Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2008 22:45:58 GMT
What do you want from your club? Or are you happy with the way that things are being run.
We need suggestions.
Any ideas?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2008 19:04:11 GMT
Lets be Honest -- nobody likes a club that stays stagnant -- or one that promises things and then months down the line nothing has happened.
sometimes our winters are so bad we are unable to complete our projects and then we look forward to the light summer evenings to complete them - only to use the evenings for other activities while the sun shines.
during the winter we have had a dedicated few that use this board daily -- albeit as a bit of fun, but still we are here
we need to decide on moving forward as with various things discused at stoneleigh/donnington ie displays, clothing, anything to attract attention and raise the profile
|
|
|
Post by terryrob on Feb 18, 2008 21:38:54 GMT
I think the same as Don, all clubs are pretty quiet through the winter but it helps keeping the forum ticking over as guests will find some sort of activity going on and allways get a response to enquiries. But I feel that a strong attendance at shows with as many cars as possible on our pitch with build progress boards etc is the way to draw attention and perhaps new members to our club. Unfortunately my car won't be ready this year.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2008 21:51:10 GMT
OK - at a risk of chucking a spanner in the works - I think the limited forward movement is partly because we have so few members with even fewer roadworthy cars. I know from personal experience of the time before my RV was roadworthy, interest in the club and attending shows, etc is limited when the car is off the road - and for some, it is likely that the cars will stay off the road.
Clubs tend to survive well when there is a regular meet-up and that's impossible when we all live so far apart, because there are so few of us.
So we should be encouraging more members then, right?
To encourage more 'paid-up' members and therefore more funds to do the club regalia, better displays etc - we have to either withdraw facilities from the forum to occasional visitors (which I don't think is right) or provide a discernable benefit to paying your dues and 'joining' the club. If you look at many other club websites, the former is the way they have gone - 'no dues = no forum access'. Ours was a decision made long ago in a former exisitance of the club - rightly or wrongly. The very fact that this is being discussed in 'open' forum indicates that there is some identity confusion - are we a free club and based on a forum, or a 'members' club on a proper funded basis?
It seems hard to imagine that a club representing a make like Eagle, that was so prolific in its heyday, should struggle along with so few members. If you compare that experience to that of the Dutton Owners Club, or even more recent makes like Marlin it is hard to understand.
Now there was previously some discussion over the 'value' provided by joining the club and questions raised as to what was the point. Again comparing our membership to that of the Marlin Owners Club, I give a direct quote from their website
'By becoming a Marlin Owner's Club member, you will enjoy: Discounted car insurance Annual subscription to the bi-monthly PITSTOP magazine Free windscreen sticker and membership card! '
Not exactly 'buy one - get one free' is it! and their membership is £15 per annum with a £2.50 joining fee. They say they have over 700 members.
In fairness for me all I want from the club would be
1. the opportunity to meet up occasionally - without feeling pressure to attend everything. 2. a club mag to read for entertainment and interest in others projects (though this is largely superceded by online blogs these days) - discussed previously - in design but without content from anyone other than me and so far it looks like a 'here look at my RV' mag. 3. some club regalia like a cap/T-shirt/fleece etc - discussed previously and the difficulties of limited club membership have been mentioned above - having said that I'm all for it and would happily pre-order a polo shirt or something. This really is in the offing - so hopefully we will be up and running when the season starts 4. an online meeting place to discuss problems/frustrations/technical difficulties etc
These are just a few ramblings of things on my mind.
Anyone else want to add anything?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2008 22:10:39 GMT
PigeonPigeonPigeonPigeonCATPigeonPigeonPigeonPigeon ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2008 22:21:32 GMT
PigeonPigeonPigeonPigeonCATPigeonPigeonPigeonPigeon ;D Is this a new word game? ;D Bang! Cat..........................
