OzSTOC
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ST2UP on July 14, 2015, 08:29:29 AM
-
On the 25/26 of this month (July) Pockey, Saaz, Diesel, Streak and I are getting together at PC and Navgirl's humble abode in QLD to not only make room in their beer fridge but look at how the club is going in general after the transition to the new team.
So if you have any thoughts, comments or criticisms about our current and future directions could you PM them to anyone of us so we can discuss please.
Looking forward to your input :popcorn
:beer
-
Due to unplanned wild growth of this thread, severe pruning has been applied.
Diesel will report to the Nortyy room for chastisement now.
:well :well :well
This post will be removed in due time, now back to normal programming
-
:popcorn
-
YEEOOW! :spank Thanks Brock.
I do have something I'll be bringing to Warwick and would love to get Members' opinions on....
It's about the frequency of rides in your area/region...
Do we all think there are enough/not enough/too many OzSTOC rides being organised where you live ... AND ... how can it be addressed?
-
Seems to be running ok to me. Nothing to add
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
The weather has not been kind to some of the organised rides of late.
-
YEEOOW! :spank Thanks Brock.
I do have something I'll be bringing to Warwick and would love to get Members' opinions on....
It's about the frequency of rides in your area/region...By "your area" Do you mean Chris's area or our own regions?
Do we all think there are enough/not enough/too many OzSTOC rides being organised where you live ... AND ... how can it be addressed? Again is this addressing the team or the group"
Call me dumb but it could be read either way and thus have two vastly different context.
My thought .Too much cream makes your bum fat. Less is good some days.
-
I am happy with locals calling rides. Many impromptu rides happen between the main rides. It has been found that a lot of members have a lot of other matters such as 4wd, volunteering and maybe work at home. The mix is about right at this time.
Cheers :grin
:wht11
-
Sabie,
Most of the posts had nothing to do with the original topic, so I removed them all as the others had they remained would have had no meaning.
-
I am happy with locals calling rides. Many impromptu rides happen between the main rides. It has been found that a lot of members have a lot of other matters such as 4wd, volunteering and maybe work at home. The mix is about right at this time.
Cheers :grin
:wht11
I agree with Wombat.
I realise, you wish for most input/idea's to be PM'd, but hopefully this will assist with positive/constructive input.
Possibly increase knowledge to forum members/s that they are able to "nominate" up a ride or overnighter that they wish to organise and execute.
Just like the great weekend we had here at Gulargambone that was organised and very well executed by John and Julie.
Credit to John and Julie for seeing an opportunity and making things happen.
So, if you wish to organise and execute an RTE or RTM in your State or Territory, just let the ride co-Coordinator know.
-
I am happy with locals calling rides. Many impromptu rides happen between the main rides. It has been found that a lot of members have a lot of other matters such as 4wd, volunteering and maybe work at home. The mix is about right at this time.
Cheers :grin
:wht11
I agree with Wombat.
I realise, you wish for most input/idea's to be PM'd, but hopefully this will assist with positive/constructive input.
Possibly increase knowledge to forum members/s that they are able to "nominated" up a ride or overnighter that they wish to organise and execute.
Just like the great weekend we had here at Gulargambone that was organise and very well executed by John and Julie.
Credit to John and Julie for seeing an opportunity and making things happen.
So, if you wish to organise and execute an RTE or RTM in your State or Territory, just let the ride co-Coordinator know.
What Abe said!
Anyone can put up RTEs and you not obliged to go on them all, so in my mind more RTEs give more people more options.
-
Here in the West anybody puts up a ride they are doing and invites anyone who is interested to go along, we think it works well alongside the RTE calendar.
-
Sab - I asked Brock to mosh all the posts - including mine that were said in jest and not in proper response to the original poster's question. It's not that political - just that we wasted opportunity for other members to post meaningful and genuine opinions on how to keep the Club great. I take responsibility for starting the rhetoric, and I take responsibility for asking Brock to prune back this thread so it can start again. Don't be thinking certain members were singled out. Just that we owe it to all other members to have a fair say instead of having to sift through 9 or so posts of frivolity first. (No atter how much fun we were having).
