Irish Region Committee Feedback required |
Post Reply | Page <1234 5> |
Author | |||||
Eamo
Moderator Group Joined: 13-May-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 3450 |
Posted: 24-October-2005 at 12:08 | ||||
Just to correct you TJ - the show and shine was held in Capital Cars in Tullamore
|
|||||
Sponsored Links | |||||
gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
Posted: 24-October-2005 at 12:23 | ||||
Eamon. No need to correct T.J. He was referring to the previous Show and Shine/Concours at Joe Duffy's. The first Show and Shine at Motor Imports in 2002 was also a well attended event. Thanks Eamon for continuing the good tradition established for Show and Shine/Concours type events. How are your plans going for 2006 will you have a proposed date at the end of year meeting? |
|||||
Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
|||||
kdevitt
Really Senior Member II Joined: 27-February-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 904 |
Posted: 24-October-2005 at 13:45 | ||||
Being honest, the only reason I signed back up with the club was for the track day. The most enjoyable events I've had excluding the track day were just weekends away with the lads - Galway & Lisburn and although being organised on the forums, they weren't club events, so I saw no point in paying money to do it.
I've been at alot of events, but there aren't very many that I'd put off other plans to attend. I know from speaking to several non members (but occasional forum users) that the club is of no appeal to them, and never will be. Also, I've mentioned it before, but I think that the club is caught firmly between two stools - there are the older members who have no interest in some of the stuff the younger guys are into, and vice versa, with some common ground between the two. It makes it quite difficult to organise events of mass appeal imho. |
|||||
topazman
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 02-April-2004 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2629 |
Posted: 24-October-2005 at 14:04 | ||||
Can I just ask what does the Club provide in the way of Banners, Flags 'Irish Section' etc as it seems that for approx €50 yoyos you don't get much back if anything at all the couple of magazines you get a year usually have out of date BMW news and the boys across the water have better backing from the club from what I can see I might be wrong but stand corrected.
|
|||||
Now 2004 M3 Coupe Silver Grey with all the bits
|
|||||
Fey!
Bavarian-Board Contributor Funs over, Scotty; beam down my clothes! Joined: 28-February-2005 Location: Galway Status: Offline Points: 4161 |
Posted: 24-October-2005 at 22:01 | ||||
Everyone has had various good points here, but the one that hits me the most is Kens comments about the lack of overlap between what the older/younger members want, and about what events actually require membership. I'm relatively new to the whole club scene, having only joined in March and having not been in a club since I was a teenager! This is also the first forum I've ever been active on. What prompted me to become a member was the March Mondello meeting, and having met other members there, I kept coming back to the forum because of how welcome I was made feel. To bhe honest, I don't really read the magazines because, with the exception of the last issue with articles by Ger and a few others, I haven't felt that it was aimed toward Irish members. Somebody mentioned getting mailshots of events, but I haven't seen any come through the letterbox - my only source of information about whats going on has been the forum. Obviously, not everyone uses the forum regularly, if at all. Is there a list of both current and former members available, and could a mail shot be organised through the club to get ALL of their opinions so that we can see what caused people to both join and leave? |
|||||
gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 03:11 | ||||
A survey would be a good idea. But to get any level of response it would to have stamped addressed return envelopes. Another thing to increase survey response is to have a prize. I am trying to remember, did head office have a survey in the magazine a few years ago, or was that another magazine. Maybe survey@bmw... or a survey form on the Ireland club home page could be set up so forum people could offer opinions in privacy, with a delegated person collating results. Privacy would be important to get true feelings. |
|||||
Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
|||||
Eamo
Moderator Group Joined: 13-May-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 3450 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 04:42 | ||||
@Fey
It was me who mentioned mailshots. By that I meant email mailshots. |
|||||
Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 05:15 | ||||
Limiting it to an e-mail survey (or responses) immediately disenfranchises a reasonable proportion of club members, who can't, or don't have internet/e-mail access. The effect of a survey must be to gather the views of the widest possible group of members. Edited by Dergside |
|||||
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
|||||
b318isp
Moderator Group Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2057 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 05:28 | ||||
I agree re. the Duffy's event. I think we should have a PRO to specifically get through other promotional ideas. Anybody want to volunteer?
We simply are too small a club. We have had surveys and different kinds of events, but the only things that get big turnouts are track days and dealer sponsored show and shines. Previous AGMs have also canvassed attendees for event ideas. The fact of the matter is that we just don't have enough people in the club to ensure strong turnouts. I'm all too aware that, for many reasons, people promise to turn up or support but don't - its a fact of life! The best way to tackle this is to increase our membership. Earlier this year, when we met at the Spa Well, it was agreed that the forum would become the predominant communication tool simply because the people active on the forum usually were those who turned up at events or encouraged others to do so. There are, no doubt, a few active members who are not on the forum but these are a minority. If we want to survey people, then it would be more efficient to do it here (backed up with BCC email shots as Eamo suggests) - and maybe promote it in the magazine - but am sceptical of its true value as I still think that we are just too susceptible to low turnouts.
This structure became obsolete at the end of 2003. The two NI lads never got around to doing anything, despite many communications from myself. Two years of pushing this delivered nothing significant. Kevin has stepped back a long way too - for this year he was just a connection to BMW Ireland. We are forbidden to have a treasurer too.
We are getting little response on this. There was a garage led event in Donegal recently that was quite successful (see our next write up). I have posted requests in a number of the magazine write ups calling for volunteers. I asked Gerry in the office to canvas people who have stated an interest - this is where Jim and Allen's names came from. For whatever reason, despite promises, no progress was made.
I need to talk with Kevin as I can't answer completely for him. I know he wants to take a step back but will lend his support where necessary. This is why we like to channel requests to BMW Ireland through him as he is recognised by them and other dealers. And you know I never wear skirts (in public ). Edited by b318isp |
|||||
b318isp
Moderator Group Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2057 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 05:33 | ||||
I'd say there is a third division too - the vintage guys, who are also doing their own thing with different directions. I have tried through two different contacts to involve them in the club too, but without success. This just serves to reinforce the point that we simply have too few members with too distinct needs. |
|||||
b318isp
Moderator Group Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2057 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 05:38 | ||||
This is a bone of contention for me with the club as we must be seen to offer value for membership. I have also had to fight membership fee increases as there was an instruction to charge Irish members more due to postage costs - so far I have been successful! There are other benefits however (discounts, technical info, affiliation, copyrighting, sponsorship, etc.) that are of varying tangability and are improving for Irish members slowly but continuously. |
|||||
Richie
Bavarian-Board Forum Sponsor Irish Region Joined: 04-November-2002 Location: Dublin,Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2526 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 05:51 | ||||
Not meaning to come across in a negative way but the discounts we get are no better than the guy walkin in off the street and doin a bit of haggling.Technical support is available on here moreso and it's not exclusive to members and sponsorship is not exactly something we've seen much of!!! |
|||||
Richie
|
|||||
kdevitt
Really Senior Member II Joined: 27-February-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 904 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 05:55 | ||||
Just playing devils advocate, but I think a survey of the Irish members should be done to see if they want to remain affiliated with the GB car club at all. I for one wouldn't miss the magazine, which is the only real thing provided for us.
Killian looks after the site already, we're a completely self-sufficient section, and any fees could go towards Irish events only. It would be fairly simple to get the same discounts that are offered at the moment too. Theres still enough people with contacts within BMW to maintain events with dealers. Just a thought! (an evil one at that) |
|||||
Richie
Bavarian-Board Forum Sponsor Irish Region Joined: 04-November-2002 Location: Dublin,Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2526 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 06:03 | ||||
The magazine is actually another pointless production in my opinion. It's 98% UK biased and the advertising of events to the non forum members is always weeks behind.
