2pm Sunday 21 January 2007. Hodson Bay Hotel Athlone. Everybody welcome

Hi All

Thanks to all who came to the Track day as either Drivers, Passengers and most important Helpers.

The meeting will be held as a BMW Car Club (Irish Section) event. In light of recent happenings, lapsed members, future members, forum members are welcome.

The purpose of the meeting would be

• Discuss the role of the BMW Car Club in Ireland
• Discuss the role of the Bavarian Board forum
• Plan BMW car related events for 2007
• General discussion on what a "car club" is for
  • What inputs are expected from members
    • Financial
    • Time
  • What benefits are expected by members
    • Event Insurance
    • Magazine
    • Anything else?
  • What stucture should an Irish organisation have

I hope to begin a healthy debate on the future of BMW car related activities in Ireland, starting here on the forum and concluding with the meeting.

My opening input to the debate.

The BMW Car club has its uses as an organisation with purchasing power for insurance etc.

It provides membership to a BMW AG approved organisation.

The office facilities for managing finances takes pressure away from individuals i.e. it is a company protected by law

I think that a meeting would be a good idea, especially being open to all.

Not to shoot down your above points, but:

Is the insurance aspect relevant to Irish members?

What BMW AG approved organisations does it give access to here?

Again we need to look at promotion, how many new people have joined the forum/club and why, and how many people have laft the forum/club and why.

The insurance I refer to is 3rd party that the BMW car club  provides at events such as the track day. Mondello will not allow an event without such insurance in place. I must check what is covered on other non track events.

The BMW Car Club is recognised by BMW AG and as such is allowed to use logo and is invited to factory tours etc.

Thanks Fey! for the reply. The debate has begun

I thought that you meant negotiating a discount with insurance companies!!!  Thanks for clearing that up.

Also, in GB they get a discount in the dealerships, which doesn't apply here.  Why not?

Also, before anyone else gets dug in about it, there's the constant bickering about magazine articles being irrelevant to the Irish region, and the delay in submitted articles being published.

Thanks Eamo

I also know of the couple of things in the background which is one of the reasons I have suggested January for the meeting to give a chance for things to resolve themselves.

Maybe Killian, Brendan and yourself could give a joint statement to this debate.

Fey! good point on the Dealer discounts.

From what I can make all regions and registeres have the same delay on Magazine articles. Sometimes we ourselves are at fault. But there is a big delay on articles being published an article in by the end of October closing date will not be published until December. If someone knows otherwise let this thread know.

A key point in the discussion about the club services has to include the day to day administration of the club, dealing with membership issues, renewals, money, posting information to members, answering queries, etc.  The existing club has a level of acceptance and credability with suppliers and sponsors, etc. too.

Years ago, when they were actually at the races, I was involved in the Jordan Irish Supporters club.  It came about because the official UK club didn't recognize the needs and contribution of the Irish members, etc.  This was especially true when Hilll started driving for them and suddenly the membership numbers in the UK shot through the roof.  They needed to care less about the Irish members simply because they had so many more overall.

The long and the short of that experience was that trying to organize the club, keep up with the administration, organize activities, liaise with Jordan, keep accounts, budget and basically provide some value for money to the members was extremely difficult and most of the work fell on to a small number of people.  Everyone wanted the benefits but finding contributors of time and effort was much more difficult.  In addition, problems of politics and personalities was huge and made things way more difficult. 

If working to try to fix the issues with the club as it stands is a tough task, don't think that an alternative to it is easy.

Two points about Mondello and the track days.

When Mondello organize their own track days (next one on the October Bank Holiday) where does the insurance come from? How many people would have to do it to cover ALL the costs?

And, would an Irish BMW club be willing to share with another club for track days? Porsche club maybe? (I know they would also have to willing to share but it could be mutually beneficial).

Also, as a new member to both the forum and Car Club I would be very willing to attend the meeting, discuss things, and help in any way I can.

From e-mails and PMs I have been getting Hodson Bay Athlone looks like the popular choice for the meeting on Sunday 21st of January 2007.

Edit 2pm is the time I am proposing

Hi All

Have heard that there is a meet in Galway, Ireland on the 3rd to 5th November. Has anyone details or the itentary for this???

Cheers, Dan

Tx for that !

Dan

Yes a club director is coming.

Yes a room is booked and being funded by the club.