Let's not waste this great opportunity to voice our concerns or approvals on how OzSTOC is travelling by muddying the waters with posts that would have been more at home in the "Can't Hijack This" thread.
Now - as a constructive thought - I'd like to ask if Members still want the "Jokes" (Off Topic) Board to remain - or should we find our funnies elsewhere? (Either answer is acceptable)
-
Personally,
I think the off topic board should remain, as it a form of camerarderie with in the group. No one is forced to read the contents (except me perhaps), so if funny(??) posts and video clips arent your thing, dont open the door.
-
:dred11
the wheels on the bus go round and round, its only when its broken down I ring the BOSS,
I haven't been involved much lately due my own STuff, but I sit back and watch. The way OzSTOC is, its STill working for me.
I like that WA poST rides in between :eat and think it can work for other STates also. JuST depends (individually) on day/time/weather/etc but gives options other than official RTE's and hopefully more rides.
I will say Thanks for all the efforts put in on the 'Business side of OzSTOC by the official OzSTOC team, you guys are doing great.. ++ :Blow
-
Now - as a constructive thought - I'd like to ask if Members still want the "Jokes" (Off Topic) Board to remain - or should we find our funnies elsewhere? (Either answer is acceptable)
The "Off Topic" does contain other non joke related stuff and non bike stuff as well so maybe within that board a sub-board for jokes etc. could be made up.
-
:hatwave :hatwave
Being a resident of the mid north Coast area of NSW I have discovered there are very few Ozstoc Members in the area.
If there are! I apologise, it is difficult to organise or attend RTE due to distance/s-but in saying this I understand the distances some intrastate and interstate members do travel to attend an RTE in their region.
Not a whinge but reality.
Just need more members in this area.
I ride
:dred11 :slvr13 :slvr13
-
the funnies should stay ..... I don't like racist stuff but as said above if it is not your thing don't read it.
if you are offended maybe a gentle PM to the author but that should be all.
I also don't like anti greens or anti labor .... but again all is fair in the love triangle of politics.
What I do want to say is that the whole debacle with the club jacket was in my opinion handled really well by all the 'people in power'.
Keep up the good work you lovlie volunteers!
I thank you.
-
I'm another one that thinks the jokes should stay :grin
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
-
we too think that the funnies should STay... it's probably our favourite topic ++
we organised, participated in & enjoyed the Cairns RTE back in May... we have plenty of future RTE ideas for up in our neck of the woods... we would love to organise & do more but life, work, etc keep getting in the way.
we feel that RTEs are one of the main features of OzSTOC & it's about members passing on the benefits of their local knowledge... like the Eungella Chalet, the bike riding heaven which is the Atherton Tablelands... & being able to share all of this with other riders.
we also recognise that distance & family commitments present large obstacles to many riders wanting to participate in RTEs up in this part of the country... it's a big ask to expect members to ride potentially 2 days for a 1 day RTE... & then another 2 days back home.
that said, we are still keen to continue putting up RTE proposals for North Queensland... & continuing to prepare for Perth 2016 :thumbs
-
Thanks for your thoughts here and via the PM's we have received....we still have plenty of room for more topics to discuss so keep the coming :think1
(And it may keep us from finding PC's top shelf for just a little longer :eek)
-
I would like more RTE's be they day rides or overnight within range of SEQ, this is a bit selfish as often I have been unable to attend the RTE's that had been scheduled however on the weekends I could attend there was nothing on so have had to come up with my own destinations & I've run out of ideas & am needing a little help. The idea of individuals posting rides is also appealing & to do my part if the weather is good next Saturday Leanne & I will have lunch at the Barn/Scotty's Garage on Flagstone Creek Rd.
-
Ok RTE's seam to be a hot topic for us to discuss..... ++
-
RTEs are part of our core activities, so any ideas of how to make them happen easier, more member input and how to publicize them is always an issue. No one should feel they can't post up up ride and make it an RTE, nothing too formal about it. An RTE can happen with just one person minimum ++
Put it up, and they will come!
-
State Ride Coordinators are only too happy to "pretty up" a member RTE if they are requested.
I was thinking maybe a Friday evening Fish and Chips destination or mid week evening cafe RTE on the coast or up the mountain.
-
State Ride Coordinators are only too happy to "pretty up" a member RTE if they are requested.
I was thinking maybe a Friday evening Fish and Chips destination or mid week evening cafe RTE on the coast or up the mountain.
Now that sounds like a plan.....
-
The west oz contingent have been having RTE's organised by individuals on weekends, along with mid week lunch rides and mid week night-time coffee rides, it works well for us and as extra's to the annual RTE calendar.
-
Ok, here's another idea to be shot down.
It won't be for every state or area.
why not schedule an RTE say on the 2nd Saturday or Sunday of the month (just as an example) as a fully planned and advertised RTE. And then on the 4th Saturday or Sunday you have a Wildcard RTE that is loosely organized and maybe short notice say notice of destination advised Thursday or Friday....
so that gives you a regular schedule, you know that an rte is this weekend or that weekend and if you can't make it just catch the next one.
So one planned and one adhoc rte per month.... This doesn't limit any other rides that individuals may want to organise.
ok.. load , ready, aim,.....
-
Yep that could work for sure in the member populated parts of the country.....noted.
Your RTE co-ordinators have submitted some ideas via PM :thumb
So we hear you, RTE's will get a serious review.....
Any light bulb moments from the below suggestions:
NatRally - does our format work for members are you getting a rewarding experience ?
Forum - Are we to relaxed or heavy handed with our moderation ? Is their topic/sections we should add/delete from the forum ?
Shop - are these the items you want to see OR are there others that should be offered in your shop ?
Organizational Structure - have we got it right ? Has reducing the load on a couple of people and sharing tasks been a good approach ? Do you want to see a more formalised club ? Do we spend our very limited club funds wisely ?
RAN - has had 5 requests for assistance since it commenced, is it working ?
Facebook page - do you use it ? want it ? Or want it used and expanded more ?
These are just some ideas to get you thinking :think1
Just because an idea gets floated doesn't mean we will implement it, but it will be discussed and researched.
Lets hear them......Post it here if it's just a simple idea OR send a PM to any of us Pockey, saaz, Diesel, Streak,Brock, PC or myself.
:beer
-
I think that formally acknowledging and suggest that members other than State RTE Coordinators can initiate RTE's and overnight RTE's may be helpful.
We also see very few posts along the lines of... "Anyone want to go for a ride tomorrow?" and this kind of use of the forum should be encouraged.
-
To help advertise RTEs maybe the RTE coordinators could assemble a bulk email list which they could use to send out a link to any new threads about rides/RTEs in their area. I am sure there are a lot of members who don't regularly monitor the OzSTOC forum and there miss a RTE but who check their email daily. The list would only have emails that members have agreed to be added, should only be available to the ride coordinator and should all be bcc. A bulk pm could ask those interested to send their email address to their ride coordinator.
-
All good ideas to throw into the mix :thumbs
-
To help advertise RTEs maybe the RTE coordinators could assemble a bulk email list which they could use to send out a link to any new threads about rides/RTEs in their area. I am sure there are a lot of members who don't regularly monitor the OzSTOC forum and there miss a RTE but who check their email daily. The list would only have emails that members have agreed to be added, should only be available to the ride coordinator and should all be bcc. A bulk pm could ask those interested to send their email address to their ride coordinator.
This was raised before an I believe it's a great idea. Coordinators can send out an e.mail to all locals, advising or reminding them of a local event. Privacy issues may mean that we invite people to opt out of a mass e.mail notifications. I'm not sure how this suggestion can be achieved, as us normal mortals cannot see the e.mail addresses of other OzSTOC members.
