MAG AGC
2003
MAG Annual Group Conference
Date April 12
2003
Contents:
Manifesto
for position of board member of MAG UK Ltd:
Manifesto
for National Network Communications Officer:
Manifesto
for National Clubs Liaison Officer :
Manifesto
for Director of MAG UK
Since
my decision to stand for the Chair in 2003
my predecessor resigned and as Vice Chairman I assumed the role of
acting Chairman - something I was proud to do.
I
soon realised that there was work to be done to promote professionalism in MAG
and justify the thousands of members who are MAGıs backbone.
This
work is now starting to pay dividends. We now have the strongest most united
National Committee that I can remember, the most efficient Central Office team
ever and more influence over the politicians, all thanks to the efforts of our
full time and volunteer lobbyists alike.
I
have had links with MAG since 1973, working at local, county and regional level
and currently hold the post of Western Regional Rep.
I
was seven years Chairman of the Womens International Motorcycle Association
(WIMA) before stepping down to be
Riders Rights Liaison Officer for WIMA to MAG, BMF & the then FEM for a
further twelve years, and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in 2000.
I
believe, after an unsettling time, MAG needs a period of stability to increase
its strength with a Chairman who brings with them no previous baggage or
possible conflicts of interest.
I
shall encourage the election of strong Regional Reps making up the National
Committee (NC) to take MAG forward and encourage individuals like myself, to
come forward to promote MAG locally and nationally. Your Regional Rep is elected to a position of great responsibility
with voting rights on the NC. Strong
and dedicated Regional Reps, prepared to stand up and be counted around the NC
table, along with elected officers of similar ilk, are what I look forward to
working with.
If
elected I will work at ensuring that
MAG's role remains the promotion and protection of Riders. We must remain
vigilant - not only for pending legislation, but for possible manipulation of
Riders by any commercial bodies who may seek to promote their interests at our
expense. We must never allow MAG to
be compromised by such factors. We are
a Riders organisation, owned by the Riders and representing Riders and that is
our strength.
MAG's
events are bigger and better than before, and will be enhanced further with the
reinstatement of the Magna Carta in 2003.
Any event, big or small, is important to MAG, as they all provide
income, as do our commercial activities like the Members deals which fund our
political activities in the UK and Europe.
Please
don't fall into the trap of thinking that because MAG strives to be more
professional we are well-off because if
we are to be effective we need every penny and believe me every penny counts.
Progressing
and protecting MAG & its members must be a prime objective, not only of
myself but of my colleagues at Central
Office and on the NC. Anyone who does not have that goal 100% at their heart
should seriously consider whether they hold those posts for the right reasons.
There
is much work to be done and you, the membership, must ensure you play your part.
The NC, has recently set up working
parties to address Recruitment, Political Campaigns and Streetbiker. I see the role of Chairman as assisting the
progress of such Groups.
Email
protocols have now been established to prevent destructive controversies
escalating, and others will follow as necessary.
MAG's
structure gives every member a level playing field upon which they can have a
say. One of my main endeavours if
elected as Chairman is to ensure this democratic process flourishes for the
good of our organisation and its membership.
It is through your representation to your Regional Rep or if you are a
Regional Rep, to NC, which makes that voice heard.
Please
remember that it is a two way street and your feedback is just as important.
Anne
Gale 63175 life
(Acting
Chairman)
Proposed:
Eddie Garnier 88743
Seconded:
Ian Moore 97145
I
have been riding bikes for 40 years, and a biker and MAG member for 7 years. A
branch Rep. For 5 years, active in local issues and regional events, including
the organisation of 2002 AGC. As Chairman of the Charity 'Freewheelers' I have
guided the Charity to a position of strength and stability. As managing
director of a Limited Company for 30 years I retired 7 years ago and became
serious about biking. I feel I can contribute much in the way of time and
experience to the Board and thereby help MAG move forward in itıs aims and
aspirations.
Ian
Moore. 97145 life
Weston
& North Somerset Rep. Acting National Vice Chairman.
Proposed
: Derwen Hinds 75432
Seconded
: Cathy Phillpotts 61809
I
have appointed to the position of NNCO by MAG's National Committee in June 2002
and I would like you to consider me for election to the post.
The
job description has expanded since the position was created at the last AGC in
Weston-Super-Mare. At that time it was
not possible to elect someone to the position, as no applications could be
received for a job that did not yet exist.
