New AMOC Club Chairman
Discussion
Dixy said:
AstonZagato said:
Whereabouts are you?
The current iteration of the forum is "access all areas" at the moment.
However, currently, everyone can see everything.
As an ex-member this made me go and look, whilst I accept I am a complete luddite, it seemed closed except for a few sections.The current iteration of the forum is "access all areas" at the moment.
However, currently, everyone can see everything.
I spat the dummy many years ago largely down to the way some of the old guard would treat newer recruits, it would seem nothing has changed for the better.
Jon39 said:
Noticed some talk on the AMOC forum, about an event in Switzerland. Looked interesting because the opera can often be enjoyable, although usually better in Austria. I think it was Rich or Rob who mentioned being insulted by the AMOC Committee. Presumably this is some kind of constant joke, because this extract popped up. 'I would hardly call a 1979 Volante a "modern car", but it IS much more fun than the newer "plastic" ones.'
Who are these people ?
I've just re-read that thread and "car" is the subject of the sentence so I would say the writer means modern cars are plastic not modern Astons. Who are these people ?
tonyhall38 said:
DB531 said:
[
who was asked to take part in the new years day parade?......i wasn't , didn't even know Astons were invited....apparently they are every year...
Tony.
Members were invited by way of an open invitation published in several issues of the AM News.
News to me.....who was asked to take part in the new years day parade?......i wasn't , didn't even know Astons were invited....apparently they are every year...
Tony.
Members were invited by way of an open invitation published in several issues of the AM News.
RichB said:
Jon39 said:
Noticed some talk on the AMOC forum, about an event in Switzerland. Looked interesting because the opera can often be enjoyable, although usually better in Austria. I think it was Rich or Rob who mentioned being insulted by the AMOC Committee. Presumably this is some kind of constant joke, because this extract popped up. 'I would hardly call a 1979 Volante a "modern car", but it IS much more fun than the newer "plastic" ones.'
Who are these people ?
I've just re-read that thread and "car" is the subject of the sentence so I would say the writer means modern cars are plastic not modern Astons. Who are these people ?
V8LM said:
RichB said:
Jon39 said:
Noticed some talk on the AMOC forum, about an event in Switzerland. Looked interesting because the opera can often be enjoyable, although usually better in Austria. I think it was Rich or Rob who mentioned being insulted by the AMOC Committee. Presumably this is some kind of constant joke, because this extract popped up. 'I would hardly call a 1979 Volante a "modern car", but it IS much more fun than the newer "plastic" ones.'
Who are these people ?
I've just re-read that thread and "car" is the subject of the sentence so I would say the writer means modern cars are plastic not modern Astons. Who are these people ?
Sorry if I misunderstood the quotation. Was thinking of Gaydon front wings.
Personally I couldn't have any less interest in the AMOC or what they do and don't do. Since being a member of this forum I don't recall ever reading anything remotely positive about it, and comments like "plastic ones" don't really do their cause any favours.
Someone would do well to remind them that without us lot and others buying "plastic ones" then the marque would no longer exist as a going concern. Whoever said that is a sanctimonious muppet and needs knocking down a peg or two..........and just confirms my reasons why I don't want to join.
I've got f
k all interest in going to the Opera or poncy meals. I'd be much more likely to join if they did a trip to see the Rolling Stones or Adele, and a big summer BBQ..!
The comments I've read about how the AMOC team (or whatever they're called) appear to be spending members money just smacks of entitlement and "I can get away with it". I'd like to know if they still spend that sort of money when it's coming out of their pockets.......I doubt it. I bet you'll find a receipt for a Duck House in the accounts somewhere.
Is there any reason why a breakaway club hasn't actually started ? I can't help but think a club organising things that genuinely appeal to "normal" people would do well.
Someone would do well to remind them that without us lot and others buying "plastic ones" then the marque would no longer exist as a going concern. Whoever said that is a sanctimonious muppet and needs knocking down a peg or two..........and just confirms my reasons why I don't want to join.