-
To help advertise RTEs maybe the RTE coordinators could assemble a bulk email list which they could use to send out a link to any new threads about rides/RTEs in their area. I am sure there are a lot of members who don't regularly monitor the OzSTOC forum and there miss a RTE but who check their email daily. The list would only have emails that members have agreed to be added, should only be available to the ride coordinator and should all be bcc. A bulk pm could ask those interested to send their email address to their ride coordinator.
This was raised before an I believe it's a great idea. Coordinators can send out an e.mail to all locals, advising or reminding them of a local event. Privacy issues may mean that we invite people to opt out of a mass e.mail notifications. I'm not sure how this suggestion can be achieved, as us normal mortals cannot see the e.mail addresses of other OzSTOC members.
That is why I thought a bulk pm could invite members to submit their details to the local ride coordinator.
Note that if you look at the members list you can email a lot of people through OzSTOC without seeing their email address.
-
To help advertise RTEs maybe the RTE coordinators could assemble a bulk email list which they could use to send out a link to any new threads about rides/RTEs in their area. I am sure there are a lot of members who don't regularly monitor the OzSTOC forum and there miss a RTE but who check their email daily. The list would only have emails that members have agreed to be added, should only be available to the ride coordinator and should all be bcc. A bulk pm could ask those interested to send their email address to their ride coordinator.
This was raised before an I believe it's a great idea. Coordinators can send out an e.mail to all locals, advising or reminding them of a local event. Privacy issues may mean that we invite people to opt out of a mass e.mail notifications. I'm not sure how this suggestion can be achieved, as us normal mortals cannot see the e.mail addresses of other OzSTOC members.
Your right there StinkyPete. ++
-
To help advertise RTEs maybe the RTE coordinators could assemble a bulk email list which they could use to send out a link to any new threads about rides/RTEs in their area. I am sure there are a lot of members who don't regularly monitor the OzSTOC forum and there miss a RTE but who check their email daily. The list would only have emails that members have agreed to be added, should only be available to the ride coordinator and should all be bcc. A bulk pm could ask those interested to send their email address to their ride coordinator.
This was raised before an I believe it's a great idea. Coordinators can send out an e.mail to all locals, advising or reminding them of a local event. Privacy issues may mean that we invite people to opt out of a mass e.mail notifications. I'm not sure how this suggestion can be achieved, as us normal mortals cannot see the e.mail addresses of other OzSTOC members.
That is why I thought a bulk pm could invite members to submit their details to the local ride coordinator.
Note that if you look at the members list you can email a lot of people through OzSTOC without seeing their email address.
I just went and looked in my profile section of the forum and found you can opt "turn off" your email address to the rest of the forum users, by using a "tick" box, just below your email address. (Alchemist has many bases covered :thumb)
-
PM's dont always work as many turn off there PM notification so dont recieve an email. They only get the PM "IF" they log onto the forum.....many members view only :think1
-
I think that formally acknowledging and suggest that members other than State RTE Coordinators can initiate RTE's and overnight RTE's may be helpful.
We also see very few posts along the lines of... "Anyone want to go for a ride tomorrow?" and this kind of use of the forum should be encouraged.
Just a few comments from me
I agree with the above comments.
I would like to see more day trips than weekends scheduled.
It could just be this year as I haven't been around that long.
RAN. Maybe not used a lot but that is good. Its just great to know there may be a helpful hand available if required.
I don't see any issues with the operation or management. The issue with the jackets was handled very well in the circumstances.
:like :like :like
-
Updating the "Bed,Shed and get Fed" list as there are anomalies on the first page as "users" have moved.
This may also go for the RAN list and contact numbers etc.
-
To help advertise RTEs maybe the RTE coordinators could assemble a bulk email list which they could use to send out a link to any new threads about rides/RTEs in their area. I am sure there are a lot of members who don't regularly monitor the OzSTOC forum and there miss a RTE but who check their email daily. The list would only have emails that members have agreed to be added, should only be available to the ride coordinator and should all be bcc. A bulk pm could ask those interested to send their email address to their ride coordinator.
I've done pm and email in the past a few times to those members that have added their location on the map. Mainly to SA members but have included Mildura area which are close to some of our own RTEs.
