Well Daz and I travelled up to Donnington yesterday for the RSOC Local Groups Meeting which preceeds the AGM on the following day. A bit of an early start and we went in convoy so Daz could carry on up to Durham where he's looking at a car today!
Stopped for breaky (which turned from a seriously expensive breakfast into a mentally expensive breakfast when the girl didn't bring my change over (and I forgot!
)
). We made it to the hotel in good time and was greeted by some nice cars in the carpark; 2 Mk2 FRS's, 2 Saff Cossie's, various ST's etc
Had a cup of coffee and mingled for a bit
and then everyone was ushered into the boardroom where the main committee were sat at the top table looking all official in their RSOC shirts and ties... a good look in my opinion and might start wearing it all at the meets!!!
The Agenda was quite long-winded, going through last year's Minutes and discussing matters raised around that first, and various other things that doesn't concern us at this stage. The re-instatement of 2 groups (Us and Hampshire) was brought up, proposed, seconded, an unanimously voted in favour... so I'm pleased to announce we are now 'official' again!!!
Unfortunately Middlesex didn't attend which was the second year now so as per the rules, they were thrown out!
Various other discussions took place, most quite interesting but all pretty funny with various people getting quite 'heated' shall we say! The only points of real concern to us were amendments and reiteration of points in the Local Group Rules (of which i'll try and create a sticky on here with them listed and anyone who wants a printed copy just ask). Basically there's only a couple of things we need to be aware of at this stage;
- No membership fee may be charged by a club - Only a £1 per month voluntary sub taken at each meeting. What they've had in the past with groups asking for a yearly contribution is people thinking they become members of the main RSOC, which they don't. Then complaints are made, said person gets the hump cos they gotta pay another £35 to join the RSOC, the main committee gets the hump cos the Local Group shouldn't have taken the money, etc etc. Some bigger groups lend themselves to this where they hold a monthly raflle or 'car of the night', but smaller groups like ours at the moment may not be able to this so cannot expect people to pay £1 to come and have a drink and a chat. This needs to be discussed further so any ideas anyone has will be greatly received.
- All people wanting to attend an RSOC Regional day (so that's Central Day @ Santa Pod, Castle Combe etc) MUST be a paid up member of the RSOC. Note that you can still be a member without an RS car (Associate Membership) and providing that car is sympathetic to the aims of the club, ie an ST or something a little different with a performance edge, it can be accepted on the club stand. Local Group Committee's descretion must be used for the sensible placement of such a car on the stand.
- Local groups are expected to supply at least two articles per year for publication in Rallye News. Let me know if you have a restoration or rebuild on the go and would like to do something for this.
The last point goes some way, together a few changes they're making for 2010, to justifying
why someone should join the club and to show you will get more for your money. Another point to take note of is a discount off show tickets for members.
That's basically it in a nutshell I think... most importantly we achieved what we went for and that was to regain our status! Feel free to add anything I've missed Daz and everyone please discuss if you want?
Here's to 2010!
LGM Meeting, Official Status Gained!!!