So lets get to work on an agenda for the meeting

Hodson Bay Hotel near Athlone 2pm Sunday 21 January 2007

That should be convenient for you Eamon

kbannon wrote: Out of curiosity, why have the club decided to send over a committee member given that for several years they showed no interest in the Irish region? Can non-members attend the meeting?

The sudden interest was what I was wondering about.  The timing does seem curious.

As regards non-members, as far as I'm concerned this is an opportunity for non-members to hear about the club activities and to give opinions about the things that will make it worth their while to join the club.  Consider it like an open day (in fact it was attending one of these meetings in Athlone a coupleof years ago that finally made me get my finger out and join). 

For that reason, in my opinion, all are welcome.  The Board member is welcome too.  It should be a open meeting and with plenty of room on the agenda for AOB, as these meetings have before, with a full and frank exchange of views to be encouraged from all, members, non-members and board members alike.  Anthing less will only be to sweep the issues under the carpet that are on peoples minds.  That can't be helpful.

Thanks aubergine for your post

Some answers regarding the Agenda and who can attend. This is from my opening post on this thread

Quote

The meeting would be held as BMW Car Club (Irish Section) event. In light of recent happenings, lapsed members, future members, forum members are welcome.

The purpose of the meeting would be

• Discuss the role of the BMW Car Club in Ireland
• Discuss the role of the Bavarian Board forum
• Plan BMW car related events for 2007
• General discussion on what a "car club" is for
  • What inputs are expected from members
    • Financial
    • Time
  • What benefits are expected by members
    • Event Insurance
    • Magazine
    • Anything else?
  • What stucture should an Irish organisation have

I hope to begin a healthy debate on the future of BMW car related activities in Ireland, starting here on the forum and concluding with the meeting.

End Quote

If anyone has specific items for the meeting, post them on this thread or PM me

Regarding why a director is coming, this is from the "meeting" thread on the BMW Car Club Forum

Quote

Maybe it's not such a bad idea to have a rep from the club office come over. Much better than just reporting to the office after the meeting. He can go back and tell them exactly what was said etc. And if they are going to pay then fair enough. Just make sure there are food and beverages provided as well.

Richie you need to update your avatar.

Killian that "For Me" thing is fantastic. Where did you get it?

It doesn't 'sound' like that Kevin, it IS the reason why. And tis only right too, so why the concern.... Tis a region of the club, why not have representation?

And if they did issue such dictums, then fine too. Clarity is the way forward I reckon, and if they are prepared to come over & express satisfaction / unhappiness / guidance / support etc then that's good too. And if the attending members don't like it, we can express our view.

I can't see this as a threat. Sure we have the bones of a virtual carclub on this site now anyway....

A reasonable point, Kevin. But, and I'm only being devils advocate here, if they're not prepared to express opinions on the club in the presence of a club official there isn't much hope for them to create change.

Anyway, this is neither here nor there in the context of the post.

I hope to be there.

Richie wrote: Seems like its just the same ol topics up for discussion again!!!

Richie

The agenda is a draft.  Feel free to add items.  What's missing?

There seems to be some some suspicion about the presence of the board member but I thinks its a waste to be negative about it.   If anyone feels intimidated to make their views simply by the presence of such a person then the question has to be asked as to whether they feel strongly enough of their opinion?  If people have strong views about some aspect of the club or its activities, air them!

We've complained at meetings before about the disconnect between the Irish section and the board and committee.  Well, here's the chance to be heard.

The only thing I would ask of anyone that wants to contribute, please try and be constructive.  People really should have a think about the answers as well as the questions.  The leadership of the club should be driven by its members, and the members need to take a level of responsbility and ownership for what happens in the club,whether its at a local or board/committee level.  If the club is only about what others do for you then you really can't complain if it doesn't reflect your perspective or meet your needs.

Non-members or prospective members really should contribute too, and on the same terms - constructive, because their view of what the club should be is very valuable and may have the advantage of being more impartial.

I'm only here a wet week, literally, and whether my comments are worth anything or not it's up to you to decide.

If this guy to coming over to check out what is happening in the irish club, it would be nice to first see what he expects the club to be and what it should stand for. As least with him telling us this, we can structure the club better, and not be doing things with no real relevence to the club.

We might already be doing what he would like.

Yes the title AGM has been applied to the meeting.

This does not change the fact that everyone is welcome or the purpose of the meeting as so clearly stated by Dergside in his message of October 31

Hi Ger,

Must meet up for a pint and discuss prior to the meeting. I know that the owners of more aged BMWs would like support on a few things....