-
Facebook page - do you use it ? want it ? Or want it used and expanded more ?
We don't use it a lot but when we do post on it anything we post gets lost in the "posts from others" located on the left of page.
There's also a Twitter page but never updated either.... https://twitter.com/OzSTOC last updated when we reached 500 members back 2013
-
Facebook page - do you use it ? want it ? Or want it used and expanded more ?
We don't use it a lot but when we do post on it anything we post gets lost in the "posts from others" located on the left of page.
I use Facebook and find it a useful tool. It would be good for passing on info on trips and the club.
-
I've never used tweeter..
-
It's Twitter old man. :D
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I've never used tweeter..
And I don't use the faceless tweeterbook either :rofl
-
I've never used tweeter..
And I don't use the faceless tweeterbook either :rofl
Hear, Hear! :OldMan
:grin :blk13 :grin
-
I have been looking recently at other members in Victoria to see if they live nearby and would like to catch up etc to find they havent been around for a couple of years. Perhaps after an amount of time passes when no activity at least a change of colour for the pin on member map or other action may be possible. Its just a question that has no doubt been approached in the past.????
-
Its very difficult to keep track of members, some register and then just pop in as a guest to see whats happening. ( some seem to live in here as well)
-
( some seem to live in here as well)
I look in once or twice a day and you're always here. Or do you have a "bot" posting for you?? :p
-
I have been looking recently at other members in Victoria to see if they live nearby and would like to catch up etc to find they havent been around for a couple of years. Perhaps after an amount of time passes when no activity at least a change of colour for the pin on member map or other action may be possible. Its just a question that has no doubt been approached in the past.????
This raises the whole question of removal of inactive members from the membership database. I'm certainly not a fan of such imposed action, and I assume that no difficulty is caused by inactive members remaining on the membership database. There may be a place for contacting long term inactive members, and simply asking if they wish to be removed from the list of members. I'd be keen to hear what others are thinking about this issue.
-
I don't think you can just remove a member without a reasonable attempt to contact the member to see what's happening as you don't know what's happening in their lives. Alternatively, you could appoint a "Welfare" Officer to make contact with members who have gone silent after a defined period (To be determined) for the purpose of finding out how the membership is going and if they're happy to continue with their membership. It would have to be the right person to, one with the time and friendly disposition.
-
We went down this Privacy road when I worked in the Fire Service with recording Volunteers contacts which differ to Staff as the organisation has supplied the contact details eg email and perhaps in some cases phone. The problem is everyone thinks that privacy is this big monster that won't let you do certain stuff and its not necessarily that way.
It is OK for the organisation and official staff/members to access contact details, or members tasked with a function that would require contact details so in this case it would be ST2UP, Pockey and Saaz officially, Streak and Diesel are technically not officials but advisors/life members. Again that's to be pedantic about it. However, because of the nature of the forum and the sign up process you are giving your permission for the governing membership use of your contact details in line with club business and no further permission or authorisation is necessary.
All you have to do is have a standard email format with a disclosure at the bottom stating that is you want to be removed from the email and/or phone SMS list send a message to Blah whoever, that way there's an out if they want it. The only thing is that in this case it would be a manual thing to do as we don't have the system to remove them automatically.
Where the privacy breach was in the old club, volunteer etc days was when a contact list was made up and pinned to the notice board at the shed or club rooms, but those days have gone with the internet.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Sab
To help advertise RTEs maybe the RTE coordinators could assemble a bulk email list which they could use to send out a link to any new threads about rides/RTEs in their area. I am sure there are a lot of members who don't regularly monitor the OzSTOC forum and there miss a RTE but who check their email daily. The list would only have emails that members have agreed to be added, should only be available to the ride coordinator and should all be bcc. A bulk pm could ask those interested to send their email address to their ride coordinator.
This was raised before an I believe it's a great idea. Coordinators can send out an e.mail to all locals, advising or reminding them of a local event. Privacy issues may mean that we invite people to opt out of a mass e.mail notifications. I'm not sure how this suggestion can be achieved, as us normal mortals cannot see the e.mail addresses of other OzSTOC members.
