chazpowerslide Posted November 17, 2003 Posted November 17, 2003 I look at what's going on in the "club" and think "I really want to be involved with that" I do really. I would love to be in a position to "do the shows" on a regular basis, attend the area meets and would love to be an "AO". I really want to be a part of what's going on with the "club" I really want it be the "AO" of Cambridge, redally I do. The trouble is that I have a very demanding job, two young kids and a wife and a house that we moved into 5 yeares ago and is still not decorated !!! I very much suspect that I amoung with many other members use their Westfields as an "escape" from all the above and simply will not endulge in further "Westfield" activerties because we feel that we can'nt do the job justice if we did get more involved. I really do want to be part of an active area of "Westies" and I really do want to do my bit but it's a case of life interupts Westie rather than Westie interupts life. I will be more active when my situation allows, I really do want to be the Cambridge AO but first I have to look after the family and the job. Only when this is all ok can I do the area justice. I suspect I'm not alone. Chaz. Quote
Chris Elworthy Posted November 18, 2003 Posted November 18, 2003 Chaz, I think many of us can relate to your plight. I had to give up being the Northants Area Organiser in the Summer for that reason - I felt I wasn't doing it justice. As it happens, yes the area meet has got a bit quiet but mainly due to the nights drawing in, but the guys have all chipped in with ideas and organising as a committee(ish). I would suggest that so long as there is a core of you in Cambridgeshire, between you, you can run the area without burdening one person too much. All you need to do beyond that (so do we) is devise a Rota for the magazine article 6 times a year, and show reports, photos etc. Let us know how you get on. Quote
Turbo Tommo Posted November 18, 2003 Posted November 18, 2003 Watch this space. PS - No more talk of the "SS fraternity" or "Show" fraternity......its silly. Fair comment, if it's found to be upsetting, but it's not meant to be discriminatory in any way. I'm for a complete and happy membership. For the sake of the topic, and further discussion on this important subject that does require the identification of groups of individuals, can we think of another way to "address" a particular group. It's bad enough not being able to say "fat" and "bald" or even that other one you can lose your job for! I think the suggestion made earlier to appoint someone on a semi commercial basis would be a great idea. It would ideally suit an enthusiastic retired or semi retired person and the commerciality would afford an element of accountability. FWIW I believe a show presence is more important to the ongoing wellbeing, reputation and public awareness of the club than the SS will ever be! We pay people to perform a multitude of tasks, as no-one is coming forward, then why not this one aswell? Quote
Mark Stanton Posted November 18, 2003 Posted November 18, 2003 So in essence then perhaps we need: A multi tasking unit with a user friendly interface Wearing me coat whilst waiting for taxi Quote
Turbo Tommo Posted November 18, 2003 Posted November 18, 2003 Well that disqualifies me on both counts!!!! Quote
neilwillis Posted November 19, 2003 Posted November 19, 2003 From my point of view, the work involved in setting up a pitch for shows is fairly minimal. I will be attending all the principal shows (work committments permitting of course) and will be available as a pair of hands to anyone who takes on organising responsibilities. What we need is someone to co-ordinate things with the show organisers, advertise our presence at shows via the website and magazine, make sure the tentage is at the right place at the right time (using our own club members to transport the stuff via Sprint series events perhaps), recruit a few bodies for each event (no more than 6 would be needed I would think), and it needn't even be neccessary to attend every event. All told, this isn't a particularly heavy commitment, and there is plenty of support available from committee members, AOs etc if required. I am certain whoever takes on this role would enjoy the experience, and of course, you needn't continue if you find it too demanding on your time. Quote
highwayman Posted November 19, 2003 Posted November 19, 2003 Regarding submitting articles for the magazine I happily wrote an article for the last mag.Tony Sighe had written the previous one in addition to his Vauxhall upgrade two-parter . He has a young family and demanding job and helping each other lightens the load for the AO. Just as much as I've received help from several in the outside the area for my build both technically and practicly (Thanks guys) Dave Glos, cheltenham and North Wilts area. Quote
7SE Posted November 19, 2003 Posted November 19, 2003 I know that Mark said somewhere near the beginning something like "we're not getting a truck or a bus", but... some of the problems identified early on relate to having tow-bars, moving the said trailer to different parts of the country prior to shows etc. These particular issues could be eased by having something that was self-propelled, like a small van (Rascal?). Or a Transit, with a tow-bar so that the nominated driver could take their Westfield on a trailer, if they had one. A trailer that is. Well a Westfield as well I suppose, but I was taking that bit as read. The thing about a van is that the co-ordinator could deliver it to the show rep and then get the train home, or the rep could collect it, either way no other cars are needed. I know that this idea introduces the spectre of insurance for the van, but I thought that I would throw it in anyway... Quote
scruffythefirst Posted November 19, 2003 Posted November 19, 2003 or..... get a van and a trailer, then person whos in charge of said particular show drives van, trailer and their westy (obviously on the trailer, not one leg out of the transit window.... ) to the show, sets up the show does a great job etc etc. Then the next person who's going to use the van turns up at the show in their westy, tows it home whilst the first person drives their westy home. Everyone involved gets to drive their westy at least one way, and the van will have 2 display westies kinda built in plus no-one has to get the train everyones a winner, plus it gets stored at the persons house who's going to use it next. (or if it's to big drive for one person, someone could act as an intermediate, in exactly the same way just without the show in the middle ) which is kinda exactly what you just said Scruffy edited to correct auful english Quote
Mark Stanton Posted November 20, 2003 Posted November 20, 2003 Van thing all sounds good in a perfect world but we ain't got that We don't have the same revenue as other larger clubs of similar style cars their membership is double ours and the membership fees are greater WSCC track days and events are run at virtually cost and we do not have as much income form magazine advertisers And in no way would I "knock" other clubs - but if we could double our membership pay at least £10 more each in subs pay a lot more than £100 for track days and have a fully commercial magazine then yep - I'm sure our Treasurer would only be too pleased with you all to buy a van and before you say my mates got one for sale for £2000 - just remember the toughest hurdle Our treasurer is an accountant and a Yorkshireman by birth and I'm sure his grandfather was Scottish with a jewish cousin Quote
chumley-warner Posted November 20, 2003 Posted November 20, 2003 I look at what's going on in the "club" and think "I really want to be involved with that" I do really. I would love to be in a position to "do the shows" on a regular basis, attend the area meets and would love to be an "AO". I really want to be a part of what's going on with the "club" I really want it be the "AO" of Cambridge, redally I do. The trouble is that I have a very demanding job, two young kids and a wife and a house that we moved into 5 yeares ago and is still not decorated !!! I very much suspect that I amoung with many other members use their Westfields as an "escape" from all the above and simply will not endulge in further "Westfield" activerties because we feel that we can'nt do the job justice if we did get more involved. I really do want to be part of an active area of "Westies" and I really do want to do my bit but it's a case of life interupts Westie rather than Westie interupts life. I will be more active when my situation allows, I really do want to be the Cambridge AO but first I have to look after the family and the job. Only when this is all ok can I do the area justice. I suspect I'm not alone. Chaz. Perhaps you could do as I do and visit the CAM7 meets....ful of Se7en fun.....? Quote
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