My
current responsibilities include
·
Producing
"Network" monthly
·
Keeping the Reps'
Handbook updated
·
Providing Activist
Training
·
Attending AGMs for
those regions without a Regional Rep
·
Trying to recruit Regional
Reps for those regions and liasing with the local Reps in the Region in the
meantime
Since
June I have produced "Network" each month. I have also completely updated the Reps' Handbook and with some
IT help, produced a CD for use alongside the Handbook.
At
the end of November we ran an Activist Training Course in Yorkshire Region and
are now looking at the possibility of organising a National Activist Training
Course.
I
am going to be looking at the whole structure relating to local groups with a
view to seeing how we can improve the procedures for feeding into MAG as a
whole, as this is an area that causes me much concern.
I
see my position as essentially being one of support. It is my job to ensure that all MAG Reps have the tools to do
their jobs.
I
would respectfully ask that you consider me for this position.
Liz
Needham (MAG Member 97011)
Proposed:
Jane Chisholm
Seconded:
Aine Gale
I
have been a biker for 30 years, and during that time, I have been a member of
many different clubs. I have been a MAG member since 1996. I have held
positions both regionally, and nationally, for NABD for a number of years. I
founded a group of volunteer marshals, known as Gremlins Independent Marshals,
(dedicated to the fun and safety of bikers) which brought me into contact with
many clubs, often at the very last minute, to assist when they ran into
problems. It was due to this work, that GIM was the very proud recipient, of
the Steve Tannock Award from MAG last year. I have also marshalled the Ramsey
sprint for the last 6 years.
I
have been Regional Rep for North Wales MAG for the past year, having been
re-elected for this year on 1st March. I have worked closely with the National
Committee, both through the medium of the internet, and at meetings, or on an
individual basis. I believe that team
work is essential for the growth of any organisation. I am a member of 2
working groups, within MAG. I feel part of a strong team within MAG at the
moment, with balanced views and healthy debates. Having just come through a
patch where personalities seemed more important, than the work of MAG itself. I
would hope now, that we can all go forward, without fear or favour, but always,
for the good of MAG.
If
I am elected, I am firstly, glad to say, that Debbie Jones, has agreed to
assist me in the running of this part of the MAG team. Her past experience with
the post, and the MAGMAX package, will be invaluable. I believe that our clubs
are the lifes blood of this organisation. They should be represented fully, at
National level. Amongst our affiliated
clubs, as I write, we have 3,834 individual affiliates, and at our recent peak,
(given that a lot have yet to submit their membership fees) 41,449 individual
affiliates. That means to me, that at least that many names should be
forthcoming on any petition. At least £41,449 towards sales of draw tickets, if
each affiliate buys just one. This means work, on the part of Club Liaison
officers around the regions. I hope to bring them together, in the form of a
working group. I am a great believer in leading by example, and I will be
visiting in person, as many clubs as I can, and definitely those that have no
officer visiting them at present.
Clubs
need to see that their queries, ideas etc are dealt with, both on a regional
and national level, and that their events are supported whenever possible. I
intend to be present at all National Clubs AGMs to both report to them where MAG
is at the time, and to answer any questions put forward. I believe, that when a
club affiliates, they deserve at the very least, a personal visit from their
area Club Liaison, and I would like to put into operation at central office,
the facility for the area to be informed, within 2 weeks of a new club being
accepted as a member, again, going myself, if no other person is available in
the area. In areas that a rep is finding it hard to get local meetings off the
ground, or keeping them going, it could be that holding them as part of a club
meeting is one way of going forward. I find that most clubs are willing to help
if asked, the blanket request, can anybody help, does not go quite as far, as
an invitation to help, directed at the club, will. This can encompass any form
of help that is required, from bodies to marshal, to signature collecting, to
local council or MP lobbying. There is a wealth of support and assistance
within the area that is the affiliates, I intend to tap it.
Janet
Hurley 115048
North
Wales Regional Rep
I was appointed by the
National Committee in June 2002 to take over the role of Director vacated by
the previous Vice Chairman - this after stepping down as Regional Rep for North
of Scotland (and caretaker for East and West Scotland Regions), a position held
since 1998. My biking interests are
wide and varied, owning classic and modern machines. Since becoming a director I have been able to take an impartial
view of MAG UK operations and have hopefully provided a useful role within both
the board and NC. If the NC decision to
appoint me is ratified I will continue to ensure that the board's workings
remain in the best interests of MAG, its members and Riders Rights.
Brian Williams, 87099
Director
MAG UK