What makes a good meeting?
Discussion
Interesting to see where priorities lie here.
Barry & I who run the TVRCC Staffs area are both fairly busy running businesses (OK so I'm on PH at the moment!), and got involved because nobody else was prepared to get the ball rolling.
As (new) RO, I do worry that there is sometimes an expectation for you to 'entertain' members, and provide something more than a meeting/point of contact. Certainl, commendably, so RO's do seem to put a lot of effort in. We've always said, that the minute someone comes along and volunteers to show us how better to run things, the job's theirs!
Barry & I who run the TVRCC Staffs area are both fairly busy running businesses (OK so I'm on PH at the moment!), and got involved because nobody else was prepared to get the ball rolling.
As (new) RO, I do worry that there is sometimes an expectation for you to 'entertain' members, and provide something more than a meeting/point of contact. Certainl, commendably, so RO's do seem to put a lot of effort in. We've always said, that the minute someone comes along and volunteers to show us how better to run things, the job's theirs!
quote:
I'm with you all the way Simpo. The people come first, but creating an environment we can all get comfy in is the key. I mean I'm surprised at the number of pubs where the customers love us, but the landlords detest us.
Agreed Angus. I think the pub we've been using made us about as welcome as a cup of cold sick - don't eat at the bar, don't drink at the bar, don't smoke at the bar - I'm surprised they let us order drinks at the bar! Let's hope the new place is more welcoming. See you at the next meet.
Paul
Having only arranged one TVR meeting just recently, I am probably not the best person to mouth off. However I am going to put forward my top 10 points on what I perceive makes a good meet.
In order of importance....
1. The people.
2. The people.
3. The people.
And then there is the matter of....
4. A welcoming crowd, there should not be the we've not seen you here before so we're not going to speak to you attitude', everyone should be prepared to interact with strange faces otherwise they should stay home.
5. The location, I think meeting at an empty pub is a good idea, that way everyone can interact without fear of making a fool of themselves talking about TVR's to Joe Bloggs sat in the corner, can be embarrassing when he's nothing to do with the meet. Also meeting at an empty pub allows for everyone to park together showing off there cars in a nice display. It also means to everyone can get served without that 30 minute wait.
6. A cruise/convoy/race/drive, what good is it having a car park full shinny TVR's without driving them. The drive should be fun, fast, safe and involve a few bends without fear of plod around the corner. There's a great feeling being part of a crowd taking over the roads, makes you feel godly.
7. The cars.
8. Amusing tales to talk about over cruise, gives the attendees even more rapport with each other.
9. Chicks! must have chicks at a meet, brings a great balance to everything.
10. Someone being prepared to take charge, listen to the attendees and make decisions. Otherwise the meeting could end lost.
Sorry to ramble on so much.
L10 TVR
In order of importance....
1. The people.
2. The people.
3. The people.
And then there is the matter of....
4. A welcoming crowd, there should not be the we've not seen you here before so we're not going to speak to you attitude', everyone should be prepared to interact with strange faces otherwise they should stay home.
5. The location, I think meeting at an empty pub is a good idea, that way everyone can interact without fear of making a fool of themselves talking about TVR's to Joe Bloggs sat in the corner, can be embarrassing when he's nothing to do with the meet. Also meeting at an empty pub allows for everyone to park together showing off there cars in a nice display. It also means to everyone can get served without that 30 minute wait.
6. A cruise/convoy/race/drive, what good is it having a car park full shinny TVR's without driving them. The drive should be fun, fast, safe and involve a few bends without fear of plod around the corner. There's a great feeling being part of a crowd taking over the roads, makes you feel godly.
7. The cars.
8. Amusing tales to talk about over cruise, gives the attendees even more rapport with each other.
9. Chicks! must have chicks at a meet, brings a great balance to everything.
10. Someone being prepared to take charge, listen to the attendees and make decisions. Otherwise the meeting could end lost.
Sorry to ramble on so much.
L10 TVR
I was contemplating this issue only the other day, I'm the Surrey RO and the most important thing to me is actually getting out and driving the car (in convoy or otherwise) with like minded people.
Don't get me wrong I also love to stand around gassing about cars for hours but, now I actually have a car on the road I want to drive it not look at it!!!!
To this end I was planning on suggesting that during the summer we have a second meeting on a Sunday with possibly a drive out thrown in. (currently we meet on a Weds)
I'd be interested in comments from those of you that attend meetings held at the weekends as compared to the mid week meetings - whats different, do people meet and then go for a spin etc..
Thanks
Andy
Don't get me wrong I also love to stand around gassing about cars for hours but, now I actually have a car on the road I want to drive it not look at it!!!!
