Is the club online?

[Lee Moore]

Febuary 2017 I posted about the forum being “a bit quiet” now over 2 years later I suspect the forum is used even less!

I realise the world is changing and maybe other “social media” is more popular although I dont think this would be the case for this club. I recently discovered the club facebook page which it seems has not been used for a number of years – i posted something although I doubt it will ever be seen by a club member. Instagram was even worse!

I am guessing that the “core” of the club are probably not online for one reason or another. Maybe for some its a generation thing? Or maybe just not interested? There are probably numerous reasons for individuals not being online, however the club should have a bigger online presence than it currently does and is therefore failing to some degree.

I have also heard it suggested that the club can be “elitist” and not interested in anything or anyone not directly within the inner circle? I know some feel that some models are almost considered not worthy and therefore owners of some cars feel a bit uncomfortable, for me this seems crazy as I think it could be argued that most Maserati’s ever produced could be described as not a pure or true Maserati.

Even if this were true, surely there are sufficient Maserati owners / members who are outside such a group that things could progress?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Or agree / disagree?

Appologies if this has become a bit of a rant.

[profchristopher-green]

Well now

The social media side I have mixed views on how this should progress but on the paragraph starting “I have also heard it suggested….”     I AGREE

I am not elaborating presently here other than  than to say if there was a general or specific number of members agreeing with the sentiments expressed  then one should try to effect change.

I would be one of them.

 

 

[Lee Moore]

Thanks for replying.

I wouldnt claim to have any real answers but do feel more needs to be done to improve the online presence.

I also feel work is needed to engage with members accross the board.

Given the extract above from the club website it does seem a shame that some members perceive, rightly or wrongly that they are less important.

There will always be a core of active members, sub-groups and cliques but if a club wants to survive and hopefully thrive it should cater for all its members, especially if it is happy to take membership fees from them.

I realise it is always far easier to point out thing that we dont like than come up with solutions.

[John Bennett]

As Chairman I don’t see any clique or groups within the Club that would cause anyone to feel excluded.  In fact we are making a big effort to welcome Members attending their first event and to make them feel at home.  New Members are also getting a little priority when it comes to booking events though, that said, they still need to be quick in getting an application into the organiser.  Booking early is a point we have made over and over again.

I’m not sure what cars would be seen to be unworthy!  At the recent Nene Valley Meeting there was everything for an early 3500 Spyder to a selection of moderns.  All mixed up and taking part together.

If anyone has an issue come speak to me and let’s get the culprit trained in good manners and common sense.

John Bennett – Chairman

01620 895 256

[Lee Moore]

Thank you for the reply.

I suspect as Chairman you could possibly be less aware of how some members may perceive things. I fully appreciate that friendships etc are formed. Also it should be expected that any group of people will be exactly that a group, with a mix of personalities.

I have met some nice people within the club but have also encountered a few that seem less than warm. It way well be a weakness on my part however, I am aware of others that have sometimes felt the club is not as approachable as it should be.

Maybe it would help if the club was involved in some less formal events, or regional meetings? Maybe they it already is?

How many members does the club have? How many of them attend events?

How do members communicate? I would have expected more communication on the forum?

My intention is not to be negative but to hopefully engage in some discussion which would help the club feel more inclusive and possibly even be better?

[Graham Wood]

Hi Lee,

Unfortunately, with a membership of just under 700 the forum is never going to have the ‘buzz’ of some of the other more ‘public’ forums.

We try hard to promote the forum, but you are probably right that many members are not that engaged in an online presence. As members can now only join through the website, I am sure this will change over time.

For less formal ‘regional’ events, we just need volunteers to take these forward.

The club cannot change without members voicing views on how they feel the club is perceived, so great you have done so.

I look forward to seeing this topic grow!

 

[profchristopher-green]

I have just deleted a very very long contribution agreeing with Lee Moore on many points with personal and other member examples of the points made and suggestions for change  but decided  it was not the correct  way to comment yet  .  I am now intending to ring the Chairman as the offer has been made above.

I am an active member of two other clubs one car, one bike and they are sovery  different– I do believe there are reasons for this and   valuable discussions to be held to improve the Club.

Tradition is a true and valuable part of society( and de facto a Club)  but so is Change- Over the last 8 years I joined and left and then rejoined in the interim I would suggest very  little has really changed.

Chris Green

 

 

[Lee Moore]

Chris,

Thanks for taking the time to respond, I would agree that that the approach you are suggesting is the right one.

I too joined the club left and rejoined, I did think long and hard before posting about this but decided it worth doing.

The intention was not to be negative but instead hopefully provoke some thought or conversation.

The forum appears to only have a small number of active members, I have no idea if others visit but do not post. Would there be any merit in somehow engaging with the membership as a whole to see if other members have any thoughts or suggestions?

Kind Regards

Lee

[profchristopher-green]

Lee

I am going to try and get hold of the Chairman tomorrow

I have asked Graham Wood for the procedure for committee nomination and election etc.

If there was a committee member tasked to review the present and also review “change” to put forward suggestions for membership vote / adoption  including allowing  anonymous  returns or all held “in camera”  I would be up for that or perhaps it has to be done by gearing Elected then expression and influencing at Committee Meetings (too slow?)

Anyway will ring the Chairman

Chris

[Lee Moore]

Would be interested to know how this went.

[John Bennett]

Lee,  I spoke to Chris and we talked through the issues he had which were rather upsetting as my feeling is that the Club is very open to newcomers.  We’ve just spent three months improving the way we greet new members and it’s counterproductive if we then don’t look after existing members who want to come to events for the first time.

The procedure for joining the Committee is in the Club Articles that are available to view on the website.  There is no formality in becoming a Committee Member and nominations are accepted at any time subject to approval by the Board (Chairman, Secretary and Treasure).  The AGM agenda does ask for nominations and they can come from the floor though it is easier for me if I have some notice.  I’m hopeful that Chris will come onto the Committee and possibly undertake a task or two.  Similarly I’d welcome one or two more Members joining us.  Meetings are every two months and held at Henley-on-Thames at 4.30 p.m.  Afterwards we have a light supper and a more social chat.

John Bennett  01620 895 256  [email protected]

[Lee Moore]

Many thanks for the update.

As you say hopefully some “new” people will get involved in the committee and events, which I would hope help things along. It is easy for people to be put off and therefore not want to get attend events  or participate it club events. However if the club is aware that sometimes this could be happening, things will improve and the club and all its members will benifit.

Would just like to add that I have met some great people both through the club and Maserati ownership.

Hopefully we can get some more people involved in the forum etc too!

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