Ducati Sporting Club UK > DesmoDue Race Series > DesmoDue - General Questions and Chat > Who's best to run DD - the DSC!

[phoenix n max]

Originally Posted by domski

Did we not all say the same things 12 months ago?

If i recall correctly there were similar manouverings going on then.

I fail to see the logic.

It should be something everyone is proud of - riders, representatives and club members, instead it's a joke.

Everyone has made an effort in some way, spent cash, time and added their commitment at a level they saw fit.

Some used it as a means to get something, though i fail to see what, out of it. Majority enjoyed it, were passionate about it, and hopefully still are.

I've no wish to blame anyone specific here - but folks wake up huh - see whats happening here - Do you want this to happen again next year ?

[Jools]

What an excellent thread.

As a member of the MT who does not have any 'official' involvement with DD, it's very heartening to see the support that exists for the DSC continuing to run the series and some recognition for the hard work that has been put in to get the series to where it is today.

I know that some mistakes have been made, some of them thumping great big ones, but that just goes to show that human beings with all their faults are involved.

From my point of view running the DD series splits into several areas that all require attention and some improvement. Just as in any business there is the day to day operational management (ie: the nitty gritty of organising the events and schedules, communicating the same to riders and remembering the damned trophies to name but a few tasks) this role should be to ensure that all riders have to worry about is turning up and racing - I used to compete in international rallies and I know theres enough for a competitor to do without having to worry about what the event arrangements are. The way I see it, whoever does this role (whether it's the RC or an individual) and the riders themselves have absolutely the right to have the most involvement in this aspect. Same goes for sponsors.

I'm speaking for myself here not as an MT representative, but I think that DD should be one of the flagship activities of the club and it is important enough (in my view) to have a dedicated MT 'role' devoted to the running of DD. It would not be fair to dump that volume of work on one individual, so I would also like to see a structure of volunteers who would assist the MT role but not necessarily have any say in how the series was run.

So the MT role would do all of the operational management, liaising with New Era, Riders and Sponsors (making sure that the sponsors relationship with the DSC was equitable). maybe they wouldn't do all that themselves but they would be accountable to all of the above for the successful day to day operation.

In the same way, that MT member also needs to be accountable to the MT and MOST IMPORTANTLY to the membership of the club. On an operational basis that needs to be the case so that any money spent on DD (which of course belongs to all the members) can be justified and spent with required approval.

As far as the membership of the DSC is concerned I think that it IS a DSC series and therefore EVERY member should be entitled to a view of what DD is all about and how their money is spent in it's support.

I'm not advocating that we run a poll for every member on every decision, that would plainly be ridiculous, that's why I'm suggesting that the full time MT member should be elected for that purpose and given the mandate to make 'day-to-day' operational decision by the membership.

What I am suggesting is that the full membership should have a mechanism by which their suggestions and voice about the strategic direction of DD can be heard and considered. That is all I've ever advocated. Some type of suggestion box, if you will, that can be periodically considered by a DD comittee (chaired by the DD MT member) so that everyones input can be fairly evaluated, decisions made and the results of those decisions communicated.

I don't know precisely how this would work but I believe that if this governance structure was put in place it would give the members a chance to voice their ideas about whether the strategic direction of DD was in line with the aims and values of running the club in the first place. Clearly, DD as it now stands is consistent with those aims (as spelled out in the club constitution) but we do need some form of governance structure that ensures that DD remains consistent with those aims. For example, if we turned round and said "OK, this years DD effort is to spend the clubs entire reserve on doing all the GP circuits in the world" that would be stupid and I believe it IS the whole mebership who need to apply a sanity check to the strategic thinking behind DD.

If we do this with the right mechanisms and in a clear, open and honest way I believe that we can give the riders and sponsors the respect they deserve for their financial and time commitment and ensure that the members have their say as well. What members don't want to see IMHO is the riders electing themselves as some type of elite echelon of the DSC and cutting them out of the decision making loop

[domski]

I like your post Jools and agree with everything you say (I think)

Originally Posted by Jools

As far as the membership of the DSC is concerned I think that it IS a DSC series and therefore EVERY member should be entitled to a view of what DD is all about and how their money is spent in it's support.

