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Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2025 11:53 am
by Devo1956
Ian Evans wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 11:45 am
Devo1956 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 10:43 am
Ian Evans wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2025 9:23 pm
It's hard to point the finger of blame at an individual but surely it has to be the region committee that are collectively responsible in this instance.
Just a question for you Ian, and not a catch question.
If you were to be running the the RPRA, what do you feel you would need to change for the the best of interest of the members. Looking at staff levels in order to get the RPRA back on track.?
Also is there a need to change how the format of regions can become bigger, to help in the future of racing. looking at bigger combines of more clubs coming together.
I think we need to go back to the the framework that was set out, with the need for change. Your ideas can help in a big way.
If we are talking about regional structure in relation to racing then I think there are many positives to having an approach to racing based on a Geographical approach with mass liberations. This is something I raised as a discussion point while CEO. However, if we are talkling about a regional structure as it is in terms of Governance them I firmly beleive (based on what I have experinced) that it is the regional structure that is to blame for the issues the RPRA face financially. Im not referring to the cost assiciated witt running them but the decisions that are made and the motivation for those decisions. The regional Governance structure needs to go and be replaced with a far more efficient cost effective and modern process.
Staffing levels definitely need to be addressed. Something that was started in 2020 but it seems has been reversed. However, this can only be addressed by adopting modern processes.
As I have said earlier on this thread it's not the amount we are paying to the RPRA that is the issue for me. It's what it is being used to fund. It is in my opinion wasteful. I want to see a strong functioning RPRA that will benefit the sport and its members.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question Ian, I must agree with what you have written in your reply. Change is needed but in the right direction to move forward.
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:55 pm
by Diamond Dave
Well, I went along to the East mids agm - only the second regional meeting I have attended and I dont think I will be be going along to anymore.
The whole thing was like a pantomine! Oh no it wasnt, Oh yes it was! but it certainly wasnt funny.
In the first instance the balance sheet didnt add up. The finances had not been audited and what was presented to the members was farcical. There were so many discrepencies that part of the meeting had to be postponed.
The next thing that happened was that someone from an entirely different region was elected as chairman???
Talk about "jobs for the boys". The worst thing about this is that it seemed to have been pre-determined with the gentleman in question being a big wig in the MNFC,
who turned up with a load of his supporters to make sure he got voted in!
Might be worth saying at this point that the newly elected president Mr John Dodd is also tied up with the MNFC.
I think he will make a very good president the way that he shouted everyone who had a difference of opinion down while banging a mallet on the table.
At one point he shouted at one particular member at the top of his voice to 'shut-up' when he was asking about the finance while banging his mallet, then when the room went quiet he had the gall to ask if anyone had anymore questions - as if anyone would dare to say anymore.!!!
We was vitually told who the new secretary was going to be, when there were apparantly 3 candidates, and again, the rentacrowd from the mnfc voted her in.
Then the question of the proposals came up to which it was to be put to the vote.
Now, it seems to me that the East mids had already voted this in. It was published in the fancy press that a proposal had been adopted and put forward to council by the East mid members. Therefore voting on it again had got the potential to reverse what the members had already proposed which surely just isn't right.
After much shouting at the top of his voice from the new president and members who were not happy about another vote, there was never going to be any resolve to the situation and members from around 5 clubs walked out of the meeting.
I've not been in the game anywhere near as long as most of you guys on here and not been involved at this level but frankly if thats the way things are done its easy to see why the regions are just blatantly looking after their own self interest.
The most annoying thing about it all is that these people don't give a flying fart about the fancy and are only in it for what they can get out of it and are quite frankly taking the piss in broad daylight.
Someone on here mentioned the word "collusion" well what went on at that meeting was just that but without the need for any secrecy, it was all done in broad daylight!
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:49 am
by Winfort Lofts
Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:55 pm
Well, I went along to the East mids agm - only the second regional meeting I have attended and I dont think I will be be going along to anymore.
The whole thing was like a pantomine! Oh no it wasnt, Oh yes it was! but it certainly wasnt funny.
In the first instance the balance sheet didnt add up. The finances had not been audited and what was presented to the members was farcical. There were so many discrepencies that part of the meeting had to be postponed.
The next thing that happened was that someone from an entirely different region was elected as chairman???
Talk about "jobs for the boys". The worst thing about this is that it seemed to have been pre-determined with the gentleman in question being a big wig in the MNFC,
who turned up with a load of his supporters to make sure he got voted in!
