View Full Version : Is the Diving Officers Conference (DOC) held in the wrong place?
Tristan Green
10-11-2005, 10:41
Just picked up on this topic in the old forums. It's seems like people want to know why it's in London, and whether it would be better to hold it somewhere else to get a better attendance.
So what are your thoughts?
To give us a chance to gauge how opinion is divided on this topic (and I believe it will be widley divided) why not add your vote to the poll. The poll is a bit of fun - but it gives you an idea of the power of the new forums.
Cheers,
Tristan
ps - The thread has now been moved to the public forums to give the folks from the old forums a chance to pitch in.
Tristan Green
10-11-2005, 10:48
... and here is the poll.
Adrian Kelland
10-11-2005, 10:49
Having lived in the South West UK for 8 years, I have never been to the DOC in London. The entrace cost plus travel costs make it an expensive day, the evening bash is extra IIRC. Yet I would like to go.
The only one I have been to was one help for branch offices including DO, Treasurers and Secretaries. This was held at Aston? University in Birmingham. It appeared to be very well attended. It would be interesting to see any number of attendees versus location.
I am sure there must be central locations that are cheaper to find a venue, cheaper to stay at and have a more central location.
Steve Walker's point that a regional conference gets more attendees should make the organsisers of the DOC realise that something may well be wrong. Whether this is due to the location or content may be harder to solve.
Adrian
Personally I absolutely h8te central London. I am close to Portsmouth but still find it faster, cheaper and a lot less stressful to hoof it up to the Midlands. A venue close to the motorway with plenty of parking would be ideal IMHO.
I always used to attend the two day DOC in London. To me it was a big social event, and with travel costs etc.. a B&B + a dodgy kebab for supper did not add too much to the cost.
1 day will cost me the same - I will still need the B&B 'cos the train doesn't get there in time. I won't drive due to costs involved with congestion charges and parking + fuel.
So why mot combine it with the AGM and make it a two day event - and also may encourage more people to attend and vote at the AGM...
Paul
Up until 1993 or 94 the two day DOC was held in the old Ramada Hotel at the back of Earl's Court, not the best hotel, not the best conference facilities. However in it's favour the conference and accommodation were in the same building, this made the social side of the event a great success with attendances up to 1200. However pressure was put on the organizers for better facilities and for a move from London. First the event went to Wembly and then to Harrogate and has slowly declined over the years. My last attendance was at Wembley in 1996.
Aha! in at last!! Oo-er...This looks scarily like a certain other dive forum...
TBH, I can't ever really see me paying for a hotel just to attend a conference, but at least if it moved around every year then statistically some of the venues should be near me some years
Dave Sydenham
10-11-2005, 18:36
My vote is for it to be in Aberdeen!! :D
Cheers!
Dave
North Scotland Regional Coach
Well if it comes to a vote then I live overseas.
A sunny warm DOC, pop out at lunch for a quick dip.
Gets my vote
Fred
MattDuke
11-11-2005, 09:01
Well if it comes to a vote then I live overseas.
A sunny warm DOC, pop out at lunch for a quick dip.
Gets my vote
Fred
Me too, but I would vote for somewhere in the middle of the membership demographic.
London is a nightmare.
/MD
garethwoodruff
11-11-2005, 11:04
Hi Guys,
The only logical choice is Birmingham, transport links are excellent and there is Coventry and Birmingham International airport for cheap flights in, if you want to come down from the north.
Plenty of good conference venue's, indeed probably cheeper than London.
After all its a Diving Officers Conference, not a social get together (although that might be a good thing too!). Surely access for BSAC members is what matters, or is it not a means for DO's and instructors to communicate.
The other thing is that rail fares are inflated badly into London, much mor expensive, so Brum is logical.
Lots of canals if u want a dive too;)
Gareth.
Adrian Kelland
11-11-2005, 11:08
Lots of canals if u want a dive too;)
Gareth.
