Post by queenofslow on Oct 7, 2019 1:26:27 GMT -5
OPEN LETTER TO THE RCDR BOARD
I will not be able to attend the October meeting, which will start a new fiscal year for RCDR with a new board. Therefore I will express in writing what I would have said in person at the meeting.
First of all, I want to thank the new board members for their commitment of time, energy and resources in moving the club forward. It is a thankless job which tends to burn people out. May the force be with you. You will need it!
This will be my 10th year with the club. Although I cannot claim the experience and dedication of our “oldies”, I have a few miles under my fenders…. And have experienced the challenges of the club through the years. I have made great friendships, met outstanding people and had great fun. I have also pretty much established myself as a royal pain in the axx, as I express my opinions rather forcefully.
True to form, here we go.
1) The latest letter of the president left me very confused (euphemism for “pissed off”) about how we are managing the club resources. I am referring to the decision to sponsor club members’ entry fees at Durhamtown for a total amount of $ 800. In the past we have gone to Durhamtown and everybody has paid for his/her own fees. Why the change? I cannot see the reason to use the club’s money to subsidize other folks’ fees at Durhamtown. What is the benefit to the membership?
2) In the same letter the President is asking for work days at North Florida MX track. I do understand that we have to do something for them in return for the free access, but wouldn’t it make more sense to use the $ 800 as a good faith payment to the track for everybody’s access instead of subsidizing Durhamtown’s trip for a select few?
3) And speaking of money, it would be really helpful if the board presented the accounting for last year and a statement of where we are with the finances. Since technically the members are the shareholders of RCDR Inc and therefore the owners of the funds, it is kinda of a requirement, you know…
4) Since it is the beginning of the year and we are up in the air with the new lease, it may be a good time to revisit the rules for the value of work days.
First of all, $ 20 per day credit is too little. For most of us it takes more than that in gas and mileage just to show up for a work day at the lease. I know for a fact that many members figure that they are better off just paying the $ 20 per day rather than driving to the work site, not to mention their time and effort. I suggest increasing the total cost of membership as well as the credit for work days, so members will be encouraged to show up for work instead of just paying the penalty.
Secondly, there is a big difference in the value (and cost) of a work day at the lease (one hour max from the center of Jax) from a work day at a hare scramble or enduro (much more distance, gas, time and often also lodging costs). I suggest that the value of a work day away from base should be twice the regular amount in order to give proper credit to the folks who bust their behind at events away from town.
Thirdly, since the membership fee is “per family”, the work day credit should also be “per family” regardless of how many family members show up for work in any given work day. Some member families show up with their kids and in one day of futzing around in the woods they meet their yearly requirement. This is not fair to the folks who show up with tools and put in a solid day of work at least four times a year braving snakes, ticks and heat strokes (not to mention having to put up with Mundy’s direction…).
5) I am all for the new website and am willing to contribute. (You may have noticed that I have been a regular on this old forum). If the new board will kindly post either in an email or on this forum the names, phone numbers and email addresses of the board members I promise I will contact them, interview and photograph them (not in compromising positions) and publish their bios on the new website. I can also do the same from time to time for other club members. That will help all of us to become better acquainted with each other and foster friendships, rides, technical advice etc.
6) Going forward I would like to see less emphasis on FTR racing, which lately has taken an excessive amount of time and energy and only directly involves a minority of the club members. I would like to see more attention paid to:
a. Training in riding techniques both for juniors as for adult beginners. The NF MX track is a good venue for it. Let’s organize and publish the schedule well in advance so folks can plan to attend. Also consider a one-day membership option if non-members want to attend. Advertise the training in advance with the local motorcycle shops etc.
b. Hand-on training in basic motorcycle maintenance. Members can bring their bikes and their questions. I volunteer Don to put together the curriculum and teach the class.
c. Dual sport rides. They do not have to be elaborate, money making events. Just fun days for the club members. For example, this year Osceola is very rideable. Let's take advantage of it while it lasts. (I would volunteer to lead but unfortunately very few members can keep up with my slowness...).
d. Low-level racing for members (and day-only members), on dates which do not conflict with FTR, possibly at NF MX track. Again, the idea is not to make loads of money, it is to have the most fun for the most members.
e. Organized club excursions (Croom?) and participation at other events (Dixie Dual Sport? Pumpkin Run? Etc.)
In closing, I want to remind the Board of the objectives of the Club:
It is the purpose of this organization to promote and facilitate off-road motorcycle and ATV riding and organized events for the pleasure and benefit of the club members and the general public, and to encourage and promote the safe operation of off-road motorcycles and ATVs on both public and private lands through education and training of riders of all ages.