Might be worth saying at this point that the newly elected president Mr John Dodd is also tied up with the MNFC.
I think he will make a very good president the way that he shouted everyone who had a difference of opinion down while banging a mallet on the table.
At one point he shouted at one particular member at the top of his voice to 'shut-up' when he was asking about the finance while banging his mallet, then when the room went quiet he had the gall to ask if anyone had anymore questions - as if anyone would dare to say anymore.!!!
We was vitually told who the new secretary was going to be, when there were apparantly 3 candidates, and again, the rentacrowd from the mnfc voted her in.
Then the question of the proposals came up to which it was to be put to the vote.
Now, it seems to me that the East mids had already voted this in. It was published in the fancy press that a proposal had been adopted and put forward to council by the East mid members. Therefore voting on it again had got the potential to reverse what the members had already proposed which surely just isn't right.
After much shouting at the top of his voice from the new president and members who were not happy about another vote, there was never going to be any resolve to the situation and members from around 5 clubs walked out of the meeting.
I've not been in the game anywhere near as long as most of you guys on here and not been involved at this level but frankly if thats the way things are done its easy to see why the regions are just blatantly looking after their own self interest.
The most annoying thing about it all is that these people don't give a flying fart about the fancy and are only in it for what they can get out of it and are quite frankly taking the piss in broad daylight.
Someone on here mentioned the word "collusion" well what went on at that meeting was just that but without the need for any secrecy, it was all done in broad daylight!
I did read about this meeting on Facebook earlier this week.
If that's how it's being handled at one of the regions that put the proposal forward, then it doesn't lend much hope for others going forward.
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 10:33 am
by Bowbroom
Looks as though you had an interesting time.
I agree that it is unacceptable for a group of people to combine to descend on a meeting to force through their agenda, I have heard of it happening before sadly.
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 4:18 pm
by CHARLTON34
That's not a way to conduct any meeting, I was hopeful that this process would be done respectfully what ever the outcome, that's the core problem when people think they have power over everyone else, isn't this the principle & structure from old habit's & outdated rules & procedures of the regions & RPRA that moving forward need's to change.
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 4:46 pm
by Bowbroom
Of all the region meetings I’ve attended and there have been many going back to 1986, I’ve never experienced an out of control meeting, but then again we have been fortunate to have experienced and able Chairmen/ Presidents who could guide and control a meeting, if officials are not of the right calibre then meetings can descend into disarray
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:19 pm
by Diamond Dave
Exactly that Dave - I moaned about the levy ( think it was on the old chat) and it was Bowbroom who told me to get off my backside and do something about it myself instead of expecting everyone else to do it., so thats what I did. I went through all the correct channels
(ie using their own archaic system) but there is no way you can infiltrate the system which has been perfected over many years with a set of rules that is designed to protect that system from within and which allows the RPRA to take the piss out of its members without any reprisal - the worst thing is- they know that!
So I dont know what you have to do to get anywhere and bring some sense and logic into the RPRA short of protesting outside councillers homes to get them to resign on block - or maybe torching a few cars or perhaps even kidnapping someone and holding them to ransom I am at a loss as to how anyone can make any difference.
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:30 pm
by Bowbroom
When you were at the AGM as your clubs elected and mandated delegate, when it came to electing the Region committee did you put yourself forward for election to the committee where you would have had a voice and attempted to influence things?
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:41 pm
by Andy
Bowbroom wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:30 pm
When you were at the AGM as your clubs elected and mandated delegate, when it came to electing the Region committee did you put yourself forward for election to the committee where you would have had a voice and attempted to influence things?
No point if you’re just going to get shouted down every time. The only way you could possibly get a change would be to get every individual member who wanted to vote have a vote and not go through the process of having to go through clubs then regions before the RPRA AGM. Of course this would never happen because someone would say that many wouldn’t bother voting and those running the regions would worry that the ones who would vote would vote against them. Seems impossible to change any of the dynamics of the RPRA.
Re: RPRA Rule Changes
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:21 pm
by Diamond Dave
Bowbroom, with the utmost respect, you are constantly banging on in a righteous manner as to how things should be done because thats what the system requires.
Frankly, in answer to your question, the last thing I want to do is to 'join' that system when its the very thing I am trying to 'change'
Will you not accept that the rules are ridiculously complicated and that everything about the RPRA is outdated.
Please tell me why it has to be such a difficult and long winded process to suggest and implement anything that would contribute to the betterment of the RPRA and the sport.?