2010 BRONZ AGM, Wednesday 21 July 2010

[Squiggles]

Then Why in the E-mail sent to me regarding the AGM, does it not state clearly that this is the AGM for Auckland BRONZ? There is no-where on the e-mail that says that it is for the Auckland Branch of BRONZ. Nor does it say that the AGM is for the Auckland Branch. Remember that I am not an Aucklander even though I am a Northlander. Whats more I am sure there are Members Of BRONZ far South of Auckland that should have a say in who stands for them. Which Branch does say someone from Napier belong? How about Wellington or anywhere else in North Is.? Is It Not About Time BRONZ become a National Organisation again if it is going to Lobby Parliament seriously? Sorry, but I joined BRONZ with the believe that it was a National Body Lobbying on behalf of Motorcyclist in NZ. If this is not the case I am wasting my money and my time IMHO.

From memory last year there was Auckland, Timaru and Otago. Wellington and Taranaki are in revival. National will hopefully get shock paddled this year

[Hanne]

Right, so there will be more information about the voting going out in the next newsletter to try and clarify things, I am trying to find out exactly how the nomination process works at the moment and have passed taken the comments about candidate profiles on... Please let me know if there are any specific questions that you would like to see answered in the newsletter.

Any constructive suggestions about how the organisation is run ought to be addressed at the AGM, I would hope that people are adding them to the agenda (Please PM me if you are a member and want me to pass anything on to be added).

[Hanne]

On another note, I am also standing for a position on the committee. My KB name is Hanne, my real life name is Hanne and I have been writing the ACC/ BRONZ newsletters for the past 10 months or so. I became involved in BRONZ as a result of the ACC levies uproar and started going along to the meetings to try and make a difference on that issue and so I could stand up for other motorcycling issues.

Why BRONZ? Because as a 20 year old rider between bikes it was one of the few clubs I could actually join that would represent me just as much as any other rider of any age on any bike. This ought to be BRONZ's strength, the fact that they have antennae up about all new legislation that affects motorcyclists and advocate for the rights of said bikers.

I think BRONZ needs to be as open and transparent as possible, making information freely available to all motorcyclists and continuing to advocate on their behalf. Correspondence with members should be as clear as possible and we need to keep working on streamlining the website and emails and any official posts on KB/ the BRONZ facebook site.

We also need to recruit as many new members as possible, particularly younger riders who will be riding for the next 40 or 50 years. They will be affected by any changes and deserve the chance to be informed about changes and to have their say. More members also means more expertise to draw on, and hopefully more volunteers with enthusiasm and new ideas. In order to attract new members BRONZ needs to be receptive to new ideas and voices. I am prepared to listen if members are prepared to come along and participate in the AGM and have a serious say!

[MadDuck]

Any constructive suggestions about how the organisation is run ought to be addressed at the AGM, I would hope that people are adding them to the agenda (Please PM me if you are a member and want me to pass anything on to be added).

I trust this newsletter will also be mailed via "snail mail" as it seems that we all dont get the emails and have to log on to KB to find out. From my limited knowledge of Non Profit Organisations I feel you will have an issue with legal time to notify members of an AGM.

[Hanne]

I trust this newsletter will also be mailed via "snail mail" as it seems that we all dont get the emails and have to log on to KB to find out. .

Hi MadDuck,
If you would like to get notices by email please email the BRONZ webmaster (or PM me if it's easier) with your email address.
The option is on all membership renewal forms too and the choice to get information digitally has also been mentioned in the snail mail versions, where the webmaster's email address was included:

Newsletters

If you would prefer to receive the BRONZ newsletter electronically, please send an email including your name to bronzweb@gmail.com with ‘Newsletter’ in the subject line.

[StoneY]

If Ixion had any credibility left he'd start answering some questions instead of just logging on for a quick read and then quietly slipping out the back door hoping he hadn't been noticed.

And what have YOU done for your fellow motorcyclists Kat boy?
NOTHING
Shut the fuck up and attend the meeting, or get over it

BRONZ does a shitload of stuff, and who said it needs to be on Kiwibiker to validate what it is we do?

[fossil]

Right, so there will be more information about the voting going out in the next newsletter to try and clarify things, I am trying to find out exactly how the nomination process works at the moment and have passed taken the comments about candidate profiles on... Please let me know if there are any specific questions that you would like to see answered in the newsletter.

Any constructive suggestions about how the organisation is run ought to be addressed at the AGM, I would hope that people are adding them to the agenda (Please PM me if you are a member and want me to pass anything on to be added).

Are we talking about the Auckland BRONZ AGM?. Can only members of the Auckland BRONZ vote or stand for election?

[outlawtorn]

Are we talking about the Auckland BRONZ AGM?. Can only members of the Auckland BRONZ vote or stand for election?

Not too sure about that to be honest, but you are more than welcome to attend the AGM and if you wish to stand for the committee we can always sort it out there and then.

[Hanne]

Much of the confusion surrounding national vs auckland has arisen because the only people left who WERE part of the national BRONZ (now deregistered, yes) are now part of Auckland. The issue of restarting the national BRONZ, with representatives from the various registered regional BRONZs (currently Auckland, Wellington, Timaru and Otago are active) coming together for that will be mentioned again at AGM...

