BIKEOI Wellington

[James Deuce]

Good work Cathy.

One thing you've left off is a Comms Strategy. RNZ have an agenda that doesn't benefit us, so you need to be prepared if someone sticks a mic in your face, and don't go seeking them out. They've already proved that they are looking for violent confrontation where there is none (Thanks for that sound bite Mr Breen - not).

Make sure the "word" you are spreading is no more than three points anyone can remember and that goes for ALL comms - posters, press releases, telephone conversations, face to face interviews.. Decide what this issue is and then communicate it effectively. If anyone tries to drag you outside the brief, a simple "No Comment" will suffice.

Stick to the game plan.

You guys have to decide what that game plan is.

No more than three points. Preferably one. Two is an acceptable compromise, but adds complexity.

That was three points.

[Ms Piggy]

Good work Cathy.

One thing you've left off is a Comms Strategy. RNZ have an agenda that doesn't benefit us, so you need to be prepared if someone sticks a mic in your face, and don't go seeking them out. They've already proved that they are looking for violent confrontation where there is none (Thanks for that sound bite Mr Breen - not).

Make sure the "word" you are spreading is no more than three points anyone can remember and that goes for ALL comms - posters, press releases, telephone conversations, face to face interviews.. Decide what this issue is and then communicate it effectively. If anyone tries to drag you outside the brief, a simple "No Comment" will suffice.

Stick to the game plan.

You guys have to decide what that game plan is.

No more than three points. Preferably one. Two is an acceptable compromise, but adds complexity.

That was three points.

Ah hah! Thanks and great point Mr2! That was briefly discussed and it was generally agreed (I think) that the "no comment" response is appropriate and referring them onto a designated spokesperson - I can't recall who that was.....anyone?

I do agreed with your idea of having some succinct and consistent points - I believe some of the key issues people spoke of were:

1. Motorcycle riders have a smaller carbon foot print & therefore contribute positively to the environment.
2. The "stats" being reported by ACC are incorrect and misrepresented.
3. Motorcycle riders are being penalised when others who have high injuries and high ACC use pay $0.

There may have been some others too but that's a quick brief summary of what I can recall - I wonder if for each of us we choose the 3 issues that are most important for us and read up/educate ourselves on those. I think it's better to have good knowledge of a few valid points than general and wishy washy opinions of lots of stuff. We'll look far more impressive saying exactly why we're upset as opposed to saying "ACC sucks and it's a unfair!"...if ya know what I mean?

[jrandom]

No more than... Preferably one. Two... That was three points.

Amongst your points are such diverse elements as...

[Quasi]

StoneY - thanks for organising an excellant meeting, and for the massive amount of work you have done to date . Like I have said before - your commitment and passion are inspiring- we luv yah mate.
Kari - thanks for holding it all together and keeping it flowing smoothly. Attendees - thanks for all the great ideas, suggestions and most of all - the sensibility. It was a sane, calm, well structured meet.
This is the message we all must remember and keep getting across - sensibleness and calm.
Most important to get the group ride message out there. This is going to be critical on the day.
Roll on 31/10 and 17/11.

[mowgli]

If anyone tries to drag you outside the brief, a simple "No Comment" will suffice.

Top advice JD although the contemporary strategy dealing with press interviews is to repeat the key message rather than say "no comment" as this can easily be edited out of context. Same goes for yes, no and maybe. Always respond in full sentences along the lines of the key message.

[Azi Dahaka]

Had a though after the meeting last night after I was laying down to sleep sorry I had to leave early other commitments. Stony have you contacted the Porirua city council, kapiti city council and hutt city council they are all separate entities from Wellington city council and since we will be starting off our rides from in these areas and a large number of bikes will pass through it might be good to give them a heads up.

[mowgli]

Ah hah! Thanks and great point Mr2! That was briefly discussed and it was generally agreed (I think) that the "no comment" response is appropriate and referring them onto a designated spokesperson - I can't recall who that was.....anyone?

Not quite. Every participant should be familiar with the key messages and ready to trot them out if approached by the press. Subsequent questions can be referred to a spokesman if necessary. "No comment" suggests we have something to hide or that we aren't confident about why we're there. We'll have far greater impact when the key message is heard again and again.

[Ms Piggy]

Had a though after the meeting last night after I was laying down to sleep sorry I had to leave early other commitments. Stony have you contacted the Porirua city council, kapiti city council and hutt city council they are all separate entities from Wellington city council and since we will be starting off our rides from in these areas and a large number of bikes will pass through it might be good to give them a heads up.

Great idea! Is that you volunteering yourself

[James Deuce]

Not quite. Every participant should be familiar with the key messages and ready to trot them out if approached by the press. Subsequent questions can be referred to a spokesman if necessary. "No comment" suggests we have something to hide or that we aren't confident about why we're there. We'll have far greater impact when the key message is heard again and again.

Fair points, but give the usual rant response given on KB whenever someone says ANYTHING that is counter to a prevailing view, I think motorcyclists may want to consider "No comment" fair territory.

"No comment" could be, "Would you like to chat with our spokesperson? I can get you a spot in a couple of minutes."

Stuff like that. You have to be cognizant of the fact that we're a fairly loose unit as a group and I'm not yet convinced that we HAVE a message, much less one that communicates the correct message. It MUSN'T be a rant about the proposed increases, whatever it is. I can live in hope I guess.

[Ms Piggy]

Not quite. Every participant should be familiar with the key messages and ready to trot them out if approached by the press. Subsequent questions can be referred to a spokesman if necessary. "No comment" suggests we have something to hide or that we aren't confident about why we're there. We'll have far greater impact when the key message is heard again and again.

Yes I agree:

I wonder if for each of us we choose the 3 issues that are most important for us and read up/educate ourselves on those. I think it's better to have good knowledge of a few valid points than general and wishy washy opinions of lots of stuff. We'll look far more impressive saying exactly why we're upset as opposed to saying "ACC sucks and it's a unfair!"...if ya know what I mean?

And also Mr 2's point is helpful:

"No comment" could be, "Would you like to chat with our spokesperson? I can get you a spot in a couple of minutes."

[StoneY]

But..ACC SUX and its UNFAAAAIR!!!

Good stuff team

Kari has a publicly credible famous person with real cred's lined up to be our speaker at parliament, I vote for Ixion as nominated 'leader' on the day

I am contacting the councils today, Porirua Hutt and Kapiti

Thanks to everyone there last nigh

If we pull off this sort of unity on the day......awesome

oh yeah...Dom Post- Page 3 (Antonio let us down, no pix!)

[325rocket]

I vote for Ixion as nominated 'leader' on the day

ill second that

[igormortis]

[*]Motorcycle riders have a smaller carbon foot print & therefore contribute positively to the environment.

I think this argument should be avoided. It doesn't relate at all to the issue at hand, and in a lot of cases is simply untrue. Also note that unless you're a tree you can't be contributing positively as far as a carbon footprint is concerned.

[Ms Piggy]

I think this argument should be avoided. It doesn't relate at all to the issue at hand, and in a lot of cases is simply untrue. Also note that unless you're a tree you can't be contributing positively as far as a carbon footprint is concerned.

I see your point but for me personally it's a valid reason.

It's something I need to research a little more and get some facts on however, someone at the meeting last night introduced it as a point because NZ are part of the Kyoto Protocol - so how can discouraging people from riding motorbikes (by increasing the costs) enable NZ to lower our emissions?

[Laxi]

I wouldn't mind bringing the BBQ but not sure yet how to strap it to my bike

serrious point! maybe not BBQs but if you need somone to take stuff in that cant fit on bikes, I can organise my wife to take the cage in, trailer too if needed