AMCC Presidents Report Feb 09

[White trash]

Drop the amateur mind set. Gather what money you have to hire a kick arse promotional manager.

Motorcycle racing organisation needs to move away from 'bring a plate'

Andrew.

C'mon Mark.

That's from one of your fellow volunteers.

Take it on board, print it out, show it to the comimtee. The people are speaking.

[malcy25]

Public forum rants aside, here's something constructive. Have a couple of little tick boxes on the membership form to opt in to having emails and/or printed newsletters. Hell, charge an extra ten bucks membership for those that still want printed newsletters. I'm sure most would be happy to read it on a webbysite or have it emailed. I'm sure the poor sod(s) who spend a day printing off and folding newsletters would like this idea too.

I believe the newsletter has been provided online for the last few years for those that want it.

Ok. But like it or not they are here and here to stay (in one form or another) so the old guard needs to learn to live and work with it. Ruing or disparaging Internet forums isn't going to "fix" them.
Transparency may help.

They may well be here to stay, but I'd not be surprised if most organisations "officially" ignore most forums that relate to them, given the un or misinformed posts that follow the original and the general "me too" beat up that follows. Many times which is then accepted as gospel... it's all just chinese whispers many times and I've seen some utter shit spouted here and elsewhere.

The "old guard" is quite often only there because the "new guard" won't step up to the plate.

My logical view is, if you have a problem with an organisation, tell them, by all means tell everyone else if you care, but tell the people that need to know directly. But just posting on a forum is like shouting at you partner 1/2 a mile away and then bitching when they don't here you.

Its funny really....the fact that the 'presidents report' was actually a 'slip in' added in later....must have been away on holiday somewhere and couldn't email it in to the printer (due to lack of internet ;-)) on time so probably wrote it on a serviette at a cafe somewhere and posted it in snail mail....then they typed it out on a typewriter and photocopied it just in time to slip it in!

And your point is? Seems like that's he's not allowed a holiday, family time or allowed to work for a living...so he can do this upaid work so the riders can get their jollies. Are you his teacher or Mother? He got it in. Who cares.

Drop the amateur mind set. Gather what money you have to hire a kick arse promotional manager.

Motorcycle racing organisation needs to move away from 'bring a plate'

Andrew.

Couldn't agree more. BUT, what many people probably are not aware is that I believe this was tried not that long ago and the promotor backed out because (as I understand it) they couldn't get a return out of it. Their costs need to come from somewhere and there are few if any clubs who have the resources (even the bigger ones like AMCC etc) that have the resources to fund them (and that money has to come from "somewhere". And for all you people who say, they should be self funding, refer sentence one of this paragraph....Though if the membership fees were lifted to $300 a year that might change, as would the membership elsewhere and give riders something else to bitch about!

[Biggles08]

And your point is? Seems like that's he's not allowed a holiday, family time or allowed to work for a living...so he can do this upaid work so the riders can get their jollies. Are you his teacher or Mother? He got it in. Who cares.

Really???? you got all that from my post??? wow...

I'm sure most people who read it understood the irony intended in the fact that it was so...umm... to quote a previous observation...70's!

If I was his teacher I would send him to the back of the class because he doesn't listen....I have attended a club night recently and talked to Chris regarding my thoughts on how to 'improve for the better' a recent race day I attended...I was confronted with a bombardment of pathetic excuses of why they couldn't be done (I suggested transponders become mandatory)!

When I explained that it was done at PMCC that way and worked brilliantly I was further bombarded with why the AMCC was a far better club than PMCC.

Interesting really wouldn't you say malcy25???

[malcy25]

Sorry. Just one more very major point.

I support AMCC and VMCC one hundred fucken percent. There is, without a doubt in my mind, no way the issues (and they aren't even the issue any more) encountered on that day would have occured had either of those comittees been in the drivers seat. They are both stand up clubs who are amongst the most active in New Zealand and offer the best returns for their members each and every year. My hats off to them.

Trashie

I'm sure the AMCC and VMCC committees will appreciate the support and confidence vote. I'm sure much of what they do goes unnoticed by many and even bagged by some. Onya mate for standing up and penning (keyboarding!?) it.

PS, I'm not on either committee!!

[malcy25]

Really???? you got all that from my post??? wow...

I'm sure most people who read it understood the irony intended in the fact that it was so...umm... to quote a previous observation...70's!

If I was his teacher I would send him to the back of the class because he doesn't listen....I have attended a club night recently and talked to Chris regarding my thoughts on how to 'improve for the better' a recent race day I attended...I was confronted with a bombardment of pathetic excuses of why they couldn't be done (I suggested transponders become mandatory)!

When I explained that it was done at PMCC that way and worked brilliantly I was further bombarded with why the AMCC was a far better club than PMCC.

Interesting really wouldn't you say malcy25???

Biggles:
1) Yes, I got that, it wasn't hard.
2) I've ridden and raced all over the country and even other countries and I can say that when I attend an AMCC run event, because of the people behind the scenes, I don't have concerns over safety like I've had at many other events. You may scoff (and in deed most likely will), but I have seen them at work when the shit has hit the fan due to accidents that were "random bad shit" and they are sharper than you would ever know.
3) Who cares what decade you view it coming from, I'm sure the english laguage was invented even back then (and new doesn't always mean better). Remember, He stands and up and "Does" and not just "talk" like the majority.

nah, actually I can't be bothered writing any more because it's not actually worth the energy expenditure, little as it may be.

[Biggles08]

Biggles:
1) Yes, I got that, it wasn't hard.
2) I've ridden and raced all over the country and even other countries and I can say that when I attend an AMCC run event, because of the people behind the scenes, I don't have concerns over safety like I've had at many other events. You may scoff (and in deed most likely will), but I have seen them at work when the shit has hit the fan due to accidents that were "random bad shit" and they are sharper than you would ever know.
3) Who cares what decade you view it coming from, I'm sure the english laguage was invented even back then (and new doesn't always mean better). Remember, He stands and up and "Does" and not just "talk" like the majority.

nah, actually I can't be bothered writing any more because it's not actually worth the energy expenditure, little as it may be.

Wow...dude...I push your button huh?? Back down off your high horse and try and see the picture I'm painting. I never got personal in my post merely pointed out my opinion of actual events I have encountered PERSONALLY.

You sound like you are one of the 'old boys mentality' and need to defend what isn't actually being attacked! Nothing stays still my small minded friend....times change and so should methods. I have made what I consider a relevant point DIRECTLY to the AMCC president and was left feeling less than satisfied with the response I received FOR MY EFFORT! Yes that's right MY EFFORT!

Sure there are loads of people giving up their time to run events for us punters and don't misunderstand me, I'm grateful for that fact BUT...I have suggestions as to how that time could be more effective, relevant and successful and I'm laughed out of the room???? (figuratively speaking of course). That attitude sux! I am in fact in the greater scheme of things the customer (as all members of AMCC are)....I also get a choice as to where I spend my hard earned cash...if the service sux, I'll end up going elsewhere! Remember the old addage, on average one disatisfied customers will tell 11 other people about their bad experiences....at least I tried to inform them about it first huh?!

[The Stranger:Me]

They may well be here to stay, but I'd not be surprised if most organisations "officially" ignore most forums that relate to them, given the un or misinformed posts that follow the original and the general "me too" beat up that follows. Many times which is then accepted as gospel... it's all just chinese whispers many times and I've seen some utter shit spouted here and elsewhere.

The "old guard" is quite often only there because the "new guard" won't step up to the plate.

My logical view is, if you have a problem with an organisation, tell them, by all means tell everyone else if you care, but tell the people that need to know directly. But just posting on a forum is like shouting at you partner 1/2 a mile away and then bitching when they don't here you.

Your ideals are not in question, yet here we are. The prez is pissed and someone spat the dummy and retired. We have already seen the effect of an organisation choosing to ignore a forum that relates to them.
How do you feel that went for them?

