splitpin said...
the pot calling the kettle black,your profile just like mine tells you nothing
It's not so much the lack of info in the profile, but the whinging that got under my skin, although I note that Wheelnut has finally taken my advice and put some thought into what he actually wants. It is sadly all too common for a small group of people to be left put in all the work to build up clubs and associations, organise events, and basically do the slog work that no one else wants to do. Then, to have someone just sit back and whinge about what these people are not doing for *them* is the height of arrogance. End of lecture.
So, to Wheelnut, regarding your points:-
1. Agreed. It is a bit 'motherhoody' but it needs to be stated. The association needs to be careful on the 'govern' part. I'll cover that later.
2. Agreed again. One problem in the blokart community is the number of events and the need to ensure the calendars don't clash. If the national body runs the competitions, it could find itself way to busy. In the blokarting community, competitions tend to be run by host clubs which spreads the workload. A national body could provide support and resources, but leave the detailed work to the hot club.
3. The encouragement to affiliate comes from the service the association provides. Assisting the clubs is definitely the way to go. As the first properly incorprated blokart club, I have lost count of the number of phone calls I have received from people wanting to do the same thing. A national body can provide a focal point to assist clubs in getting started. People join local clubs. Clubs join national associations. If the national association does not support the clubs, it effectively cuts off its own life support.
4. Standards are important, especially in a one design class. It was an area that was lacking at an international level. It's still not fixed, but is well on its way. Regulation is also important, especially as THEBIGC mentioned, if the association was effectively providing insurance cover to affiliated clubs. All it takes is one rogue club doing something dopey and making a claim, and all clubs suffer by either not being able to renew the policy, or renewing it with much higher premiums.
5. Absolutely. A good example is the standards setting for blokarts. The Australian rep is currently drawn from the Melbourne Blokart Club simply because we instigated the standards body, but what is appropriate is for the rep to be drawn from a body representing all clubs.
On the subject of 'govern', this can be taken two ways. Providing leadership, vision, and supporting the affiliated clubs benefits everyone. Unfortunately, some see 'govern' as control. A national body should look on its affiliated clubs in the same way a business looks on its customers rather than the way a general looks on his troops. There is no law that can force clubs to affiliate, so if a national body behaves like the general, it can spell death. A national body must be able to provide value to its affiliated clubs, otherwise they simply will not join. No club committee could justify paying over members money to a national body that does nothing for it.
You have talked of issues for people in remote areas. I am assuming you are in this situation yourself. What are the difficulties you face that are characteristic of your remoteness where you see an association can help? I don't know whether you sail a blokart or one of the Class 'x' land yachts, but I suspect the answer will influence what you see the national body as doing.
I'd hope not