Or Stoney :D
Maybe this question is too simple. For me the venue depends largely on the aims and content of the conference. If we are to hold a diving conference that truly reflects on BSAC as a national governing body and an international organisation it is difficult to avoid the fact that our national and international transport systems focus on London. However it is equally difficult for many to justify the hassle and expense of going to London for a one day 9 to 5 event.
Holding a one day regional event is of course a much less expensive option for those in that region but with the best will in the world does not achieve the same goals.
Maybe there is a two part answer, to try and produce a worthwhile two day national event with appropriate technical and social content, probably London based and then to tour key elements of the programme to regional events. This was a formula that worked well in the past (1200 at DOC and 200+ at regional conferences) - could a similar solution fit the needs of BSAC members today?
Deric
PS I am not a lover of London
If we are to hold a diving conference that truly reflects on BSAC as a national governing body and an international organisation it is difficult to avoid the fact that our national and international transport systems focus on London.Deric isn't that a slightly dated view? Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds are all respected international venues these days and well served by the transport networks.
Ben Panter
11-11-2005, 13:04
I'd much rather it was anywhere but London. Accomodation, conference venues, transport costs - all cheaper outside the capital. Somewhere in or near the midlands - Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham...
Cost of attending is the only thing that stops me going, I reckon it would be a good day out otherwise.
Adrian Kelland
11-11-2005, 13:25
Deric isn't that a slightly dated view? Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds are all respected international venues these days and well served by the transport networks.
Yes, aren't the National Exihibition Centre and National Indoor Arena in Birmingham for those reasons?
Also it would seem that the political setup in Scotland and Wales do not regard the BSAC as the National Governing Body for those countries. Having 'National' events only in London because of an antiquated view of both the BSAC as governing body and London as centre of Britain just adds insult to those around the branches who find the location of the DOC both expensive and awkward to get to.
I hardly call the DOC self financing when the DOs have to pay up £28 to get in. What does the sponsorship cover?
Adrian
I hardly call the DOC self financing when the DOs have to pay up £28 to get in. What does the sponsorship cover?
Adrian
Presumably the whole thing is so expensive that it would be even more money if we didn't have sponsorship - shudder!
The only way to know if we can do it cheaper and better outside London is to try. Anyone want to put the question at the Q&A session this year?
Except if you are there, you don't mind London, or you wouldn't be there..
Bob Healey
11-11-2005, 15:46
Liverpool as a venue was only a suggestion. The main purpose for raising it was to get Council to agree to a move.
Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, are all good locations, many others as well, moving it round like the AGM would be excellent, give everybody a bite at the cherry, but still the main item for the agenda is getting the agreement to move it, once that as been agreed then we can find a suitable venue bearing in mind travel, accomodation, etc, and remember not all members live in England, there are other Countries within the UK.
Bob Healey
Tristan Green
11-11-2005, 15:48
... and remember not all members live in England, there are other Countries within the UK.
And not all of us live in the UK either :D
Taff Griffiths
11-11-2005, 17:52
Unfortunatelty I will not be attending the DOC due to I can not afford to take the time off to travel to London and explain the cost to my dear old wife when it is so near to Xmas. IMHO I believe that the DOC should be held around the country so that people who do find it difficult to find the time and cost to attend in London do have the oppotunity to attend when it is held nearer to their homes.
This will over a period of time will attract more people the the conference and make it more accessable for everyone.
Regards
Gary Pittaway
11-11-2005, 17:54
What a thread? Every answer given could be seen as the correct one. Where ever it is held, it will be inconvenient for someone. Catch 22. I reside just outside London, and personally I hate the city. Dont get me wrong I love the history, but thats it. Then again, I could say that about most cities.
And there lies the problem. I doubt very much that Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool or where ever, will be any cheaper than the Big Smoke. The cost of living etc seems to have spread evenly across the country these days. So really, the casing point would be convenience for all.
How big a venue is needed is the next point, and having never qualified to attend a DOC, I didn't realise that numbers tended to be so low. So, rather than a large venue like Wembley is (or was as its all coming down) a large hotel offering conference facilities must be the most econimical option.
I dont wish to appear to sit on the fence, but....organising such an event - annually - is probably a nightmare and thanksless task. Just look how many have criticised the DOC since the first post was placed.