[SixPackBack]

Couldn't agree more. BUT, what many people probably are not aware is that I believe this was tried not that long ago and the promotor backed out because (as I understand it) they couldn't get a return out of it. Their costs need to come from somewhere and there are few if any clubs who have the resources (even the bigger ones like AMCC etc) that have the resources to fund them (and that money has to come from "somewhere". And for all you people who say, they should be self funding, refer sentence one of this paragraph....Though if the membership fees were lifted to $300 a year that might change, as would the membership elsewhere and give riders something else to bitch about!

One individual was hired-failed, and it was put in the too hard basket. Handed back no doubt to the old cronnies who ran it before?.......FAIL!......all sounds very convenient, it also sounds like very little effort was put into revamping the archaic motorcycle racing scene.

The riders bitch as does the viewing public because as is repeated infinitum drastic change is needed. When constructive criticism is given claims of 'bagging and whinging' are leveled, or as one racer pointed out being figuratively laughed out of the room!?

Road and track racing in NZ could be so much better, but I fear that until some of the major players within AMCC either retire or die we will be stuck in 'post classics'

[scracha]

I believe the newsletter has been provided online for the last few years for those that want it.

My point was to save time and money by having the newsletter as an "opt in".

[Cajun]

My point was to save time and money by having the newsletter as an "opt in".

just a note on this, they Tauranga Ulysses club has there news letter done via email, think its somewhere around 150 members in tauranga branch, of that 100 receive this in email format only. And ulysses as you know are 40+ there are many members in there 60's & 70 who get it via email.

[MarkW]

Thank you to those who have made constructive suggestions as to how AMCC can improve the delivery of the newsletter and get their website improved. I will ensure that the suggestions are passed on to the AMCC Executive (I'm not on the Executive, having served my time) for them to implement.

Mark Waters

[The Stranger:Me]

Thank you to those who have made constructive suggestions as to how AMCC can improve the delivery of the newsletter and get their website improved. I will ensure that the suggestions are passed on to the AMCC Executive (I'm not on the Executive, having served my time) for them to implement.

Mark Waters

I'm not a racer, nor an AMCC member.
I am however involved as a volunteer with BRONZ. We (BRONZ) comes in for a fair amount of criticism in Internet forums also.
You do what you can. You do it the best you can (given time and financial constraints etc). You can do no more than that, and in that regard I rest easy.

But one thing you do get is an honest opinion. It may not be what you wanted to hear, but it is what people are thinking. That really is gold. Few people are brutally honest in real life, no one tells you your arse is fat in that. They will on the Internet.

[FROSTY:Me]

So much is done out of goodwill in our sport and others but you still get knocked for it.

Robert I agree with you. It is though a double edged sword.
I apreciate that pukekohe track is a total logistical nightmare to run a race meeting at but as noted above some suggestions made over the years have been waved aside.
That in itself you think "hey its their sandpit they set the rules" and quite rightly so.
What unwanted side effect it has definitely had is to discourage people from stepping up to the plate and offer to help run meetings or the club itself. That increases pressure on the poor sods who are running it.
Yes perhaps the people making the suggestion should HTFU but isn't that your very point . Why bother offering to help if your opinion /suggestion doesn't seem to matter ?

[Deano]

Did MNZ actually investigate what happened at Wanganui, cause I understand that a complaint was made to them, being the overriding body ?

If so, what were the findings ? As paying members I reckon complaints of this nature and the investigation/conclusion from MNZ should be public knowledge shouldn't it ?

I may be wrong but wasn't it alleged that rules were changed mid way through a meeting without any notification to racers or the racers rep - resulting in qualifying positions being changed - pretty serious stuff I would have thought ?

[Deano]

That in itself you think "hey its their sandpit they set the rules" and quite rightly so.

When you pay to play in that sandpit, then I think you have the right to expect that the conditions of agreement (Ie a legally binding contract) will be upheld, and not changed half way through at someones whim or discretion.

Unless it stated that could be the case in the aforementioned agreement ?