I've got f
k all interest in going to the Opera or poncy meals. I'd be much more likely to join if they did a trip to see the Rolling Stones or Adele, and a big summer BBQ..!The comments I've read about how the AMOC team (or whatever they're called) appear to be spending members money just smacks of entitlement and "I can get away with it". I'd like to know if they still spend that sort of money when it's coming out of their pockets.......I doubt it. I bet you'll find a receipt for a Duck House in the accounts somewhere.
Is there any reason why a breakaway club hasn't actually started ? I can't help but think a club organising things that genuinely appeal to "normal" people would do well.
Edited by Big Ry on Friday 9th February 13:36
Well I just read all the posts here, not really been interested in joining AMOC previously so I’ve no experience other than what I hear/read here. Then I notice the candidate “Tim” is Tim Butcher from Trinity. Having spent many hours with time (and many £s!) over the years I can safely I would join AMOC if Tim was the chairman. I think Tim is a great guy, a great fan of the marque from ALL eras and appreciates modern Astons as much as the older era.
In my mind Tim is someone who cares about the brand and the people, only a few months ago he answered his phone to me on a Sunday not knowing who was calling to help me with a problem on my car. The same Tim who does an excellent job restoring old cars was keen for me to come by Trinity so he could see the Vanquish S when I got it.
If there is still a feel of the “old guard” in AMOC I’m sure Tim would embrace new members with new cars also. A great chap in my mind and I'm sure it would improve the club if he were chairman...
In my mind Tim is someone who cares about the brand and the people, only a few months ago he answered his phone to me on a Sunday not knowing who was calling to help me with a problem on my car. The same Tim who does an excellent job restoring old cars was keen for me to come by Trinity so he could see the Vanquish S when I got it.
If there is still a feel of the “old guard” in AMOC I’m sure Tim would embrace new members with new cars also. A great chap in my mind and I'm sure it would improve the club if he were chairman...
When I first ventured into Aston ownership several years ago I briefly looked at AMOC membership, but was stunned by the price. £135 a year seems bizarre to me. I know they organise various events, like trips, concours, fancy dinners, etc, but those are paid for by the people that actually take part and should cover themselves. I don't see how the club admin and producing a monthly newsletter can cost that kind of cash.
Perhaps some members can shed light on where that money goes.
Perhaps some members can shed light on where that money goes.
M5MarkM said:
Well I just read all the posts here, not really been interested in joining AMOC previously so I’ve no experience other than what I hear/read here. Then I notice the candidate “Tim” is Tim Butcher from Trinity. Having spent many hours with time (and many £s!) over the years I can safely I would join AMOC if Tim was the chairman. I think Tim is a great guy, a great fan of the marque from ALL eras and appreciates modern Astons as much as the older era.
In my mind Tim is someone who cares about the brand and the people, only a few months ago he answered his phone to me on a Sunday not knowing who was calling to help me with a problem on my car. The same Tim who does an excellent job restoring old cars was keen for me to come by Trinity so he could see the Vanquish S when I got it.
If there is still a feel of the “old guard” in AMOC I’m sure Tim would embrace new members with new cars also. A great chap in my mind and I'm sure it would improve the club if he were chairman...
I am sure you built a good relationship with Tim as I am sure the vast majority of customers do. It is his job to make you want to come back again! However, there is one fundamental problem for me that he cannot overcome - he earns his living from repairing and renovating Aston’s and leaves himself open to any charges of conflict of interest between his role of running and growing his business and running the Club. In my mind Tim is someone who cares about the brand and the people, only a few months ago he answered his phone to me on a Sunday not knowing who was calling to help me with a problem on my car. The same Tim who does an excellent job restoring old cars was keen for me to come by Trinity so he could see the Vanquish S when I got it.
If there is still a feel of the “old guard” in AMOC I’m sure Tim would embrace new members with new cars also. A great chap in my mind and I'm sure it would improve the club if he were chairman...
