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  • Wanted at the agm

    What is required at the AGM are more committee Members, ! Rob our Chairman , and General do everything man, from temporary General Secretary, Web site officer , Drawings etc , is under a lot of pressure, and this is without his own commitments which are vast as well .
    So someone please come forward at the AGM or before to take on the General Secretary position, also anyone to come on as a Committee member, We need a Trials coordinator as well, there are a lot of younger Trials riders out there that could help out i am sure , it takes very little time but would really help ease the burden on existing members

  • #2
    Help Needed......

    Hi Dicky mate,

    Really enjoyed our chat on the phone today. Like I said to you earlier, your passion and enthusiasm for the club and it's continued growth and sucess is something I have always greatly respected. You care a great deal about the GRA and want to see it thrive and have yourself put an enormous amount of time and effort in over many years to that end. I know how close you and Rob are too, of course, and of all the support you try to give him in any way you can. But as you say, in the absence of people stepping forward to help the club and committee in the roles you mentioned, it seems that (again) it has fallen to poor Rob to step in to keep everything going forward.....

    All the things I said above are also totally applicable to Rob too, of course...and then some. I have never met a more passionate and dedicated Greeves enthusiast, or one who has given so much of his time, effort, considerable expertise (in many areas) and care to keep the Greeves name at the forefront of the classic motorcycling world. Of course, there are others that could be included here too, whose fantastic and unselfish contributions on behalf of the club and it's members over many years have played a huge part in the story so far. But when all said and done, I think the stark truth is that for a very long time the club has had to rely on the efforts of a small and dedicated band of people who have been prepared to put in that time and effort to keep things going, and that they have, magnificently so. This is not just the GRA either in my opinion, but I'm sure applies to many clubs and for all sorts of similar reasons.

    Having said all that, I think it should be pretty obvious from Dicky's post that help IS needed.....As such, I'd like to get a discussion going on this topic. What I'd personally really like to see is responses from people that may not post much but log on here regularly, and from people that may be new to the club and may be unsure about what's involved but that might be thinking of stepping up....All responses are very welcome, naturally, but let's not leave it to the 'usual suspects' and old hands.....Some fresh voices and perspectives would be fantastic to hear, so please please please, consider Dicky's post carefully and more importantly, why he felt he needed to post it. My intention here is not to 'brow beat' people in any way at all, but I think Dicky (and The Chairman and Committee) DESERVE a bit of response on this one...After all, the forum now has over 700 members and the club must be close to that, so surely there is SOMEONE out there who fancies getting involved.....!!

    Here's a couple of points to get the ball rolling, but feel free to take it wherever it needs to go......

    Why is it so hard to get people to step forward?

    What concerns might people have about the role(s) that need filling, and the level of commitment and time required....and could those questions be answered to show that it might not need as much as people might think....? (Many hands make light work!!!)

    Does anyone have any thoughts on this important issue.....? Anything that could help, positive suggestions and/or opinions....?

    Thank you so much to everyone reading this for giving it some thought, and for caring about the GRA and the people who work so hard on it's members behalf.

    Right.....c'mon people, let's talk about it!!

    Brian.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by dave higgins
      Well done you two, it needed saying..... but as Brian requested, lets hear from newer members & non posters to aire there views......
      Come Dave, if you look after Cornwall I will look after Northern Ireland.

      Comment


      • #4
        This seems to be a common problem! As many of you know, I am deeply involved in the 4 wheel world and hold a major position with a local motor club. The reticence of members to step forward is noticeable, so again, we rely on a core of a few people to do all the work. Even getting people out to help on events is getting difficult, you have to spend a lot of time chasing the members to give any input or help on events.
        I wish I could give a clue as to why this is, yes, we all know the yougsters are encased in a world of their own, seemingly attached to a smartphone for about 20 hours a day! Most of the club and event organisers are getting older and less able, so if these "youngsters" want our sports to continue, they will have to get off their backsides and start learning how to run them. OR face a future where they can only ride or drive round a Computer Generated racetrack. We have to do our best to get this message out there!

        Comment


        • #5
          Some good points there Brian, & as you say a problem with all clubs these days. No youngsters coming up to replace the stalwarts who are getting forever older.
          I think the GRA has an added problem in so much that its centered around comp bikes. Other clubs such as BSA, Triumph owners etc & of course the VMCC centre around road bikes which most of us 'old duffers' can still handle.
          Many newcomers to clubs seem to centre their interest on restoring & showing, & that is even more prevalent with the GRA where unless you are young & fit you are unlikely to actually ride a scrambles bike. Even active roadster members are getting thin on the ground.
          So although (from the reports we get on here) there is still a steady stream of new members it seems as though they just join for a year or so to gather info on restorations etc. They dont raise their heads or stay around long enough to serve on the committee. Also new members may feel reluctant to volunteer for official duties fearing they may 'tread on toes'! Maybe the club should actively seek new officials when new members join, with a line on the membership form asking. "Would you care to volunteer for an official duty? Have you any particular skills that could benefit the club? Could you organise an event?

          Comment


          • #6
            Some useful input there chaps and good points made.....thanks for that.

            However, I have to say that what concerns me the most is that this thread and Dicky's 'duplicate' thread on the same topic have now had between them around 230 views since being posted yesterday, but only five of us have offered any kind of response....

            For my part I'm only asking for forum members to contribute any ideas, opinions, and/or possible ways forward they may have with this issue, not so much for people to actually volunteer at this stage. As such, I'm dissapointed to see people just read it and move on....

            Is this indicative of the way actually people feel about this issue, or just that they have nothing, or at least think that they have nothing helpful to contribute (which frankly I find hard to believe.) After all, people can post ANY thoughts they have, surely, even if it's a 'repeat' of what someone else said, because at least it shows that people share those views and hopefully might provide some focus to work towards trying to find some positive ways forward.

            But to just say nothing......on a decent forum.....about an important issue like this....??

            All I know is that I personally find it very hard to understand and ultimately quite sad....sorry folks, but there it is.

            C'mon people, this is your club, and clearly it would benefit from some support, solidarity, clubmanship and some fresh thinking and ideas right now....so how about it!!

            Brian.

            Comment


            • #7
              As one of the 230 people who have viewed this thread but not responded here goes.

              Some background - Member since 1985, Committee member, Regalia sec, General sec, AMCA co-ordinator, Leading-Link editor, Triumph-Greeves marque specialist.

              This is not the first time that the club has faced the dilemma of members coming forward to fill committee positions. I stuck my hand up at the 86 AGM and it lasted until 2003. Sorry I can't offer a solution it's not much of a response really either.

              Unfortunately, I won't be at the AGM this Sunday. I feel sure things will sort themselves out and the club will continue to prosper. Good luck to all.

              Comment


              • #8
                On the other hand Brian, 230 views on a forum that is by any criteria somewhat 'specialist' should be a source of encouragement.

                I can very much sympathise with the comments and sentiments above, but would suggest that the GRA is not alone in depending on a core of passionate individuals. My other passion is river trout fishing (hence the daft forum name)and it is exactly the same story in the 3 clubs I am involved in ie 99% of the work is done by 1% of the members. Unfortunately I have yet to find a solution to that. I guess it is no more complicated than the old adage...I used to be apathetic, now I can't be bothered....

                But let me go on record here. As a new member I am blown away by the generosity, goodwill and positivity of committee members and forum contributors, and by the knowledge of members and their enthusiasm to share it. I know it can feel a thankless task at times, but keep in mind that many of us would be floundering in isolation, or indeed doing something else, without the supportive framework you guys have built.

                Enough of the hyperbole. On to a suggestion - or support of the implication made earlier between Dave H and Craig- Regional GRA groups. An opportunity to meet up, perhaps generate local events, and create a bit of inter region rivalry / support. it may also devolve some of the committee responsibilities too.

                Paul

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi Brian, just caught up with your post and empathise with all that’s been said so far, especially so with our hard pressed leaders. I’m obviously out of touch as I’d no idea that matters at the top were so desperate. I can only put my ignorance down to moving house last September whereupon my “To do list” expanded from a one sided sheet of A5 to an endless toilet roll, so my attentions have been placed elsewhere. Even the Hawkstone, due for a total winter rebuild, still languishes in the garage untouched!
                  Having got my excuses out of the way I wonder if it might help to publish the level/s of commitment required for such vacancies. For instance – anticipated hours per week, month or year necessary. Frequency and location of committee meetings. Level of support available from other committee members via phone or email. Please feel free to add to this.

                  I’m afraid we can talk about it endlessly but at the end of the day it’s action that will see the matter resolved......... or not, as the case may be. See you Sunday.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Soggy Welly View Post
                    t.
                    Enough of the hyperbole. On to a suggestion - or support of the implication made earlier between Dave H and Craig- Regional GRA groups. An opportunity to meet up, perhaps generate local events, and create a bit of inter region rivalry / support. it may also devolve some of the committee responsibilities too.
                    Paul
                    There are at present two regional groups meeting monthly
                    The Solent Group meeting at Samuals Rest, Shedfield, Southampton
                    and The Cambridge Group meeting at The Lord Byron, Trumpington, Cambridge
                    (full details & dates in LL)
                    Whilst I can only speak for the Cambs group I must say that we get very small attendance, at most six (which include two British Two Stroke Club members who share the venue) but usually only two or three. We know of other Greeves owner living locally but they never appear, we do though occasionally get member PeteNev along from Essex. Whilst this does not solve the problem of club officers it does show that there is little interest in face to face meetings of members/Greeves owners. We don't insist on seeing membership cards as we meet in the bar. We are mostly road bike members & annually run a Classic & Vintage bike day in support of the Cambridge Museum of Technology . Its on Sunday 25th June 2pm till 5pm
                    Last edited by John Wakefield; 30/03/2017, 11:32 PM.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hi Dave, good to hear from you, no offence taken at all and in many ways your original statement is well placed. I thought that once I'd retired then I'd have time for all sorts of things. Maybe one day I will, at present it's not working out quite like that. Missed the first meeting of the year at Marks Tey, but plan to complete in as many as possible thereafter. Four weekends on the trot from Easter, culminating in the 100 miler at Mortimer. See you there, if not on Sunday!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Thanks all for the additional responses and input, very much appreciated.

                        Adrian; Great to have your views mate, and to hear a little of your latest news etc. Re the topic in hand, I quite agree on the job-spec suggestion, as I alluded to in my original post on this thread. Having said that, Rob did of course give some indication of what the secreatry role entails on this thread (http://greeves-riders.org.uk/forums/...ead.php?t=5917) but not a single response was posted....

                        Phil; Just to be clear, please don't think my comments re '230 views' were in any way aimed at you.....you should know that! In my opinion you are very much a 'contributor', and a highly skilled, experienced, respected and valued one at that....and you should know that too!!

                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        When all said and done, I just wish more forum members would get involved and be a bit more 'social', as I believe it works best when it's 'interactive', and an online community can be easily erroded by lack of input....regular posters can get discouraged and it's always the same voices/opinions/ideas and perspectives.....I can appreciate that some members may feel that they lack the 'technical' knowledge to contribute something they feel is useful, or simply may feel a little 'intimidated' if they are new to things. As such I think everyone on here tries hard to make people feel welcome and comfortable to join in, by and large, and it doesn't stop people being friendly and acknowleging a thread they've found useful or informative, or from asking questions. This is where some of the best threads we have on here have started, with a simple question by a newcomer. Friendships too, and all with little more than a 'Hello, this is me' post, that have led to long term and valued contacts being forged. Surely, it's just trying to be a good clubman, supporting each other in a common interest and sharing the fellowship, help and goodwill around. All of this is directly applicable to the topic of this thread too!!

                        OK folks, I've had my say, for what it's worth...and thank you for listening. My main goal on this thread was to try and support Dicky's original post and it's aims, and Rob too, and in that respect I think my work here is done. Thanks again to all that responded and contributed their views.....Let's hope that we see some 'new blood' joining the committee this weekend and some help for our hard working Chairman and Committee.

                        Brian.
                        Last edited by Brian Thompson; 31/03/2017, 04:14 PM.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks to all who have responded to the bit i put on the Forum , we will get through this situation i am sure and the Secretary s job is not that much to do as Rob can point out to anyone that comes forward lets see some hands up on Sunday please , and these may come from the other 220 who cruise the Forum !! Yes we do have a Solent branch as well, better ask Mike Norris about that as he lives 5 miles from this venue ?

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Chaps,

                            Thanks for all the kind words. There is no crisis, we are just trundling along. I haven't joined in earlier because I've been busy preparing for the AGM and trying to build a bike for my son to ride in the Land's End this Easter! I've been sorting through my junk piles expecting everthing to have weathered somewhat but I'm pleaseantly surpised! I was after a primary chaincase and eventually found one. Then today, I found another 3!

                            Anyway, the secretary job is OK, the main job is minuting the roughly 4 times a year meetings we hold at Kidlington. The ACU licence numbers need to be given out but these are spread across several weeks and literally takes minutes to cut and paste a number on to an email. Various bits come from the ACU but they rarely affect us.

                            For Dave's info (and as Adrian says), I thought retirement would give shed loads of free time. As it is, I put in longer hours now than when I was working! Alarm goes at 0615 hrs every day apart from non-riding Sundays and then it is 0700 hrs!

                            The biggest drain on my time can be the drawings as they take some sorting out!

                            As I said earlier, there is no crisis, I'm not throwing my Teddy out of the workshop or anything. However, it would be nice to have a secretary though (and I don't mean a 22 year old blonde called Krystal with big, err, smiles, either before the usual suspects pipe up!) However, err, no, that will do on that subject but you know what I mean!

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