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Fey! ![]() Bavarian-Board Contributor ![]() Funs over, Scotty; beam down my clothes! Joined: 28-February-2005 Location: Galway Points: 4161 |
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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? |
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gjoconnor92 ![]() Really Senior Member II ![]() The eyes have it Joined: 21-July-2003 Location: Kildare and Limerick, Ireland Points: 735 |
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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. |
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Eamo ![]() Moderator Group ![]() Joined: 13-May-2003 Location: Ireland Points: 3450 |
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@Fey
It was me who mentioned mailshots. By that I meant email mailshots. |
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Dergside ![]() Really Senior Member II ![]() Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Points: 4000 |
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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 |
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b318isp ![]() Moderator Group ![]() Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Points: 2057 |
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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 |
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b318isp ![]() Moderator Group ![]() Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Points: 2057 |
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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. |
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b318isp ![]() Moderator Group ![]() Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Points: 2057 |
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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. |
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Richie ![]() Bavarian-Board Forum Sponsor ![]() Irish Region Joined: 04-November-2002 Location: Dublin,Ireland Points: 2526 |
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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!!! |
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kdevitt ![]() Really Senior Member II ![]() Joined: 27-February-2003 Location: Ireland Points: 904 |
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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) |
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Richie ![]() Bavarian-Board Forum Sponsor ![]() Irish Region Joined: 04-November-2002 Location: Dublin,Ireland Points: 2526 |
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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. |
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b318isp ![]() Moderator Group ![]() Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Points: 2057 |
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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.! |
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kbannon ![]() Admin Group ![]() E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Points: 15508 |
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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.
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