Hello Boys 'n' Girls

[HogHog]

Ok - lets cut to the chase.

I got my Quin today.

I've read it all.

Does Scotland exist..?

Does the North of Scotland exist.....??

Should I re-join next year.......??????

Let me tell you this, the Scots moan like fek about the English, but all I can see from the Quin and this web-site is that the English are enjoying themselves and the Scots like to keep themselves to themselves.

OK, lets put it this way - the few of us up north that do like to ride want to know whats going on next year so we can plan our holidays.

If there's fek all going on "up here", then let us know what's going on "down there" and maybe we'll come down to visit.

Hugs 'n' kisses from the North. X. X. X

By the way - if you don't like my post - I'm sorry, but isn't that what a forum is all about - putting something out for discussion etc. etc.

I joined this club because I'm not really into "Hoggieness", but more into good people who ride bikes ( and I've met a few this year - you know who you are ). Please, Please, Please, someone in the club kick the arses of the Scottish regions. (And also feel free to tell me to take my membership/allegiance elsewhere)

Anyway, off to Mercury MCC Rally at Killin for the weekend. Hopefully when I come back there will be so many invites to "things" that I'll spend all my time sending "apologies for absence".!!!

Whoops - forgot to add lots of smileys so you know I'm a Magners Man, sorry, meant a Good All-Round Guy. X. X. X.

[Stuarty]

The Mercury! Was a member of the Mercury a good number of years ago. Me n my mate were just talking about it last night. Still got me badge somewhere.

Cant do the Tartan (?) as I have a prior engagement

[Mrs T]

The lads in Region 1 don't post very much

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...nhly-meet.html

But keep yer chin up china

[MORDUEMAN]

Come on down to Newcastle buddy, or we can ride up to the border meet up for a ride around.

I find the best way to organise a ride out or night out, is to pick a date and advertise it on the forum and see who turns up.

If no one turns up, then no one likes you, or they are all asleep

[Gogsy]

Originally Posted by HogHog

Ok - lets cut to the chase.
Does Scotland exist..?
Does the North of Scotland exist.....??
Should I re-join next year.......??????
Let me tell you this, the Scots moan like fek about the English, but all I can see from the Quin and this web-site is that the English are enjoying themselves and the Scots like to keep themselves to themselves.
OK, lets put it this way - the few of us up north that do like to ride want to know whats going on next year so we can plan our holidays.

What can I say in response.well..... we had a meet arranged earlier this year at Colintraive,WHERE WERE YOU.........then we had Our Rally.....WHERE WERE YOU... and then we had Kelso WHERE WERE YOU......and to top it all we attended the 60th and yes again WHERE WERE YOU ... . we had 4 Charity ride outs WHERE WERE YOU....and where were Region 1........

[Stuarty]

Its been a long time since I have been an active member of Region 2 however I think both HogHog and Gogsy make fair points. HogHog is right when he says there seems to be a lot of action going on in other regions than there is in R1 & 2. Quite why that is the case isn’t clear. Maybe the regions further south have a larger membership or there are larger groups of members in smaller geographical areas. On the other hand Gogsy is right about what has taken place this year. However as has been said so many times before, this is a Riders Club and not a Rally Club which may (or may not) explain part of the problem. The rides out he mentions may not be everyones cup of char as not every one believes in charity. Now whether that is the right way to be or not is for another debate. Furthermore even if an individual is a “giver” they may not support the particular charity for which the fund raising is about. Again, that’s another debate. Of course another reason for poor support for anything that is organised may be down to the geography involved. Lets face it, up here outside of Glasgow and Edinburgh areas members are scattered to the 4 winds. That doesn’t help either.

For what its worth, and this is an auld auld chestnut, why not establish where the members actually are? Aye, the DPA gets in the way!! Don’t think I fully accept that as I know where all my union members are (except when they are asked to go on strike!!) and they must be governed by the same rules on DPA. Anyway, if the DPA is an issue maybe a way round it is for each member to compile a list of who they know (members and non members – there may be a recruitment operchancity there later on) and broadly where they are (security and all that) and report back? Clearly it would be a good idea to have the consent of the member whose details are being taken. If this can be done - there will no doubt be loads of duplicate entries but thats ok - and a list compiled maybe then a more cohesive approach can be taken when things are organised? From such a list can be established the needs and aspirations of each member and what they want from the HDRCGB. Some will want to do everything, some will want to do rallies, some will want to do rides out (charity or otherwise) and some will be content just to be a member and do next to nothing. Such is life.

