The DOC, A new vision?

[Dave Adams]

I think that the DOC should do as most classic car clubs do and focus its efforts on preserving the Marque, members come and go all the time but the cars tend to remain. i dont think that the club should worry about organising social events for the members...the internet is better for doing that.

neither should it worry about flag waving and trying to attract new members, folks who buy a Dutton will join if the club offers something they want or need. And the "pool" of cars for members to buy is falling year on year, our potential membership is a falling number so why spend resources on finding them when we can be found so easily? If we offer something worth having they will join, but nice banners and flags wont do it. there is nothing wrong with a distinctive identity for the club but it would be better to see it as a worthwhile club to be a member of, rather than the club for supplying donor V5's for Mk's

In the 80's when the club was formed it was the only practical way of meeting other members, any parts could be ordered from the factory direct, or a quick trip to your local scrap yard would get you a wide choice of donor cars. Even lotus Cortina's if you wanted (no one wanted them.....horrendous unreliable engine) but you would struggle to find owners if you never went to shows.

These days the exact opposite is true. a quick google will find not only the club and associated web sites (here for example) but members.as well. However the available supply of parts is diminishing rapidly and alternatives need to be found. That is where the club could find its purpose and provide some thing worth joining for.

[James Doulton]

Daryl, I think that it is the Chairman that should drive the club. He controls the committee. He makes sure that the Treasurer draws up an accurate financial statement at the end of the financial year. He makes sure that the magazine is published and distributed. He makes sure that the website is maintained. He checks that the membership list is up to date and available to other committee members who might need it, e.g. the webmaster. In short, he regularly interacts with the individual committee members to ensure that they are doing their jobs. If we don't have an organised and organising chairman then we will end up with a shambles.

[James Doulton]

I think that we have to be very careful about ensuring that anarchy cannot rule. If it was permitted for a minority to propose some change at the AGM and then produce a list of names supporting the idea then it would be very easy to get almost anything agreed. The only way to stop that is to give both sides of the argument enough time to rally their support.

If we had a working website with functioning member's pages then that could all be done on there. Motions or candidates could be proposed along with justifications and supporting arguments (or manifestos). e-Postal votes could be collected and the AGM could be a forum to examine the outcomes and for any other business.

Some will say that it would prejudice people who don't have internet access but how big an issue is that? Actual postal communication is expensive and hard work for somebody who has to put together 250 data packs. On top of that, it is slow so that motions need to be fixed many weeks (I'd guess 6 weeks) before the AGM.

[Dave Adams]

Thank you James.

I need an ally at this time......

[James Doulton]

I think that is a little harsh, Daryl. The editor is not in control and I don't think that he wants to be in control. He was left in an awkward situation with neither the Chairman or the Secretary wanting to, or being able to, run the AGM. So he stepped in. He freely admitted that he didn't know the rules but it wasn't his job to know them, he shouldn't have been running the meeting.

What is the point of having a long standing Chairman if he doesn't ensure that the rules are followed. Most of the rules are there for good reason, e.g. to ensure democracy and fairness. But the rules do need to be understood and applied. If the committee is dysfunctional or key members are not doing their jobs then it all starts to get very hard and it ought to be the Chairman who would sort that out.

[Dave Adams]

Daryl, i also have made strenuous and tireless unappreciated efforts for this club. And well you know it and I resent your implication that I have not. 

Your acting like a spoil child denied their sweets.

[Dave Adams]

Daryl grow up.....

I voted for you and change had I let Derek have his way and railroad thd voting there would had been no votes of any kind.

I stood up and made my point you tosed teddy out of the pram and things went Dereks way. Dont blame me for inability to say in public at the agm that which you are happy to say in forum posts.

It was put to me that the agm of last year was too long and was mostly a bitching session.  some members wanted it to be shorter and dealing with the issues at hand.  So I made efforts to move it along . Its as well I did we would still be there!

[rob saul]

What is an "active" member of the Dutton owners club ?

there are many ,many members of the DOC  who are just happy to be an owner and enjoy working on their car

without ever going online,going to a show or even contacting another member

Pity all the committee members of the oldest kit car club in the world who  hold court on here  don't operate more on the DOC site (well for 51 weeks of the year anyway) week before AGM and everyone is on there

club run by new faces with no agenda and not part of a clique or another group would be best for the club and all those members who aren't "active" but it wont happen

Many of the people who have joined ning in the last year/2 years wont have the full picture or know the background behind all this and the way everything is kept secret they never wii

Pity the "dead " wood wont speak out and put their side

[James Doulton]

If we are chickens then who are the turkeys, Daryl? Will any of your cars be ready for Christmas?

[Dave Adams]

i would be sorting and driving my car, but i need a spare life to fit in everything at the moment......the Legerra needs a gearbox fitting, the fuel tank modifying still further. And whilst i am about it the exhaust will be altered.

[Dave Adams]

Martin the chicken and egg question is very easy to answer......the egg is first, only a chicken can come from a chicken egg, but it clearly wasn't a chicken that laid it, but something close....EZPZ.