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BMW CAR CLUB
CENTREPOINT 33
BMW CAR CLUB - CENTREPOINT
A REPORT FROM NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING
No 155 - 23rd July 2006 - Issue 33
BMW Car Club Forum
Senior forum moderator Killian Bannon was asked to attend the meeting so that we could discuss a way forward that would suit both the club and the forum users. As most of you are probably now aware, the meeting ended in acrimoniously as Killian wasn’t willing to discuss any changes to the forum that the directors were asking for. We told him if that was the case the club would have to start up a new forum for club members only (see below for main reason why).
He left the meeting saying that he was fine with that decision, and if we needed any help with the new forum he would be happy to offer advice. He asked for a couple of weeks grace to move the old forum onto a new domain name and remove any car club references/logos and BMW trademarks, as he didn’t want it to die. Imagine our surprise then when we got back home from the meeting to find all the postings on the forum saying we were shutting it down (untrue, we only asked for him to remove any reference to the car club) and basically what a lot of bastards we were (please excuse the French).
There are many reasons why the board felt that posting on the club forum should be a privilege for members only, but the main one was a legal grey area that has arisen after taking legal advice. There are many un-official meetings/cruises/runs organised on the current forum by non-members, but because they are advertised on the club’s forum we would have a hard time explaining in court if, say, an innocent bystander was seriously injured or killed at one of these events. Our insurers would refuse to cover the club because it was an event organised by non-members, but can you imagine the lawyers on the other side blaming the club because the event was organised on the ‘Official BMW Car Club Forum’ – if we had no insurance cover the club and its directors could be chased for ££££££££!!! Yes it’s a grey area, but it is a risk the board wasn’t willing to take, therefore we asked Killian to change the current forum to a forum that can be accessed by all, with postings only by club members – this he refused point blank and wouldn’t budge an inch.
Therefore, the board has instructed RM Software to install a new BMW Car Club forum that will be accessed for posting by members only, who will have to insert their name, membership number and give a unique password to be able to post on the site. The new forum should be up and running in the next few days. Anyone will still be able to view postings.
The board would be very grateful if you would all care to keep an eye on initial postings just to make sure everything is above board when it is launched.
Finally, a letter is to be sent this week to all members explaining the full reasons behind the board’s decision. The letter will also be posted on the club website and in the August magazine.
Thanks for your co-operation and words of support I have received.
National Festival 20/8/06
B-B-Q ticket sales have been poor so it looks as though the idea of an evening meet up and B-B-Q will have to be shelved – a great pity.
We can confirm that there will be car clinics by the likes of Michelin, Mobil and in-car entertainment company Kenwood plus many others, + the rolling road shoot-out and the Aston Martin track facility with more slots than last year.
Please note. Entrance to the showground for register & regional displays will be from 9.00am, with access to the arena for concours cars at 8.00am for preparation. The reason for this is so we can get all marshals in place. Anyone who arrives early may be placed in the gravel car park, so be warned! Gaydon officials will be controlling the entrance roads this year, so please direct any flak towards the Gaydon staff!!!
Unfortunately, Andy Priaulx has backed out at this late stage, claiming a double booking in his diary – I’m not very happy about this and I have let my feelings be known.
Postage Costs/membership Fees
As everyone is aware, postage costs have steadily risen over the last few years, which obviously affects the club enormously. Overseas postage has dramatically risen and we will be looking very close at this. We are looking at all the permutations, but it looks as though club membership fees may have to rise. There hasn’t been an increase in the club membership fee for over 9 years now, so in reality the cost of running the club has risen by a very conservative 20% while the membership fee has remained constant. We will endeavour to keep the rise as sensible as possible.
October Donington Show – Bimmerfest!
Things are moving nicely along for this event, but we will move into a higher gear once the National festival is out of the way.
New Monthly Magazine
The format for the new magazine is now complete when you see the August issue – please let me know what you think. We have also introduced a recommended hotel & B&B feature that we are hoping will turn into a useful reference for club members that can be posted in the members only area on the new website, so please feel free to contribute to the growing list. Many members travel around the country visiting shows and events so it could prove to be a very useful tool.