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Feb 19, 2008 22:04:02 GMT
Whilst I respect your views on the limited interest in the club etc while your kitcar is off the road. I personally never felt that way, my kit has been off the road for some 18 years but once I found the forum I began using it and I joined the owners club even thou the RV is technically Helens. I do believe you have a point about needing regular meet ups but because that is impossible (for the reasons you stated) I believe we need to concentrate on the main shows as those club meets. The point of this being discussed in open forum was so that, if I am not mistaken would be seen by all members even those who don’t use their password to check the members area. I believe there are ways of changing the site so that it is easier to access the members area “but that said I am not a technical whiz so I could be wrong” even if it means the committee area has to go (most of which could I believe be carried out by pm’s, phone or fax.) Basically meaning that half the site would be visible to all including guests and the other “extra” would be available when an owner’s club member signs in. In my opinion club membership is low not just because of what we offer or don’t offer Discount insurance. 15% off with Adrian flux etc. Key ring and membership card. Oh and mag still under construction. It may be the type of owners Eagle kitcars have/had, they tend to be Now how do I say this without upsetting someone ? The RV…..younger outdoor type people or they are a kit that was seen many years ago and like but due to circumstances could not afford therefore because of age etc not necessarily pc users. The SS. These cars are notoriously complex engineering to say the least so therefore they are slow projects to mature so I think maybe a side project “ oh well that put my head in the noose” David. Overall I think your idea for/of the club is sound. Your four reasons/wants are all similar to my own. 1. Shows.I don’t think that anybody is or should be pressured in to attend all of the season’s shows. But at the same time as you have said “we are a small club with a limited number of members” and if we don’t all try and attend some of the shows on a club basis ie. Man the stand etc then it will be left to the minority to do and this I believe will/could lead to disheartenment therefore arguments and fallouts etc either because the minority will believe they have the right to make the decisions because they are doing all the work(so to speak) Or the other members will/may think that they are trying to take over because they always seem to be there. 2. Club magazine.This has not been discussed on open forum as far as I am aware or at least not in as much as an outright request for items to run. I receive a mag from an other club to which I am also a member and enjoy being able to get away from the pc to read ( this club also looked in to blogs but I believe they have now decided not to go down that route because of the members without internet access (apparently there are still quite a lot of people in this situation). Could probably help with mag content if it goes a head. 3. Club gear.I believe this has been discussed. Still waiting colour conformation etc. I am up for a baseball cap, polo shirt and maybe a fleece. 4. Online meeting place.Maybe with changes as stated above. There is no need to be held to the big national shows. We can/could discuss online, meets around the country maybe smaller motor shows, fairs, fetes and home visits even. If people state what’s going on around their areas and when the events are maybe some owners in the area could meet up it’s a good excuse to take the kit out All this said as always I state that is my opinion only and anyone who sees things differently please feel free to comment if I used “I believe” too often. Gary.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2008 22:36:30 GMT
Thanks for the response Gary.
I think it is good to get these things out in the open and discuss.
Anyone else? What do you want from the Club, in what format and what improvements would you like?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 17:02:39 GMT
Cheers Gary, you could have warned me!!. if I offend either you or David with my reply. Right, let me start with Davids’ post first The purpose of putting this on the open forum was to attract possible new members with new ideas so that they could see that we are an “open” club whose committee respect the wishes of our members, and as Gary stated, so should any member who doesn’t enter the members area has a chance to have his/her say. (It was my idea, if you think that this should have been done behind closed doors). Because DVLA don’t issue lists of who owns what car, how can we contact owners. Everytime one comes up for sale on EBAY I always contact the vendor to ask them to pass details of the owners club onto the eventual purchaser. The issue of the cost of membership is an agenda item for the AGM at Stoneleigh as per the constitution of the club. As for the meeting up without pressure to attend, I feel that at shows where there is an official Eagle Owners Club stand then a member of the committee should be on hand for some of the duration of the show. Even if the times that the said committee member will be on the stand are posted at a prominent position. I do realise that if there is only one member present then it is impractical to spend all of the show on the stand. And yes, it would be nice to see as many other Eagles as possible but no one should feel any pressure to attend. It should be done because you enjoy it. Club mag – need I say more. Club regalia: the only thing that is undecided is the base colour for the shirts do we go with one colour and then have the RED wording on one or do we let members chose from a variety and then have the RED on them. When this is decided I can have them ready in a fortnight. I think that now, having taken a look at the Eagle Owners Club web page this needs updating, and the forum tidying up. Perhaps now is the time to take the sign up screen off the front as this was done as a temporary measure (I thought). Gary: I believe that you have a point that many Eagle owners use this site to gain the technical knowledge to rebuild their cars and then possibly forget about us once their car is up and running. How can we stop this happening? I also think that many of the members that just renew their membership do so to claim their insurance discount, as this far exceeds the £15.00 fee. Yes I agree with you that much of the committee area of the board could be done via PM’s thus making the board another area that could be used. I think you have hit the nail on the head with the comment of disheartenment amongst the few who attend shows but I would hope that this can be rectified. Perhaps the agenda for the AGM at Stoneleigh should just read whole reorganisation of the Eagle Owners Club.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 17:27:33 GMT