Just two small examples. What would people say if Trinity Engineering suddenly got prime locations at events and other competitors were stopped attending or their advertising in programmes suddenly became far more prominent than it currently is. Just lucky or undue influence? It is for this reason that several car clubs (FOC for example) do not allow people in Tim’s position to Chair the club. I think it should be the same in AMOC.
For the sake of balance Anne’s husband is in a similar position in that his business is Aston related but Anne works in the NHS so is less reliant. From this perspective neither are ideal candidates but they are the only people standing and one will be Chairman.
IanV12VR said:
From this perspective neither are ideal candidates, but they are the only people standing and one will be Chairman.
This all seems to be a right pickle.
A great shame that the sons of past Chairman Eric Cutler, are not Aston Martin owners. Would make good joint Chairmen.
I do not have a vote, because I refuse to belong to any club that will have me as a member, but if I did have a vote, then IanV12VR would be perfect. Successful at local level, compulsive AM buyer, very enthusiastic. Always makes very balanced comments.
Jon39 said:
This all seems to be a right pickle.
A great shame that the sons of past Chairman Eric Cutler, are not Aston Martin owners. Would make good joint Chairmen.
I do not have a vote, because I refuse to belong to any club that will have me as a member, but if I did have a vote, then IanV12VR would be perfect. Successful at local level, compulsive AM buyer, very enthusiastic. Always makes very balanced comments.
IanV12VR said:
I am sure you built a good relationship with Tim as I am sure the vast majority of customers do. It is his job to make you want to come back again! However, there is one fundamental problem for me that he cannot overcome - he earns his living from repairing and renovating Aston’s and leaves himself open to any charges of conflict of interest between his role of running and growing his business and running the Club.
Just two small examples. What would people say if Trinity Engineering suddenly got prime locations at events and other competitors were stopped attending or their advertising in programmes suddenly became far more prominent than it currently is. Just lucky or undue influence? It is for this reason that several car clubs (FOC for example) do not allow people in Tim’s position to Chair the club. I think it should be the same in AMOC.
For the sake of balance Anne’s husband is in a similar position in that his business is Aston related but Anne works in the NHS so is less reliant. From this perspective neither are ideal candidates but they are the only people standing and one will be Chairman.
From experience and having known Tim for a long time, I think he is straight enough and not silly enough not to let the 2 collide..... Just two small examples. What would people say if Trinity Engineering suddenly got prime locations at events and other competitors were stopped attending or their advertising in programmes suddenly became far more prominent than it currently is. Just lucky or undue influence? It is for this reason that several car clubs (FOC for example) do not allow people in Tim’s position to Chair the club. I think it should be the same in AMOC.
For the sake of balance Anne’s husband is in a similar position in that his business is Aston related but Anne works in the NHS so is less reliant. From this perspective neither are ideal candidates but they are the only people standing and one will be Chairman.
I don't know the other candidate so couldn't comment. I know from chatting with Tim he wants to do more exciting things like the track day I am organising etc....
Dear Ian
You know how I am not a prolific Forum user but I felt I needed to respond to your post saying that I would use my elected position of Chairman of the Club to benefit my business in some way.
Firstly over the last five years whilst being a Director on the Committee of Management and Chairman of the Social Committee I have never used my position to give my business a platform for it to grow. Anyone who knows, me or my business knows that it has grown because of hard work and my commitment to the Aston Martin brand.
Secondly for everyone's information Anne Reed the other Chairman candidate may not be a direct employee of her husbands company but she is on the Committee of Management and responsible for racing. She races an Aston Martin DB2/4 in Club events with her husband and his company prepares racing cars for those events.
There are people that would say this is a conflict of interest on both sides and I as one of the candidates am not fussed by her connection to the industry in the same way she isn't fussed by mine. Surely someone who meets and speaks to owners on a regular basis both members of the Club and non members has a broader perspective of members needs and requirements that someone who doesn't.
Lastly our previous Chairman John Goldsmith also ran an Aston Martin repair business and managed quite successfully to run the Club as well. Ian can you give me examples of where he used his position to enhance his company. Surely if he had tried to, this would have been dealt with by the then Committee of Management and been recorded in the minutes of meetings?
