!! Improving our club - your feedback is required and vital!!

hls30.com

Active Forum User
On the question of Data basing your archives...The vBulletin search function does get cumbersome as the content grows...there is a fully relational free form database called AskSam(Makes me wonder if there is any relation to Big Sam) that could do it-exporting the full content file from vBulletin is in the admin menu, Ask Sam does have online use abilities...I have used it for around 15 years...though not on line...
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Ok here are my personal thoughts:

The Club should exist to share information about our cars (technical, restos, spares etc), events and member’s activities. Ok it’s nice to promote the marquee too if we get the chance.

All ‘members’ of the Club should be equal i.e. support the Club financially if we need it and we should record their details for reference re cars or experiences we might want to recall. This would remove any divisive feeling and ‘free up’ classifieds.

The website should be ‘up to date’ , inviting, intuitive, informative and simple to navigate.

The membership system should be easy to operate with an online membership form and responsive automatically. Renewal reminders should be automatic.

The old membership regions should be resurrected, promoted and attendance encouraged at local ‘meets’.

Forum ‘moderation’ should be consistent, timely.
 

STEVE BURNS

Club Member
Here are some of my thoughts

Improve/overhaul/simplify the website using an outside source as it is a major task to expect anyone inside the club to carry this out and once that is done to either pay a maintenance fee or get a member to carry this out using the outside source as a backup should it go wrong

The membership system to be fully automated and only need minimal input from Membership Secretary

Make the forum a fun place to be and to belong to and being able to post up thoughts without the fear of being bombarded with scorn and ridicule or being told to use the search button. What people need to remember is that all of their knowledge about the Fairlady range has been mostly gathered over a vast number of years and what seems like obvious items to them is nowhere as obvious to a new Z enthusiast

Simplify/overhaul/reconfigure the classified system

Promote the re-emergence of active Local groups

As the existing Z Team get older to encourage younger members to come on board and help to keep the place running

Also I would like to thank those who have posted up their thoughts so far and would also like to thank those who have sent me Private messages with their suggestions
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
.....and would also like to thank those who have sent me Private messages with their suggestions

That's nice.....although I don't understand why someone would take the time to write a PM rather than share it here openly.......the whole point I think is for everyone to be open and frank....perhaps a step towards more tolerance.:thumbs:
 

STEVE BURNS

Club Member
That's nice.....although I don't understand why someone would take the time to write a PM rather than share it here openly.......the whole point I think is for everyone to be open and frank....perhaps a step towards more tolerance.:thumbs:
Because in Ali opening post in the thread they where given that option but hey that is digressing from the topic
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
So, what are these private suggestions then please ?

It's not divergence but 'topic-expansion':D

And if you don't agree....swinging back on topic, as a paid-up member I'd like to see the club's accounts up to date and published regularly (in the members-only section of course).

This what we do on our site, published as a pdf doc that any member can download at any time of the year to look over and satisfy themselves that we're being careful with their money (or just by plain curiosity) how much there is and ultimately help during the AG to propose events, purchases (shop stock, event material, subsidise entry tickets etc).

Seeing as (I guess the club is here) we're a non-profit organisation.....it's 'immoral' to have a large cash surplus.

I hear what some people have said about matching the fees to the needs but make it free or a silly small amount and it won't be taken seriously.

Give more back for people's money and reinvest the surplus for the promotion of the club, cars and ultimately the paying-member's benefit.
 

JK240

Club Member
The website should be ‘up to date’

This is so true. It makes me smile when I see that there are still threads offering discounted tickets to the 2013 NEC classic car show. This is one of many out of date and unresponsive areas of the site I think.

I wholeheartedly support the re-emergence of the local groups sentiment too, however I'm not sure exactly how we/the club would go about this. When Ray100 was still a Z owner we used to get one or two meets together in the north west, but last year I couldn't get a single car interested in attending Leighton Hall, which is a great summer meet, and at one time briefly did look as though it could be a regular 9+ car meet.

Interested to see how the club can get people motivated, involved and attending local stuff.

I think the club should have better facilities available for the shows (small or large). I have one of the event shelters that was until recently kept with Martin Mac :( which is OK but something more substantial and branded would give a far better impression at any events.


