Why change the Monthly Meeting venue?

[Peter_Bull]

I read the following on Davids latest post yesterday:

'Monthly Meetings – October and beyond. As a small number of members want to move from Garstang Golf Club .............................'

My question is this:

If its only a 'small number' then why change what is an already well established and friendly venue, that has safe and secure parking. It is also inexpensive in comparison.!

If the majority have no interest in changing the venue then lets leave things as they are.

Maybe I have missed something or maybe there is more happening behind the scenes that we are not aware of.

 

[vitesse]

New kids on the block springs to mind!

 

[Peter_Bull]

Next months monthly meeting it at a golf club near Blackburn. It’s a one off apparently, due to the WI taking over the usual venue for that week.


At last night monthly meeting there were about 50 members present David asked for a show of hands of who would be going to the Blackburn meeting. I guess about 10 people said they would.

Perhaps members have got used to the Garstang venue, and not at all supportive of changing on a permanent basis.

Just saying.

 

[David Marsh]

It is my understanding that Garstang Golf Club is up for sale and there’s no doubt housing will replace all that’s there at the moment.

 

[Rubber_Man]

Is this up to date information? There have been rumours about this for several years. You only have to look in the Financial Timese etc., and there are many golf courses for sale every week.

They have of course sold the Driving Range recently and houses have been built on theer and are now occupied

 

[David Marsh]

As of this very moment in time offers over £3,250,000 will be considered.

 

[David Marsh]

https://benallengolf.com
www.golfcourses4sale.co.uk

 

[Rubber_Man]

Thansk for the info

 

[Ian_959]

That Golf club would make a great HQ location for the Porsche club, they could move out of the Cotswolds, "Just sayin"

 

[David Marsh]

It would indeed and it’s cheap at twice the price.

 

[mattsmo818]

I read the following on Davids latest post yesterday:

'Monthly Meetings – October and beyond. As a small number of members want to move from Garstang Golf Club .............................'

My question is this:

If its only a 'small number' then why change what is an already well established and friendly venue, that has safe and secure parking. It is also inexpensive in comparison.!

If the majority have no interest in changing the venue then lets leave things as they are.

Maybe I have missed something or maybe there is more happening behind the scenes that we are not aware of.

When in discussion it was apparent a few members wanted to try a different venue. It was discussed at the last meeting in July. As Garstang isn't available for Septembers meeting it was suggested that we could try a different venue to trial it. It was also put to a Poll on the Facebook group with 24 votes to try a new venue on the same date, vs. the 4 to move the meeting and stay at Garstang.

David asked for suggestions for venues, as he'd investigated over 80 and was struggling to find one that was suitable.

Pleasington was put forward by myself, as it met the criteria for what we required. Large car park, nice venue, £50 for the room that we'll have to ourselves. It's close to all motorways, M65, M61, and M6.

It maybe that Pleasington isn't suitable, the evening in September is a trial. It's by all means not suggested as a permanent move.

In terms of how many people may visit, then it could also be looked upon that there's many people that don't travel to Garstang or don't like the venue. There's many new members that turn up and then cease to return. In the July meeting we had only a handful of members even turn up, and last night was the most in a long time.

And quite frankly, Gary was right last night. Garstang is Soulless.

Plus now it's up for sale, it's looking apparent that it's more than likely we'll have to find a new venue of some sort.

 

[Rubber_Man]

To clarify what I said to everyone on Wednesday evening I am Region 18 Regional Organiser, and after hearing from many members who were or were not at the meeting it's my decision to stay at Garstang Golf Club. for our Monthly Meeting

End of discussion

 

[Peter_Bull]

So Matt, in your own words, only a handful of members attended the July meeting and discussed a change in venue. Perhaps it would be better to have held that discussion at a meeting where all R18 members had been invited to offers suggestions and discuss a change in venue face to face rather than a ’soulless’ Facebook poll.

i agree that Garstang golf club is not exactly brimming in luxury or trimmings but it has served this club well for the best part of 20 years so far. My only grumble is that it takes ages to get served in the bar! Members go to these meetings monthly meetings to interact with fellow members, not to admire at whats hanging on the wall or take in the cosmetic ambience.

I understand Garstang golf club has been up for sale for quite some time an even if it does get sold, who is to say that it will not continue as a golf club and we can continue to hold the monthly meetings there. Even if it is sold it may take some time or maybe never to get planning permission.
Not everyone uses or has access to Facebook and looking at the demographic’s of most monthly meeting regular attendees I doubt that they even used the poll you allure to. You just have to look at the activity of R18 forum page to see how poorly members interact on some social media.

