Calling all marshals and potential marshals

[Apple]

I dont understand ?
I use the BMMC south east region to volunteer from the start of my marshalling
very easy to use and its worked every time
And just clicked every region(calender/volunteer) and its there to be used on every one except Northern Ireland
So where's the problem ?
Mick

[deley]

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

I think the general consensus of opinion still seems to be that the BMMC is THE Marshalling club to be a member of BUT the whole concept of how to get started (For new/potential Marshals) AND who/where to volunteer to (For Regular Marshals Too) is still far from perfect!
Julians site is brilliant but is not affiliated to the BMMC and (As Far As Volunteering Goes) the BMMC regions are not all up there with the North Region in offering online volunteering via the website.

The BMMC website needs a page that has every event listed and grouped into Race/Hills/Sprints/Bikes etc. We should be able to click on the event(s) we wish to volunteer for and submit personal details.

The BARC and Castle Combe do this perfectly!

I would agree that the various clubs/circuits combinations and ways of volunteering can be somewhat confusing and a little daunting for new people ... and as has been said can also baffle even those who have been around a while.

While discussions focus on making online volunteering easier and simpler I actually have a further suggestion that would make life easier - add in a mechanism to un-volunteer as well. When a marshal has no idea who the CM/marshal coordinator for a meeting might be or where their volunteering details have gone to out in the ether then un-volunteering can be a challenge.


Dave

[EvilPumpkin]

Originally Posted by Apple

I dont understand ?
I use the BMMC south east region to volunteer from the start of my marshalling
very easy to use and its worked every time
And just clicked every region(calender/volunteer) and its there to be used on every one except Northern Ireland
So where's the problem ?
Mick

Ah ok I see it now - I hadn't thought of going into the regions as I presumed that was related to training days and regional news.

I'm a bit tied up at the moment - is there a map somewhere that shows you which circuits are in which regions? Again, had a brief look, but didn't see it?

I still think that a link on the main page would be helpful but then I guess that as we are members for the only region that doesn't have a volunteering form, I would say that!

[Stephen Green]

I agree that a link on the front page would be useful, I will enquire how easy it would be to create.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

The BMMC website needs a page that has every event listed and grouped into Race/Hills/Sprints/Bikes etc. We should be able to click on the event(s) we wish to volunteer for and submit personal details.

I agree completely. I'd suggest amending to 'grouped into Race/Hills/Sprints/Bikes and sorted by venue' since geographical location will probably be most people's over-riding criteria, but that's just a minor additional point.

If it were also possible somewhere to identify of what each meeting was going to consist and any which are intended to finish later than 18:30 life would be complete!

[Eric Ridler]

As for the direct debit, the last time I checked, you were unable to offer that option to non-UK residents. Has that changed?

My apologies Terri, you are correct at the moment there is not a non-Uk facility. But Paul will gladly take your payment by phone or if he is not available call me as I have the same facility for Regalia use.

I'm a bit tied up at the moment - is there a map somewhere that shows you which circuits are in which regions? Again, had a brief look, but didn't see it?

On the each regional page there is a menu on the LH side of the page with one for "circuits" and also one for "Calendar/Volunteering". Each circuit page should show a circuit diagram and also a google location map. Below each is the calendar of events for the circuit, assuming the region has filled in the details.
The Calendar button list all events administered by the region where you can either volunteer or request "Insurance only". This generates a receipt email to the volunteer and the details are passed to the regional Compsec.

Hope this has cleared up some of issues raised. I am not averse to construction criticism but wish it was directed to me personally and not aired in public. If we don't know there is a problem, how can we make changes or offer guidance.
Eric

[EvilPumpkin]

Thanks Eric, I'll do that.

In fairness, I only contributed because this thread specifically asks for people to give suggestions. Part of the question was

Originally Posted by Stoowert

So what is the point of the club? Subsidised overalls? Perhaps, except it costs more to remain a member than one can save on overalls. How about the insurance? Yes, but why do we have to apply for insurnce cover? Why isn't this covered by our annual subscription?

As I pointed out earlier, there are many benefits to membership that maybe some folks take for granted - I then wanted to offer other suggestions for things that I felt would be a value add.

None of the things I talked about are problems - simply suggestions for things that might add further value to the package.

I wasn't starting a whinge thread - just answering the question that was put by a BMMC committee member.

And to be honest, by now you think I'd know better than to get involved in these discussions.

Annual lesson learned.

[HairyDJ]

Whilst we're fettling the systems .... I really dislike it when an event is quietly withdrawn or moved to a new date / location. It would be so helpful if such occasions were handled by retaining the data with a nice clear "cancelled" or whatever marker on it. I usually map out my calender early each year, but usually find one or two entries in my list where all trace has vanished a few months later. After a good crawl around the club / location / here, I can sometimes find confirmation that I hadn't #@#'d up.

It would be good to see more non-circuit events prominent, although most kart / sprint / hill climb type events tend to have a small & regular group of supporters who are contacted directly each season.

I believe that all of the web based volunteering pages like Julian's / BMMC regions all generate an email to the designated contact point - a copy emailed to the volunteer would be a great bonus for record keeping / reminders?

[Apple]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

I believe that all of the web based volunteering pages like Julian's / BMMC regions all generate an email to the designated contact point - a copy emailed to the volunteer would be a great bonus for record keeping / reminders?

Isn't that what happens now
When I volunteer via BMMC I get a conformation email that I file for later reference
Mick

[sunny.traveller]

Originally Posted by HairyDJ

I believe that all of the web based volunteering pages like Julian's / BMMC regions all generate an email to the designated contact point - a copy emailed to the volunteer would be a great bonus for record keeping / reminders?

For Julian's website you get to see a copy of the html page that you can save to your PC but not a copy of the email/message that goes to the club with your volunteering details. I don't always remember to save the html page so an automatic copy of the email would be fantastic. http://tentenths.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif