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MAGs New Chairman Nicky Basset-Powell
 After the excitement of the election campaign and AGC, and having now
spoken to the Board of MAG, paid staff, most of the National Committee, local group reps and many individual members I am encouraged by the overwhelming goodwill running through this organisation and must thank
you for having the faith and belief in the future of MAG, rather than continuing to side with individuals, to universally offer your support to
take this organisation forward in a civilised and business-like fashion. May I take this opportunity to thank my predecessor for his thirteen years of extremely hard work as National Chair.
Hopefully, for the benefit of all concerned and for the greater good of motorcycling, any bad
feeling will now be laid to rest so we can move this organisation forward. In fact, I will put into writing at this early stage that any unresolved complaints or disputes should be referred to
myself via MAG Central so I can ensure that they are dealt with professionally, courteously, legally, honestly and most of all, transparently.
I find myself elected to the post of Chairman on a ten-point plan which you will find on my website www.mag3.demon.co.uk To this end we now have to put these ideas into action in accordance with the wishes of the AGC.
Over the next couple of months I will be sitting down with the relevant MAG officials to discuss how they intend to organise each department, to create a strategic plan, timescale,
and to find the necessary help or assistance as appropriate. I want to begin to ensure that ideas are actually put into action as effectively as possible with membership support and assistance.
It is often repeated that every great walk begins with a single step, but I feel that in many areas MAG has to actually find its feet before the single step can occur. This should not be
construed as the new Chairman planning to march in heavy handed, but rather a look at who MAG's members are, identify areas where we are weak and to import ideas, good practice
and assistance, as necessary to allow us to adapt and grow with the changing times we live in.
The next issues of StreetBiker will include a 'state of the nation' questionnaire. This will seek to establish who you actually are, what your real concerns are and how MAG can best serve
you. To ensure that all views are adequately represented please find the time to complete and return the forms to MAG Central. Hopefully, this can be replicated using web-based
technology and become a rolling process, a regular review of the entire organisation.
By laying out these few thoughts on what MAG is and how we take it forward I do not claim to hold the copyright on good ideas. In fact, as Chairman, I will always welcome any
additional ideas that can be incorporated into MAG's operation and will endeavour to include them as far as possible - including my predecessor's strategic review, campaigns and ideas.
Maybe even some of his concerns!
People are what MAG has always been about, members are its lifeblood and key to its future success so I strongly urge you to go out and recruit. Not just individual members, but
your local bike shops as discount dealers and your local clubs as affiliates. If your regional rep has not supplied membership and club forms, please call MAG Central and Janet, Ian,
Dawn, Trevor or Henry will be delighted to assist.
In view of the success in creating new group Wakefield MAG I strongly urge you to go out and multiply. No, not in the literal sense, but by talking to affiliated clubs, enthusiastic
members, dealers, publicans, even the police - anyone who is interested in starting a MAG group themselves. After all, it is action at local level that has achieved positive change and
got biking where it is today! If anyone has any concerns about running, or setting up a new group do not hesitate to contact MAG Central, myself or Neil Liversidge who will be more
than happy to help with any advice.
The strategic working group meeting last year identified PR and media as a key area that
could be improved. Not only nationally, but also regionally and locally in order for MAG to get it's voice heard and message across. To this end I have created a PR plan and diary that
has been circulated to the National Committee (obviously, this needs to remain confidential so our competitors don't steal a march), and MAG should now begin to regain its exposure.
Due to a couple of recent faux pas the National Committee will be reviewing and tightening-up checking procedures. To really improve effectiveness MAG local groups,
activists and individual members need to be encouraged to replicate this national media awareness within their own areas as far as possible and this is a key area where training will be beneficial.
As Chairman I intend to continue what I started as Reps Liaison Officer and re-introduce a series of one and two day training seminars throughout the country, bringing in the best of
MAG's in-house specialists. I will (as we have done before) involve trainers who can bring expertise and experience of involvement from a range of outside organisations and
local/national governmental bodies. Due to its sheer size, unique problems and number of potential members, I feel we should start with a one day event in London with the midlands
and north shortly after. As Scotland and Wales face elections next year we need to pencil them in for early next spring, so please discuss these events with your local group members
and activists and prime them for the best date and to attend. I guarantee it will be worthwhile, not just for re-energising MAG locally, but also for personal development as we
cover skills such as management and presentation, all of which are useful for life in general.
In response to anti-bike comments by Michael Meacher MP, Environment Minister, we have recently seen Chris Coleman organise demonstrations in Edinburgh and London.
Unfortunately, he failed to gain the numbers MAG gets to its own demos, although he managed to present a petition to number 10. As MAG did little to support this event I think
this underlines the fact that there is a groundswell of feeling that we should get out there and make our voices heard. As most of those attending rode sports bikes I see these sort of
events as ideal recruitment opportunities.
 MAG itself enjoys more events that any other biking
organisation, with toy runs, Christmas runs, Easter egg runs, group ride-outs, biker nights and many similar awareness raising and recruitment opportunities. MAG benefits from this increased
local exposure and fundraising events running in parallel often raise much-needed cash for the cause. Obviously, if you don't already have an event of your own I urge you to tag on to other
local events, or consider creating new ones. It's also a great way of meeting other bikers, getting your group to work together and having fun, which is what being in MAG should be about!
After the electioneering shenanigans of the last edition and in advance of the 'state of the nation' survey this edition of Network
is focussed on secure parking, a major concern. Chiefly in response to the first government-funded advice leaflet ever produced, but in recognition of the
success of Middlesborough MAG, and other groups who have managed to convince their council to install them. In view of the new advice Local authorities and private operators are
now upping the ante and actively discussing how and where they can provide motorcycle parking, but this is raising other issues such as how to recoup costs. Due to riders
boycotting their experimental charged parking scheme Westminster council has abandoned its plans to charge bikers to park. This is leading operators to reconsider plans to provide
motorcycle parking as they are unsure how much return to expect. Hmm, catch 22, and a major discussion point.
Talking of which, MAG's 2002 national demo will be taking place in Birmingham on Saturday 6th July. Please be there and make it a success. Why not arrange a group ride out for that
day as being in the centre of the UK it's within a couple of hours ride for most of us. The meeting place is easy to find - it's outside the Longbridge car factory on the A38, just a
couple of miles from junction 4, M42.
I'll be delighted to meet you.
Nicky
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