Strategy, Plan and Communication section

There is plenty of information in the yearly reports and accounts which is normal practice. I see the magazine recently asked for interested members with expertise to step forward and offer their services. See "Your Club Needs You" p10 Feb Magazine, you can then offer help with an organisation with a turnover in excess of £100 million!

Brue

I saw that but wonder how many members would meet the JD requirements?  Interesting that it has been advertised to open it up a bit.

I think what the Club has to ask itself is whether current communication with members is fit for purpose. If you think of the things that have been mentioned on the forum where if the Club had been a bit quicker thinking they could have stopped a lot of the often angry discussion in its tracks. Irons, washing vans, Broadway, to mention a few. It seems that the Club don't understand that these issues will cause concern. A fuller explanation of the decision rather than just an announcement would save a lot of letting off steam on here. On the plus side it would also show the Club up in a good light as showing they understand members concerns. 

David

David.  

This is not the first time the Club has asked for members to apply to be a 'Nominated Member'.  I applied last year, and was sucesful in my application.  I attended the HQ for a day (briefing / interview etc.) and have attended 2 meetings since (both on a weekend).  

There is a time commitment - and it's heavier if you are on one of the committees (which I'm not) but it's not too onerous.  I suggest that if you have a strong opinion, want to effect change, and are prepared to help the Club, you apply.  Personally I have been impressed with the working of the Club.  It's a big ship, so isn't always quick to react, but for it's size (and voluble and diverse membership)

I have been impressed when judged against many of the large corporate entities I work with in my 'day job' when not managing a CL!  

Don't stay silent..  apply for a role and get involved.  It's a club, run by its members.   Alternatively simply attend the AGM (on a Saturday in Birmingham), where you'll get plenty of chance to hear the strategy, performance and pose questions to the committe and staff.

Ted (Cholsey Grange CL)

Does any other campsite owner, travel agent, magazine publisher or insurance company that I deal with send me details of their strategic plans? Why should this one? 

Write your comments here...We are members of a Club, an annual members meeting is held, The Club's finances are discussed in detail,  THIS Club is not just another business, presumably  you are a member, the same as me.With voting rights at the annual meeting ?

Is being a member orf the Club really any different than paying £5 to join Go Outdoors?

Write your comments here...when did Go Outdoors last invite you to a meeting and discuss financial matters ??   Not the same type of arrangement. 

There is plenty of information in the yearly reports and accounts which is normal practice. I see the magazine recently asked for interested members with expertise to step forward and offer their services. See "Your Club Needs You" p10 Feb Magazine, you can then offer help with an organisation with a turnover in excess of £100 million!

Brue

I saw that but wonder how many members would meet the JD requirements?  Interesting that it has been advertised to open it up a bit.

I think what the Club has to ask itself is whether current communication with members is fit for purpose. If you think of the things that have been mentioned on the forum where if the Club had been a bit quicker thinking they could have stopped a lot of the often angry discussion in its tracks. Irons, washing vans, Broadway, to mention a few. It seems that the Club don't understand that these issues will cause concern. A fuller explanation of the decision rather than just an announcement would save a lot of letting off steam on here. On the plus side it would also show the Club up in a good light as showing they understand members concerns. 

David

David.  

This is not the first time the Club has asked for members to apply to be a 'Nominated Member'.  I applied last year, and was sucesful in my application.  I attended the HQ for a day (briefing / interview etc.) and have attended 2 meetings since (both on a weekend).  

There is a time commitment - and it's heavier if you are on one of the committees (which I'm not) but it's not too onerous.  I suggest that if you have a strong opinion, want to effect change, and are prepared to help the Club, you apply.  Personally I have been impressed with the working of the Club.  It's a big ship, so isn't always quick to react, but for it's size (and voluble and diverse membership)

I have been impressed when judged against many of the large corporate entities I work with in my 'day job' when not managing a CL!  

Don't stay silent..  apply for a role and get involved.  It's a club, run by its members.   Alternatively simply attend the AGM (on a Saturday in Birmingham), where you'll get plenty of chance to hear the strategy, performance and pose questions to the committe and staff.

Ted (Cholsey Grange CL)

Thanks for your response Ted, it makes an interesting read and it's good to hear a view from someone who is involved.

So, mixed feed-back from:

"not that interested and too complicated", "dated communications" and "we should be kept more informed" to "detail within the AGM minutes / report"; plus additional steer to be more involved.

Thanks to all for posting.

My takeaway: to be informed is good; current channels of media could be used better; and one should not expect all information to be placed in ones lap.

Have a good weekend.

Thanks for your OP Mick, it was a good one and I've enjoyed it.

Ted

Thanks for the input. As far as the JD is concerned from what I read in the magazine I might well tick many of the boxes with the experience I had in a former life. Like a lot of people I want to use my time to be out in the motorhome rather than attending meetings. I also spend enough time supporting the Club by helping to moderate this forum!!! As I mentioned I believe this forum has shown up some serious shortcomings in Club's communications with Club members. It didn't matter as much before the forum but its easy to be seen as on the back foot if matters raised here are not properly answered. What I don't understand is how the management don't see this. I have wanted to attend the AGM but I am often away, although I did attend one of the Meet the Club meetings held near to where I live a year or so ago and may well do again.

David

Not wanting to compare two very different discussion forums I have to say, after reading the new C & CC forum that they respond to questions very promptly. I believe they set themselves a 72 hr target but appear to keep well within this limit. I think the responses on here are good but often not quick enough to prevent misunderstandings etc. I wonder if some discussions where the OP is asking a specific question about the CC  should perhaps be suspended pending a reply rather than, as previously said cause upset? 

Brue

I think its difficult to judge at the moment regarding the C&CC forum because I am not sure whether the Admin members are staff or members rather like us Champions here. Charis is very good at getting back to you if you send her a PM. I have seem one of the guys with admin status answering questions but only the type any mod on here could have done. They don't seem to have had any really hard hitting questions yet. You also have to think about the background of them having on average 20 posts a day and I think Rogher said we had 350 posts on one day. Perhaps when they get to the same level of posting it will be interesting to see if they are able to maintain the speed of reply. Whilst Rowena administers Club Together my understanding is that she has other responsibilities as well probably unable to watch the forum every minute of the day. The Mods will often highlight things they think could do with an official reply but even that has  to be sought from those responsible who might not be immediately available. 

David

Yes I understand David but I thought it was quite a good approach on the part of the C & CC although as you say, easier with fewer numbers. They've also set a response time, is there one on here or is it impractical in the long term?