As an aside, and what I find confusing, and I am sure others will too, is that we have 2x Facebook groups for R18. One official one set up by David (RO) Porsche Club Lancashire Region and another that you co-administer called Porsche Club Lancashire Region Group that the poll you mentioned was undertaken.

As David is the RO I personally think he should be the one leading this discussion on any moves to a new venue, and also make a decision on which Facebook group we retain or delete!

 

[mattsmo818]

The discussion for change in venue was merely for a replacement for September, as Garstang isn't available. It was suggested that some members didn't like Garstang Golf Club. David asked for suggestions for September and I provided one, not a replacement. Maybe I won't bother next time?
David is RO and it's his decision what the outcome for September was, and solely his. He's made the decision for Wray and Pleasington. The poll was only to assist in a decision, again which I asked David before posting. Many members that actually answered are ones that attend meetings - plus I did actually specific that you should only answer if you intended coming to the September meeting too.

I might also add that David has asked in Newsletter emails regarding venues, which I believe he had a poor response however David would have to clarify this.

There also isn't two Facebook Groups. There is a 'Page' that is shown to the public that anyone can view and a 'Group' that is private to R18 and PCGB members only. It's been discussed in many Monthly meetings before this was set up, approved by David, and also liaised with Head Office by Rob. The Group was requested by many members and gets good interaction, much more than the Forum as you suggest. After only being going for 3/4 months we've got 134 members. Many other regions have the same setup. The Facebook Group isn't to replace anything, only an addition aid in getting information out to members.

Hope that clarifies things for you.

 

[Peter_Bull]

Woah !! Stead on tiger! ??

Thanks you for taking the time to reply.

The discussion for change in venue was merely for a replacement for September, as Garstang isn't available. It was suggested that some members didn't like Garstang Golf Club. David asked for suggestions for September and I provided one, not a replacement. Maybe I won't bother next time?

Absolutely you should keep ‘bothering’!
It’s no secret to some members, but David and I have had issues in the past that we have now resolved, but that has not put me off helping and offering advice and support when I can. All members should help and support David as RO. Its not an easy role, though it may look so from the outside. Trust me, I have been there on more than one occasion.

David is RO and it's his decision what the outcome for September was, and solely his. He's made the decision for Wray and Pleasington. The poll was only to assist in a decision, again which I asked David before posting. Many members that actually answered are ones that attend meetings - plus I did actually specific that you should only answer if you intended coming to the September meeting too.

Matt, according to your poll post you said, ‘We'd like everyone's input on the Monthly Meeting for September (21/09)’. There was no mention of you should only answer if you intended coming to the September meeting too.

There also isn't two Facebook Groups. There is a 'Page' that is shown to the public that anyone can view and a 'Group' that is private to R18 and PCGB members only. It's been discussed in many Monthly meetings before this was set up, approved by David, and also liaised with Head Office by Rob. The Group was requested by many members and gets good interaction, much more than the Forum as you suggest. After only being going for 3/4 months we've got 134 members. Many other regions have the same setup. The Facebook Group isn't to replace anything, only an addition aid in getting information out to members.

Hope that clarifies things for you.

Thank you for the explanation. I am from an IT background and am pretty savvy with social media too. However not all our members are and that is whom I and trying to get clarity.

If you do a Facebook search for Porsche Club GB Region 18 you get to two options that come up:

The official PCGB Facebook page:

This can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/PCGB.R18

The private Facebook group:

This can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pcgbr18group

I think a clear written caveat, on each of the above homepages, explaining what the Facebook ‘page’ and Facebook ‘group’ actually do for the members. This would also be helpful it a link to each other’s page was prominent

Further to the Facebook ‘group’ accepting members, how is the member verified please?

 

[mattsmo818]

Sorry Peter, but it did say that if you read the full post -

We'd like everyone's input on the Monthly Meeting for September (21/09). We cannot have the meeting at Garstang Golf Club due to the WI booking it out for the week, David & Judy are also on holiday that week. So there's a few options listed below. Please anyone that attends the meetings or would like to in September please vote. If you vote for trial a new venue, any suggestions for a suitable venue in the comments would be welcome.

The members are verified by myself or Rob on the PCGB portal. Members joining have to submit their membership number which is checked.


There was a newsletter that went out explaining the new group at the time or release. However yes, maybe we should update them on the descriptions with a brief explanation.