No wonder the Club has an image problem

124

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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #92

    Are the younger generation stepping up to the plate though to run committees and District Associations etc etc?? 

    The simple answer is that the younger generation are not interested in committees or the running of any organisation, unless they are being paid for it! If the Caravan Club continue in this direction it will not be able to continue, is it time for the club
    to go over to be a completely business orientated and not have various committees doing this that or the other?

    ...That is so true and of course,it would mean actually talking face to face at times ,which is completely alien to todays youngsters,   but to run what seems to be a dwindling amount of centres for rallies it needs a lot of imput from the few who are willing
    to give up their time 

  • Meads181
    Meads181 Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited July 2016 #93

    I Have not heard the cc concert band play i am sure they are very good . but why not have a caravan cllub rock band for those that are not into brass band music

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #94

    I Have not heard the cc concert band play i am sure they are very good . but why not have a caravan cllub rock band for those that are not into brass band music

     

    ...There are people who can play  real musical instruments then there are  "rock"bands WinkSurprised

  • mjh2014
    mjh2014 Forum Participant Posts: 130
    edited July 2016 #95

    But which particular vein of rock music would promote the most attractive image? 

  • RichardPitman
    RichardPitman Forum Participant Posts: 127
    edited July 2016 #96

    Are the younger generation stepping up to the plate though to run committees and District Associations etc etc?? 

    The simple answer is that the younger generation are not interested in committees or the running of any organisation, unless they are being paid for it! If the Caravan Club continue in this direction it will not be able to continue, is it time for the club
    to go over to be a completely business orientated and not have various committees doing this that or the other?

    I don't understand.

    I thought that the 'club' was a commercial organisation, run by paid staff, whose wages came from the fees we pay to use the sites that the 'club' owns.

    Where do volunteers and committees come into this ?

    Fair enough if like minded foks want to organise rallies and other events, the thought of which fills me with horror, but that is another issue.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #97

    Richard 

    The governance of the Club is run by an elected committee made up of members. The paid excutive are responsible to that committee to administer the day to day running of the Club and put into place policy made by the committee, at least that is my understanding. 

    David

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited July 2016 #98

    Pretty well as David explained.   The caravan club is  owned by its members.   There is also caravan club ltd the commercial organisation has a single share which is owned by the caravan club. 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #99

    Richard 

    The governance of the Club is run by an elected committee made up of members.
    The paid excutive are responsible to that committee
    to administer the day to day running of the Club and put into place policy made by the committee, at least that is my understanding. 

    David

    i wonder who sets the level of 'paid executive' salary?

    the unpaid elected committee? 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #100

    Richard 

    The governance of the Club is run by an elected committee made up of members.
    The paid excutive are responsible to that committee
    to administer the day to day running of the Club and put into place policy made by the committee, at least that is my understanding. 

    David

    i wonder who sets the level of 'paid executive' salary?

    the unpaid elected committee? 

    ...You could ask at the AGMWink

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #101

    According to this
    document
    The Club and How it Works, remuneration is the responsibility of the Finance and Management Committee:-

    17. Finance and Management Committee. The Committee is chaired by the Honorary Treasurer and assists the Executive Committee in discharging its financial and management responsibilities by taking on responsibility for supervising the financial
    affairs of The Club. It meets in advance of each meeting of the Executive Committee, when it reviews all business with a financial or business management content coming from other Committees or from staff. It also has some delegated authority to make financial
    and business decisions on behalf of the full Executive. Notable among these are the:


    a. hiring, remuneration and dismissal of all staff except the Director General, who is employed by the Executive Committee;

    b. administration of The Club’s offices and property; and

    c. investing funds not immediately required by The Club.



    More information can be found in the document I have linked to above. No doubt salaries are decided on prevailing market rates for jobs in similar positions in the wider market place and are set in order to retain occupants in their jobs assuming
    those responsible considers their contribution to the Club warrants a particular level of reward.

    David

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited July 2016 #102

    Richard 

    The governance of the Club is run by an elected committee made up of members. The paid excutive are responsible to that committee to administer the day to day running of the Club and put into place policy made by the committee, at least that is my understanding. 

    David

    Write your comments here...That may be so at the moment but holiday trends and leisure requirements do not stagnate, they  evolve,--- what was good for the 1960's is no longer relevant to a business which is evolving to meet a modern society.. 

    Everybody knows, for a company to grow and prosper, it should be run by Professional Managers and Professional Senior Executives.

    The days of a load of "Well Meaning Amateurs" deciding amongst themselves how any company should be run, is long gone.  

    Efficiency, profitabiliity and business growth can only be achieved by skilled professionals. 

    Cool

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited July 2016 #103

    Richard 

    The governance of the Club is run by an elected committee made up of members. The paid excutive are responsible to that committee to administer the day to day running of the Club and put into place policy made by the committee, at least
    that is my understanding. 