Thomas...

Hope it will be a constructive meeting. I was a member of the club but delayed my renewal when the mess about the message board broke and a letter from the topdog arrived. Was somewhat taken aback by that.

However I think that the club is a good thing and I can not understand some peoples position here.

I do get 10% from my BMW dealer because of membership and as I did attend some of the trackdays over in the UK I think there are worth the fees we pay.

I defenitly will be there

Since the time is fast approaching for the meeting, maybe its a good time to do a quick survey to see who is planning on attending?

I'm expecting to be there.

In Seville with work

Normally it'd be great, but I wanted to attend this.

 will i if i can make it.

Spotted that!  The guy (JH) just can't help shooting himself in the foot!  The membership (never mind the contributors) over there is a small enough group without going out of his way to alienate the few that are there!

kbannon wrote: Ger, will you still be a member by the 28th? You may be facing one of the club's 'trials' soon! Director change

Did you see my 3.40pm reply on that thread?

Stupid phone (and me) thought today was tuesday!!

Sorry blonde moment there...

Good afternoon to all of the irish members and non memebrs of the Car club.

After reading the comments ,just a note about myself, as a lot of members would like to know more about me.

I am married with two teenage daughters and been a club member for the past 5 years.  I was pleased to be voted onto the Main Board last year and hope to help promote the Club and help members, and non members alike.

My passions ,after the family, is 6 series BMW`s , and am lucky enough to own the following beauties

1989 M635 Highline Motorsport Edition  in Macao Blue with White Lotus leather and only 34000 miles and is perfect.

1989 635 CSI  Highline Motorsport in Macao Blue with Black leather and having done a full nuts and bolts restoration on her.

My latest baby is a very rare 6 series Alpina B7 Turbo in Alpina Blue with White Lotus leather. This is a truly amazing monster and has been in a private collection ,in Germany, for the past 10 years . Tried to post pictures buy without success.

My daily drive is a new Individual M6 which is in Ruby Black Metalic with Parchment leather interior. What on wonderfull machine . I was very pleased to be given the chance to watch her being built in the Dingolfing factory last January.  Three days of playing cars , brilliant.

Anyway coming over to your AGM was my idea and supported by the board .I have meet some wonderful people from Ireland at the various show I help organise ,such as the NEC Classic Car show last November. See This months Magazine  .

 Im here to listen and see how we can look forward with all of you and build a even stronger region.

Surely its all about the Mark  --  BMW Cars and the enjoyment they bring us all.

With kind regards

Ross

y

I

Ross

Nice collection of cars there!  Look forward to meeting you on Sunday.

Ross - welcome to the forum.  Nice car collection.

If you bring the M6, can I take it for a spin on the Athlone dual carraigeway?

Pleeease?

Pretty Pleeease???

Thanks to everyone who attended.

Thanks to Ger, Brendan and Kevin for chairing the meeting.

Many thanks also to Ross for making the trip from the UK.  TBH, he seems like a decent guy, and listened to our gripes wihlst contributing to the meeting as a whole.

Several mentions were made re events in 2006, and trying to set up a calander of events for 2007 (we forgot to mention Bens remapping/rolling road day, btw!)

Was great to see a few new bodies there, with new people not being afraid to contribute their ideas.  Nice to get a fresh viewpoint.

I'm sure that one of the top table will be along soon enough with minutes for those who couldn't make it.

To the drivers of the e34 and e30 (you know who you were!); might I suggest some fresh tyres to stop ye're rear ends wagging so much on the corners......

Ger and all,

Well done on organising the AGM, hopefully Ross can transfer the points across to the UK and no doubt we all eagerly await for the response from over there.

good seeing you all and talk soon.

Curley

b318isp wrote: Fey! wrote: To the drivers of the e34 and e30 (you know who you were!); might I suggest some fresh tyres to stop ye're rear ends wagging so much on the corners...... Who was that, my tyres are new?

So you were just scrubbing them in a bit, then?  Now I understand!!!

Fey! wrote: b318isp wrote: [QUOTE=Fey!]To the drivers of the e34 and e30 (you know who you were!); might I suggest some fresh tyres to stop ye're rear ends wagging so much on the corners...... Who was that, my tyres are new?

He he... I need new tyres after the drive home anyway! Although those that noticed my wheel combination have probably guessed right in so far as one set gone already! Although i also need a new exhaust after the drive home too but we wont go there...