Agm news?

[Jim Spencer]

Originally Posted by peetbee

Thanks for the clarification Jim.
I think I need more guidance on how this online thing is meant to work - our members hand me the money and the forms for both club & brca memberships at the same time so I process them together (I always request email addresses). So I've always completed the whole process via paper.
In this scenario members probably never look at their 'racer profile' online nor should they need to.
(I will check out the BRCA site)

Ahh - nope, everybody needs to fill in their profile - otherwise they'll receive less info.
While the handbook comes through the post and hence goes to everybody the profile contains what sections we race, or are interested in and is used to target info emails from sections.
Worth a couple of minutes of anybodies time to complete.

[luniemiester]

Out of interest why do we need a hard copy of the handbook.

Personally I never really bother with it as if I need info on the class I'm racing in I just look up the relevant section online. Most of the people I race with feel the same - unless your actually doing BRCA events we don't look at it at all.

It must cost quite a bit to produce every year (maybe instead of raising the renewal they could consider the cost of the book and not send out copies if drivers opted out on the renewal and then reduce the membership fee accordingly?) and I'd guess most of the content is the same apart from amendments made at the yearly AGM? An email copy of an ebook might be a better option

Also as both me and my son race we end up getting two seperate copies to the same address with two lots of postage - maybe the database could flag that up to save time and money?

[MattW]

Most people who are doing BRCA events don't read the handbook in fairness!

[mark christopher]

but if every one has one then everyone has no excuse as to not be following the "general" rules, which apply to EVERY BRCA member!

[SlowOne]

...and it contains all the details of the insurance you have just bought with your membership as well as (usually) any offers from companies for BRCA members.

[andy110m]

But everyone would still have all the details if it was emailed.

If people choose to ignore an email, how is that different from not opening the cover of the newsletter?

I agree the newsletter must be a reasonable cost to print and post so electronic distribution seems very sensible to me.

It could even be followed up with a post on popular forums advising its been sent.

[peetbee]

Originally Posted by Jim Spencer

Ahh - nope, everybody needs to fill in their profile - otherwise they'll receive less info.
While the handbook comes through the post and hence goes to everybody the profile contains what sections we race, or are interested in and is used to target info emails from sections.
Worth a couple of minutes of anybodies time to complete.

The forms have had that information on for years though Jim, was that data not collated when the membership forms were processed?

[racingdwarf]

I would agree on the postage, Myself,son and wife are members we get three copies of the book, normally only my copy ever gets opened. maybe one copy to each address would work better as in most cases only one copy gets put in a pit bag just in case.

I think the free club membership is great,


as for AGM attendance, it's a shame but I understand why, I have attended one in the past and to be honest it was a very long drive for what was achieved and I just couldn't warrant it again.BUT maybe,just a thought, but what about using the agm as an oppertunity for all importers,distributors and manufacturers to have a stand to show us the latest goodies,latest cars etc as this is quite a busy time, maybe a couple of shops JE DMS etc then have the AGM's going on around this at the venue, I think this would encourage people to make the journey As as it would realy make the AGM the RC seminar were you not only could be voting for changes to your hobby,but also making decisions on kit for next season....I think this would make more people prepared to travel

Just a thought

[PaulRotheram]

Or just have it at the last round of the national series on the Saturday or Sunday where most racers who would want to attend would be there.

It means saving money on not having to travel to the agm, and would have a far greater attendance.

Just an idea.

[cutting42]

Originally Posted by racingdwarf

what about using the agm as an oppertunity for all importers,distributors and manufacturers to have a stand to show us the latest goodies,latest cars etc as this is quite a busy time, maybe a couple of shops JE DMS etc then have the AGM's going on around this at the venue, I think this would encourage people to make the journey As as it would realy make the AGM the RC seminar were you not only could be voting for changes to your hobby,but also making decisions on kit for next season....I think this would make more people prepared to travel

Just a thought

I agree with this. I have a friend who runs a business in the model railway world and most of the national clubs run their AGM's alongside an exhibition with manufacturers showing the latest stuff and giving support.

Maybe if in the BRCA the team drivers could come along, give talks, discuss driving, etc. Manufacturers could hold car setup clinics Q&A sessions demo new gear.

[Jim Spencer]

Originally Posted by luniemiester

Out of interest why do we need a hard copy of the handbook.

Because it's not legal to send it any other way.

We have to send you the rules by post.
(Postage by Royal Mail is legally accepted as delivered)
- therefore everybody is 'in receipt of the rules to which they are bound'.

Without this being in place any of the safety rules etc would be useless.


One day the legislation might change and if and when it does it would be reviewed at the time.

[Jim Spencer]

Originally Posted by peetbee

The forms have had that information on for years though Jim, was that data not collated when the membership forms were processed?

Yes - but not all clubs are as proficient at collecting the data as others - and people change their email address so often it's untrue.. so a reminder to check everything is valid and up to date, annualy, doesn't do any harm.

[Jim Spencer]

Originally Posted by racingdwarf

as for AGM attendance, it's a shame but I understand why, I have attended one in the past and to be honest it was a very long drive for what was achieved and I just couldn't warrant it again.BUT maybe,just a thought, but what about using the agm as an oppertunity for all importers,distributors and manufacturers to have a stand to show us the latest goodies,latest cars etc as this is quite a busy time, maybe a couple of shops JE DMS etc then have the AGM's going on around this at the venue, I think this would encourage people to make the journey As as it would realy make the AGM the RC seminar were you not only could be voting for changes to your hobby,but also making decisions on kit for next season....I think this would make more people prepared to travel

Hi

Bakc in the depths of time it used to be like this to a small degree but there was so many people attending the section confrences that there just wasn't the time to fit any of it in.

It might be time to go back to something similar - but the issue of nobody turning up isn't a problem in all classes - not by a long way.

Some of the sections had a very good attendance indeed, but a few (1/10 Off Road in particular) were dire.

So really this needs to come from the sections back to the exec team, as we can facilitate whatever is wanted really - just getting the individual sections into order is entirely the responsability of the drivers and their officials within each.

I would make suggestions on what you want to do as a group to your section secretary and then your committee can request changes to the exec format as required.
Possibly a good topic for a drivers briefing discussion at a few events?

HTH

[MattW]

Regarding attendance, I think in this section's instance, I believe there were only 2 proposals - so to me, that suggests that the majority are happy, as they didn't propose to change anything. If there aren't really any proposals, then I guess I can understand why there weren't (m)any at the meeting.

Either that or no one cares / can be bothered.

[SlowOne]

Agree with Matt - this is what happens when there is nothing to say and little to change. There is no point in overreacting to a single poor attendance from a Section where attendance is usually in the twenties. If there are two proposals, they are properly worded and they don't have a major impact on the drivers, why is anyone surprised that there were few people there?

Imagine how many people would have turned up if there had been a proposal to change the 2WD rule to make a 2WD car defined as engine behind axle and no common front suspension parts to any other model in the manufacturer's range. That would have increased the turnout!!

One thing is abundantly clear - the people who come on to forums, Facelessbook and the like with strong views on what must happen or else they will quit the sport/change cars/post more crap (delete as applicable) are just fill of hot air. I shall take increasing delight in winding them up mercilessly because they are clearly a bunch of ineffective windbags. If they really wanted rules changed they would have put forward a proposal... wouldn't they...?