Bradders,

firstly, even though it's no longer my responsibility to do so, I must apologise for what happened to you last night. AGAIN!

Had I still been Ride-Out Co-ordinator, I would have rung the Ride-Out Leader last week to confirm that they were still prepeared to lead the Ride-Out, and if not, found a replacement or, albeit reluctantly, led it myself. Once I had confirmed the Ride-Out Leader, I would have posted a reminder on the Forum with the details of the route etc. as I have done with all the Ride-Outs that have taken place whilst being Ride-Out Co-ordinator. Fortunately, I led the last Sunday Ride-Out and took it upon myself to post the details prior to the event, and as I was at the Club meeting, although a little late in the day, it was confirmed that I was still leading the Ride-Out. However, had I not been at the Club meeting, it would have been left to chance that I was still going to lead the Ride-Out which, in all honesty, when I saw the weather forecast I didn't fancy doing, and was in two minds abouit doing when I was wheeling the bike out of the garage. Unfortunately I had no telephone number to check whether anyone was going to turn up, so I had to take a chance. Fortunately, on my arrival at the Workies, two or three people were already there. 

As it is the Committee meeting tonight, as an ordinary member, (who can't attend due to other commitments), and on behalf of the rest of the members, I would like to have answers to the following questions;

1.Why hasn't someone on the Committee assumed or been given temporary responsibility for assuring the Ride-Outs run smoothly until a new Ride-Out Co-ordinator has been appointed?

2. Why wasn't the proposed Ride-Out Leader contacted prior to the Ride-Out to confirm that they would still be leading the proposed Ride-Out?

3. Why wasn't there a reminder posted on the Forum in sufficient time?

4. When is the telephone number going to be re-instated? I think I know the answer to that one, but it's not down to whether one Committee member wants it or not, it's whether the rest of the Club wants it.

PMC tries to project itself as a very well run club, but when instances like this occur it doesn't do the image of the Club any good. Had I been a new member and suffered the fate of what Bradders has experienced TWICE, I wouldn't have thought very much of the Club, and not only not bothered turning up again, but would have given PMC a big thumbs down to anyone who asked me about it. Is this the sort of publicity PMC wants? I don't think so! And as a member, I don't want to see or hear it.

Rob D. 

Any committee is accountable to its members and as a paid-up member of PMC I should be able to excercise my right to ask the Committee questions about a matter which potentially could have an effect on myself without receiving derogatory statements based on assumption. 

I am miffed. But I'm miffed because what happened to Bradders could have happened to me or anyone else, along with the fact that the simplest of things that were already in place when I started as Ride-Out Co-ordinator haven't been carried out, and by the looks of things won't be carried out for the next Ride-Out. 

Do the opinions of us mere members count for anything, or are we to just do as we're told by the Committee?

Rob D.

Thanks Mark

Your comments are appreciated so much that next time you turn up for a ride out….we wont hide behind the bushes until you have gone!

Grimm

We discussed this matter at last night's committee meeting

A member of the committee spoke to Mark to offer an apology on behalf of the club and in Mark's words, 'I don't expect the committee to wet nurse all the members, we are all responsible adults'

It is the responsibility of the rideout leader for each ride to turn up on the correct day/ time. If they don't, for whatever reason, we are not sure why this should be the fault of the committee.

We have previously had the system whereby people phoned the club mobile number up to an hour before the ride to leave their names so the ride out leader could tell if anyone was turning up for the ride. Technically if no one had left a message on the phone the rideout leader didn't need to turn up as it meant no one was coming. However, this system never worked properly as not everyone phoned up to say they were going to go on the ride. So there seems little point in re-instating a phone number and system that wasn't 100% reliable. In actual fact rideout leaders always turned up irrespective if they had any messages on the phone

In future we will ask the rideout leader to make their number or other contact details available so members who wish to go on the ride can contact them directly.

We are always happy for members to raise questions and to come along to committee meetings which take place on the third Wednesday of the month. We are also happy to have new people on the committee and of course we are now looking for a new rideout Co-ordinator.

Regarding this incident we have spoken to Ian who should have been leading the rideout on Tuesday. He told the committee that he informed the then Rideout Co-ordinator in February that he would be unable to lead the rideout as he would be on holiday.

Sarah

Membership Secretary

Thank you Sarah for giving feedback on my questions. However, may I point out that the Ride-Out calendar was posted on the Forum on March 2nd 2011, at 0920!

Rob D.

Hi

What’s a ride out?