Given that Auckland is the northernmost BRONZ at the moment, those north or slightly south (there is no official Waikato BRONZ atm) should come to the Auckland AGM. Those with interest in starting up more regional groups should come and make this known, too, as the more local involvement there is the more people are likely to participate in and hear about things.

[StoneY]

BRONZ Wellington is hosting a meeting at a date later in the year (yet to be set) where the intention is to create a federation of BRONZ Branches to allow for National Level representation as opposed to regional groups.

BRONZ Auckland for many years has spearheaded all BRONZ national activity on the sheer fact its the biggest and most active (this is slowly changing but in positive and supportive ways) and we should be thankful for Ixion, and the other Auckland members who kept the organization running for the years that interest in bikers rights obviously faded.........

BIKEOI was Ixion's idea for those who think he does nothing, and Wellington was reborn as a result.

BRONZ is active nationwide, but at this point is still regional in its membership focus and that will change, but for the change to happen, and BRONZ to have the membership to achieve anything, people need to stop bitching and join up.

This AGM announcement was for Auckland branch, and as they were pretty much the active branch for the last decade its an easy mistake to make forgetting to detail its the Auckland AGM, give Les a break.

The e-mail for a start will only have gone to the Auckland members, the announcement on KB was just for public awareness.
Its not in our charter to put every BRONZ announcement on KB, that we do it at all is a mere publicity drive and courtesy factor.

If your so unhappy how its run, place yourself as a nomination for the role and do it better (I doubt you can) or, attend the meeting and have your say.

BRONZ Wellington has been in close contact with the other branches to work toward a national federation of BRONZ, and to make that work we need more members.

Join up, help us grow, have your voice heard.

Wellington has also assisted with a massive upgrade of a well known motorcycle safety website, I will announce it when it it goes live

Shiny side up people.
StoneY

[RiderInBlack]

The e-mail for a start will only have gone to the Auckland members, the announcement on KB was just for public awareness.
Its not in our charter to put every BRONZ announcement on KB, that we do it at all is a mere publicity drive and courtesy factor.

To make this perfectly clear: BRONZ did not make this AGM announcement on KB, I did after receiving their E-mail re: the BRONZ AGM.
I am sorry it has caused confusion as to whether this was a National AGM or the Auckland AGM, but that was only because it was not made clear in the e-mail and I was not given any indication as to whether BRONZ was a National Organisation or a divide Localised Branch Organisation. I am Glad I have at less sparked the awareness of this through starting this thread, as this has not been common knowledge given to those of us that have recently joined BRONZ.
I have not been able to make any meetings as yet, due to the nature of my work and the distance I would have to travel to make the meetings.
All I have asked for here is some clarity of who is standing to represent us, assuming that it was a National AGM, as any Member of an Associated Society should. I hope in the future BRONZ will increase their Membership, but this can only come about by recognizing that all members are of value and that this can only happen with clear communication. Do not under-estimate the importance of this, especially dealing with members that are unable to make meetings. They are not necessarily lazy or uninterested, and may just have very good reseasons they find it difficult to make meetings. Ya need the numbers, so don't alienate them.

[StoneY]

To make this perfectly clear: BRONZ did not make this AGM announcement on KB, I did after receiving their E-mail re: the BRONZ AGM.

Good point mate.

I would suggest that it may have been more appropriate to e-mail Les or Hanne directly with this query.

Problem with putting any BRONZ business on KB other than protest action notices etc, is that non members and flamers (like Katgirl) get free ammunition for their petty little flame wars.
It can belittle the effort somewhat of us who do make genuine efforts to make a difference.

The 'regional' aspect of BRONZ membership is self evident in that there are other branches, but all branches have the same rules, and the same mission, and as stated above before the year is out a National committee of some form (yet to be set up) WILL exist to create a genuine National Representation.

This is what Les, Hanne, myself and many others on the various committee's have worked hard to achieve in the last 9 months since BIKEOI

Furthermore WE (eg BRONZ) have managed to get a rep from BRONZ involved with the process that is controlling OUR 'ringfenced' levy funds in an advisory role.
(Once we have more formal information regarding this it will be mailed out to the membership by means other than this very public website.)

Hope this helps you rest a bit better knowing that the BRONZ committee's (regional they may be) have not been sitting on their collective asses just hoping that stuff will magically happen for bikers...we have been MAKING it happen, its just a slow process.

[MadDuck]

Hi MadDuck,
If you would like to get notices by email please email the BRONZ webmaster (or PM me if it's easier) with your email address.
The option is on all membership renewal forms too and the choice to get information digitally has also been mentioned in the snail mail versions, where the webmaster's email address was included:

Newsletters

If you would prefer to receive the BRONZ newsletter electronically, please send an email including your name to bronzweb@gmail.com with ‘Newsletter’ in the subject line.

Hey Hanne

Thank you for your response. Given I have not received anything via snail mail from BRONZ or electronically I will not be renewing my membership.

Regards
MadDuck

Edit: expect an invoice from me for return of my membership fees

[Katman]

Edit: expect an invoice from me for return of my membership fees

I'll assume you're just having a laugh.

[MadDuck]

I'll assume you're just having a laugh.

Nope. Not at all. I didnt get what I paid for.