Ideas & Suggestions for the future of the MMOC

[Judge]

What was your opinion of the official MMOC calendar Leafie?

Bill Hewlett
Web Editor/Moderator

[leafie]

It was in aid of charity I believe, and it did generate quite a bit of publicity including a ten minute piece on the local TV news.

After 9 pm I hope.

Leafie

[leafie]

What was your opinion of the official MMOC calendar Leafie?

To my shame only seen the front cover Bill

Leafie

[FrankM83]

I agree that calendar was a good idea to get money for charity I don'tthink it was meant to attract the younger generation but I think if MMOC needs to attract younger generation something like Robin's said need to be done also I beleive there was once a young owners Register?

[Judge]

Perhaps the younger members on here could suggest, for example, a calendar that might attract the younger generation?

[alex_holden]

Bearing in mind that we don't only want to attract young men!

[Robins]

On the news! thats why parent cover their childrens eyes when a moggie drives past Seriously though didn't realise the main club had absolutly nothing at all to do with it, didn't read the article, no promotion for the club was atempted then? glad they made money for charity.
So this official calendar then, why is it so secrative as to the contents, a selction of small pics would be good, the image on the cover and the description on the website don't really help. for all I knew the lancashire lot could have got a pic or two in there.

[jonathon]

I'm a bit baffled about this thread. I agree with almost everything that has been said so far but find it brings back many issues that have cursed this club for over 15 years or so, at a time when I left the club, disillusioned at its direction and head in the sand attitude.
I was encouraged by Bill and others to re join the club and try to make positive changes 'from within'. Any of rants over the issues I had with the club were met with the words' have you written this to the committee' as its the only way to get your voice heard.
Many open criticisms made on this forum were quickly deleted or required to be amended. Now the very person who initiated my rejoining and letter writing finds himself in a similar position, but he had been a major figure within the club and the committee, yet still could not make his arguments and suggestions for the future path of the MMOC heard.
So now Bill's back in the position of 'fighting ' from the 'outside', and had this thread been written a year ago it would have been locked as it contravenes the T and C's.
I'm pleased that Bill still has the energy, resolution and commitment to peruse his ideals from a position outside the committee, and hope that he appreciates the frustration that those writing a year or so felt, when faced with a 'stone wall'.
Will this thread achieve change ? I certainly hope so, but despite the very valid arguments/ideas illustrated so far on this topic I fear not, 20 or so regular writers are a drop in the ocean compared to the relatively silent yet content other 12,000 members.
I really hope that I am proven wrong.

[Judge]

Positive and proactive suggestions, aimed at improving our club surely cannot contravene the T&C's, and that hopefully is how my postings are viewed. They are certainly not intended to 'slag' anybody off, simply to encourage new ideas that may benefit the club.

It is true there are relatively few regular writers, but I believe that there are a considerable number reading the postings of others, and some are seemingly being encouraged to register as a result of this

[jonathon]

Well that's what I used to think a while back Bill, but received some sharp rebukes.
I'm certainly not criticizing you or anyone else who pass comment, its purely saying , 'been here before' years ago and absolutely nothing has changed.
I'm in full support of this thread and hope it has a positive outcome.
I have not said that this had become 'slagging off' thread.

[jon1739]

I can't help but agree with much of what Jonathon has just written, but I do hope that this discussion can lead to changes within the club. I will be putting something into the May issue, sadly April's has just gone to press but I would lke to include other peoples comments so rather than remove stuff myself and upset anyone who doesnt want to appear in print can anyone that would like to contribute please email me your comments to jon@poundbury.co.uk

I do think that many people are simply in the club because they use the insurance and possibly out of habit and because there isn't another club. I have heard a number of quite well known people from within the scene discussing an alternative but whether this would ever come to fruition I'm not sure, if it does however this will probably be the push that the club needs to pull its finger out and bring itself bang up to date.

Re the charity calender I personally think this was a great idea to gain some publicity and raise some cash for charity, for next year I plan to do one using young ladies from 18-30 any volunteers

[Orkney]

Perhaps the younger members on here could suggest, for example, a calendar that might attract the younger generation?

Plastic Orange & Robins would be the ones to speak to about that

Going out on a limb here, but i dont think i'll be renewing my subscription to the club, whole reason i joined was to get an insurance deal which ive since learned can be gotten for same or less elsewhere.
Spent the best part of the last lord knows how long enocuraging new people on here to join and find self asking why?