Getting back to the case in point of what goes on in other regions compared to R1/R2 it will not be lost on anyone that there is a fair amount of social activity going on which may not mean bringing transport e.g. curry nights and . It may be just as important to get to know people on a more main stream social footing and in a social setting as it is to get to know someone in a field or on a ride out. Both approaches will have benefit to engender a collective spirit and may build a closer more integrated group. Its unlikely everyone will get on with everyone else but that’s life. Also, there will not be a full turn out at every gig which is organised. Don’t forget that, for most, this is a past time not a life choice. Each has to make their own way according to the time they have and the other demands (family, other interests, work etc) put on it.

Maybe part of the issues are the members don’t feel they have a stake in the Region? Has there (ever) been AGMs held? Maybe there has? These may be formalities but at least it gives members the chance to have their say if they so wish. It could be if AGM was held very few would turn up. That’s fine, (well it aint really) at least the platform was there for them. However if a closer knit group could be established maybe things like an AGM would be well attended.


Just a thought


Going for a lie down now………………………

[Gogsy]

I think after that matey,you need a lie down,however,most of what you say is truthful,we do need to gel a bit more,even think about joining all 3 Scottish Regions together and having an AGM located centrally.my last Regional meet was held in West Calder,with a low turnout.so I am open to suggestions as to where and when we can all get together,unfortunately I am not privvy to all members details..... so maybe another Party in a field somewhere,put up the Clubs Tent,have an end of season BBQ I'm all ears.
It would be great to get everyone together.

[Stuarty]

Originally Posted by Gogsy

I think after that matey,you need a lie down,however,most of what you say is truthful,we do need to gel a bit more,even think about joining all 3 Scottish Regions together and having an AGM located centrally.my last Regional meet was held in West Calder,with a low turnout.so I am open to suggestions as to where and when we can all get together,unfortunately I am not privvy to all members details..... so maybe another Party in a field somewhere,put up the Clubs Tent,have an end of season BBQ I'm all ears.
It would be great to get everyone together.

The location of members does appear to be a major difficulty. The suggestion made earlier may help that.

Joining the 3 regions together may make the problem worse. If, as is the case at the moment, Region 1 for example cant get folk together to do something or attend a meeting, AGM or whatever, wont there be even less chance of those same people coming together if the venue is further away than it is now? With this in mind it would appear that each regions autonomy must remain. Also, whilst it is agreed that getting folk together is the ultimate aim, if they wont come together in June/July/August in a field there is next to no chance of them getting together in a field in October.

Could be wrong though.

Surely others with an interest may submit their ideas on the subject?

[Stuarty]

Originally Posted by Gogsy

I think after that matey,you need a lie down,however,most of what you say is truthful,we do need to gel a bit more,even think about joining all 3 Scottish Regions together and having an AGM located centrally.my last Regional meet was held in West Calder,with a low turnout.so I am open to suggestions as to where and when we can all get together,unfortunately I am not privvy to all members details..... so maybe another Party in a field somewhere,put up the Clubs Tent,have an end of season BBQ I'm all ears.
It would be great to get everyone together.

The location of members does appear to be a major difficulty. The suggestion made earlier may help that.

Joining the 3 regions together may make the problem worse. If, as is the case at the moment, Region 1 for example cant get folk together to do something or attend a meeting, AGM or whatever, wont there be even less chance of those same people coming together if the venue is further away than it is now? With this in mind it would appear that each regions autonomy must remain. Also, whilst it is agreed that getting folk together is the ultimate aim, if they wont come together in June/July/August in a field there is next to no chance of them getting together in a field in October.

Could be wrong though.

Surely others with an interest may submit their ideas on the subject?

[Gogsy]

No worries Stuarty,
I would like to bring all 3 Regions together for a meeting only...amalgamation is not on the agenda and never will be.that my old mucker is for the grown ups at National committee level to decide.however it would be good to get everyone together for a good chinwag and a few beers.
So I leave it at that and see what response we get.