Preparing for the 2008 AGM

[Judge]

As far as I am concerned members have the right to have any questions they ask answered, However as far as I am aware, a number I have asked personally still remain unaswered.

[Squiggle]

As far as I am concerned members have the right to have any questions they ask answered, However as far as I am aware, a number I have asked personally still remain unaswered.

Now's the time to ask again perhaps. ie at the AGM.......

Are we assuming the questions will be put to the relevant people in time for them to research/check info and present responses at the AGM?

But, if you mean yours are personal.......that might be more difficult if you wish them to remain private/personal, unless they can be asked in a general way.

I really hope this all works. I feel it could be very positive.

And I do hope it stays friendly.

[jonathon]

just a thought. When I raised an objection to an issue with the MMOC a while back, I obtained a petition of around 12 signatories and presented this, however from what I remember this was only viewed as one complaint. Not sure how this response would effect the compilation of the proposed survey here Bill.

[Judge]

Perhaps this is the first question I should ask. However does this mean that in a similar fashion the Prime Minister regards all of the petitions handed in at Downing Street in the same way

[jonathon]

more than likely

[simmitc]

Just to stir things up a bit (as if that were needed):

1) I am not a member of the MMOC Committe, but I have sat on working groups.
2) The MMOC does, in my opinion, an excellent job.
3) There are many thousands of members who do not participate on this forum, but who should still be considered.
4) This forum is a valuable source of information.
5) Over the past 20+ years I have asked numerous questions of MMOC Directors and Officers. All have been answered courteously, promptly, and fully - even when some have been very probing about issues of company law; or one that was critical of a decision taken at an AGM.
6) I have found every member of the MMOC Committee to be friendly, enthusiastic, and approachable.
7) I have been involved with many clubs, companies, and organisations; and can assure you that the MMOC is run as well, if not better, than many other units. It is not a sole trader able to take instant decisions; but has to take a long term view for the future of the cars.
In a large group of people there will always be differing opinions - some on this forum have been critical of the Clowns. I found them very good, and the joy on the faces of the children was a wonder to behold. However, I still respect the views of others, but that doesn't mean that the most vocal are automatically right - often the reverse is true!
9) The AGM is a valid forum at which to ask questions, but is often constrained by time. If you have questions then write to the club. If you have proposals then discuss them at Branch level and see what other members think - your Branch Officers can take them to area meetings, and by the time it gets to an AGM you could have full support, or know that you are in a minority.
10) The MMOC has a great many dedicated, talented and selfless people working for it, giving up their free time to help others. I'm sure that new volunteers would be welcomed, so don't be backward in coming forward.
11) I hope that this does not sound too preaching or soap-boxish. I've tried to set down some thoughts on which others can ponder. I have not commented on the National Rally as this thread is about the AGM; but I would say that in my experience the shows that offer the best value for money are those organised by people who are interested in them, rather than outside companies whose prime concern is how much profit they make.

Best wishes to all.

[Judge]

Just to stir things up a bit (as if that were needed):

You said it,

"but that doesn't mean that the most vocal are automatically right - often the reverse is true!

[Judge]

In view of simmitc's post, I think I should clarify that this survey is not designed to 'stir things up'. Hopefully, it will result in a better understanding of how the club is perceived by members and non members alike, and what, if any, steps are required to improve that perception.

[millerman]

Simmitc very good post.

At the risk of going slightly off thread, please MMOC Committee post an occasional reply to the criticism and to the suggestions for improvement which are often posted on this message board.
I am sure this would have the effect of defusing the criticism of the Club through members ignorance of what's happening at committee level

[jonathon]

Think I'd probably agree with you Simmitc, the club does do many things well and the dedication of voluntary help cannot be praised highly enough.
This survey is though by its very nature limited to those who make use of the message board, currently just under 4500 people. The AGM usually only has 100 attendees out of a possible 12,000 plus members, and last year a quarter of this group were from this message board. So in effect we represent quite a substantial influence.
I personally feel that the main discontent at the moment centers around communication, which the MMOC is not always good at, which tends to alienate some members who then feel that their input is wasted or at worst ignored.
Sometimes a simple question deserves a simple quick answer, and by offering this message board facility, giving a near instant response to almost any question, we could be seen to be spoilt . Maybe the MMOC could look into supplying some form of 'fast track 'answers.
I 'm afraid that I totally disagree with you, re the National rally. Pro event organizers can take away the nitty gritty of event management, freeing up the dedicated volunteers to concentrate on specific club roles, there is no reason why the two elements cannot work together.
It must surely be more relaxing for all concerned to just have to populate an event, organized to the satisfaction of all, rather to have one where certain major areas of discontent crop up year after year.
I do thank all of those volunteers who gave up their valuable time and efforts to produce this years National.
I think commitment is demanded from both members and the committee to ensure the longevity of this club and the promotion of our favorite car.

[Judge]

Whilst a member of the committee myself, I did suggest this.

[Judge]

Good post Jonathon. Although I must admit that I have reservations about hiring professional event organisers.

[jonathon]

Well you can't be right all the time Bill

[Judge]

So true. Sometimes seemingly never

[Judge]

If a survey is carried out, and I personally believe this would be a good idea for all aspects of the club, as you say, there must be a commitment from those involved if the events of last years meeting are not to be repeated.

There seems to have been a definite slowdown in the responses to this topic since my above posting. Does this indicate a lack of commitment?

[Squiggle]

If a survey is carried out, and I personally believe this would be a good idea for all aspects of the club, as you say, there must be a commitment from those involved if the events of last years meeting are not to be repeated.

There seems to have been a definite slowdown in the responses to this topic since my above posting. Does this indicate a lack of commitment?

I haven't had any notification of responses from MMOC threads for a couple of days. Maybe others haven't either

I thought everyone had gone to Glastonbury.

Might have intermittent problems this end with ISP.....

Odd. I'll check 'manually' daily.

Where were we?

Emailing you with issues/questions to take to AGM.
Or was it posting first and sending you a PM copy with membership number etc?

Are we going to compile a list?

[Judge]

If you simply email them to me with the individuals details, I will collate and forward them to the committee.

However I must admit to being concerned that the commitment aspect may have something to do with the lack of further posts.

If so, I do hope that there will be no further comments if members and non members alike are disappointed with any future MMOC events.

[Squiggle]

If you simply email them to me with the individuals details, I will collate and forward them to the committee.

However I must admit to being concerned that the commitment aspect may have something to do with the lack of further posts.

If so, I do hope that there will be no further comments if members and non members alike are disappointed with any future MMOC events.

It might be to do with holiday time and other commitments.......

Or maybe they ARE still at Glastonbury

Who said 'Patience Furer Cat'?

Monty Pythonism?

[LouiseM]

However I must admit to being concerned that the commitment aspect may have something to do with the lack of further posts.

Well the AGM is still almost 5 months away I don't know what I'll be doing or where I'll be working next week let alone at the end of November but will certainly attend if I am able to do so.

The site is visited by both MMOC members and non - members. Those members that belong to a branch already have a system in place to enable them to forward their views about the club to the Committee. Presumably Bill's liaison role is between the Committee and the members on here who don't belong to a branch, which will be a relatively small number of people. Those that aren't MMOC members would, I imagine, not be overly concerned as to how the club is run in any case so probably don't feel the need add to this post.

Those that had comments to make about the National have already made them so there is no point in duplicating them and I'm sure that by now the Committee are generally aware of the contents (the rally organiser has visited the site fairly regularly).

There was a good turnout from the site at last year's AGM and views from here were collated (a month or so beforehand) and forwarded to the Committee. There's no reason to think that there won't be the same level of support this year but it does seem very early to start thinking about the AGM. Do we want a thread that will be running for months that people will get bored with and stop reading? Also if the same few people keep bringing up the same subjects then it could give the impression that personal agendas are involved and might put people off. Far better I think to have a more focused thread nearer the time. I just think that it's a little too early to start a thread on this subject.

Anyway I've had my say - off to see Morrissey at Hyde Park (not quite Glastonbury but I'm sure the toilets will be comparable)

[jonathon]

well maybe those who have suggestions either way, have taken Simmite's, Mary's or Ray's suggestion and contacted the committee directly.
If they have, then it would be great to hear the response, if they have not, then its a shame that the request for a dedicated, and targeted survey will be wasted.
I still find it disgraceful (chosen carefully) that out of 12,000ish members, that if you remove the branch officials from the attendees at the AGM you are only left with around 50 club members. So if members wish to add their input for or against specific topics this is the time to do it.
Agree with your last two points as well Bill.
Louise , I see your point about timing and the specter of personal agendas. However some points such as the publishing of the AGM agenda prior to the meeting itself would need to be submitted within good time. Whether, this change can be effected before the AGM ,or needs to be approved at the AGM I don't know, but it would be useful to have a feeling of the members opinions.