high altitude peaks.

5. Safety standards in mountain training and climbing equipment are maintained. All reputable manufacturers of climbing equipment send their gear for testing to the UIAA Safety Commission, and only gear which passes this stringent testing carries the UIAA logo.

6. International Training Standards for mountain guides are under constant review by the UIAA. These are respected by commercial companies that offer security for their clients.

7. A Mountain Protection label is under development by this Commission which can be awarded to commercial companies to confirm to potential clients that they follow a best-practice approach.

8. Youth Development funding is available through IOC affiliation of the UIAA for youth training and development.

9. A Working Group on hut reciprocity has been set up to establish a uniform system for the reciprocal use of mountain huts by member federations. This could expand the existing bi-lateral mountain hut reciprocity agreement which is already in force between the MCSA and the N.Z. Alpine Club.

10. A Working Group on traditional climbing has been set up to preserve the historic elements of this approach, in parallel to modern sport climbing.”