So, to conclude, it would appear moving it about in a more central location would be the best bet. Has anyone thought of researching a historic building, like a stately home, desperate for funds to replace its roof? Plenty of them about, and the parking would be free. What about a large school during half term?
Just my tuppence worth, role on the summer.
Gary.
As I see it then..
the majority want the DOC outside London.
Questionable as to why the attendance is limited to DO's, NQI's and FCD (which means I actually get 3 invites!)
Wrong time of year - just before the Christmas festivites.
We already have an AGM - that is poorly attended when you consider the number of members.
My suggestion is to combine the two.
Location to be varied - as the AGM already is.
Open to all members.
Be held in March - to enable information to be passed to branches prior to the main diving season.
More realistic - "live voting" at the AGM.
A social evening on the Saturday.
More opportunity to have a "mini dive show" at the same time instead of LIDS?
Paul
David Taylor
11-11-2005, 21:20
DOC needs to be self financing, but Regional conferences have to be self financing too! Hate to blow the north easts trumpet but we have run conferences in the north east (Durham City) for 9 years, next March is our 10th birthday. We get between 200-300 people turn up, costs £6.50,which includes a prize draw for a MTM drysuit, all of the questionnaires we get back indicate that people have a great day out. Next year we have Jack Ingle, a diver from the British Antarctic Survey team, as well as loads of local stuff. People ring me now to find out when they can get tickets. We never make a great deal of money, sometimes we get to three figures, but we have never yet done Divewise at a loss. I know HQ work hard for the members but is there not a better( cheaper) way of doing DOC? Could it be combined with regional conferences. I know that Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, North West and South East regions are all doing or have done conferences. Is there not a venue in South Yorkshire or Manchester that may fit the bill? Finally, is it the fact that it's in London or does the ticket cost put you off?
Adrian Kelland
11-11-2005, 23:34
Finally, is it the fact that it's in London or does the ticket cost put you off?
Both, the total cost for me is 2 w/e's diving.
The question is, will any changes come out of this question/poll? After all we are only a tiny minority of divers and our masters (or servants)on Council will no doubt have the final say.
Is it a hangover from the days of HQ being in London?
I don't like the idea of moving the DOC each year. I may detest London but at least I know where it is and make an effort to get there. At the moment I am a pretty regular atendee. If the conferance moves too far North, and I can't get there and back in a day I will not be going. Once you miss one, I suspect it gets easier to miss others. So my money is on keeping the venue consistant but move it outside of London.
The dates not too much of a problem. We dive all year but there is always a wind down between November and February. Generally the DOC helps to inspire our plans for the coming year. By March those plans are made and in fact we are usually diving most weekends again by then.
The ticket cost is a little off-putting but the branch pays for two attendees on condition they write a report for other branch members to read. We see it as an important 'networking' opportunity for branch officers responsible for diving operations. Attendees have to fund their own expenses so it's not quite a free lunch.
The question is, will any changes come out of this question/poll? After all we are only a tiny minority of divers and our masters (or servants)on Council will no doubt have the final say.Good point. The way it works with internet forums is that for every person that expresses an opinion you can guarantee several dozen others share the opinion but will not speak up. Perhaps Keith could furnish us with the Lurker Vs Posters ratio for the BSAC forum. Hopefully our new forums and features like polls will improve the ratio and hopefully Council and HQ will start taking the views expressed here seriously.
Adrian Kelland
12-11-2005, 12:43
The question is, will any changes come out of this question/poll? After all we are only a tiny minority of divers and our masters (or servants)on Council will no doubt have the final say.
Is it a hangover from the days of HQ being in London?
Council as members are a minority, a fixed size one too :D
Andy Wade
12-11-2005, 12:55
Council as members are a minority, a fixed size one too :D
Voted for by a minority too. :D
Actually I thought Keith seemed to be getting smaller, or is that just his avatar? :eek:
457 views and counting on this thread, mind you, is that unique views? i've looked at it a few times myself....
