Madam Chair
Chairman Jane provides an overview of MAG's progress
As I write this column we are in the process of employing a new 'Campaigns Manager' for MAG UK. This step forward is absolutely crucial to the efficiency, success and expansion of our organisation and signifies a milestone in our development. Trevor Baird is moving to focus on business developments but of course he will work closely with the individual during the induction period. Trevor's workload has been absurdly heavy for too long and with this new staff member dedicated to the political sphere we will be able to intensify our lobbying efforts.
This long overdue expansion in our staff has been directly made possible by the hard work of members at ground level in running fund-raising events and I thank each and every one of you.
One of our targets this year is to spread the word of MAG to the wider biking community. To this end we have been writing to clubs and placing articles in their magazines while offering them exposure in The Road. We are also looking to have a presence with the MAG stall at some of the larger club rallies and events around the country in 2007.
In trying to support our activists in the work of lobbying MPs, councils, running groups, organising fund raising events and projecting the face of MAG into the wider biking community, we are establishing annual training sessions in the spring. In 2006 the venue for these sessions was Leeds and we hope to hold sessions in the North and South of the country in 2007. The training package is ready to be transported we just need to confirm venues with food and accommodation. Look out for further information in future editions of The Road and the reps newsletter, Network.
Trevor Baird has been working with eBike to fine tune the contract we have with this company which has rapidly become a significant force in motorcycle insurance. Many of our members have already taken advantage of their services and remember that MAG benefits financially from each policy taken with them.
Similarly, we are working on the 6 wheel breakdown policy, which provides one of the best services in the market and also benefits MAG financially if members take up a policy with them. Watch out for new adverts in The Road and Network.
Other areas being developed are Travel Insurance and Membership benefits.
Ian Mutch has replaced the A3 Broadsheet called 'What's MAG All About?' with an updated A4 version called 'Does MAG Represent me?........You decide' Ask for copies via your rep to further spread the word about MAG.
Trevor Baird continues his sterling work on the 3rd and 2nd Driving Licence Directives. He had a particularly successful presentation in July at Westminster's 'All Party Group on Motorcycling' (APG). He ensured that our voice is represented in parliament. Likewise his work continues with the External Vehicle Speed Control (EVSC) Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) issue. MAG's stance is that we are totally against the mandatory fitting of speed control devices that remove control from the rider to remote operation. Make sure you sign the electronic petition on the MAG website. I'll let Trevor expand more on these issues in his own column.
As August approached I found myself in the throes of co-ordinating the 3rd Yorkshire Pudding Rally. This event was re-formed to replace the Glowing Lamb, which died a death a few years ago. The event had previously run for some ten years when I was still a member of the Barnsley Bikers and was handed over to MAG a couple of years ago. It is now run by the volunteer work force from all over Yorkshire and beyond. This is the third year we have had sunshine from start to finish and due to its growing popularity we had to sell tickets by pre book only this year. We did a survey of rally goers' views and opinions at the event and the common statement was that they liked the traditional feel of ride-outs, silly games, a bonfire and roast dinners in Yorkshire Puddings. They also said that when they went to larger events they took circles of friends with them, but at smaller events were able to make new friends. Even for smaller events the licensing laws and issues around health safety and hygiene are complex to navigate and we are very grateful to Pete Walker for his help and support in these areas.
I managed to get away to Crete this summer where I met up with 'Pannos,' a member of Leeds MAG in Yorkshire. He has recently returned home to be with his parents and is in the process of forming a bike group on the island called 'The Minoan MCC Crete'. He is a true MAG man at heart and with his determination and energy I'm sure he'll get things sorted. He'll certainly get any help he wants from us. I am always struck by the different cultures of motorcycling in countries with warmer climates. In these countries powered two wheelers will always be part of the transport systems whereas at times it feels like countries like ours and Belgium have to continue to fight for our very survival.
As Mr Mutch was jumping up and down waiting for my column, I delayed it until after Stormin' the Castle - what a good do! Quality entertainment throughout the weekend, culminating with The Levellers on Saturday night and a wide range of foods from different cultures. The extreme weather was very 'entertaining', but thankfully I managed to get my tent up and down in the dry. Thanks to the Committee for a great weekend.
Finally the Eastern Region has put in a bid to host the Annual Conference next year in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. So if you have any motions to put to conference or suggestion for awards please make sure they are in to Central before 31st December 2006.
Onwards and Upwards.
Jane Chisholm
MAG National Chairman
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