    David

    Write your comments here...That may be so at the moment but holiday trends and leisure requirements do not
    stagnate, they  evolve,--- what was good for the 1960's are no longer relevant to a business which is evolving to meet a modern society.. 

    Everybody knows that for a company to grow and prosper, it should be run by Professional Managers and Professional Senior Executives.

    The days of a load of "Well Meaning Amateurs" deciding amongst themselves how any company should be run, is long gone.  

    Efficiency, profitabiliity and business growth can only be achieved by skilled professionals. 

    Cool

    You mean like building societies, when they entered the modern world by demutualising?   Just remind me how many building societies that converted to banks actually survives as an independent organisation today?

    Edit

    It's alright I've just remembered the answer. None, Zero, not a single one. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #104

    Nationwide BS?Wink Although it never converted to a Bank!

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited July 2016 #105

    Nationwide BS?Wink Although it never converted to a Bank!

    No it stayed as a boring old Building society and remains one today

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #106

    It wasn't the building societies that decided to demutualise but the shareholders. Motions were raised and voted through and the B/Ss had to comply. It wasn't a case of the professionals making the decision but the dissatisfied ordinary folk who were the
    shareholders. Would things be different today if it had been left to the professional managers? We'll never know. 

    Could there be a lesson for CC here in letting the membership make decisions? I guess it depends on your point of view.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited July 2016 #107

    Boff I cannot agree with you , with the greatest of respect, this thread is about the Caravan Club leisure organisation, and its image.

    If you would like to start a thread about the entirely different subject of building societies ,  Im sure there would be many of us pleased to contribute.

    Meantime I for one,  would like to hear your views on the CC image and what could be done to improve it.

    K Wink

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #108

    Both the AA and RAC were clubs and were converted to buisinesses after( like the building societies)the members were taken in by being offered a pitance compared to the true worth of each club,and since becoming companies ,that have to pay shareholders run by "skilled profesionals" they have cut everything to the bone,but still try to make out things are still as they were when clubs, but are just a shadow of when they were run by people who knew their product controlled by members committies

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #109

    Not quite, JVB. The members made the decision (I inadvertently used the term shareholders earlier) long before any payout was decided upon. The members of the B/Ss were not persuaded to demutualise but were the instigators. 

    A similar thing could, perhaps, happen with CC if the members raised the motion but whether it would be a good thing or not is infinitely debatable. In the case of CC it would not be demutualisation as CC is already a limited company but would be a change
    of structure and governance.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
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    edited July 2016 #110

    It is true that the club be turned into a plc if the members voted for it to become one and they would then get shares which they could sell on. What they would get I cannot say so I do not know if it would attract the members but I suspect not.

    Whether professional employees instructed by a comittee of volunteers is really more effective than a set of highly paid directors running the business would be better in the long run is doubtful. As it is the club does have its faults and some members have
    been let down. However as a plc I suspect the situation would be worse and the cost cutting might just drive enough members away for us to get a pitch easier.

  • sailorgirl2
    sailorgirl2 Forum Participant Posts: 153
    edited July 2016 #111

    I have just noticed this request in the National Rallies category.

    The Caravan Club Concert Band are looking for new players to join us at the National for the Tea Party on Sunday Afternoon.

    Sadly it says it all. 

    ...And your point is? and you would also turn down an invite to another party at the end of the MallSad some people do still have standards
    dont you knowWink

    Write your comments here...they forgot to add the cucumber sandwiches as well..... SG2

     

  • black caviar
    black caviar Forum Participant Posts: 242
    edited July 2016 #112

    If their wanting to get rid of amateurs and have professional senior executives , i hear sir Phillip Green's looking for another job?

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited July 2016 #113

    Business decisions need to be taken in real time. This is achievable when the company is run by a small team of highly intelligent, knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

    Gone are the days when a load of aged amateurs scattered all over the country, all with their own axe to grind, hold up business decisions while they try and justify their existence.

    The answer is to disband all those outdated committees and councils and let the CC's professional managers manage the business.

    The CC would then be seen as a modern, efficient organisation and would attract those who currently think that it is an organisation purely for the aged.

    K Smile 

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #114

    Business decisions need to be taken in real time. This is achievable when the company is run by a small team of highly intelligent, knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

    Gone are the days when a load of aged amateurs scattered all over the country, all with their own axe to grind, hold up business decisions while they try and justify their existence.

    The answer is to disband all those outdated committees and councils and let the CC's professional managers manage the business.

    The CC would then be seen as a modern, efficient organisation and would attract those who currently think that it is an organisation purely for the aged.

    K Smile 

    not sure the membership of the club would want this model! Afterall, it possibly currently works for the many!

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #115

    Business decisions need to be taken in real time. This is achievable when the company is run by a small team of highly intelligent, knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

    Gone are the days when a load of aged amateurs scattered all over the country, all with their own axe to grind, hold up business decisions while they try and justify their existence.