Adrian Kelland
12-11-2005, 13:30
457 views and counting on this thread, mind you, is that unique views? i've looked at it a few times myself....
It is total number of views, so if you have looked 200 times, that is 200 views.
Adrian
Hi Matt et al,
Coming from Yorkshire I wish your belief was true. Leeds is not really easily accessible internationally (and Harrogate was even more difficult), Birmingham is better but NEC accommodation is difficult unless you have a car (or a big wallet). Having not been to any Manchester events in recent years I can't offer an opinion but I am certain the public transport system between rail/bus/airport and conference and hotels does not compete with London - I'd be more than happy for it to be otherwise. I still think that much as I dislike DOC being in London I have not seen a viable alternative that meets all the needs of DOC.
cheers,
Deric
Keith Lawrence
13-11-2005, 02:05
Hopefully our new forums and features like polls will improve the ratio and hopefully Council and HQ will start taking the views expressed here seriously.
COUGH! I heard that!
Just because you don’t see us it doesn’t mean we’re not there and listening, HQ actually keep a ‘forum watch’ and issues are flagged up if needed. They are normally dealt with privately, our old forums drove most of Council and NDC away because they were such a bear pit, that’s what we don’t want happening here. So lighten up guys and get away from this “them and us” attitude and stop giving us a hard time. There is no “them and us” for one simple reason – we’re YOU!, just ordinary members trying to make the club a bit better. I’m not going to list the numerous times issues raised by members using the forums and other medium have been openly discussed at Council and acted upon, I’m just going to say yet again that’s the way that it actually is.
Right, to the issue in hand, the location of DOC. First up - Council do not immediately jump up and rush around just because of a forum thread, it may be noted for later, it will probably be slotted into something we’re already doing, it wont be ignored but we can’t just jump to attention either! I can tell you now that this thread, and others on the old forums about the DOC location, will not in themselves even cause us to discuss it. Now I’ll tell you why – because we were ahead of you as is often the case :)
OK, here’s the truth, here’s what has actually happened and what will be happening : This is an issue that I and others have personally raised at Council several times before, it isn’t a simple decision as per my post on the old forums http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/genforum/posts/8685.html explains a bit more. See also Deric's post, there's no point in saying just move it when there isn't anywhere practical to move it to. But I was discussing this again with Bob H several weeks ago, long before any of you started talking about it on the forums. We decided that we should put a short motion to the next Council meeting to discuss it around the table and look at some of the options. Bob has already circulated Draft 1 of his proposal, Draft 2 I will personally second if he decides to publish it, if Bob decides not to then I have formally requested an agenda item.
So this subject WILL be discussed at the next Council meeting at the end of this month, not because of what you good people have done, but because it was an issue that has concerned me and some of my fellow Council members for some years now. That doesn’t mean you’re wasting your time, far from it! Council are well aware of this thread and the poll because I told them about it, you are being a massive help to those of us who want this on the agenda because you’re backing us up. What I’ve read here has changed my views and the views that I will put forward to Council. I used to be a very firm supporter of a fully mobile DOC, but having read some of the points made here about a central location and the results of the poll (which surprised me a little) I am now not that convinced. A fully mobile DOC is just one option, a single central location may be a better option.
So there you go, the inside story from one of “them”. So we’re not going to run around just because of this thread, we don’t need to because my friends we were ahead of you.:rolleyes: It's on the agenda (to the best of my knowledge), we'll just take it from there.
HTH
Keith L
Thanks Keith,
Helpful as always.
Iain.
Mary Tetley
14-11-2005, 12:50
Many thanks for your feedback about DOC. The DOC team had already discussed about looking at a new venue for the conference and research has already started to take place. We already have some interesting venues in Liverpool supplied to us. However if you have any ideas of a good venue, please could you email me and we will look into it. The venue needs to be able to seat up to 900 people and obviously be accessible by public transport. Once we have a few venues through the country we will be approaching them for quotes. Please email me any of your ideas to maryt@bsac.com.
Regards
Mary Tetley
BSAC Operations Manager
Hi Matt et al,
...
