Madam Chair
Chairman Jane provides an overview of MAG's progress
Hi all, times have never looked so good for MAG and we really feel like we are surfing the crest of a wave. As you may know by now, David Short has come on board as Campaigns Manager. David is a life-long motorcyclist, having been introduced to motorcycling in his Dad's motorbike and sidecar. He has owned and does own a variety of motorcycles including an Excelsior Consort, a 98cc Villiers-engined powered two speed bike of 1950's vintage, a Royal Enfield 250 Crusader Sports, a 350 Royal Enfield 1955 a Yamaha 600 Fazer and a Ducati S4RS 1000 Monster.
In 1975 David joined the North Yorkshire police. After serving his probation pounding the beat David progressed through the ranks in the Police serving in Traffic, CID, Regional Crime Squad and Divisional management. Whilst as a Chief Inspector in charge of Traffic in North Yorkshire he introduced the Bike Safe scheme. It was a different approach to road safety in that it engaged motorcyclists in seeking solutions and involved other agencies such as the industry, dealers and motorcycle clubs. He retired from the Force in the rank of Chief Superintendent in March 2006. Of MAG David says, "Everything points to an organisation that has vitality and confidence and which is enhancing its position as the rider's rights interest group in the UK. I will do everything I can to help ensure the success of MAG-UK."
David has already taken part in the consultation on the North Yorkshire Local Traffic Plan and secured agreement to include secure parking for motorcycles, a review of road-side furniture and signs to replace cobbled perimeters of mini roundabouts with coloured scotch grip. He's started writing a regular column in the North Yorkshire County Council newspaper flagging up the need for drivers to 'Think Bike'. Thanks to Alison Lowndes, Yorkshire Region, for raising this important issue. He also wrote a draft strategy for the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group to reinvigorate the group so that it delivers tangible solutions for bikers, and he liaised with Deputy Chief Constable David Griffiths who is the ACPO portfolio holder for Motorcycle Safety, with a view to ensure ethical enforcement in line with an agreed ACPO enforcement policy.
In short (no pun intended) David is a person commanding terrific respect in many quarters. He will be a great asset to our organisation and will give MAG a great impetus in helping us move forwards into a more pro-active than reactive time, where we can plan the future of motorcycling for the next 50 years.
This appointment, as well as giving him his life back, will now enable Trevor Baird, our Director of Public Affairs, to concentrate on commercial matters. We have already started doing work on assessing our strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in order to deal with the threats that face MAG-UK. As the organisation as a whole moves forward and expands, so we have to progress the structure within. MAP (Magic Action Promotions) was a Company originally formed to run the Farmyard Party, but the umbrella has expanded these past few years to encompass 'Into the Valley Rally', the 'GP camping' and the 'Yorkshire Pudding Rally'. Pete Walker is now Co-ordinator of all four events and is further offering (through MAG UK) to share his experience and help with other groups and regions throughout the UK. Also this year, Neil Stevenson, in addition to supporting MAP, will be organising and running the MAG stalls at events around the country that cannot be covered by regions as part of our campaign to get the word of MAG out to the wider biking community.
Membership is growing steadily with new members applying, but also a greater retention of existing members, which we feel is due to the vigilance of reps keeping in touch with members in their area, so well done to you chaps. Don't forget to fill out those standing order forms even if your membership hasn't expired. Just fill them in for the date of expiry and send them in now. Also, if you haven't already done so, check out eBike insurance from our website. This now extends to cars, but still gives MAG benefit and you as individuals a great deal. Likewise with the Breakdown cover which our providers are still managing to provide at an incredibly competitive rate, (see ad in this issue).
We are continuing with our training weekends for activists, to empower them with the skills they need to help them with their roles. So look out in Network or ask your Regional Rep for contact details. FRIDAY 16th FEB TO SUNDAY 18th FEB 2007 is the first Reps and Activists Training weekend for 2007 for those geographically 'Northish' of the Midlands. A second training weekend is planned, dates to be confirmed, for those that bit further South in 2007. The Northern weekend is at Lineham Farm Children's Centre, Swan Lane, Eccup, Leeds. There will be training sessions on Saturday morning, afternoon and early evening and Sunday morning, to include: How MAG Works (Board, NC, Central Office, FEMA); how Local Government works; Theory & Practical - How to prepare yourself to meet an MP, MEP or councillor; Practice sessions - Interview/meeting an MP, MEP or councillor using work done earlier; Public Speaking; Setting up and running a MAG group including view from a Regional Rep; Events & Fundraising; Network & The Road; Running a MAG stand; Promoting MAG to Clubs; Open Questions.
Recently we have been analysing information from the database and on the back of this have been pulling thoughts together via a working group on attracting the next generation of motorcyclists into MAG. More on this later as the paper work is finished.
I've been beavering around doing what I can on the ground to support social events within striking distance on home territory and in addition attending AGM's.
Yorkshire has appointed a new Regional Rep, Sheilah McMahon, who replaces Andy Timms. Thanks for all your hard work Andy and good luck to you Sheilah.
This year's AGC will be held in Lincolnshire in Horncastle, all motions should be on to central by 31st December 2006.
Have a great Christmas and New Year and I'll see you all in 2007.
Jane Chisholm
Chair MAG UK
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