That is why I thought a bulk pm could invite members to submit their details to the local ride coordinator.
Note that if you look at the members list you can email a lot of people through OzSTOC without seeing their email address.
-
I think that helps a a lot Michael good to have some input from real world experience :thumbs
Lots of good ideas coming through now, have to try and get on top of them
-
Good feed back everyone :like
Welfare checks are something I have been playing around with recently.....and thanks to those who replied :thumbsup
I only set a very basic criteria that does need a great deal of polishing.....
It was a cold wet day and I had some free time.... :p
I looked at members with greater than 100 posts that had not logged in for 3 months or more and sent them a basic email.......I sent in the vicinity of 30 emails and received about 10 replies. This was just as a test case to see its effect.....most people replied with similar responses......busy lives etc ;-*
:beer
-
If you look at the members list some joined in 2012/13 and have only made 2 posts, for mine they are no longer members.
-
If you look at the members list some joined in 2012/13 and have only made 2 posts, for mine they are no longer members.
Post count is irrelevant, they could be checking in every day.
Example Danny (sulkybear) has come to every national rally, and most Victoria RTE. yet his post count is probably still in single digits. Which in my mind is better then someone with 1000 post but never participate.
But it's all subjective.
Personally I disagree about culling members. They joined for a reason. They can leave if they choose. We aren't and shouldn't be elite and decide who should stay and who should go we're all equal, in my mind.
My two cents.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
If you look at the members list some joined in 2012/13 and have only made 2 posts, for mine they are no longer members.
Post count is irrelevant, they could be checking in every day.
Example Danny (sulkybear) has come to every national rally, and most Victoria RTE. yet his post count is probably still in single digits. Which in my mind is better then someone with 1000 post but never participate.
But it's all subjective.
Personally I disagree about culling members. They joined for a reason. They can leave if they choose. We aren't and shouldn't be elite and decide who should stay and who should go we're all equal, in my mind.
My two cents.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes, have to agree here. Just because some one doesn't post, does not mean they are inactive. I quite often go through the posts and add no comment, and treat it as just a good read because I m` interested in what others are doing and saying. Perhaps those that join and don't log in for 2 years might find them selves in that category? Thats 4 cents worth........and I am not legendary..................................... :wht11
-
The important figure in the Stats is the Total Time Spent Online: and one that isn't shown but maybe possible is "last time logged on"
So if they're spending time on the site (reading) and the last log on was reasonable recent then they're active.
-
You can browse as a guest so "log on" may not reflect visits. You only need to log on to comment.
-
Well we are all home after our get together in Warwick QLD? Pockey ,SAAZ, Diesel, Streak and I would like to extend massive thank you to PC and Navgirl20 for hosting our gathering.....the hearty meal and exceptional desert was outstanding :-++
In the interim here is just a very brief snapshot of a couple of the items discussed from the more formal part of the Saturday afternoon....
We hade a total of 17 topics to be discussed that had us around the table for just over 3 hours.....
The glaringly obvious topic raised by members was RTE's.....as we process the information and ideas discussed you will see some polishing of the RTE process fall into place.....No vast changes, just tidying up the process and empowering the greater membership.
One of the changes that has been put in motion is an upgrade to our website.....not the forum but our webpage, we currently run a non-intuitive aged operating system called Joomla and we are moving to a far more user friendly Wordpress operating system, this will allow us to have a more flexible approach to conducting our own updates in the future without the need to out source these activities and upgrades. We will advise when the change over will take place......we envisage this to be a 5-7 hour change over.
No changes need to be made to the OzSTOC shop process and not embroidering the club shirt with members names has streamlined the distribution to members.
Just as a last point we decided not to axe any members based on usage, however further develop the "welfare check process" sent to stagnant members to encourage participation or give them the option to cease their own membership if they choose. It should be noted to have non participating members on the forum member roll doesn't produce operating problems for us.
That's just a taste of a few of the items discussed.......more to follow overtime :thumbsup
:beer
-
:popcorn