Having not been to any Manchester events in recent years I can't offer an opinion but I am certain the public transport system between rail/bus/airport and conference and hotels does not compete with London
cheers,An interesting aside but located in Portsmouth I can still get to Leeds faster than central London. I have a client in Yeadon and the hour flight is cheaper than half a day on the train. I simply don't take clients from central London!
I will not argue that London has the best public transport system. What I am prepared to argue is how important good public transport is to the success of the DOC. It is a point of fact that our branch used to go diving on the trolley bus, paying an extra ticket for the aqualung they shared :-) Times have moved on and most of us now use our own cars, sharing where possible to reduce the environmental impact.
So I would prefer to see the DOC at a more vehicle friendly location as I believe it is a more important factor towards attracting the majority of branch officers.
Regards
Mike Rowley
14-11-2005, 19:53
[QUOTE=cris]The question is, will any changes come out of this question/poll? After all we are only a tiny minority of divers and our masters (or servants)on Council will no doubt have the final say.
Hi Chris
As a member of NDC I don't see myself as being either your master or your servant, just another BSAC member who gets involved when I'm asked to.
The days of hierarchial officials who make descisions in secret and impose them on the membership are gone. You only have to go on the website to find out who serves on Council or NDC and get contact details for them. We are all accessable and happy to respond, all we ask is that you understand that we are all volunteers and a response might take a little time. Try treating us like fellow divers and hopefully you might see us in a different light.
Cheers
Mike Rowley
NDC. Tech. Development Leader.
Keith Lawrence
14-11-2005, 20:34
As a member of NDC...
Well said that man! I'll certainly second that :)
Come on guys, lighten up a bit, a new forum, a new start... I suggest that you all have a quick scroll through the membership list to see just how "irrelevant" these forums are to the BSAC. So let's all be friends again shall we? :rolleyes: We're all volunteers, just like you, give us just a bit of a break here!
Keith L
Good on yer Mike ( and Keith)
I agree..
The council is much more open and approachable these days.
C'mon folks - remember - its a hobby!
Andy Wade
14-11-2005, 21:09
Well said that man! I'll certainly second that :)
Come on guys, lighten up a bit, a new forum, a new start... I suggest that you all have a quick scroll through the membership list to see just how "irrelevant" these forums are to the BSAC. So let's all be friends again shall we? :rolleyes: We're all volunteers, just like you, give us just a bit of a break here!
Keith L
I've been in BSAC for more than a few years and I've never really thought that there was any conspiratorial element in council, the odd member may have had their alterior motives along the years, but the vast majority of council members (and I've known one or two) are just ordinary members doing something other than being branch members.
How they get the time to do it beats me.:D
POE states that the DOC 2006 is a two day event at the NEC in October...
if this was already decided why not mention it earlier in the forum?
Ben Panter
15-11-2005, 13:53
that sounds more like the dive show... I wonder if it is a typo?
Adrian Kelland
15-11-2005, 18:53
No different dates!
Your not wrong Paul.
Call me a plonker!
Due to the way it is printed in the POE it appears at first reading as if the DOC will be at the NEC.
It is December 2nd 2006 - London...
Oh well... one lived in hope....
Adrian Kelland
15-11-2005, 20:56
... one lived in hope....
I was there early summer.
You plonker!
I have to say that i am sick of everything being based in London, the millenium dome, the olympics etc. London is in the southeast corner of the U.K., the majority of people live elsewhere, it is difficult to get around London and accomodation etc. is expensive. I would like to see it held elsewhere so that different people are able to attend each year.
I quite like it being in London. Although I do live in London.
Interesting fact for the day. If Greater London (bounded by the M25) were a seperate country it would be the 7th largest in Europe (by population).
There are a lot of people in London and the SE.
Janos
Andy Wade
19-11-2005, 12:20
I quite like it being in London. Although I do live in London.
Interesting fact for the day. If Greater London (bounded by the M25) were a seperate country it would be the 7th largest in Europe (by population).
There are a lot of people in London and the SE.
Janos
That's because they conspire to put everything of interest either in or near to London to make it interesting enough for lots of people to want to live there.
