Fundraising Committee

[Robspot]

A DFH representative would be really great....

Paddy doesn't do much for the rest of the year 

[powermite]

but yet again may I ask,how much money does the site need each year to remain solvent?

cheers

PM

[termietermite]

You can ask, but you won't get a direct answer at the moment! Not because of any conspiracy to hide this but one of the reasons this committee is needed is to help assess the extent of the problem so it doesn't get out of hand in the future.

[Piglet]

...members can enjoy more personal and private chat.

God no, you'd not want personal and private chat with most of the members of this site   

[BigH]

members can enjoy more personal and private chat.

Well, I say!!
I've been banging on about my perineum and general recto-anal problems for quite some years now. I'm sure there are more personal and private issues I could chat about (although they don't spring immediately to mind), but they may involve a period of internment, and then where would I be?
H

[mgmark]

Gosh lots of interest, which is good, and plenty of good ideas which is equally good.  And well done to those who have taken to posting plunge! 

IMHO, ours mods do a good and balanced job, only diving in when really needed and the forum is pretty good at self-regulating.  Some of our posts are pretty close to the knuckle at times and - whilst totally removed from motorsport or Le Mans (it couldn't really be much further away) - we might do well to remember the court case last week about a mums/babies web forum that got sued by some parenting guru because of what siad guru saw as libellous posts by forum members on the site - the site was lucky in that the judge found in the gurus favour but awarded token damages and left a substantial legal bill with the guru.  So we are fortunate. 

GF (mythical creature or not, it is not a bad thing to have an element of mystery at that level!) has reinforced the benefits that we do enjoy as a result of the absence of commercial input, and because of that we can say what we like, within reason and the bounds of good taste(-ish).  Good on GF for his stance in my view.     

For me the absence of commercial input is one of the things that helps to give it a true grass roots enthusiasts' "club" feel about it - just like the difference between commercial track days and the Marham ones for those that have done both.

Keep the ideas coming and, after this weekend, those that get nobbled are selected for committee-hood can draw up a some basic guidelines that the great and mighty can comment on (it is their train set after all and wothout their time and altruism it wouldn't exist) and then fling it open to the forum at large for a sanity check.  Mind you, given this forum, maybe the last thought is a bit of a non sequitur.....

MG Mark

[termietermite]

I've been away all day - blimey it's got lively on here all of a sudden.
Can I second Piglet's post and say - let's start an ideas thread.  I'm going to do this next.
PLEASE CAN WE RESTRICT THIS THREAD TO VOLUNTEERS FOR THE COMMITTEE AND HELPERS NOW or I'm going to lose any names amongst all the chat!  Ta.

General Fundraising ideas thread is now here


http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=7085.0


Anybody else?

[DelBoy]

I've been away all day - blimey it's got lively on here all of a sudden.

Deb, I've been away all week!!

Having trawled thru literally hundreds of posts, I will add my tuppence.

I think that the committee should be comprised of people that are, in the main,  geographically close (within reason).  Having been on many 'club' committees in my time, I feel it would be necessary that the committee could meet face-to-face to discuss and decide on the merits (or otherwise) of the many ideas that have and will continue to be aired on the forum.  I think it would be almost impossible to do this by email/pm/phone.

Having said that, there are a couple of 'positions' that could be filled by people more remote - treasurer for example.

I am more than willing to put my name forward to stand on the committee, but would not be eligeable based on my suggestion above.  However, having been a project manager most of my life (in the computer industry), and been treasurer for several different organisations, I would willingly put my name forward for perhaps an administrative role.

Del

[termietermite]

I agree about the geographic thing, which is one of the reasons why I did not add my name to the list in the first place.  Although I worked in marketing and public relations for 30 years and therefore feel I have a lot of ideas and experience which could be useful, plus I have the time, it makes it a tough one. It needs to be borne in mind when the voting starts!  On the other hand, given that this is an internet forum, we are bound to be spread around the place a bit and it's part of what makes CA great so maybe the committee should reflect this?  At least anybody who volunteers needs to be prepared to travel probably to at least one meeting a year, and maybe another one could be held some time over race week when we are all together anyway?

I'm going to open the voting on Monday morning.  Might I humbly suggest that those who have volunteered so far, think about maybe putting together a paragraph or two about their own background and some ideas on the practical experience which they could bring?  That way, any members who wish to vote would have a little more information about whom they are electing.  It might make it easier for those who don't visit so often to make a decision.

[DelBoy]

Termie has suggested that those standing for a place on the committee write a short resume of themselves - so here's mine, as I have been proposed to act as treasurer.

It think it would be helpful if everyone states where they are located.

_____________________________________________

CV – Delboy

Most of my working life has been spent with a large computer manufacturer, the latter stages of which my title was Managing Consultant.  This title reflected a dual role of managing people and projects, and of senior consultant.  I have managed many multi-million pound projects, from pre-sales to implementation.  In later years, I was the financial director of a small company (which I part-owned) which sold, distributed and fitted LPG conversions on motor vehicles.

I have been treasurer of several clubs including my local Round Table for several years, and for the last 12 years, at my Clay Pigeon Shooting Club.

I have been a member of Club Arnage almost since it started (the old system), and have been attending Le Mans (and other venues) since 1965.  I do not profess to be an expert ‘techie’ regarding sports cars – I just like watching them and attending endurance races, particularly Le Mans.  As you know, I also organised the procurement and distribution of this year’s CA T-shirts.

