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Heavyweight
1429 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 11:24:04 AM
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This is a bit of a ramble, sorry.
I have been having a little think over the last couple of days, pre & post Ridgeway etc. and would like to know what you think of the following.
For me, one of the best aspects of the club has been the relays I’ve done with club-mates, but on the other-hand one of the bits I hate is the cajoling (even a little emotional blackmail) that has gone on to try to get full teams & helpers to these events. People join this club for many reasons and I don’t think we should make them feel guilty for not attending any particular event, but I think there is a possibility we have done this.
This probably all comes down to lack of bodies and the number of club members. I know it has been the intention to keep the club relatively small & intimate and to an extent I agree with that. But the very nature of the club means that the turnover of members is likely to be higher than a normal club so unless new runners are attracted regularly it’s possible that numbers could drop relatively quickly.
I would like to suggest as a low-cost (free really) option of advertising (apart from SP continuing to win races) would be to have a downloadable flyer (approved by t’committee obviously) which extols the virtues & benefits of the club. Current members could print off a few copies (free if done at work!) and distribute at races etc., I’m not suggesting mass ticketing of cars (this irritates me anyway) – just a few copies left on a table at the race HQ. This can easily be controlled & stopped if it was found to have either little effect or if we are suddenly engulfed by hordes of people.
Any thoughts?
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StephenPrice
2102 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 12:18:08 PM
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fishyweb
2293 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 12:37:17 PM
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Me too. I think a similar idea was touted a few years ago but, for reasons I don't recall, it didn't seem to come to anything. I personally think it is an idea worth pursuing again.
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Steve |
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lincsfella
1192 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 12:48:10 PM
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Good idea, certainly worth a look
"Always aim for the moon...... because if you miss, you'll still land amongst the stars" |
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Lazybones
452 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 12:56:22 PM
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Think its a good idea and as we have such a wide variety of races favoured by us, we would get excellent coverage.
I still think car stickers - not those enormous things across the whole back window   - just the usual size, would be good. Most of use leave our cars in race car parks and people always peer at them as they are walking past.
"The only losers are those who quit" |
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Heavyweight
1429 Posts |
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StephenPrice
2102 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 2:20:06 PM
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Some interesting stuff in that thread and if you google "internet running club" we are at the top of the results.
I like the car sticker idea - would happily put one in my car.
Out of interest, is there (or has there ever been) a UKNR mission statement or anything? Something that defines the objective of the club. Might be useful to have something like that so people don't just see this as a way to get £2 reduction on entries. Whilst people do join for that reason (was a prime consideration for me) there is alot more to be gain from this club.
We also have non-club members on this forum so perhaps we could think of some incentives/encouragement for them to convert to paying members?
The regional map of members would be a nice touch I think. I know it was discussed a while ago about potentially having reps from different regions to kind of "buddy" new local members. I quite liked that idea and speaking for my own region, there are quite a few of us round the East Mids and we bump into eachother relatviely frequently (there should be a good turnout at tonight's 10k race). Being able to encourage members in the same region and meet at events will help overcome any feeling that your out-of-touch with the club.
Hope that makes sense and I haven't waffled too much. |
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Dips
4049 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 3:55:38 PM
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Oppsy...seems I was gooby then too! 
I like the ideas floating around and I agree with HW....but I also think we might like to think of how we encourage current members to be more pro-active at relays/races etc...perhaps by finding out what stops them or what would encourage them?
Every club has similar problems, our Women's running club is exactly the same when it comes to pulling a team together. There is always that hard core group who will turn out but trying to encourage others to join in is an ongoing process.
However, I am certainly not condeming anyone who doesn't want to partake, we join a club for various reasons.
The last two members to have joined did so after seeing Stephen/club results at a race (a 10 miler) so a bit of a higher profile at races obviously works and car stickers might be a good way forward.
Dips x
"If you ever get a second chance in life for something, you've got to go all the way."
- Lance Armstrong
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krissienewton
1250 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 4:22:13 PM
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quote:
I like the ideas floating around and I agree with HW....but I also think we might like to think of how we encourage current members to be more pro-active at relays/races etc...perhaps by finding out what stops them or what would encourage them?
Every club has similar problems, our Women's running club is exactly the same when it comes to pulling a team together. There is always that hard core group who will turn out but trying to encourage others to join in is an ongoing process.
