The problem: The Club is losing money at something like $500 per year and has been doing so for the past 4 or 5 years. It has been saved by the successful running of ride days where we hire race tracks and sell the places at a profit. At the same time the number of people attending general meetings has been dwindling gradually but steadily over the last few years.

A solution: The Committee sees an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: that is, save money by reducing the number of general meetings. So, after much soul searching, the Committee recommends that there be only three General Meetings per year, namely February, May and September.

The rationale behind those particular months is as follows. Constitutionally we are bound to have an AGM and traditionally it has been in May. So be it. February is at the height of bike riding season, and the meeting most likely to be well attended, given that Christmas is over and people are getting back to work. September is four months after May and a third of the year away. And it is not too close to December, when we hold the annual free Xmas BBQ at Fairfield Park, a pseudo meeting, given the large number of people who turn up. It is proposed that we have a guest speaker such as Ken Wooten (Editor of AMCN) or run an Auction Night at the September meeting.

The Economics. By reducing the number of meetings from 11 to 3 we save 8 x $44 in one fell swoop, dramatically cutting our annual revenue shortfall. Now is the time to act because we have to make a decision soon re booking next year's hall times and dates.

Discussion: There has been a dramatic drop in people attending meetings for whatever reasons (time commitment, ever increasing cost of petrol, family commitments, magazine meets information needs, social sips provide social aspect). The point of having a meeting seems to have diminished. There is little or no controversy in the Club, possibly a reason for attending meetings in the past. The Club is well organised with the web page attracting new members and providing up to date information. Itineraries and magazines are posted out consistently and regularly. There is no need to attend the meeting to get information.

Flow on effect: The Social Sips will remain but move to the 1st Thursday of each month, starting March next year, coinciding with the new itinerary. There will only be nine Social Sips per year, the other 3 months being general meetings. Simply, there will be something on every first Thursday of each month. The Social Sips cost the Club nothing and perform a valuable function and hence there is no need to cull them. It is hoped to improve their value by handing out the Club Magazine. We are unsure if this will effect postage costs or not. Wait and see.

If anyone has strong feelings, a great idea, or would prefer different months, please say so asap. Your input would be appreciated.