I have no problem in the general DSC membership having views and opinions, in fact everyone should be encouraged to express ideas and suggestions.

I just think it's a bit unfair to have the general membership 'voting' on things that only affect the racers, like "Which person should run the series?" or "How many rounds should there be?" etc etc

What I am suggesting is that the full membership should have a mechanism by which their suggestions and voice about the strategic direction of DD can be heard and considered.

Totally agree.

Does anyone know how much of the club funds are actually used for DD?

I also get the impression that some members think that DD is laid on for us for free, and they get the hump coz some of us complain sometimes. Perhaps something can be published to clear that up? It's cost me over £3500 (of Domski money) this season and I've not had to buy a bike AND I have good sponsorship too! Some people have spent £10,000+

This isn't a DSC jolly.

[Dougducati]

Originally Posted by domski

Does anyone know how much of the club funds are actually used for DD?

I think a couple of hundred quid was used early September!!!!

[andyb]

Originally Posted by Dougducati

I think a couple of hundred quid was used early September!!!!

I bet theres more DSC..ers do track days than race in this series. Why cant that money be put towards an even cheaper club track day?

[Monty]

"I also get the impression that some members think that DD is laid on for us for free, and they get the hump coz some of us complain sometimes. Perhaps something can be published to clear that up? It's cost me over £3500 (of Domski money) this season and I've not had to buy a bike AND I have good sponsorship too! Some people have spent £10,000+

This isn't a DSC jolly."

You are right Dom-it isn't a jolly it's racing, and would have cost you the same whatever class you were racing in. By the same token the DD series has since it started cost me loads of money-for a start it cost's me £50 in diesel every time I go to any of the tracks apart from Snett (which is nearer). You at least get the joy(?) of racing-I'm not sure what 'personal gain' I or any of the other people who have helped run this series from the start are supposed to have made??

John

[domski]

Originally Posted by Monty

"I also get the impression that some members think that DD is laid on for us for free, and they get the hump coz some of us complain sometimes. Perhaps something can be published to clear that up? It's cost me over £3500 (of Domski money) this season and I've not had to buy a bike AND I have good sponsorship too! Some people have spent £10,000+

This isn't a DSC jolly."

You are right Dom-it isn't a jolly it's racing, and would have cost you the same whatever class you were racing in. By the same token the DD series has since it started cost me loads of money-for a start it cost's me £50 in diesel every time I go to any of the tracks apart from Snett (which is nearer). You at least get the joy(?) of racing-I'm not sure what 'personal gain' I or any of the other people who have helped run this series from the start are supposed to have made??

John

You've misunderstood my point I think John.

What I am saying is...

Some DSC members appear to be under the impression that DD is free.

[Rattler]

Originally Posted by Monty

You are right Dom-it isn't a jolly it's racing, and would have cost you the same whatever class you were racing in. By the same token the DD series has since it started cost me loads of money-for a start it cost's me £50 in diesel every time I go to any of the tracks apart from Snett (which is nearer). You at least get the joy(?) of racing-I'm not sure what 'personal gain' I or any of the other people who have helped run this series from the start are supposed to have made??

John

John - I'm not sure I understood your point.

If you don't (didn't) gain anything from running the series, then why would you do it? Perhaps you thought you would, but haven't? Perhaps its a charitable act?

What "personal gain" do you seek from any of your DSC activities? What have you gained from running the trackdays?

Tim

[Ray]

philanthropy.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by Rattler

John - I'm not sure I understood your point.

If you don't (didn't) gain anything from running the series, then why would you do it? Perhaps you thought you would, but haven't? Perhaps its a charitable act?

What "personal gain" do you seek from any of your DSC activities? What have you gained from running the trackdays?

Tim

The 'personal gain' I get from running the trackday is the huge amount of grins spread throughout the paddock-priceless-the downside is the 6/9months work beforehand to make it happen-well worth it.

My main point was really picking up something Dom had said earlier about the RC being in it for personal gain-I wasn't sure what gain he thought there was to be had? I certainly didn't expect any gain-and I've been involved since it was just a drunken idea...........

John