:eek:
All the big money goes to London.
Talk about muck going to 'T midden...
:D
Adrian Kelland
19-11-2005, 12:50
I quite like it being in London. Although I do live in London.
Interesting fact for the day. If Greater London (bounded by the M25) were a seperate country it would be the 7th largest in Europe (by population).
There are a lot of people in London and the SE.
Janos
Ah, a Christine Keeler moment (Well he would say that, would'nt he) :D
It is far easier for a majority of the population to get to Birmingham than London. It would take me the same time to get to the NEC from North Kent as it does from Exeter. I've been to a DOC in Brum, yet never in London, even when I lived close to it. Can't think why.
Ah, a Christine Keeler moment (Well he would say that, would'nt he) :D
Sorry mate - you're going to have to explain that one. I haven't been involved in any sex scandals that I know of
:confused:
Janos
PS - We have to dive together again next year. I'm going to be in Plymouth for the second bank holiday weekend in May (27th - 29th). Interested?
All the big money goes to London.
Talk about muck going to 'T midden...
:D
Or the counter-argument is that everyone looks at where's best to hold events and comes to the one true conclusion - that London is best :D:D
Mind you, I'm (hopefully) going to be moving a bit closer to the coast in a few months time, so I reserve the right to change my mind then :D
Janos
PS - Also I suspect that per head of population there are probably more divers living by the coast then in London for the obvious reasons.
Adrian Kelland
19-11-2005, 13:28
Sorry mate - you're going to have to explain that one. I haven't been involved in any sex scandals that I know of
:confused:
Janos
PS - We have to dive together again next year. I'm going to be in Plymouth for the second bank holiday weekend in May (27th - 29th). Interested?
I mis-remembered who said it - Mandy Rice Davies. ...the prosecution alleged Mandy Rice-Davies had received money from Lord Astor in return for sex. When she was told Lord Astor had denied ever sleeping with her, she uttered the immortal line: "He would, wouldn't he?"...
It was my way of saying I'm not surprised someone in London would support London.
As to Plymouth, what are you planning?
Adrian
I mis-remembered who said it - Mandy Rice Davies. ...the prosecution alleged Mandy Rice-Davies had received money from Lord Astor in return for sex. When she was told Lord Astor had denied ever sleeping with her, she uttered the immortal line: "He would, wouldn't he?"...
It was my way of saying I'm not surprised someone in London would support London.
As to Plymouth, what are you planning?
Adrian
Aha. I understand now. You're right. My mind will change once I've moved out. ;)
I tried to get to Plymouth for two weekends this year but didn't make it for various reasons, so I was planning on doing the usual suspects, but I'm happy to go with "local knowledge" if you've got any suggestions. Nothing too deep though as I'll hopefully be on the box by then. Which reminds me - must upload new avatar.
Drop me an email before we divert this thread too much (Janos<at>Hellfins.com)
Janos
Yazzyfooty
24-11-2005, 20:15
My profession holds a 3 day annual conference in differing venues but also includes the AGM on the final day. The conference is normally in university buildings during their holiday times and there fore conference delegates can also rent student rooms at very reasonable prices plus free parking.
How about that for a suggestion?
The Bournemouth BIC is good now
Adrian Kelland
24-11-2005, 23:42
The Bournemouth BIC is good now
But perhaps even worse than London for many to get to?
Alan Ewart
25-11-2005, 09:12
But perhaps even worse than London for many to get to?
Nah, its only 10 minutes up the road:D
Adrian Kelland
25-11-2005, 10:33
Nah, its only 10 minutes up the road:D
Worse if you go on the train :D :D
Ian@1904
25-11-2005, 13:26
Several post referred to the cost of travel to the show.
Our club takes the view that attending the DOC are doing so as a representative of the club, which means that that club pays for the expense-ticket travel etc.
I am still giving up a complete day, at least I am not out of pocket also. Do other clubs do the same?
FWIW
I am midway between London and Birmingham so either venue suits me. :)
Several post referred to the cost of travel to the show.
Our club takes the view that attending the DOC are doing so as a representative of the club, which means that that club pays for the expense-ticket travel etc.
