North/South

[ianthow]

Perhaps the club should have consulted with members and looked at other options for splitting the register before announcing this change. The more obvious split, rather than geographic (we already have Regional structures), would be by model numbers (986, 987, 981 and 982[718]), mirroring the situation with the many 911 registers. With additional registers, the problem could be finding volunteers to be the Register Secretaries, but then again, there may be members who would be enthusiastic to carry the flag for their preferred model. The increased number of registers could be alleviated slightly by merging same models of Boxster and Cayman. The logic is that there is more technical commonality between each model so general advice and technical support would be more focussed. There might even be scope for a separate GT/Spyder register as with 911 models.
It will be interesting to see opinions from other forum participants.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Hi Ian.
Making so many specific variants is not financially viable,
You have to think of the cost and space in the PP .
Even this South Register creates more expense, agree we have Regions I don't see where a RS lives location wise of any relevance.

On a Technical note we have got Steve Winter who owns and runs a Porsche independent and race team with a wealth of knowledge in all variants working on them daily, also Nike Pike a very knowledgeable guy on all things Boxster his support to members and the Boxster team has been superb.
I agree no consideration has been given to the split some suggested an assistant in a different location might be the way to go, but where ever located will never be a right place for some after all is that not why we have Regions.
My view we are alienating dividing members of the model same goes for social media of the Register it would be much better under one umbrella
Thus making life easier to communicate with fellow likeminded .
Personally more creates just more confusion.

All only my views of course what really counts how we can serve members
to the best we can.

Regards Cliff.

 

[Nick_USA]

They are many ways to run additional events for register members across the whole of the UK without the need to create another unnecessary North/South divide. Our country has enough of these issues without our Club taking part.

Perhaps someone could give a justification for numbers in the new areas ...

There are approximately 3,100 members in our register, yet the new North split ends up with about 700 and the South with 2,200 members. [The other 100 sit in the Channel Islands, Northern Island and a few that are overseas].

I will be polite, how is this a fair, equitable split?

I had hoped I would find some clues in published board minutes yet as of today these are now 6 months in arrears.

 

[BrianJ]

I’ve never seen any published definition of North and South so not sure how the average member would know which one you are supposed to be in and how many members are in each. To be honest I don’t really care - I value all the Boxster-related resources and shall continue to participate in relevant activities wherever they are depending on content, timing and location. Having two different people volunteering to organise such things in different parts of the country is great and should be appreciated by all, but I can’t imagine why it has to be marketed as a “split” which seems unnecessarily divisive. To me, it’s just more.

 

[ianthow]

I can’t imagine why it has to be marketed as a “split” which seems unnecessarily divisive. To me, it’s just more.

Brian, you are spot on there.

 

[ralphmusic]

Will the “Contact Preferences” be amended to allow selection of North and/or South?

 

[jed]

Seems like any discussion on the spitting of the Boxster register on the Boxster South forum is now banned. Nothing like a good democratic debate....

I posted

John Mutter Porsche Club GB - Boxster South​

Subsequent to the email from the club office regarding the register split that I think all register members have just received, I have responded with the email below, and wonder what others not directly involved in the decision feel
_______________________________________________________________________
I’d be the first to congratulate the board for stabilizing the Club after all the trauma of the EGM a couple of years ago, and for putting PCGB on a much more solid financial footing; additionally, much of the work done by the current board, including the revamp of Porsche Post is to be applauded.
Subsequent to the EGM, there was a lot talk from the new board, of wanting to make PCGB a more democratic, inclusive, organisation for all members, broadening out the base from what many perceived, rightly or wrongly, a 911 bias, and much has been done to achieve this, which makes the somewhat heavy handed decision, without any in depth consultation of register members, to split the Boxster register into two regions, not even equal in members, very hard to understand. I firmly believe this action should be put on hold whilst a proper survey is done of those in the register to see if those actually affected by the decision are in favour of it progressing or not.
The splitting of the Facebook and Instagram groups is equally difficult to fathom, particularly the Facebook decision. Surely one source of information regarding all issues, technical or otherwise should be the way to go.
I intend to put a copy of this note on the North / South thread in the Boxster section of the Forum.

And after a reply from another member agreeing with me the post got deleted with the following message

Feedback​

John, Please write to the club using the correct channels rather than using our social media platform.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm beginning to think this whole process reeks of a stitch up

 

[Nick_USA]

To answer the Q of where the divide has been carried out, it seems that the North is everything North of and includes the East Midlands. However, if you're in the West Midlands, you are [currently] in the South.

Why is the West Midlands in the South? Could it be that the South assistant perhaps harks from there or that prior to being an official he ran a West Midlands Boxster group, who knows, but I suspect that I might be close to the truth.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

That explains it all Nick
RS South is hardly far flung south.

 

[ianthow]

Hi Ian.
Making so many specific variants is not financially viable,
You have to think of the cost and space in the PP .
Even this South Register creates more expense, agree we have Regions I don't see where a RS lives location wise of any relevance.

On a Technical note we have got Steve Winter who owns and runs a Porsche independent and race team with a wealth of knowledge in all variants working on them daily, also Nike Pike a very knowledgeable guy on all things Boxster his support to members and the Boxster team has been superb.
I agree no consideration has been given to the split some suggested an assistant in a different location might be the way to go, but where ever located will never be a right place for some after all is that not why we have Regions.
My view we are alienating dividing members of the model same goes for social media of the Register it would be much better under one umbrella
Thus making life easier to communicate with fellow likeminded .
Personally more creates just more confusion.

