Thankyou! I was trying to 'debate' but was shot down (well, shots were fired but they missed lol)...
Trust me, I know what it is like to be a new person on a forum... for some reason, the old faces seem to be put out by new people, especially if they dare to have a mind of their own... as a student of psychology, I find the posturing fascinating....
That said, I have found some really cool, really friendly people on here already... and am loving it!
I am not one of the Friendlies and wont be attending the rally due to a prior commitment but have been part of organising rallies in the past and feel qualified to offer a few observations culled from years of both organising and attending events both bike and non bike related.
Organising any event is a lot of hard work and usually a largely thankless task.
Finding a venue is frequently difficult especially one where you can get all the licenses the bureaucrats insist on
Whoever organises and whatever they do it will never suit everyone
Lots of people have strong opinions on how things should be run, usually the stronger the opinion the less likely they are to be actually doing any of the work.
And before the responses can I just make clear I am not 'aiming' the above observations at anyone, they are things that I have learnt from years of events.
I think there is one point that applies to any volunteer organised event, if you want a different sort of event there is a very simple way to have exactly the sort of event you want, organise one.
I myself have been and am involved in organizing rallies and yes Prof your right,not everyone agrees with what the organizers have done but instead of moaning about it,take the other persons comment on board and see if it can't improve the event. Everyone has an opinion.
I'm also sure that Cissie being in a club has plenty of experience in organizing rallies herself so has some knowledge of what is involved.
Not aimed at yourself Prof,some others who are involved with the rally have had a moan in the past when suggestions have been offered.
Was worded wrong sorry,meant what you have done in general.
Not you personally.
Just edited my last post to make it read how it should of done.
Lots of people have strong opinions on how things should be run, usually the stronger the opinion the less likely they are to be actually doing any of the work.
Yes, I have found that to be true, but people who join after the organising has been discussed can still have an opinion on it surely. Organising anything is hard work...from a one night party to a full blown rally, and yes, I also appreciate that you cannot please all of the people all of the time.
And before the responses can I just make clear I am not 'aiming' the above observations at anyone, they are things that I have learnt from years of events.
Responding purely because I had something to say, NOT because I think everyone is out to get me (I should be so lucky! lol)
I think there is one point that applies to any volunteer organised event, if you want a different sort of event there is a very simple way to have exactly the sort of event you want, organise one.
Again, I agree...and have done in the past.
Thanks for the clarification Ric I was a bit puzzled.
One of the reasons I am not involved with a club or event organisation these days is the usual thing, in a club with 30 or 40 members the same half dozen people usually get stuck with all the graft of organising a do and then all the grief from people who don't like the way you did it. I got fed up of being one of the half dozen. I have come across organisers who were totally unconcerned about what other people thought but where a number are involved it usually works out to a reasonable consensus.
In general I dont think it unreasonable that the people who voluntarily put the time and effort into organising an event have the major input into what sort of event it is.
Puzzled about what Prof?
I have to agree with all you said. It was a problem in our club until we realised that until everyone had an actual role and responsibility, the work was always down to one person...who then moaned like hell about it (rightfully).
I don't think that was the original 'debate'... I for one certainly acknowledge all the hard work that must go into something like this, I was simply expressing surprise that a 'club' based around a site such as this was excluding children, and therefore, families from attending.
RustyKnight In: Newton Aycliffe
Posts: 2462
Karma:
*In general I dont think it
unreasonable that the people who voluntarily put the time and effort
into organising an event have the major input into what sort of event
it is.*
Prof with all due respect a rally needs to be a commercial success if it's to grow or continue in the future. Not paying enough attention to your customers (ie paying rally attendees) requests is like having a shop that only sells mars bars cos it's the shop keepers favourite sweet.
If the organisers are looking to make this a long term annual event it would be very wise to listen to the current requests/suggestions/ideas/opinions/debates or even arguments. It's called marketing and all successful companies or organisations put their target market at the top of the priority pile. All respect to the organisers who i've no doubt are busting their b**ls to make sure this is a success but it appears some people have tried to start discussion and been jumped on from a great height with comments such as 'we've already discussed this'. Perhaps a 'we did discuss this, it's a little late for this year but we'd be happy to listen to your comments for next years event' may appear a little more friendly
I can only speak for ourselves but when we organize our rally the work load is equally shared out.
In general I don't think it unreasonable that the people who voluntarily put the time and effort into organising an event have the major input into what sort of event it is.
I understand what your saying Prof but what i'm saying is that yes people will disagree with some decisions but instead of moaning at them,the organizers should take the time to listen to their views.
how'd on - give the organizers a break - we haven't had this first Rally yet!! Once it's been held then a post mortem can be held & lessons learned for the next one & other input greatfully received. As has been said, this was just a group of mates who decided it would be a good idea to have a big camping session which then metamorphosised into a Rally
The venue was a place that came up & seemed reasonable at the time - not knowing initially about any restrictions that would be placed on em!