To this end I was planning on suggesting that during the summer we have a second meeting on a Sunday with possibly a drive out thrown in. (currently we meet on a Weds)
I'd be interested in comments from those of you that attend meetings held at the weekends as compared to the mid week meetings - whats different, do people meet and then go for a spin etc..
Thanks
Andy
Alex (L10 TVR)
I think the point about 'chicks' is pretty important.
Clearly there are many driver drivers with girlfriends/wives, and thankfully nowadays there are also a good nummber of female TVR pilots too. It is fairly important not to make things too blokey at the expense of alienating members.
As for Richb's suggestion, you can normally be sure of attracting a few TVR groupies, wherever you park up, if,of course, that's what you're after!
I think the point about 'chicks' is pretty important.
Clearly there are many driver drivers with girlfriends/wives, and thankfully nowadays there are also a good nummber of female TVR pilots too. It is fairly important not to make things too blokey at the expense of alienating members.
As for Richb's suggestion, you can normally be sure of attracting a few TVR groupies, wherever you park up, if,of course, that's what you're after!
quote:
For me and Cosmic, it was the meeting up, the convoy and then meeting up again at the other end that made the Basingstoke meet such a good one (thanks again, Don). But if I had to pin it on one thing, I'd say the convoy made that day.
Thanks for the kind words again! Yep - Mrs Don and I both reckoned that the convoy would be a hoot. Its an experience that you simply can't get without a meet up like that and I think that makes it special. We enjoyed our first on the Isle of Man and that was cooool.
Meeting in the Pub and Gassing about cars: well my (non-Tiv owning) mates and I do this all the time...its great to meet enthusiasts and owners mind - but its good to have an activity to do as well.
There again - do too many convoys and the concept would become a bit boring. My respect to the ROs of PCGB and TVRCC who do their best to come up with fresh ideas regularly.
You also have the problem of designing a meeting that requires little pre-event funding, doesn't cost more than is reasonable on the day, can be cancelled if it p****s down etc etc.
Still. Looks like the fete on the 29th for the B'stoke PHers could be a goer? COuld meet up same spot drive out to the fete do some activities go home and then Brands on Sunday....fun
Hey AF. I agree too with Simpo.
All the meets I have been to in the last couple of months have been good, in different ways. But the one that stood out was the mid-Essex meet a couple of weeks ago. A huge selection of cars, a nice big area of grass to park on, and people who are genuinely in love with their tivvers. Nice weather helps too.
When you get that combination right, the pub itself seemed immaterial. Although the pub WAS nice.
With regards to places to visit, would'nt Hatfield House be a great place for a photo opportunity. I hear the grounds are amazing.
If you still want to go for that drive later this week, maybe we could look for some prospective venues in the surrounding area.
Tiv
All the meets I have been to in the last couple of months have been good, in different ways. But the one that stood out was the mid-Essex meet a couple of weeks ago. A huge selection of cars, a nice big area of grass to park on, and people who are genuinely in love with their tivvers. Nice weather helps too.
When you get that combination right, the pub itself seemed immaterial. Although the pub WAS nice.
With regards to places to visit, would'nt Hatfield House be a great place for a photo opportunity. I hear the grounds are amazing.
If you still want to go for that drive later this week, maybe we could look for some prospective venues in the surrounding area.
Tiv
'But the one that stood out was the mid-Essex meet a couple of weeks ago. A huge selection of cars, a nice big area of grass to park on, and people who are genuinely in love with their tivvers.'
Don't remind me! I was just about to lead the Suffolk mob down from the north when my battery expired and had to watch them go off without me
'Would'nt Hatfield House be a great place for a photo opportunity. I hear the grounds are amazing.'
I filmed a Bentley Drivers Club Concours there years ago. Yes, very nice grounds, but you might need the owner's permission. In fact, thinking about it, it might be an option for a bigger national-style meet.
Don't remind me! I was just about to lead the Suffolk mob down from the north when my battery expired and had to watch them go off without me
'Would'nt Hatfield House be a great place for a photo opportunity. I hear the grounds are amazing.'
I filmed a Bentley Drivers Club Concours there years ago. Yes, very nice grounds, but you might need the owner's permission. In fact, thinking about it, it might be an option for a bigger national-style meet.
quote:
Hey AF. I agree too with Simpo.
If you still want to go for that drive later this week, maybe we could look for some prospective venues in the surrounding area.
Tiv
Sounds good to me buddy. After fixing the brakes today the car is itching for some exercise.
Maybe reading this string should be compulsory for all club ROs?
Any not on the net - let me have their names and I'll print off and send them a copy...
AF
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