President’s Report – May 2007

 

During the last 12 months the main focus of the Committee has been trying to attract more riders into our Club. This current lack of participation has been quite noticeable with attendances on Club events dropping by up to 20% when compared to 2006! This reduction is also having an effect on our ability to recruit new members. To this end, the Committee has proposed a range of strategies that will hopefully address these issues because without any membership growth, the Club will eventually cease to exist!

 

But it has not been all doom and gloom. We successfully celebrated our Club’s 50th anniversary. It was unfortunate that the proposed publicity of the occasion never eventuated! But in achieving this milestone in longevity, it has shown that the ideals and direction of the Club have always been right for the times.

 

We also ran our bi-annual trip to Tasmania and, although very enjoyable, numbers were well down on previous visits.

 

Name Change:  To better relate with ‘modern road riders’ the Committee is proposing we change our name from the “Motorcycle Sports Touring Club of Victoria” to the “Melbourne Sportsbike Riders”. Initially we felt that the word ‘touring’ should only be dropped is it gave the wrong message of our current rides program but after much debate a complete name change was agreed on as we see this as an important aspect in recruiting members. It must be remembered that over our 50 years of existence the Club has changed its name many times to suit the changing facets of motorcycling, our last change being in the year 2000.

 

Membership Numbers:  With the current growth in motorcycling, one would expect a similar increase in membership. While we have seen a gradual decline in our membership, other motorcycle clubs have flourished! In an effort to better understand this situation, the Committee has examined other similar clubs to try and comprehend why they are popular and we are not. Although nothing conclusive, we at least now have some ideas on what sets them apart.

 

Social Events: Our regular social sip venue, ‘Marks Place’ is still proving popular. Therefore, we see no need to change. But as our meeting hall is to be underpinned (the current ‘drought’ has led to soil shrinkage), another venue will need to be found.

 

Membership Fees: The good news is there will be NO increase in membership fees for the coming year, but without any substantial growth in membership, we will have no option but to implement a rise for the following year.

 

Club Magazine: Although our magazine is the most costly aspect of our Club, it is also a record of what we are about. In that respect, it is invaluable.  Even though in this modern age where we offer a “e-magazine”, many members still insist on having the ‘real thing’. So it appears we will be producing magazines for quite some time to come. Thanks to the Editorial team for another excellent year’s work.

 

Committee: I thank the current Committee for their dedication and endeavours over the last 12 months which in these difficult times has made some of the decisions easier to implement.

 

President - Ian Payne                                                  Vice President - Paul Southwell

Treasurer/ Public Officer - Peter Feistl                      Secretary/Editor - Ben Warden

Captain - Trevor Harris                                               Vice Captain – Breht Emmerson

Assistant Secretary – Lyn Duncan                             Social Secretary - Martin Hastie

 

To all members I thank you for your participation and friendship and look forward to the coming year of change.

 

Ian Payne

President. 2006/2007