Bike Clubs and what can go wrong

[micks]

slides nepean that`s the club who removes "negative" facebook comments which are the truth

[Barronvmx]

The biggest problem is what Suzuki 59 mentioned, is that club members are usually slack or have no idea how much time and effort goes into organising the club and race meetings. If some else wants to do all the work for you let them and just turn up and ride, this is how these dictators take over and after a while because they do so much its their club not the members.
So who's to blame? All of us and until we all have ago at being on the club commitee or help the powers that be, little hitlers will raise there ugly heads in every sport. 

[VMX Andrew]

I'm not going to get into slagging personalities but I well know where Slakewells coming from. Unfortunately these club positions are often taken up by people with personal agenda and a dictatorial bent. HEAVEN in particular had a bloke at the helm who offended nearly everyone he dealt with. Thankfully HEAVEN and Penrith are now being driven by folks who have the sports future as their main focus, not political ambition or Mussolini role playing. One problem with the club structure is that most punters join a club to race, the last thing they want to do is man the sign up table, wave a flag or lap score. That's why it's hard to find good officials who not only have good administration skills and a good working knowledge of vintage racings unique foibles but have an even temper, good communication skills and can can get it done while racing three classes himself on the day. When these people get into administrative positions in the club we need to treat them with the highest of respect by offering assistance whenever it's needed or at the very least not making their day harder by loading them with petty crap. People with these positive skills are as rare as chicken lips and need to be encouraged and nurtured

Ah the "good old Heaven days" when The Son of Satan was at the helm,making no friends with all and sundry.
I think that you will find the odd power  hungry zealot in committees etc in all sports,including VMX.
Because  generally they are the only places that they can feel powerful and important.
Ultimately if you want to do something about people like this,you need to man up,and get involved with the club.
Just saying.
Cheers
Craig

Only started racing back in 2011 with the Heaven club doing 3 or 4 races a year
and ive been really happy with how the committee goes about running the whole scene
and keeping the members happy come race day.
Curious to know who the Son of Satan was ??
Does the guy still have anything to do with the club ??

[worms]

I dont say much anymore, but what a narrow minded topic, just accept you will allways have conflicts in clubs and if the slack arse's arnt doing it your way, go to a meeting and say so, as probally nobody has told them correct equite in dealing with old farts.

just my take on it, cheers worms

[Ted]

No Son of Satan, Andrew. This is not the place to talk about Heaven stuff

[Curly3]

Well come and join Banky Micks.

[TooFastTim]

The whinge I've always enjoyed in the past was weekend riders moaning that "certain" riders had the advantage of knowing an enduro route before the race. Yup dipshits, those are the guys who helped organize the event. Just stick up your hand and give up a few Sundays of your time. You might even enjoy yourselves.

[firko]

Son of Satan was at the helm

For what it's worth I took my seat to the above gentlemans sons upholstery business today and I can't help being impressed by what a nice young man he is. As well as being articulate, friendly and interested in what a fat old fart had to say, he's pretty damn good at the wheel of his sowing machine. It just goes to show that the arsehole factor doesn't always progress through the genetic chain.

After years in a self imposed boycott of the club I'm going to rejoin Penrith club. I intended going to the February meeting but unexpected visitors nipped that in the bud. When is the next Penrith club meeting?

[Tim754]

Going on the incontestable drivel I espouse here, just fervently imagine what a benign megalomaniac leader I would make to any club...    

Damned lucky I work every weekend Huh....

[allan hughes]

i am involved with 2 clubs in north brisbane
i must say apart from always needing more volunteers
we dont have these problems
 

[suzuki59]

Let's not revisit past wrongs.Its great to hear and see from across the ditch how well the Heaven club is going.

But if I were to put a positive spin on the "Son of Satan" it would have to be that given the political issues and backstabbing that went on prior to his election,the club seemed to be in a tenuous position.So his "strong " dictatorial leadership was probably needed to keep the club afloat.
But unfortunately some of his calls upset a number of people who I suspect were lost to the sport.
But again its excellent to see the club thrive,which ensures that all the work done over the years by the likes of John G,Mark C,Magoo,Mark  Austin,Dennis Myers and the guy who's name I forgot who had the bike shop at MonaVale ?? etc etc are not lost.

Cheers
Craig

[Nathan S]

.... and the guy who's name I forgot who had the bike shop at MonaVale ....

Carl Blecher.

[Shaun G]

And it's at Artarmon 

[Shaun G]

Son of Satan was at the helm

For what it's worth I took my seat to the above gentlemans sons upholstery business today and I can't help being impressed by what a nice young man he is. As well as being articulate, friendly and interested in what a fat old fart had to say, he's pretty damn good at the wheel of his sowing machine. It just goes to show that the arsehole factor doesn't always progress through the genetic chain.

After years in a self imposed boycott of the club I'm going to rejoin Penrith club. I intended going to the February meeting but unexpected visitors nipped that in the bud. When is the next Penrith club meeting?

Firko the next Penrith meeting is tomorrow night (March 13) 7pm at the Eastern Creek Tavern.

Cheers
Shaun

[NR555]

I think we're all familiar with the bike club jobsworth (can't do this/can't do that/you can do that but only if its a full moon/etc..)  Unfortunately they are a necessity, and quite often they are the lifeblood of the club too. 

You should all be relieved you're not in karting.  That over-officiated sport is run by the most self-interested bunch of power hungry tools ever.  I'm happy to point you in the direction of their forums if you need a laugh.  Makes the footpeg threads on here seem like a drop in the ocean.