You know how I am not a prolific Forum user but I felt I needed to respond to your post saying that I would use my elected position of Chairman of the Club to benefit my business in some way.
Firstly over the last five years whilst being a Director on the Committee of Management and Chairman of the Social Committee I have never used my position to give my business a platform for it to grow. Anyone who knows, me or my business knows that it has grown because of hard work and my commitment to the Aston Martin brand.
Secondly for everyone's information Anne Reed the other Chairman candidate may not be a direct employee of her husbands company but she is on the Committee of Management and responsible for racing. She races an Aston Martin DB2/4 in Club events with her husband and his company prepares racing cars for those events.
There are people that would say this is a conflict of interest on both sides and I as one of the candidates am not fussed by her connection to the industry in the same way she isn't fussed by mine. Surely someone who meets and speaks to owners on a regular basis both members of the Club and non members has a broader perspective of members needs and requirements that someone who doesn't.
Lastly our previous Chairman John Goldsmith also ran an Aston Martin repair business and managed quite successfully to run the Club as well. Ian can you give me examples of where he used his position to enhance his company. Surely if he had tried to, this would have been dealt with by the then Committee of Management and been recorded in the minutes of meetings?
TIM BUTCHER 1 said:
Dear Ian
You know how I am not a prolific Forum user but I felt I needed to respond to your post saying that I would use my elected position of Chairman of the Club to benefit my business in some way.
Firstly over the last five years whilst being a Director on the Committee of Management and Chairman of the Social Committee I have never used my position to give my business a platform for it to grow. Anyone who knows, me or my business knows that it has grown because of hard work and my commitment to the Aston Martin brand.
Secondly for everyone's information Anne Reed the other Chairman candidate may not be a direct employee of her husbands company but she is on the Committee of Management and responsible for racing. She races an Aston Martin DB2/4 in Club events with her husband and his company prepares racing cars for those events.
There are people that would say this is a conflict of interest on both sides and I as one of the candidates am not fussed by her connection to the industry in the same way she isn't fussed by mine. Surely someone who meets and speaks to owners on a regular basis both members of the Club and non members has a broader perspective of members needs and requirements that someone who doesn't.
Lastly our previous Chairman John Goldsmith also ran an Aston Martin repair business and managed quite successfully to run the Club as well. Ian can you give me examples of where he used his position to enhance his company. Surely if he had tried to, this would have been dealt with by the then Committee of Management and been recorded in the minutes of meetings?
Just because the previous Chairman had a potential conflict of interests doesn’t make the situation right in my opinion . Don’t think anyone is saying either candidate ( or the previous chairman ) would abuse their power but it just leaves them open to that accusation. I tend to agree that neither candidate is ideal in this respect . You know how I am not a prolific Forum user but I felt I needed to respond to your post saying that I would use my elected position of Chairman of the Club to benefit my business in some way.
Firstly over the last five years whilst being a Director on the Committee of Management and Chairman of the Social Committee I have never used my position to give my business a platform for it to grow. Anyone who knows, me or my business knows that it has grown because of hard work and my commitment to the Aston Martin brand.
Secondly for everyone's information Anne Reed the other Chairman candidate may not be a direct employee of her husbands company but she is on the Committee of Management and responsible for racing. She races an Aston Martin DB2/4 in Club events with her husband and his company prepares racing cars for those events.
There are people that would say this is a conflict of interest on both sides and I as one of the candidates am not fussed by her connection to the industry in the same way she isn't fussed by mine. Surely someone who meets and speaks to owners on a regular basis both members of the Club and non members has a broader perspective of members needs and requirements that someone who doesn't.
Lastly our previous Chairman John Goldsmith also ran an Aston Martin repair business and managed quite successfully to run the Club as well. Ian can you give me examples of where he used his position to enhance his company. Surely if he had tried to, this would have been dealt with by the then Committee of Management and been recorded in the minutes of meetings?