Wow Re-organisation again this year? Sounds like a Football club not giving its coach time to sort out the team Nobody expects miracles -- all clubs are struggling in this time, lets face it the kit could be the third or fourth vehicle in the household in line for cash spent on it Don't worry too much as yet-- lets make the shows a success. somebody MAKE a decision on regalia colour,SOMEBODY send out a short newsletter to members advising of all shows & club contacts etc. Don't be offended Helen this is the right place to post what is really a request to the members as to what they would like to see happen in their club PS It never crossed my mind about insurance discounts
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Feb 21, 2008 21:09:22 GMT
I could decide on the colour if you want ? [glow=red,2,300]SHOCKING PINK[/glow] ;D ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by terryrob on Feb 21, 2008 21:13:07 GMT
Does that colour suit you then Gary lol ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 21:24:47 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Feb 21, 2008 21:36:13 GMT
I was thinking of you lot I know what colour i am having beige, like what mr Wogan wears
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 21:39:38 GMT
I am for Val Doonigan Complete with rocking chair outside the club tent at shows
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Feb 21, 2008 22:05:45 GMT
Get knitting Helen, we will all need cardigans. ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 22:08:55 GMT
If you're serious, will do. Let me have measurements though. ;D Beige sounds a good colour to me. Although I think that they are called stone. Does this mean we need blankets as well. You know like the ones granny used to have to keep her knees warm.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 22:09:41 GMT
aren't they a Pop group
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Feb 21, 2008 22:11:57 GMT
Pop what is that we only listen to classical/Celtic sounds man.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 22:14:27 GMT
And your the one with children
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2008 22:17:10 GMT
Yep they have to listen to what ever we say
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2008 21:01:44 GMT
Hi all. Helen, I'm not easily offended, so don't worry. I think it is right to talk this over out in the open and some of the things I said were just ramblings. For example, I don't think there is an easy answer to why there are so few members who join the 'paid up' part of the club. Don's right in some ways, you just have to keep plodding along - as long as the membership is satisfied with this. But it has often been felt that people want more, so now is the time to say. There are things happening and, by the looks of things, these should be in place by the show season - and here I'm talking about the club regalia. I think it is good to talk and encourage interest in the club, that is what it is all about. Club mag - I need some stuff to put in it. Jottings, ramblings, poetry,................... favourite recipes - anything to begin with. Website - thorny subject. I've been working on a 'template' appearance which I will run by the committee before progressing too far, but there was an offer for the data and information from Simon's site 'Eagle Kitcars' which I think should/could be incorporated into the Owners Club site. I'm going to leave you all now and get on with the website or the mag........
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2008 9:35:36 GMT
back on the subject and an idea that may be of use would be to open a paypal account for the club ,so as members can just make a few clicks to become paid up,, its so much effort to go to the post box in this day and age ,
most people that buy a kit from ebay are used to ebay therefore may have a paypal account,,
then a big announcement on the home page JOIN NOW, WE TAKE PAYPAL, ITS SO EASY,
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2008 11:51:08 GMT
Thanks Jason.
Good idea, I'll look into it.
I'm looking at different options with the website at the moment so hope in the coming weeks, we will be seeing a much improved website with working links.
David
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 9:07:09 GMT
Hi guys, David, I realise you sort the club website out but was wondering if I could be of assistance.
I'm a self employed web designer amongst other things and can appreciate how much time building a site takes. I would be willing to take on the task free of charge if required, which I could do in between other work. My time is my own so it's no problem.
I wouldn't want to step on your toes so I would understand if you would rather do the work yourself.
If you would like to see some of my work, I could send you some links.
Steve. p.s. I'll be sending a cheque off today for membership.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 19:51:08 GMT
Axeman, you have mail!
I'd be very interested in working with you to get a much needed updated website online asap.
As I have said before, whilst I would love to be involved with the design aspects, you are most certainly not stepping on my toes and i would be only too glad to accept assistance.
Cheers David
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2008 16:23:41 GMT
helen as old age is setting in could you rememind me when mine and pa clampitts membership is renewable
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2008 20:42:21 GMT
Moonlightmaggie you have a PM. Hope to see you at the shows this year.
|
|