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MAG AGC – MANIFESTOS FOR OFFICERS & DIRECTOR TO BE ELECTED AT AGC
Manifesto for the position of Chairman of the Motorcycle Action Group
Jane Chisholm
Membership Number: 106527
Hi, I’m Jane Chisholm, BA (hons), currently Chair of MAG UK. I work in education as a teacher of English, in a secure unit for children with behaviour problems. I live in Jackson Bridge, West Yorkshire.
Throughout my life the constant theme has been bikes and I currently ride a Harley 883 Custom Sportster, XL53 C. My biking travels have taken me through most of the touring roads in the UK and Europe and it is this love and pleasure and the wish to continue to enjoy it for many a year that drives me to promote and defend riders rights in our own country through MAG UK.
My style is definitely a hands on approach. I was Yorkshire Regional Rep for three years and through the local group expansion plan extended the region to 10 groups and over 1300 members.
Between 2004 and 2006 I coordinated efforts in putting on the Yorkshire Pudding Rally which then made approximately £25,000 for MAG. In 2007 due to time restrictions as Chair, I handed over the co-ordination to Pete Walker, who I continue to support and work along side.
Between 2004 and 2005 as Vice Chair of MAG UK I worked on re-establishing training weekends to equip our activists with the knowledge and skills to help them engage effectively. These training weekends now run annually. Uniting the efforts of individual members is the key of our organisation and I believe that it is imperative to have a hands on approach to keep in touch with the grass roots membership in the UK. We have a wealth of talented volunteers and employees who give their hard work and dedication.
We need their support in order to rally our members but to do that it is imperative that the leadership of MAG UK is ever present and receptive to the advice and expertise of these people. As a dedicated member, I recognise that MAG UK is a democratic organisation, therefore it is imperative that all actions must follow procedures as laid out in the constitution and the Chair must be accountable to the members at all times.
The nature of my work in education means I have developed and use skills in: planning; forward thinking; organising; problem solving; communication and team building. In my role as Vice Chair, and Chair I believe that I have brought these skills to benefit MAG UK.I have worked for several years at local, regional and national level and feel I have valid experience and perspective of the organisation as a whole.
Although much of my time is spent having an overview and trying to help the smooth running of the organisation, I still work side by side MAG members at rallies and events, as time permits. Last year I was able to support Into the Valley, The Farmyard Party, The Yorkshire Pudding Rally. Spat Out of Hull, Stormin the Castle, other Regions AGM’s and fund raising events.
In April 2007, as Chair of MAG UK, I started work with Directors of MAG UK the NC and Staff at Central. With a stronger financial position than in previous years we employed David Short as Campaigns Manager to work along side Trevor Baird as General Secretary. We developed success in the political arena and were invited to share our expertise with decision making government bodies. With a fresh pair of eyes on board, we did a SWOT analysis, which identified out strengths and weaknesses. We have started a process to try and increase our membership, by trying to project a broader image and appeal to a wider biking community. Part of this process has been to project this image within the biking and general press to ensure that these changes reach the entire motorcycle community. Work is in progress in all these areas and you will have full reports at conference.
I want to make sure that motorcycling has a future for the next generations and believe that MAG is best placed to ensure this happens.
I believe I have demonstrated this by giving time, commitment and dedication. The role of Chairman is demanding and requires constant attention and dialogue.
Furthermore I believe that the chair cannot work in isolation, but as part of a team. There is still much work to do in the year ahead.
For these reasons I will be standing for the position of Chair of MAG UK at the April AGC 2008 and I ask you for your continued support.
Proposed by Stu Chivers
Membership number: 112155
Seconded by Paul Turner
Membership number: 116205
Manifesto for the position of National Finance Officer
Justine Travis
Membership Number: 97513
As mentioned last year I hate preparing a manifesto for AGC, so as promised here is a near repeat, it got me in last year so hopefully will do the same this year.
I have been National Finance Officer and a Director of MAG UK since 2004, during my time I have seen MAG grow in the expertise and commitment from its volunteers shown by the great results from the fighting fund donations.
This is yet another year where I am going to reiterate that one of the key initiatives has to be to increase membership. We need to look ahead and make MAG such a strong image bikers can't avoid it and feel they have to join, the increased coverage about MAG in the press after Davids appointment and the rebranding exercise with more distinctive advertising and website improvements is a great platform to build on.
For anyone new into MAG or who has never attended the AGC before it is always hard to vote in complete strangers so a bit of personal info may help. I passed my test in 1994 and am the resident National Committee 'scooter girl' as I ride a Honda Silverwing 600cc scooter. I also have a Suzuki TU250 chosen when I heard it regularly featured on polls of ugly bikes, my better half has just given it a facelift (you couldn't make it look worse anyway) so its more trailie for rallies, and a new addition is a 1981 Suzuki TS 250 so I can join the VJMCC on rideouts. My day job is managing budgets as an IT Project Manager which has helped me in the Finance role, but what has been of far more use is being married to a Yorkshire man, 'NO you can't spend that' has long been a familiar phrase and has come in very handy.
You will see from my report to AGC in April that we are still great value for money and I would never like to see us grow complacent and not have to get the biggest bang for our buck and I see ensuring that as part of my role.
I now ride my bike less but know more people than ever and I hope I have made some life long friendships, but above all I can feel I am doing something worthwhile to help protect the lifestyle we have all chosen.
Proposed by Gerard Livett
Membership Number: 92282
Seconded by Tony Cox
Membership Number: 114555
Manifesto for the position of National Clubs Liaison Officer
Fergus O'Connell
Membership Number: 25618
The last year has been a very good one for MAG and especially on the club front. Numbers are up and we have had some notable success in the clubs that have affiliated to us. Some have returned to us after something of a gap.
We have (as predicted) seen an uplift in numbers during the last year. This has not been fully represented in the current figures as several clubs that have decided to affiliate can only do so after their own AGM's, which do not occur until the New Year (please bear in mind that this manifesto has to be submitted before 31/12/07).
I have visited as many clubs as I can during 2007. I am pleased to report that I have a 100% record during these visits.
I seem to mention every year about the impact on full membership from affiliates taking out full membership. I actually had the happy situation whereby a club did not renew their affiliation because every member is a full member. This is just a small example of how important the club affiliation scheme is.
I predict that 2008 will see MAG having more affiliated clubs than it has ever had before. Thats a chap going out on a limb if ever there was one.
I am happy to continue as clubs officer if the membership is willing to vote me in again.
Thankyou and goodnight.
Proposed by Ian Mutch
Membership Number: 00003
Seconded by Arch Hipkins
Membership Number: 90809 Life
Manifesto for the position of Directorship of MAG (UK) Ltd.
Gerard Livett
Membership Number: 92282
I am seeking re-election to the position of Director of MAG (UK) Ltd, which I have held since 2004.
In the past four years we have seen MAG go from strength to strength, both politically and financially, and this has been a team effort by the membership, the Board, the National Committee and our members of staff.
At present we have two of the best teams in both the board and the National Committee since I became a member shortly after passing my motorcycle test in 1996.
At this time of growth in the fortunes of MAG, I would like to continue to play my part in this, and would continue to bring my knowledge and experience to the board.
Proposed by Arch Hipkins
Membership Number: 90809 Life
Seconded by Fergus O’Connell
Membership Number: 25618
View procedures for nomination of officers Here
For further information regarding AGC procedures contact:
National Vice-Chairman Fergus O’Connell: vice-chair@mag-uk.org
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