All only my views of course what really counts how we can serve members
to the best we can.

Regards Cliff.

Cliff,

I think that using financial viability as an excuse for not splitting the Boxster/Cayman into separate registers is rather weak. Apparently there are 3,000 member linked to the Boxster register. This is about 13% of the total membership, all paying members. In total, there are 37 separate registers in the club, some of a very niche nature, i.e the Boxster Register is only 2.7% of ALL registers yet their dues add up to 13% of the dues paid by all members.
If the total number of registers is presenting a financial burden, before dismissing member suggestions, perhaps the club should review the list in total to ensure fair representation across the membership.
Regarding the "Technical note", these resources are all well and good, but it is just two people. Within the membership owning 986, 987, 981 and 982, there will be many members able to contribute specialist relevant answers to questions about their preferred model. I certainly try to on 987 matters.
Like you, these are only my views as a ordinary member.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Ian
With respect try finding an RS for every Boxster variant.
Plus I think we are dividing the group even more by doing so.

If you are an official you will know finances do come into play.

Regards the two Technical guys we have I can confirm they are well up to the task Steve Winter has unlimited knowledge having a Porsche Garage for years.
But we encourage members like yourself to contribute on here or FB.



As yourself my opinion.

 

[pse_SC]

Unfortunately, this just another example of pointless Club politics and serves no useful practical purpose. Splitting such an obviously successful register is a waste of breath.

The Boxster register has been run in an exemplary manner for many years by Tracy.

This action is a slap in the face for the very volunteers who give their all for the Club.

(... just my opinion as a member of many years too...)

 

[911hillclimber]

Interesting read, all of it. Good the views are expressed and on this section of the Forum for anyone to read/assess.
I am Boxster 987.6 owner for the last 9 years, an early 911 owner for the last 37 years when I joined the Club.

I don't do many PCGB events in either car but always have an eye open for any event that would be good to do.
I'm not sure if there are many like me in the 3000 odd Boxster crowd?
I am not concerned about North/South sections I just want:

To be able to see all Boxster activities as we may be tempted at some time.
To continue to enjoy the Boxster/Cayman sections of this forum, it has been a god-send to me over my 9 years with this sometimes awkward car.
To continue to feel welcome on the forum as a whole and early 911/Boxster sections in particular and continue to contribute as much as I can.

Maybe a bit selfish, but I'm happy as it is, N/S divide or just one happy family.
The word Divide is not appropriate, it draws a barrier straight away....

 

[jed]

Interesting use of admin powers I feel. Nothing like a bit of free speech and debate! Not even the courtesy of explaining why my posts are being deleted - simply declines to answer. How very professional.

 

[911hillclimber]

Sad to read this, but in my very limited experience Moderators on any forum do not explain why they take an action.
I hope you get a pm about it.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Divide Splitting call it what you want creates a wedge between like minded people, sharing experiences road trips Tech stuff ect.
Better to be under one umbrella and can't even begin to fathom why social media has to be split North/South just alienates divides members.
Location has nothing to do with an RS why we have regions.

Only my opinion of course

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Interesting use of admin powers I feel. Nothing like a bit of free speech and debate! Not even the courtesy of explaining why my posts are being deleted - simply declines to answer. How very professional.
View attachment 5443

Can only assume it's a board decision

 

[jed]

Can only assume it's a board decision

True, but that makes it worse in my opinion. And I had such high hopes of this board when they took over.

 

[jed]

In the interests of openness, which I sure we all subscribe to, I submitted a grievance complaint to the club in line with the process laid down on the club website, regarding what I felt was the dictatorial nature of the boards decision to split the very successful Boxster register without first ascertaining from the register members if this is what they wanted.

I have subsequently received the note below from the HR Director, and Legal Advisor to the board. I replicate it in the belief it may be of interest to those who have an interest in the split, not only of the register, but also the Facebook pages.


Dear Mr Mutter

We acknowledge receipt of your email regarding the split of the Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Thank you for your feedback about your views (unable to fathom etc)

This is a democratically taken decision by the Board to reflect the split in the register and a decision that the Board considers better serves the Boxster owners as our biggest model group.

In so far as your email suggests - this is a breach of the code of conduct requiring an investigation into a grievance - this does not constitute a grievance in which the process you refer to would be appropriate or indeed proportionate. It is not a breach of the code of conduct and indeed to the contrary is a democratic decision by the Board in the usual course of their dealings.

(Please refer to the website for our definition of a grievance and processes for them) https://www.porscheclubgb.com/about/club-business/grievance-process

Of course you may not agree with the decision made, however that does not make it a breach of the code of conduct.

The Board will continue to monitor the progress of the register split and hopes that in time more members will benefit from this division to ensure an enhanced member experience.

Thank you again for your email, we welcome respectful feedback whether by email or online.

Kind regards

HR Director
Legal Adviser to the Board

 

[mike.runnalls]

Unfortunately, this just another example of pointless Club politics and serves no useful practical purpose. Splitting such an obviously successful register is a waste of breath.

The Boxster register has been run in an exemplary manner for many years by Tracy.

This action is a slap in the face for the very volunteers who give their all for the Club.

(... just my opinion as a member of many years too...)

Very well said Paul. Disgusting club politics. I am likely leaving the club after 26years membership. Its supposed to be democratic, not a dictating board.