I am now retired and have the time available to give whatever is required to keep Club Arnage alive, and to maintain the existing bonhomie to be found among its members.   I live in Somerset.

______________________________________________________________

[termietermite]

Before I open the voting in the morning - is this everybody? : BobU; MG Mark; Ian..; JPC; Nopanic; Christopher; Robspot and Delboy.

[Robspot]

Hello, I'm Rob and I'm 34 years old living in Bournemouth

I have some previous committee experience namely being fixtures secretary for my university rugby club and also being on the university Sports Federation committee however I would tend to shy away from the major roles of Chariman, Secretary and Treasurer as I believe there are people better suited to these roles. As I have said previously I am more than happy to handle publications and communications or perhaps something to do with merchandising or even just being on the committee in a general role.

Professionally I am the Commercial Director and Company Secretary of my father's building services company which means I am reasonably well versed in basic law and finance and being the boss' son means I am able to direct resources towards personal projects if required, e.g. plenty of time to spend online and unlimited printing/flyer creation time.

With regards to Le Mans I am a relative newbie but I have met some great friends through this site and I will do everything in my power to make sure it continues long into the future to help more people share my experience.

[Christopher]

Hello, I'm Christopher. I am 34 years old and live just outside Cambridge.

I have very little direct committee experience, with probably my stint as a committee member during the setting up and helping to run the local (Braishfield, Hants.) Venture Scout Unit as my most credible experience. As I originally mentioned, I am not known for my skills in IT, media or marketing, but I am more than happy to volunteer for other 'non-skilled' jobs, should the need arise. But, saying that, if no-one else is willing to take on a role then I will give it a go.

I currently work for Nissan, as a wind noise design and test engineer, based at the technical centre in Cranfield. Previously I have worked for Ford and various automotive suppliers. Being a lowly engineer I do not get the chance to 'manage' and therefore consider myself more of 'doer' in a worker ant style.

I have been attending the 'great race' since 1997, and intend to do so until it no longer exists or I physically cannot make it. I attend other race series that visit the UK, such as FIA GT and LMS, but am increasingly leaning towards historic racing as it seems to offer more entertainment. The Le Mans 'style' cars just look out of place and out of sorts anywhere else other than Le Mans.

My other personal interests sit with Lotus, and particularly the Clark era. On the social side I enjoy English beer and pork pies.

Should I not be selected, I will not start to sulk or shy away from CA, but will continue to support in any small way I can.

Thank you.

[mgmark]

Hi all,

MG Mark goes, unsurprisingly, by the name of Mark.   I live in Huntingdon, currently working in London during the week.  I am serving in the RAF, and have been so since longer than I care to remember these days (30 years coming up this year).  I'm not aircrew (red/green colour-blindness tends to preclude working out whether other aircraft are coming or going at night, and whether the runway controller has just fired a green or a red flare), but I have always had an abiding love of all things mechanical relating to aviation, motoring and motorsport.  Service in the RAF has been a real mixture during that time, building up experience in HR, buildings, project management, estate management, training, finance, planning around UK, Germany and other bits of the world, and often all of those rolled into one, running sections ranging from a handful of people to 300+.  Currently alllegedly responsible for strategic management planning and resourcing, my last job was running the supporting infrastructure at RAF Marham, which was sinmply ther best rrain set I have ever had to play with.  In amongst all that time, I've run committees in various posts from secretary to general hand and Chairman, co-ordinated projects, run voluntary projects for charity (like the track days) etc.  Like most military types, strongest skills tend to major in organising/getting people together to do stuff, but not doing it by shouting loudly at people - more by working out the essential ingredients of what's needed and the objectives, plans and ways of getting the job done, but being aware of one's own knowledge limitations and, when needed, finding the specialist advice needed.

Been going to Le Mans annually since 1993 (bar two years) and actively contributing to CA in one way or another for about the last 5 years,m and made a good few friends through doing so.  Rebuilt/restored my MGA from 1980 to 1990, and have been enjoying running it ever since.  Enjoy beer and red wine.  Love Le Mans and love CA as a forum, offering to it what I can, and like to help others enjoy Le Mans.  Happy to serve in whatever capacity people want, or just to support if that is what is needed.

MG Mark

[termietermite]

Hi, I'm Deb

Although I've only been with CA for a year, I seem to have clocked up an inordinate number of posts, which either makes me very enthusiastic, or just a sad retired old bat with nothing better to do!

In my working life I was in public relations and marketing, so have years of experience at senior level and am used to dealing with the press.   I have also edited several staff newspapers during my time so have done a fair bit of writing.  I was Communications Director for Travellers Fare and was a member of the buyout team post-privatisation so have worked at the top of a multi-million pound company with a seven figure marketing budget.   Recently, I have also contributed a couple of pieces for Daily Sports Car, and helped to cover the LMS testing for them this spring.  I have also written a few pieces for Werner's guide.

I've been a committed petrol head since the age of five when I fell in love with a certain green 250 LM when Mr Piper brought it to Oulton Park one day.  I've been an attendee at the the great race in spirit since that time, although I didn't actually make it to there for the first time until ten years ago.  True to my heart, I made the move to the Centre of the Universe 3 years ago - where else would a sports car fanatic live?

Being retired, I have more time on my hands than some and my location here in the Sarthe, although possibly being a little tricky from the logistical point of view, means that I can communicate relatively easily with the ACO; especially as I speak their language.  I'm happy to do any job although certainly not financial or techie ones!