Page 4 - November December 2009

President’s Car...
John Spratley
Hello there! This seems familiar. It’s almost 25 years since I was last elected to the BOD, and while much has changed, much of the basics remain the same.
First, I would like to thank all those who voted in the election, either for me, Mike, John or Terry, because you cared enough to do so! However, what concerns me most, is that only 23% of the region’s membership cared enough, and the rest considered the region’s future to be of so little importance that they felt unable to express an opinion. “Apathy Rules, ’cos I do not care!!!”
In my humble opinion, this shows the greatest disrespect (one could almost say contempt) for all those people, officials, officers and volunteers who give freely of their time, effort, hard work, and in some cases, finance (by not claiming expenses, MPs please note) to provide the services, events and activities that make the British Region what you all enjoy. The many hours they give, even if costed at the national minimum wage, is worth tens of thousands of £’s to us, yet they give it for free. So next time you read Roundhouse, visit a meet, or use the library, spare a thought for those who make it possible!!
Another problem which confronts us is the thorny issue of member retention.
We do not seem to have a problem with recruitment, thanks to the hard work all those who man (and woman) the publicity stands put in. Thanks Guys and Gals!! However, it seems that after one or two years, the new recruits decide to leave, often saying that they do not get much out of membership.
Well, here’s a bit of advice to all those who may feel that way. PARTICIPATE! What you get out of region membership is directly proportional to what you put in! So go along to meets, even if it means some travelling, and let the organiser know you are a new recruit, so he can introduce you to the others. You could end up making life-long friends this way. (Meet organisers please note!)
You could also make contact with other members in your area, using your Directory, and soon you could be part of one of the many local groups active all over the UK. It’s up to you, but the one thing that makes the NMRA British Region the best is the friendliness of the membership, and their willingness to share this great hobby. Remember, Share the Hobby, and Double the FUN!!!
Finally I would like all of you to know that it is my intention to make the British Region an association that we are proud to be members of, so I would ask all of you to bear this in mind when
Marketing report 2009
When I was appointed as Marketing Co-ordinator 10 months ago my first task was to identify what was needed to market the NMRA British Region.
By talking to as many members as possible by telephone, via the Yahoo group, and at shows and meets such as Benson, I was able to get an initial idea of the scale of the challenges ahead of me. I also received a number of ideas and suggestions from members, many of which either have already been, or will soon be, incor- porated into our marketing.
The following marketing initiatives have been started or set in place:
The Meets Handbook initially created by Nobby Clarke has, with the help of several other members, been updated.
Supplier benefits have been negotiated on your behalf, providing ongoing NMRA British Region benefits for all.
Membership application forms. A large quantity (4000) have been purchased at lower unit prices. They are now being distributed by a number of members and retailers.
NMRA-BR branding. After several suggestions were received, testing at Benson, and re-testing at other events including the Tolworth public show using the most popular ideas, we eventually came up with the ‘Modelling the North American Way’ tag line. This has been used as the basis for part of our advertising and marketing. There is a likelihood that this will change in the next year or two as National are looking to update their image.
at large, and do or say nothing that could have a negative impact on this ideal. The BOD, officials and officers of the region can only succeed with the support of the membership, and we will actively strive to address issues and problems when and where they occur in order to achieve this goal.
Thanks to all the hard work of the previous BOD and officers we are nearly there, but we wish to keep it up. So watch this space.
Happy Railroading from The Toad!
Mike Hughes
A Powerpoint presentation is available on CD for anyone who requires one. This is a self-loading file and can be used as a rolling advert on a laptop at shows.
Exhibition stands. One new set plus a larger secondhand set had been purchased before I was appointed but, in conjunction with the VP and others, we have created three sets of laminated posters for use on all three sets of the stands. One set has been sent to Crewe for permanent display; another retained in the South for use at shows across England; and the third set to Scotland for use by the local members and those in Northern Ireland at public shows.
Exhibitions. Our stands have been to a number of shows. The first one to display the new posters was at the South Shore show in March 2009, where they were given pride of place and resulted in several new members signing up. I would like to say thanks to all those who have helped with manning the displays at the various exhibitions we have attended throughout the year up and down the country. Your help is very much appreciated. Website. I am indebted to our webmaster, Peter Borcherds, for including me in his efforts to upgrade the website. I know he has worked hard on our behalf and is preparing a separate report. I know that, as the various technical difficulties are resolved, he will give you a much improved site.
Finally, I would like to say thank you to all those who have offered help and advice. It is much appreciated. Marketing is an ongoing process. There are a number of exciting announcements to be made soon, but there is more to do. If the new BOD wishes, I would be pleased to continue.
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