I am still giving up a complete day, at least I am not out of pocket also. Do other clubs do the same?
FWIW
I am midway between London and Birmingham so either venue suits me. :)
My old club used to refund the entry price, but not the travel, I think my uni club did the same too.
Tony Watson
05-12-2005, 00:18
It would be intresting to see if someone out there listened to the majority and acted on it, the would be something.
Keith Lawrence
05-12-2005, 00:53
It would be intresting to see if someone out there listened to the majority and acted on it, the would be something.Twice in one evening Tony! You really should read the forums before commenting :) Try here http://www.bsacforum.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=883 But then when did we ever listen to the members? Which is why I never made the post that I did, it hasn't even been considered at Council, and there isn't a working group consisting of four Council members including the NDO looking at the logistics right now and due to come back to Council electronically by the end of the year with some firm proposals. :rolleyes:
As per my original post Tony we were already well ahead of you mate and it was under very active consideration before even one word was posted to either the old forums or these new ones. It's something that we'd like to do, but simply saying "move it" without the minor little niggles of logistics, where and cost being worked out first is not really much use to anybody! So I'm not saying that it will be moved, because nobody knows until we look at it and work up some rough plans, DOC is planned and organised months and months in advance, planned for the next one starts pretty much as soon as the previous one closes the bar, or slightly earlier as it was this year ;)
Welcome to the forums anyway Tony, we hope that you enjoy them - but please try to keep up :D
Cheers
Keith L
Sorry Keith, I let it go by on the original thread. Can I just quote from there a minute
So this subject WILL be discussed at the next Council meeting at the end of this month, not because of what you good people have done, but because it was an issue that has concerned me and some of my fellow Council members for some years now.As I understand it the proposal to Council had something to do with Liverpool, which according to the poll would be no more popular than London. So without what us good people have done Council could well be discussing the logistics of moving DOC to another unpopular venue. So perhaps a little credit is due to the forum for helping Council work more efficiently. Hence encouraging others to participate and allaying Tony's fears :)
But then when did we ever listen to the members?I could provide some examples where Council did not listen to the members. One example being quite close to your heart ;)
I will point out that as far as I am concerned the current Council are about the most responsive I have ever known :D Now can you afford us all a little leeway while everyone else gets used to it?
Oh dear it seems to be Monday!
Paul Watts
05-12-2005, 15:17
I always used to attend the two day DOC in London. To me it was a big social event, and with travel costs etc.. a B&B + a dodgy kebab for supper did not add too much to the cost.
1 day will cost me the same - I will still need the B&B 'cos the train doesn't get there in time. I won't drive due to costs involved with congestion charges and parking + fuel.
So why mot combine it with the AGM and make it a two day event - and also may encourage more people to attend and vote at the AGM...
Paul
I was thinking the same, BUT Saturday, no congestion charge, basement Parking opposite the venue cost me £10 for the day, not too bad really!
A sound second point tho..
Paul Watts
05-12-2005, 15:25
Whatever you do, you'll never please everyone and nor should you attempt to. I'm only stating the obvious, I know.
By the way, it was reasonably well attended...
Mik Carr
07-12-2005, 18:42
The one held at Harrogate a few years back was really good, and very well attended.
OK - lets wait for the outcome of the "Officers" - and then all moan again 'cos it is going to be in the SW!
Keith Lawrence
07-12-2005, 20:54
The one held at Harrogate a few years back was really good, and very well attended.Errrr... I can guarantee we wont be running anything like that for a while :) Harrogate cost us quite a bit, it damn near cost us the club :eek: (*) We have to look at this on a break-even basis, we don't want to profit from our members over it, but we can't afford to do it for "free".
Keith L
BSAC Council
(*) That comment is made with the benefit of hindslight. The Council at that time were lied to and simply didn't know what was happening until it was too late and after the event.
Adrian Kelland
07-12-2005, 21:59
OK - lets wait for the outcome of the "Officers" - and then all moan again 'cos it is going to be in the SW! Well they could get a dive in too :D
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