    The answer is to disband all those outdated committees and councils and let the CC's professional managers manage the business.

    The CC would then be seen as a modern, efficient organisation and would attract those who currently think that it is an organisation purely for the aged.

    K Smile 

    The beauty of the current system is that it provides checks and balances. The membership represented by the elected Council has the ability to check the ambition of a possible renegade paid management ( not suggesting we have one at the moment) . OK it might
    slow things down a bit but somewhere a balance must be struck between the wishes of members, who might want to react to things more slowly and what might be seen as an imperative by management. The Caravan Club is still a Club and the suggestion above would
    certainly put an end to that beyong doubt.

    David

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #116

    Business decisions need to be taken in real time. This is achievable when the company is run by a small team of highly intelligent, knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

    Gone are the days when a load of aged amateurs scattered all over the country, all with their own axe to grind, hold up business decisions while they try and justify their existence.

    The answer is to disband all those outdated committees and councils and let the CC's professional managers manage the business.

    The CC would then be seen as a modern, efficient organisation and would attract those who currently think that it is an organisation purely for the aged.

    K Smile 

    The beauty of the current system is that it provides checks and balances. The membership represented by the elected Council has the ability to check the ambition of a possible renegade paid management ( not suggesting we have one at the moment) . OK it might
    slow things down a bit but somewhere a balance must be struck between the wishes of members, who might want to react to things more slowly and what might be seen as an imperative by management. The Caravan Club is still a Club and the suggestion above would
    certainly put an end to that beyong doubt.

    David

    ..Well saidSmile

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #117

    Business decisions need to be taken in real time. This is achievable when the company is run by a small team of highly intelligent, knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

    Gone are the days when a load of aged amateurs scattered all over the country, all with their own axe to grind, hold up business decisions while they try and justify their existence.

    The answer is to disband all those outdated committees and councils and let the CC's professional managers manage the business.

    The CC would then be seen as a modern, efficient organisation and would attract those who currently think that it is an organisation purely for the aged.

    K Smile 

    The beauty of the current system is that it provides checks and balances. The membership represented by the elected Council has the ability to check the ambition of a possible renegade paid management ( not suggesting we have one at the moment) . OK it might
    slow things down a bit but somewhere a balance must be struck between the wishes of members, who might want to react to things more slowly and what might be seen as an imperative by management. The Caravan Club is still a Club and the suggestion above would
    certainly put an end to that beyong doubt.

    David

    very right and eloquently put!

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited July 2016 #118

    Business decisions need to be taken in real time. This is achievable when the company is run by a small team of highly intelligent, knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

    Gone are the days when a load of aged amateurs scattered all over the country, all with their own axe to grind, hold up business decisions while they try and justify their existence.

    The answer is to disband all those outdated committees and councils and let the CC's professional managers manage the business.

    The CC would then be seen as a modern, efficient organisation and would attract those who currently think that it is an organisation purely for the aged.

    K Smile 

    The beauty of the current system is that it provides checks and balances. The membership represented by the elected Council has the ability to check the ambition of a possible renegade paid management ( not suggesting we have one at the moment) . OK it might slow things down a bit but somewhere a balance must be struck between the wishes of members, who might want to react to things more slowly and what might be seen as an imperative by management. The Caravan Club is still a Club and the suggestion above would certainly put an end to that beyong doubt.

    David

    Write your comments here...I take your point David, BUT -- What does it really matter what it is called ?. 

    It is only a club in name only.------ It has now developed  into a large retail organisation retailing all sorts of goods and services. 

    Would the customers notice the difference if the Club bit was disposed of ?, I doubt it. The sites network and administration would be the same, The CL network would remain the same, the insurances and breakdown cover would be the same,  the travel services and all the other retail departments would not change.

    What IMO would change would be the ability of the club to respond to market forces quickly and adjust their marketing accordingly in real time,. making the company much more efficient and cost effective, resulting in much more capital to re-invest in the comany infostructure. 

    I have been a satisfied customer of the CC since the 1980's and I can see that those amateur Committees and Councils are holding the CC back. 

    I am aware that there are those for whom any kind of change holds anxiety, but is that an excuse for a company living in the past and doing nothing to meet the challenges of the future ?. . We need to recognise that the CC has unfortunately an image of being a sweet little club for geriatrics. 

    For the CC to shake off this image they must be prepared to move into the 21st century and ditch the old outdated well meaning, inefficient interfering amateur input. 

    Others may disagree, that is their right. 

    Smile

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2016 #119

    K    It is and i do Wink 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
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    edited July 2016 #120

    I would assume that if the club was to go private it would be the whole thing. Selling off the commercial side would leave the club as just a site operator and that is the bit that loses money so leaving that would not make sense but it might give them the
    cash to get more sites but I think the ones losing money might have to go or prices rise.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #121

    Thanfully, I can't see it changing and long may have t continue nue, but like K says, that is opinion and a valid one for mine too!