Here we are again for another issue. Since the last Network I've hard from quite a few Reps who found the contents useful. Some also asked what I am doing producing Network, which used to be
the job of the Reps Liaison Officer. The answer is that over the years the responsibility for Network somehow got off loaded on the staff at Central Office. Most latterly Phil Neale produced it until he left MAG to
work for the Motorcycle Industry association last November. Nobody else was volunteering to take the job on despite requests, so here I am - National Chairman and Network Editor all rolled into one.
Two Year Review Paying Off Over the last two years I have reviewed pretty much everything that MAG does. I am now trying to implement the lessons learned. So far it seems to be going pretty well. At the last
NC meeting we changed the format so as to include National Officers in the Regional Affairs Meeting (RAM), a cut-down version of the minutes of which you will find in this issue. Previously the Regional Reps had a
separate morning meeting. The problem with this was that the 'report back' from the morning session never really conveyed fully to the National Officers what the problems and concerns were in the regions. The new
format works much better than the previous. The National Officers are no longer isolated from Regional problems and as a result you should see action to deal with the specific topics that matter to you. Better
still, with the minutes of the RAM being published in this august organ, you will be able to check up on what we've done and see where we are at. If we've decided to do something but not actually done anything about
it you'll be able to pull us up - democracy at work eh! We need your help though to make it work better. We need you to feed in to your regional Reps the kind of issues you want to see MAG address and, more
importantly, the ideas that you have for taking MAG forward. We're not mind readers. Feed in your ideas and concerns and you'll see results coming out.
Positive Pressure for Progress What all
this is about, the actions resulting from my two-year review, is creating positive pressure on the NC to make sure MAG does what it is meant to do. This will be achieved by ensuring that at both ends of the equation
everyone is better informed. National Officers will know what you the members want and you the Members will be able to check that your views have actually been taken on board by us and acted upon.
The New Face of MAG I hope you all like the new recruiting leaflets featuring Clare Simpson, a sample of which you should find enclosed with this issue. Certainly the reaction I've had so far is good. I've
ordered up 5000 flyers featuring Clare for distribution to local groups. You can use these to advertise your local meeting place and they're a big improvement on home made notices that we've got by on for years.
Please use them wisely when you get them. They aren't cheap but they do look good.
In This Issue… You'll find a myth-busting exposé on how your NC really works. Get the low-down on the free events
you could be going to in Europe. Read what is going to be proposed at the AGC this year and who is after what job. We're looking for talent too. The new (unpaid volunteer) post of Network Communications Officer is
being proposed for the AGC. If you have an appetite for hard work and want to be instrumental in pushing MAG forward to success, this might be a good job to go for. There's also an update on where I'm at with
Wakefield MAG, with more ideas that might also work for your group - all this and much more besides.
Feedback Please The local MAG group that you and your fellow Local Reps run is the most
important unit in MAG's whole organisation. Local groups are our footprint and main recruiting channel. They make political success possible by applying direct pressure to local and national politicians. I am
committed to helping your group to the max through Network. To do it I need your help and feedback. Tell me what works and what doesn't. Tell me what you want to see more of and what you want covering in the future.
Together we'll crack it and make MAG the biggest riders' group in Europe. Phone me on 0113 286 9332 or email nfl@mag4.demon.co.uk