Although it's already been said, the website needs cleansing and simplifying across the majority of the sections, how many of the tabs across the top (other than the forum tab) get regular use. When was the last time anyone made use of the Articles, Reviews or Links sections under Members only! There is much old and unused detail that could be removed I'm sure. If I look at my own member details, the car is incorrect yet I cannot amend it and never have been able to...

The gallery area is even harder to navigate than the forum, there must be a better way of displaying uploaded photos.

I don't think a magazine is at all relevant anymore, There has never been one whilst I've been a member and whilst I'm not exactly young I tend to have a reasonable handle on technology and social media which regardless of peoples feelings, is the way ahead.

The welcome pack is not a big draw I expect for many, but a decent membership card might be a nice touch..?

Will the classifieds ever be able to compete with the likes of eBay and be a place that club members think to come before anywhere else to sell their unwanted stuff...I doubt it, which is a shame. How do you even start to make that work...?


It will be good to see what conclusions are drawn from this thread, is the intention to post them in another when they have been decided upon.
 
That's nice.....although I don't understand why someone would take the time to write a PM rather than share it here openly.......the whole point I think is for everyone to be open and frank....perhaps a step towards more tolerance.:thumbs:

I also think it should be out in the open, its gives others a chance to read others opinions and make decisions based on others good ideas etc.
 

bluejon

Club Member
Not sure if this helpful input as I'm not web-technical, but the site for the other car club I'm member of is based on phpBB rather than vBulletin. Making posts, loading images and searching are all better on that platform than here.
 

Jimbo

1978 260z in yellow
Club Member
events
would be nice to put names to faces at some point so would like to see more local events
even if its only to introduce one another in the flesh.

website
would love it to be easier to find facts ie things that you would find in the Haynes manual and more.
i use the search function a lot but quite often i cant find what im looking for so i end up asking the question. if there was a technical section of the forum with a catalog of stuff would be great
and agree that the classifieds could do with updating.

other than that this club fulfills what i wanted from it so keep up the good work
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
That's nice.....although I don't understand why someone would take the time to write a PM rather than share it here openly.......the whole point I think is for everyone to be open and frank....perhaps a step towards more tolerance.:thumbs:

Sean baby, given the forum's track record, not everyone is as keen as you or I to speak publicly. You and I are clearly extroverts and not shy of potential conflict but others are (very rightly so) not of the same inclinations. Thankfully every flower in a garden is different. To hear all the voices, we therefore have to provide a safe environment that suits all and their preferences.

I will summarise all the feedback (including PMs) at the weekend and share as a story to date by category.

One of my own suggestions is that we have moderators who are not committee members. The poor committee have enough to deal with and this provides a degree of impartiality / detachment. There should also be multiple moderators to not burden a single person and provide a moderators forum for discussion so that it's not just one person's judgement if it's a grey area case.

I also would like to see a flag system on moderation akin to
racing.

9ad7d09fead353e188d0f2f207cb68ab.jpg


BLUE FLAG
Gentle reminder - for getting in the way or dominating a thread, not leaving room for others.

71427fb35a3bb37e78447b3ca8c9442e.jpg

YELLOW FLAG
First warning from moderators that the poster is over stepping the forum rules and needs to slow down for danger ahead. E.g. Taking the thread off track and / or causing offence / bullying - however unintentional or sincere. We all have blind spots and need to be shown what we can't see for ourselves. I doubt anyone logs on and sets about to intentionally offend others. People just get passionate and forget how it is coming across.


4ac0c69c54ddd0fb29240112fe0d8b46.jpg

RED FLAG
Stop! Rethink your actions/attitude to other members before posting further. Final warning, posts deleted or edited. Poster warned of upcoming ban.

96c8e03553c96c4f7af791fb55f0b545.jpg


BLACK FLAG (after taking the mick on a red flag)

In the same 12 months (not year):

- Banned 1st time - Not allowed to post for 2 weeks.

- Banned 2nd time - not allowed to post for 2 months

- Banned 3rd time - up to committee to decide on duration.

Depending on how serious it is then the committee can decide to ban a member until further notice on their 1st ban.

Without consequences the existing behaviours will prevail.

What we permit we promote! So I'd like to see the boundaries clearly marked and for posters to feel the rumble strips when on the edge of or overstepping forum etiquette. If they continue to ignore club etiquette then there has to be consistent and fair consequences, regardless of who the offending poster is.
 
