PMBC DH Committee in crisis

[Jagman]

This has been copied from a post by Steve Buursema on the PMBC website http://www.perthmtb.com/node/4980

I urge people to go along to this, in order to get enough people to share the load between.

Hello to all dedicated PMBC DH Riders,

Well it's come to the boiling point and the club's DH future is in jepardy. I am now the only official member of the PMBC committee that is a DHer. So what I need to know is...if there are any people out there that are willing to help keep PMBC DH alive. I got into the Vice Presidents position over two years ago because nobody else would do it and the club was then in crisis as well. I have learnt a lot and I know we can do it better.

But I need help a great team like we once had. So here it goes anyone who thinks they can give some time to the sport, no matter how big or small, could we please meet at the Inglewood Pub this coming Tuesday 23rd March 2010 (6:30pm).

Hope to see many of your faces there, so we can work as a team to save DH in WA.

Cheers,

CL-Clubba

Ps. I have attached the dates for the 5 PMBC races for 2010. The on-line calendar should be modified soon to include these races. Thank you for you patience and sorry it took this long for me to ask for help.

[Jagman]

I should add that the time for criticism has passed, it's now the time for action.

Workable suggestions are fine, but recrimination isn't going to get us anywhere now.

[hillthrills]

And here is a copy of the post that I put on PMBC and am adding here as it will be read by many more:

I am taking it upon myself to post the following as I think lack of information has caused a situation that has become a crisis.
As Steve said, the future of PMBC Downhill is in a very precarious state and given that PMBC have been a major part of the back-bone of this sport in WA, that is very sad. At this rate we may see an end to any form of a State Series of DH in WA, and from next year even club races.
I don't know if many are aware that there have been some major changes to the requirements from MTBA to run sanctioned races under their umbrella. And for many reasons, insurance being a major one (not just riders either) we need to comply with these requirements.
We are now required to provide 'qualified' overseerers at every 'state' race and next year for every club race. There is a fair bit of red tape involved to meet these requirements and this is one of the reasons there has been a hold up in proceedings for this season.
We desperately need to work together and try and save PMBC DH from coming to an end.
One of the main problems we have is a lack of support - its always the same few that volunteer and all the others just turn up and expect evrything to happen on it's own. Many are quick to complain or criticise and yet never help in any way whatsoever - that has got to change.
If you all were aware of how much planning is required to run a single event you would understand why things are stretched when so few help.
So, moving forward, all you juniors out there (you represent at least 50% of competitors) you need to ask a parent to come along with you to the Inglewood on Tuesday 23rd at 6.30pm and see how they and you can assist in some way.
And for all the other riders, how about considering one little way you could also help - it may be transporting some gear, setting up /taking down some tents, un/packing the trailer, getting the marshall stations ready, so many little things. Or providing a marshall for just 1 event.
Please realise we HAVE reached crisis point and this needs addressing immediately.
If you aren't prepared to fix it, don't complain when it's gone.
Chris Baarspul

[wal]

Cancel the DH events if there are not enough volunteers to hold the races.
Dont hold any untill there is a full and complete self sustainable committee to run the events.

Its up to the riders, volunteers and helpers to make it happen.

If the support is not there, then cancel the seasons calander.

Its proof there is no real demand.

[wal]

Another option is to pay someone to organise and run the events.

Might be an increase in racing fees thou.

[phillywa]

i may be talking out of my ass but why don't you guys cancel all state rounds this year and start fresh next year?  spend this year organizing the tracks you want to use, the commesairs (or how ever you spell it it), ambulances and nurses, insurances, approvals or what not, then next year, organize the series for 2012...

It seems that everyone is rushing to get some kind of racing calender together and when it happens, its 2nd rate..

again, i may be talking out of my arse but it was something that i was thinking about at work

[Housey]

Another option is to pay someone to organise and run the events.

Might be an increase in racing fees thou.

That's been a thought of mine for awhile now, leave the clubs to club racing and either leave the opportunity there or hire a current private promoter to run state series events.

[phillywa]

im going to have too now

[Rexy]

I'm a Peel member, so this opts me out of being on the Perth committee I feel.

Fingers crossed that everyone has a good read of Chris' post, this meeting goes well and something positive comes out of it!

Private promoters also crossed my mind last year. It happens in so many other sports, why not DH?

[Jagman]

The WAMBA meeting has now been moved to the 30th, quite a few members were away in NZ anyway for the 23rd.

[wal]

Whats actually at stake here?

Perth club races or state series?

[Jagman]

Both

[wal]

How many people(volunteers) do you actually need to run a dh event.
Are the shuttle drivers paid or volunteers.?

Lets bounce a few ideas around and see if you can take something positive into the meeting.

[Doug]

How many people(volunteers) do you actually need to run a dh event.
Are the shuttle drivers paid or volunteers.?

Lets bounce a few ideas around and see if you can take something positive into the meeting.

Steve knows what needs to be done to run races. The issue he is having is that without DH oriented committee members at PMBC he has no assurance that he will have the crew he needs to put a race on. This is not necessarily marshalls and other race day volunteers, but the guys behind the scenes.

[wal]

Usually you need a minimum of 5 for a quorum for a committee.
Having 5 motivated and determined committee members is a bonus.
Knowing how to do their role efficiently is an added bonus.