I'd like to see us put together our own 4 page booklet like straight six just with Irish info. |
|||||
Richie
|
|||||
b318isp
Moderator Group Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2057 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 06:57 | ||||
There is only one twist - affiliation. By being with the UK club there are no copyright enfringements on logos and names. We are also recognised as being legitimate by BMW Ireland. We also get the office support - someone would have to be prepared to do that as well with book-keeping/auditing etc.! |
|||||
kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 07:17 | ||||
Also as most people only are part of the club for the track days (as
per previous claims), they do get to enjoy the benefit of 3rd party
insurance cover in Modello (covering spectators/marshals and track
equipment IIRC). Should the Irl region go solo then this cover would
need to be supplied resulting in higher track day costs.
|
|||||
Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
|||||
Eamo
Moderator Group Joined: 13-May-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 3450 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 07:17 | ||||
It doesnt actually. Well over 90% of Irish members have email addresses. I have yet to meet an Irish region member who is not on email or doesnt use the forum. Heres another twist - the club wont release names and addresses of members either due to data protection, privacy and all that! That is we have resorted to email and the forum as the medium for contacting members. |
|||||
kdevitt
Really Senior Member II Joined: 27-February-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 904 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 08:06 | ||||
I'm sure that the logo would be the least of anyones worries - and with BMW Ireland up and running (I know they're a section of BMW UK) I can't see why an official Irish club shouldn't be recognised. The office work is a valid point, but given that this post is mainly about people being nominated to do work on behalf of the club with the committee, I'm sure theres more than one person who'd be capable and willing to keep books and set up a club & accounts. Not sure what the cost of third party insurance is for the track day, but having done open track days in the past, I know I didn't pay that much extra. In fact, I reckon that since a lot of people pay the membership fee as part of the track day cost and are never seen again, its probably about the same price or slightly less for some. The Irish section on the forum here is by far the busiest, so would easily cope on its own as a separate entity, instead of being just a section of a GB club. Edited by kdevitt |
|||||
gjoconnor92
Really Senior Member II The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 735 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 12:07 | ||||
I am happy with being part of the GB club. The magazine does not have enough Irish info because not enough Irish members are writing articles. If I remember correctly Brendan is the contact for magazine articles. We need to get more running reports in, more personal experiences from events (remember Brendan's great article about his first track day in Mondello). Being part of a larger organisation means there are fewer disputes about money, because more professional accounting has to be done. With smaller organisations there sadly is always the impression held by some members that others are skimming off the top. BMW recognition is important as well being affilliated with BCE. The people that went to Silverstone shared that experience as part of the same club. The 3 day BMW only August trip to the 'ring is something I feel that in the future Irish section members will be part of. That we could not achieve as an independant organisation. The AGM where people take on specific roles I believe may be the best way to go. For this year people took on specific events or functions and that worked quite well. If new functions are to be added their purpose and targets need to be clearly defined for all to see. |
|||||
Gerard O'Connor
1989 E30 320i for track day use 1972 2002 competition car project (delayed!!) Sheane Formula Vee My e-mail |
|||||
kdevitt
Really Senior Member II Joined: 27-February-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 904 |
Posted: 25-October-2005 at 12:14 | ||||
Why is BMW recognition important? I don't see any benefits at all, there are only a handful of dealers who'll offer a discount - and my local dealer gives me a discount purely on the basis of asking for it, so club membership doesn't help at all. The accounting may be professional, but I don't see much of the money generated coming back towards us over here. Setting up a professional Irish club would mean professional accounting standards, so its a moot point. I'm far from the most nationalistic of people around (in fact most mates would call me a west brit ) but I don't see any reason why there shouldn't be a Irish BMW car club, rather than us being a UK region. Edited by kdevitt |
|||||
Post Reply | Page <1234 5> |
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |