What's Going On?
- Thread starter Guest
- Start date
ORIGINAL: pppporsche
Where are the events in Thames Valley? Who is organising things? I drove for over an hour last Sunday and there was no formal introduction by the RO. I, as a paid up member, am very dissappointed with what the club is providing me.[]
What a wonderfully helpful first post.
You get a new R/O after months in the wilderness and proceed to attack him. It is no wonder that the Club finds it difficult to attract and keep new Regional Organisers.
Understand that John will have felt aprehensive and unsure of himself and would have been worrying about the reception he would receive. Put yourself in his position and then read your post.
Guest
New member
Goeff, I have to say that you're not being even handed here - although I don't believe that is intentional. Have a look at the date pppporsche joined the forum. Now, we can't have R/Os criticising new members. Put yourself in his position then read your post.ORIGINAL: geoff ives
ORIGINAL: pppporsche
Where are the events in Thames Valley? Who is organising things? I drove for over an hour last Sunday and there was no formal introduction by the RO. I, as a paid up member, am very dissappointed with what the club is providing me.[
What a wonderfully helpful first post.
You get a new R/O after months in the wilderness and proceed to attack him. It is no wonder that the Club finds it difficult to attract and keep new Regional Organisers.
Understand that John will have felt aprehensive and unsure of himself and would have been worrying about the reception he would receive. Put yourself in his position and then read your post.
If you wonder about the email reply to PPPPORSCHE, then alow me to say that as R/O I am trying to set an example by not assisting the region washing its dirty laundry in public. There are channels, see " New Regional Organiser" through which dissaffected members can contact me descretely and allow the opportunity to redress the situation. If after a couple, and I do mean two, tries members are still unhappy with my response or the level of it, they can feel free to go public with my blessing.
I really do believe that we need to discourage, trial, or ordeal, by forum, using that aspect of the forum as a last resort.
Guest
New member
I want to take this public opportunity to thank John (924nutter) for his articulate private emails that have cleared up a number of points. I think it is a thankless task being an organiser, and I appreciate that. My anger is not at John personally, its mainly that I as a paid up member have not been told what is going on. I do feel the last 6 months of the TV region have been uneventful. I hope that this is a dawn of a new age, and there is a real energy in the region. I personally will attend events, and participate if things are organised. I do think that there should be some open dialogue about what members want to do - ideas of events.
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craig2105
New member
Hi John. If I may comment on your statement above, I can't help but feel the apparent desire to maintain some sort of secrecy has been a frustration for members like myself who don't seem to be able to penetrate a percieved clique who seem to know alot more about what's going on in the club than the rest of us. It's not particularly about doing the dirty washing in public, it's more about broader and open communication. If you can take that on board, you'll have a much happier, informed, involved and supportive regional membership.
Craig
I think the problem was not of secrecy, it was of total lack of information, not from the Club or it's officials whether they be Directors or others. Basically, no one knew what was happening.
I spent some time trying to find out including 2 calls to Fabiens house all to no avail. He did not answer his phone or return calls left on his answering machine. His mobile number was discontinued. The only clue that he was still around was that his car was being kept clean.
The outgoing Regional Diretor and the new one both tried to contact him electronicaly, by phone and by letter. No joy
The Club did not know whether he was dead, sick or sulking and had, in the end, to appoint someone to replace him. This someone is John Barnatt and I hope that Region 19 members will give him their full support. it is in their own interests to do so.
I think the problem was not of secrecy, it was of total lack of information, not from the Club or it's officials whether they be Directors or others. Basically, no one knew what was happening.
I spent some time trying to find out including 2 calls to Fabiens house all to no avail. He did not answer his phone or return calls left on his answering machine. His mobile number was discontinued. The only clue that he was still around was that his car was being kept clean.
The outgoing Regional Diretor and the new one both tried to contact him electronicaly, by phone and by letter. No joy
The Club did not know whether he was dead, sick or sulking and had, in the end, to appoint someone to replace him. This someone is John Barnatt and I hope that Region 19 members will give him their full support. it is in their own interests to do so.
Craig, I read frustation in your text, but as to what is happening in the region, I have posted everything I know about regional activities. Clearly I had advanced knowledge that I would be following in Fabien's footsteps, as I offered to represent the region late February, on the understanding that I was volunteering for genuine reasons, and not being opportunist. In order to avoid offending Fabien, the correct procedure had to be followed, which turned out to be a complete waste of time as he'd let his membership lapse in December. A further delay occured because it was felt that there was an outside chance that Fabien might change his mind once the board was re-organised, again we did not know about his membership lapsing. He was offered every opportunity to respond. Whilst this was all taking place no-one had anything concrete to tell anyone, and as is often the case, people make the assumption that a veil of secrecy had been thrown over the whole business. Yes it might have been good to let the region know how, and in which direction things were progressing; no-one knew if Fabien still had access to the forum and we have all read newspaper reports vilifying those that tell people they are out of a job by text or email. Not quite the same, as we are all volunteers, but the volunteer aspect makes things even more awkward. How do you tell a willing volunteer that their services are no longer required?
The good news is I am following up some of Fabien's remaining leads and I have some suggestions from members at the regional meeting what they would like me to try to organinse as a alternative to a polishing and shining competition in the event of worst case scenario.
jason
New member
I hope the club has learned from the handling of this RO issue.
As an outsider looking in it does look like a complete joke and for everyone outside that region (and those in it) that have no clue what this is all about very very embarrasing!!!!
Good luck in your new role John - thankless task but without the likes of you guys we'd have no club at all.
As an outsider looking in it does look like a complete joke and for everyone outside that region (and those in it) that have no clue what this is all about very very embarrasing!!!!
Good luck in your new role John - thankless task but without the likes of you guys we'd have no club at all.
craig2105
New member
Hi John
Thanks - I think I'd more or less pieced together most of this but without an "official" line being published, it's easy to fill in the gaps or speculate on what was really happening. Before we draw a line under this, the prior board had every opportunity to inform its membership that a problem was occurring (surely a lack of communication for three months is pretty conclusive?!) and that it was being dealt with. In fact, neither really seems to have happened until a few of us stuck our heads above the parapet and kicked up a fuss. OK - job done - someone willing and able is now in the chair and deserves our support. As others have said, it will be a thankless experience I'm sure, because human nature is to criticise when things are going badly rather than praise when they're going well. But take comfort in the quiet times to come 'cos you're probably doing something right!
How about we all just get on with it now?
Thanks - I think I'd more or less pieced together most of this but without an "official" line being published, it's easy to fill in the gaps or speculate on what was really happening. Before we draw a line under this, the prior board had every opportunity to inform its membership that a problem was occurring (surely a lack of communication for three months is pretty conclusive?!) and that it was being dealt with. In fact, neither really seems to have happened until a few of us stuck our heads above the parapet and kicked up a fuss. OK - job done - someone willing and able is now in the chair and deserves our support. As others have said, it will be a thankless experience I'm sure, because human nature is to criticise when things are going badly rather than praise when they're going well. But take comfort in the quiet times to come 'cos you're probably doing something right!
How about we all just get on with it now?
graham tompkins
New member
I too would like to say thanks to John for taking over what is a thankless task. All credit to him . I too drove to the Royal Berks Hotel (1 hour 10 mins as I got lost) but it was great to see a number of people and the critsism of there being no formaliy is in the cicumstances a bit harsh.....what? a marquee???? name badges????? just talk to people and amazing....it works.
Sad about Fabien as I liked him as well but he has his motives and we must respect these.
Good luck John and when I can, I will support you
Sad about Fabien as I liked him as well but he has his motives and we must respect these.
Good luck John and when I can, I will support you
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