RK is the aim of the rally to be a commercial success? or is it just intended as a party for a bunch of people to get together?
I have no idea, you would have to ask a Friendly. The people organising it have been working on it for several months and have presumably already committed to the booking of a site that does not cater for children. Whether they should have queried this before booking or not they didn't and it seems a bit of a moot point now.
As I said I have no axe to grind on this one as I'm not able to attend and haven't been involved in the organisation.
If you would like it to be a different sort of event and feel strongly enough about it why not join up with the Friendlies and help plan the next one?
RustyKnight In: Newton Aycliffe
Posts: 2462
Karma:
*RK is the aim of the rally
to be a commercial success? or is it just intended as a party for a
bunch of people to get together*
prof that's a very good point and i'm assuming as you seem to be that there is already a financial committment in booking a site, entertainment, stalls etc. It must be very important for the organisers at this point to at least 'break even'. It would be a real shame if the friendlys not only ended up committing their time but also their wallets so a friendly camping weekend is great but on a rally scale the numbers add up!
I haven't stated i'd like the event to be different, if that was the case I wouldn't have paid my money. I agreed with a member who was dissapointed that children weren't allowed and as I said this year I don't care cos I have no intention of taking my kids to a rally until i've seen what's available for their entertainment first. Next year my kids may be the reason for not attending either because I don't think they'd enjoy it or the organisers haven't included them.
My background is in fact in sales and marketing and I'd be happy to offer assistance to a friendly if they so desire some additional input, without charge i might add
RustyKnight In: Newton Aycliffe
Posts: 2462
Karma:
Just to add a point for anyone interested, the biking market is changing with the flood of us newbies and anyone associated with biking in any way shape or form that doesn't change with it will get left behind! Tradition is great, you remember a company called Rover I wonder. A good old traditional british institution that suddenly realised it was actually 50 not 5 years behind the times......ouch!
I think a lot of new members to Biker Match need to be reminded about the history of 'The Friendly Bikers'
A while ago, a fellow BM member became aware of a plot of land that might (or might not) be suitable for a rally or camping weekend.
A few of us in the North East/North Yorkshire area thought it worth having a look and everything seemed fine with the field.
After a few weeks of meetings, which included a hell of a lot of travelling at our own personal expense & time, the idea of putting on a rally seemed a brilliant idea especially as there was quite a bit of interest from quite a few BM members.
We have zippo experience with organising a rally, that is why we are trying to keep it small, friendly and an enjoyable experience for all. Sadly the under 16's cannot go (mine included - even though one is 16, I cannot take him and not the other!!), but this is one issue that we had absolutely no control over.
We have all tried our very best to organise something that a lot of people on this site wanted to have held, but if we have lapsed on any issue that has upset people, then we will take this on board for future events and we'll see what we can do.
All BM members were asked if they wanted to take part (sadly before some people's join date), but only a few of us took the plunge.
Constant complaining about the same old issue and the lack of acceptance to our valid (and only) reason as to why under-16's cannot attend is starting to pi$$ a few of us off. If anyone honestly thinks they can do better, or dedicate as much time and effort as we have (Cassie & I were out all day today canvassing for raffle prizes and traders) then I will look forward to going to your rally next year!
Please stop the complaining and come up with some positive feedback for a change, the record is now well worn and should be thrown away!
Help organise a fundraiser in your area or get some posters (which can be emailed) stuck up around your neighbourhood. Canvass local shops for raffle donations (in aid of the Air Ambulance & not the friendlies wallets).
If this rally is not for you, then go elsewhere and stop putting other BM members off the event due to the constant moaning!
RustyKnight In: Newton Aycliffe
Posts: 2462
Karma:
*Constant complaining about the same old issue*Respect Blueboy for that honest explanation of events. Nobody is complaining about the rally and i'm sure everyone is looking forward to it, the veterans and us newbies. Everyone understands that you must all be working very hard and it's easy to take things personally at the moment. It is after all a 'first' event and that in itself brings pressure. A small section of loads of threads involved a conversation about children not being able to attend. I used the word 'dissapointed' in my previous post purposely to avoid upsetting any of the organisers! I'd be happy to receive a poster via email to display around my town
Looking forward to having a great weekend in September ... now all we need is Debs to stop doing her rain dance (I know its her doing it cos she doesnt want to wear a dress & heels) ... your doing it even if up to your knees in mud girley
***runs & hides before CC finds me ***
dont worry shell debs cant do rain dance from now till sept she has other things to keep her occupied
tickets will be ready for posting as of this weekend, so those of you who have paid please either pm me with addresses or if you are going to be at any of the same events as any of the friendlies they can arrange to have tickets with them
![1st Ure Welcome Rally (16) - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8mobileLQ.jpg)
![1st Ure Welcome Rally (16) - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8desktopLQ.jpg)