Sean baby, given the forum's track record, not everyone is as keen as you or I to speak publicly. You and I are clearly extroverts and not shy of potential conflict but others are (very rightly so) not of the same inclinations. Thankfully every flower in a garden is different. To hear all the voices, we therefore have to provide a safe environment that suits all and their preferences.

I will summarise all the feedback (including PMs) at the weekend and share as a story to date by category.

One of my own suggestions is that we have moderators who are not committee members. The poor committee have enough to deal with and this provides a degree of impartiality / detachment. There should also be multiple moderators to not burden a single person and provide a moderators forum for discussion so that it's not just one person's judgement if it's a grey area case.

I also would like to see a flag system on moderation akin to
racing.

9ad7d09fead353e188d0f2f207cb68ab.jpg


BLUE FLAG
Gentle reminder - for getting in the way or dominating a thread, not leaving room for others.

71427fb35a3bb37e78447b3ca8c9442e.jpg

YELLOW FLAG
First warning from moderators that the poster is over stepping the forum rules and needs to slow down for danger ahead. E.g. Taking the thread off track and / or causing offence / bullying - however unintentional or sincere. We all have blind spots and need to be shown what we can't see for ourselves. I doubt anyone logs on and sets about to intentionally offend others. People just get passionate and forget how it is coming across.


4ac0c69c54ddd0fb29240112fe0d8b46.jpg

RED FLAG
Stop! Rethink your actions/attitude to other members before posting further. Final warning, posts deleted or edited. Poster warned of upcoming ban.

96c8e03553c96c4f7af791fb55f0b545.jpg


BLACK FLAG (after taking the mick on a red flag)

In the same 12 months (not year):

- Banned 1st time - Not allowed to post for 2 weeks.

- Banned 2nd time - not allowed to post for 2 months

- Banned 3rd time - up to committee to decide on duration.

Depending on how serious it is then the committee can decide to ban a member until further notice on their 1st ban.

Without consequences the existing behaviours will prevail.

What we permit we promote! So I'd like to see the boundaries clearly marked and for posters to feel the rumble strips when on the edge of or overstepping forum etiquette. If they continue to ignore club etiquette then there has to be consistent and fair consequences, regardless of who the offending poster is.


can we all wave flags Ali? :bow:

I was reading the Australian clubs forum, it seemed quite nicely laid out/used www.viczcar.com
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Would love you to ;)

Yes very nicely laid out!!! Thank you for sharing :thumbs:

Will need to investigate and even nick some ideas!
 

STEVE BURNS

Club Member
Quite a nice layout uses IP.board
Maybe be an idea if anyone has found a good looking car club related website to give the link to explore ideas and what programme they use
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Maybe be an idea if anyone has found a good looking car club related website to give the link to explore ideas and what programme they use

Think about what mediums are now used (by those active) on the forum and design around that ie tablettes, mobile/smart phones and think about luminosity too.

Ali - Flags are cute but a PM with some kind words truly explaining the situation rather than ''the committee thinks that'' will work better I feel.

Good idea about the moderators - we have the same here and tends to efface the 'them and us' situation always prevalent here !

As for the wallflowers, these people won't accept that I'll take the sh*t, observations and comments because I'm NOT a hypocrit - even so, respect them and print their comments and observations but listed as 'from an anonymous PM' rather than thoughts from a committee member please.

I don't know about others but I attach more weight (even if I don't agree) and respect to comments when I can plainly see the source !:cool:
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
I don't know about others but I attach more weight (even if I don't agree) and respect to comments when I can plainly see the source !:cool:


You're 100% entitled to your view Sean in equal measure to others who are entitled to theirs in expressing themselves freely and anonymously without fear of getting into keyboard fisty cuffs.

All the feedback will be anonymised anyway - I definitely won't be naming names against any of the feedback.

Right, must get off Tapatalk before my wife throws my phone out the window ;). Actually it's 9:15 on a Friday night and bed time in the smiley household. We are so rock and roll here!!!
 

moggy240

Insurance Valuations Officer
Staff member
Club Member
I think the website needs improving and the classifieds changed to be more open and quicker .
 

Red7

Well-Known Forum User
As moggy says, the website isn't the easiest to navigate, I can't see where to start a new topic, or go to a specific section on the forum? Maybe it's just me ?
 
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