Is it time for a virtual committee?

[Ru88ell]

My concerns regarding viewing pictures directly from a forum post, without logging in, are mainly directed towards guests and non- members who are not registered and cannot therefore access the photo albums. It always seems a pity that they are unable to see some of things we have done with our boats and are talking about in the posts. It means that only a handful of us ever view them and the vast majority of visitors to the site just pass on. Perhaps going to the “flicks” will change that?

Regards,
David Peck
CC94 Whistling Rufus

Simon's view is that our images are worthy of a £25 membership premium. I dispute that. We'd have far more income as a class if we opened it up and actually did some things to actually make us look like one that people would join. I know of people here who use the forum but won't pay as there is no value. At the moment we are nothing but a small handful of owners operating unilaterally.

We are now at or beyond 30 registered, ie, paid up, members. That should kick off a debate about moving from a one man show to at the very least a small team running the class. I don't want to do what Simon 'does'. There's no place for all the power to be vested in one individual, and I don't want to do that. What we need is a handful of members to operate a virtual committee. We don't need to meet up. We don't need to talk for hours and hours. We just need to take over the class from Simon, who by all accounts must be the busiest man on the planet or had totally lost interest. Either way, after the last wrangle I think you'll agree that nothing has changed. The website is still an embarrassment. We still have a tiny number of owners visiting here. The wider ownership has no idea we exist. There are no events planned. There is no newsletter.

If you don't want to put anything on the forum just send me a pm. If we can get three or four people wiling to discuss how we can take the class forward we can. Simon wanted to give it up last year but I didn't want it with all the strings attached. As long as members sit on their hands I'm afraid this class is doomed to continue in this vein for some time to come. Using Flickr to get a wider audience is just a minor workaround.

[Dennis]

I agree 100%.

[erbster]

Agree, Russell.

I have not joined the class association, as I don't see what benefit it would bring. Had more or less decided to join the Old Gaffers Association instead, and join in some of their events. (For example my wife, kids and I were made to feel very welcome and enjoyed the much the festival at Hoyhead last August Bank holiday).

For a class association succeed, it needs the input of a team of people. Would be happy to take part/help/contribute if the CA could provide something more than (a very useful) advice forum for CC owners (ie events, trips, newsletters, etc)

[Dennis]

Hello Russell

This thread seems to have wandered off the original topic somewhat.

Have you the power to move the recent posts re association membership etc. to a new thread?

[David Hudson]

But it is going inexorably in the right direction.

An interested party

[Ru88ell]

Hello Russell

This thread seems to have wandered off the original topic somewhat.

Have you the power to move the recent posts re association membership etc. to a new thread?

Yes. It would appear so.

[Chris Wicks]

We could and should be able to do more to promote this class of boat and I would support greater activity although I'm unlikely to turn up with Kaliope in the UK or northern Europe in the near future... I would be willing to be part of a committee if it helps...

[Simon Head]

Hi Russell

I have no problems with a virtual committee.

You have full admin access to the forum, as well as the new wordpress site.

You have everything you need to migrate the site. Why have YOU not done it (you have more Wordpress experience than I). I have been very busy managing a large IT project this year.

Whatever you need to get it done let me know.

There are, as you must agree no strings attached now.

Regards

Simon

[Dennis]

Hello Simon

I notice you have edited your post, removing the reference to Russell "wrestling" the forum from your control.

I cannot find any post referring to this.

[Ru88ell]

I've emailed Simon to request the passwords, etc, for the forum, email accounts and websites - both current and proposed Wordpress.

I'll post something soon to those who have expressed an interest in forming this loose, virtual, committee so that we can move forward. There will be a Committee section appearing on the forum as soon as I can work out how to do it.

We all recognise the work that Simon put into this to get the class to where it is today. Hopefully we can work together to make a smooth transition. The forum content and Simon's many contributions to it will be a legacy for current and future owners to enjoy. Thank you Simon!

Russell