As an individual your voice isnt heard on any opinion, yet even here as a 'collective' us lot aren't even worth a mention in the rag.

Will this thread achieve change ? I certainly hope so, but despite the very valid arguments/ideas illustrated so far on this topic I fear not, 20 or so regular writers are a drop in the ocean compared to the relatively silent yet content other 12,000 members.

Think your right J, and the frustration is infuriating, this is about the best - most useful car specific forums there is and the club isnt intersted in the role it plays

[Judge]

Please don't misunderstand as I feel that there have been some very positive feedback as a result of this thread, but unfortunately there have also been some negative comments too.

Please lets try to get back on course, and encourage positive debate on a subject which I think is important to all of us.

[coogee]

Hi all. I am 17, I passed my driving test yesterday and I drive a Morris traveller. I agree with a lot of the points raised on this topic and that we need to get younger people interested in the Morris Minor. When chatting to college friends they think of it as a old mans car and that it is not cool, we need to change peoples assumptions of the Morris Minor and that it isn’t just a old mans car.
A few years ago the MMOC was evolved in the Lord mayors show and most or all the drivers where over the age of 35.
I’m not sure how to get young people interested in these great cars. Maybe we need to approach the surfing community to promote the minor and possibly approaching a surfboard magazine and ask if they could advertise the minor with a surfboard- just ideas.
Sorry if I offended any one, just my personal opinions .

Phil

[leafie]

If the club wants the views of under 30’s why not book a venue and ask members under 30 to come along.
Ask them what they want from the club and what would they do to attract people in their age group to join.

I’d be willing to help with the organisation if asked.

Leafie

[mickessex]

Lord mayors show and most or all the drivers where over the age of 35

35 isn't old!

Change is always healthy within any organisation, not many businesses would survive without adapting to current needs and trends. And indeed their target age groups.

There appears to be a need to appeal to three different groups, i.e. 60+,
30 - 60,
the under 30's
(+/- 5 in each group).
And not forgetting allowances for male and female members.

A mammoth task to please everybody, but I'm sure it can be done.

I'm not what you'd call a regular poster, but I am a regular user, I log-on nearly every day and read the posts, which I find very educational and sometimes extremely amusing.

The website and these forums deserve much more publicity than they are currently exposed to.

I'm trying to come up with some ideas to put forward on changes and promotion of the club.
I'll be back!

Mick

[mickessex]

why not book a venue and ask members under 30 to come along.

One of the main problems with national clubs is distance, Where do you hold a meeting that suits the travelling distance needs of everyone?
The Answer: You cannot.

Why not try to organise something a bit different, Something that is accessible to almost everyone under 30, something online.

Not given it much thought yet but, why not set something up an independant thread or some form of live chat. It can be set-up to run over say two days in ay 6 weeks time, giving everyone a chance to take part. It could be advertised in as many places as possible to maximise exposure.

I'm sure with some thought I could set something up that would work.

Just a thought
Mick

[jonathon]

Why not put a 'flyer' on every car at this years National informing or inviting anyone who is in the 35 or less bracket to a meeting on the friday or saturday evening around a camp fire/bar or where ever. Impromptu meeting but probably quite useful.
I'm intending on doing the same thing with the traders in an attempt to improve the quality of parts and discuss the broad aims of the working group

[Kevin]

Hi all just to let you know that the committee has become aware of this thread and are concerned that some remarks contravene number 9 of the terms and conditions.
I think Lou's idea of approaching Minor Matters with the concerns raised here is a good idea and it wont do any harm to send a copy also to the committee via Cam as our representative.
We must try and keep this thread on track and not criticize the club direct as some valid ideas have appeared.
I like the enthusiasm for trying to get more younger members on board and a point I wasn't aware of before is that newer members finding us through the web regard this site as the MMOC rather than the magazine which is an aspect I hadn't thought of before so the website is proving to be quite effective in this area.
So to sum up please try and avoid contravening the T & C otherwise the thread will be locked just as it is generating some useful thoughts.

[bigginger]

For info:
9. You agree not to negatively comment on the MMOC, and MMOC services, any MMOC official or any MMOC member in any way.

Them's the rules
a