TIM BUTCHER 1 said:
Dear Ian
You know how I am not a prolific Forum user but I felt I needed to respond to your post saying that I would use my elected position of Chairman of the Club to benefit my business in some way.
Sorry, just for clarity, I don't think Ian actually said that you would do that, he was more alluding to how it could at times be very difficult for you to be genuinely impartial if a club matter would have a detrimental effect on a business one or vice versa.You know how I am not a prolific Forum user but I felt I needed to respond to your post saying that I would use my elected position of Chairman of the Club to benefit my business in some way.
Just saying, that's all.....
Jon39 said:
V8LM said:
RichB said:
Jon39 said:
Noticed some talk on the AMOC forum, about an event in Switzerland. Looked interesting because the opera can often be enjoyable, although usually better in Austria. I think it was Rich or Rob who mentioned being insulted by the AMOC Committee. Presumably this is some kind of constant joke, because this extract popped up. 'I would hardly call a 1979 Volante a "modern car", but it IS much more fun than the newer "plastic" ones.'
Who are these people ?
I've just re-read that thread and "car" is the subject of the sentence so I would say the writer means modern cars are plastic not modern Astons. Who are these people ?
The Rolling Stones? You old fart... I joined AMOC last year FOC with Locktons.
Went to one local area meet, didn't have red trousers and was duly ignored - not going back there again!
I got no benefit whatsoever, other than being able to insure my car with Locktons. As it transpired, I didn't want to renew my membership but as a consequence Locktons would not insure me. No big deal, went elsewhere and saved £250.
Point here is that AMOC in my opinion could be better commercially minded.
Why not offer a lesser membership for owners like me and at least derive some additional income? I don't want to go to meets, don't want magazines, don't want to attend operas, in fact I don't want anything as PH provides everything I require.
Something maybe to consider.....if a lesser membership status was offered, it would not only mean AMOC would get some income and would also mean that companies like Locktons may also keep customers, instead they have to refuse to deal with customers who would may otherwise have renewed.
I requested a discount or extension from AMOC as the website was new at that time and didn't work, was told that no gestures/offers would be made. AMOC were quite simply not bothered.
Above is my personal experience......I think I was treated unfairly but hey, at the end of the day its a car club and as a result of my experience its not something I want to be a part of.
Sad state of affairs really as the club should cater for all AM models and owners, ie common folk like what I am innit
.
Went to one local area meet, didn't have red trousers and was duly ignored - not going back there again!
I got no benefit whatsoever, other than being able to insure my car with Locktons. As it transpired, I didn't want to renew my membership but as a consequence Locktons would not insure me. No big deal, went elsewhere and saved £250.
Point here is that AMOC in my opinion could be better commercially minded.
Why not offer a lesser membership for owners like me and at least derive some additional income? I don't want to go to meets, don't want magazines, don't want to attend operas, in fact I don't want anything as PH provides everything I require.
Something maybe to consider.....if a lesser membership status was offered, it would not only mean AMOC would get some income and would also mean that companies like Locktons may also keep customers, instead they have to refuse to deal with customers who would may otherwise have renewed.
I requested a discount or extension from AMOC as the website was new at that time and didn't work, was told that no gestures/offers would be made. AMOC were quite simply not bothered.
Above is my personal experience......I think I was treated unfairly but hey, at the end of the day its a car club and as a result of my experience its not something I want to be a part of.
Sad state of affairs really as the club should cater for all AM models and owners, ie common folk like what I am innit
.silverspeed said:
Just because the previous Chairman had a potential conflict of interests doesn’t make the situation right in my opinion . Don’t think anyone is saying either candidate ( or the previous chairman ) would abuse their power but it just leaves them open to that accusation. I tend to agree that neither candidate is ideal in this respect .
The Club needs to employ a CEO in my opinion. Someone with a broad business skillset thats runs the “business” in the way it needs running leaving the Chair(person) to be just that, the more Aston connections they have the better.
DW
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