I will not be able to attend the October meeting, which will start a new fiscal year for RCDR with a new board. Therefore I will express in writing what I would have said in person at the meeting.
First of all, I want to thank the new board members for their commitment of time, energy and resources in moving the club forward. It is a thankless job which tends to burn people out. May the force be with you. You will need it!
This will be my 10th year with the club. Although I cannot claim the experience and dedication of our “oldies”, I have a few miles under my fenders…. And have experienced the challenges of the club through the years. I have made great friendships, met outstanding people and had great fun. I have also pretty much established myself as a royal pain in the axx, as I express my opinions rather forcefully.
True to form, here we go.
1) The latest letter of the president left me very confused (euphemism for “pissed off”) about how we are managing the club resources. I am referring to the decision to sponsor club members’ entry fees at Durhamtown for a total amount of $ 800. In the past we have gone to Durhamtown and everybody has paid for his/her own fees. Why the change? I cannot see the reason to use the club’s money to subsidize other folks’ fees at Durhamtown. What is the benefit to the membership?
2) In the same letter the President is asking for work days at North Florida MX track. I do understand that we have to do something for them in return for the free access, but wouldn’t it make more sense to use the $ 800 as a good faith payment to the track for everybody’s access instead of subsidizing Durhamtown’s trip for a select few?
3) And speaking of money, it would be really helpful if the board presented the accounting for last year and a statement of where we are with the finances. Since technically the members are the shareholders of RCDR Inc and therefore the owners of the funds, it is kinda of a requirement, you know…
4) Since it is the beginning of the year and we are up in the air with the new lease, it may be a good time to revisit the rules for the value of work days.
First of all, $ 20 per day credit is too little. For most of us it takes more than that in gas and mileage just to show up for a work day at the lease. I know for a fact that many members figure that they are better off just paying the $ 20 per day rather than driving to the work site, not to mention their time and effort. I suggest increasing the total cost of membership as well as the credit for work days, so members will be encouraged to show up for work instead of just paying the penalty.
Secondly, there is a big difference in the value (and cost) of a work day at the lease (one hour max from the center of Jax) from a work day at a hare scramble or enduro (much more distance, gas, time and often also lodging costs). I suggest that the value of a work day away from base should be twice the regular amount in order to give proper credit to the folks who bust their behind at events away from town.
Thirdly, since the membership fee is “per family”, the work day credit should also be “per family” regardless of how many family members show up for work in any given work day. Some member families show up with their kids and in one day of futzing around in the woods they meet their yearly requirement. This is not fair to the folks who show up with tools and put in a solid day of work at least four times a year braving snakes, ticks and heat strokes (not to mention having to put up with Mundy’s direction…).
5) I am all for the new website and am willing to contribute. (You may have noticed that I have been a regular on this old forum). If the new board will kindly post either in an email or on this forum the names, phone numbers and email addresses of the board members I promise I will contact them, interview and photograph them (not in compromising positions) and publish their bios on the new website. I can also do the same from time to time for other club members. That will help all of us to become better acquainted with each other and foster friendships, rides, technical advice etc.
6) Going forward I would like to see less emphasis on FTR racing, which lately has taken an excessive amount of time and energy and only directly involves a minority of the club members. I would like to see more attention paid to:
a. Training in riding techniques both for juniors as for adult beginners. The NF MX track is a good venue for it. Let’s organize and publish the schedule well in advance so folks can plan to attend. Also consider a one-day membership option if non-members want to attend. Advertise the training in advance with the local motorcycle shops etc.
b. Hand-on training in basic motorcycle maintenance. Members can bring their bikes and their questions. I volunteer Don to put together the curriculum and teach the class.
c. Dual sport rides. They do not have to be elaborate, money making events. Just fun days for the club members. For example, this year Osceola is very rideable. Let's take advantage of it while it lasts. (I would volunteer to lead but unfortunately very few members can keep up with my slowness...).
d. Low-level racing for members (and day-only members), on dates which do not conflict with FTR, possibly at NF MX track. Again, the idea is not to make loads of money, it is to have the most fun for the most members.
e. Organized club excursions (Croom?) and participation at other events (Dixie Dual Sport? Pumpkin Run? Etc.)
In closing, I want to remind the Board of the objectives of the Club:
It is the purpose of this organization to promote and facilitate off-road motorcycle and ATV riding and organized events for the pleasure and benefit of the club members and the general public, and to encourage and promote the safe operation of off-road motorcycles and ATVs on both public and private lands through education and training of riders of all ages.