I guess that as an online club we are attracting people who may not have the time to make local club training due to family/work commitments etc which would probably also mean difficulty attending relay type events which take up a fair bit of time. I have had to be so strict with myself this year about RNR because I really want to do it but know that I can't spare the time with exams the month after. I doubt that it is through a lack of friendliness, inclusion, opportunity etc that people don't participante but probably more for the time factor in my opinion which I guess there isn't much we could do about.
HW - I have never experienced any feeling of emotional blackmail or being pushed into anything from you. I think that everyone appreciates the organisational input that you put into these events and the efforts that you make to get teams together, and if someone doesn't want to to it or can't do it when asked then they can say no!
Krissie
Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race - Ron Hill |
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MarkWillcocks
1266 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 4:34:06 PM
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he threatened to come around and let down my tyres......
I try to push out our name about whenever possible, i,m going to wear my vest tommorow at the tri purely to get it seen.....
its how i joined.....
i like the flyer idea......maybe sneak a few on the notice boards around the bazzars if we can get that a go~er.....
i think relays etc are always difficult, but so i,m so glad one of the first things i did upon joining this club was the Ridgeway last year....nervous as hell but never looked back since....
He who dares Rodney, he who dares. |
Edited by - MarkWillcocks on 23 Jun 2009 4:35:43 PM |
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Dips
4049 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 4:53:55 PM
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I agree Krissie totally and would never want anyone to feel pressurised into anything. However, sometimes it is simply fear that stops some joining in. Going back to the Swing Outs, quite a few are 'scared' of racing, so sometimes it just a case of getting them to test the water.
BUT...as you also said, we are an online club and I think a fair many join because they don't have time to commit to a club night/team events etc which is perfectly acceptable. We all have lives outside of the club...even me
Getting back to HW's point though...it would be good to have a few newer members to call on if we want to continue to enter events like the RNR.
How about trying to get a piece in a magazine...Running Fitness for instance? or am I talking rubbish as usual?
HW has the power of gentle screw tightening
Dips x
"If you ever get a second chance in life for something, you've got to go all the way."
- Lance Armstrong
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Wicked D
2192 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2009 : 09:17:24 AM
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some great ideas being put forward and many different views on the why for's and why nots of running in an event
there are a few mates at work that run for fitness and health BUT have never raced and as you mentioned Dips seemed scared to race
when ever I'm on a forum such as Runners World I sometimes leave a link to our club home page (note to self to put some more on)
I've also got one of Deanos club car stickers works on 2 counts for me 1= the club name gets noticed 2= I can spot my car easy as there so many grey cars around nowadays
Our vests/t-shirts do stand out in the crowd and people do tend to take a 2nd glance as they think its team GB lol
I also think the flyer idea is a good one
final bit to you HW - I have to agree with Krissie quote:
I have never experienced any feeling of emotional blackmail or being pushed into anything from you.
, your a star and a big part of the engine room of OUR club of which we are ALL part of the gears that keeps the club vehicle moving
"If you're going through hell, KEEP GOING"....W Churchill |
Edited by - Wicked D on 24 Jun 2009 09:35:03 AM |
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joopsy
612 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2009 : 12:06:24 PM
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quote:
The last two members to have joined did so after seeing Stephen/club results at a race (a 10 miler) so a bit of a higher profile at races obviously works and car stickers might be a good way forward.
Simple then, we just need Pricey to do 3 races per week to generate more interest!
In't running brilliant. |
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Lazybones
452 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2009 : 11:02:17 AM
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If we do get car stickers suggest we put something like "THE online running club" or some snappy explanation (bet you'd never guess I don't work in advertising) because when parked anywhere other than at a race, people might not realise what we are. There are a lot of sites with runner in the title, e.g. pricerunner (anything to do with Stephen?) which have nothing to do with running so its not immediately obvious to a lot of people.
"The only losers are those who quit" |
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fishyweb
2293 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2009 : 11:38:13 AM
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Good point LB.
I'd be very happy to display a sticker in my car. I'll have to give some thought as to whether to display it more or less prominently that my Wycombe Wanderers sticker though!
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Steve |
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StephenPrice
2102 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2009 : 12:01:47 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Lazybones
e.g. pricerunner (anything to do with Stephen?)
When I first saw that website I was gutted at such a great web domain passing me by. |
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Relays/Members/Advertising
