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Apathy
Jan 18, 2008 22:40:38 GMT 9.5
Post by gokart33 on Jan 18, 2008 22:40:38 GMT 9.5
I've just returned from the National Council Meeting at Murray Bridge . I should not have bothered. Not enough clubs sent a delegate so there was no quorum so no meeting. People post messages on this board complaining that Aidka dont do this and Aidka should do that but unless people get off their butts and get involved their won't be an association.
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Apathy
Jan 18, 2008 23:26:50 GMT 9.5
Post by tom on Jan 18, 2008 23:26:50 GMT 9.5
Sounds more to me like a change is needed in the constitution to allow more input from clubs without having to physically gather at the one venue..
I haven't been involved in AIDKA for quite a while, but if there is still a paid secretary, surely it's not too much to ask for an agenda of the council meeting to be sent to all clubs, and have the constitution allow responses from club delegates to be included in a proxy form at council meetings..
I find it disappointing that a quorum wasn't met, it's a shame that people put in the effort and feel that it is wasted.
There's an upside, maybe things are going well for most clubs, and they feel contented enough not to have the need to become involved in the workings of AIDKA.
Just out of interest, were there any pressing issues on the agenda that are going to be detrimental to the running of your club because of a cancelled meeting ?
If clubs are not taking the opportunity to present their views, then the AIDKA constitution needs to be changed to allow the clubs that DO attend to make the required decisions.
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Apathy
Jan 19, 2008 15:39:39 GMT 9.5
Post by kart 13 on Jan 19, 2008 15:39:39 GMT 9.5
I dont think there is an upside of a cancelled meeting. All clubs have one or more nominated delegates, that are required to attend AIDKA council meetings. I believe all club secretaries have been emailed the council meeting dates. There should be no reason for non attendance at the meeting last night. At least an apology should have been forwarded if not attending. I also think the location is quite central to most clubs.
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Apathy
Jan 19, 2008 22:03:50 GMT 9.5
Post by Upset Karter on Jan 19, 2008 22:03:50 GMT 9.5
The problem we have is the chairperson runs the meetings like the gestapo.
You have to put in things for general business weeks before the meeting which stops clubs bringing anything new to the table at the meeting.
So what is happening is clubs look at the agenda and if there is nothing interesting they just dont come.
I think it is about time we have state and national bodies. That means we only have to have 2 national meetings a year and the states could run themselves. To do this is a major change to the constitution and that wont happen as we would never let WA or the NT run there own tracks.
Until we pull our heads out our bums and start working together this association will never truely become a National association. There are over 12 clubs in QLD and they wont join due to the way we run our association
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Apathy
Jan 22, 2008 9:34:22 GMT 9.5
Post by tom on Jan 22, 2008 9:34:22 GMT 9.5
I actually agree with the process of not being able to add to the agenda at the meeting..
How can club's delegates vote on things without having first attended their own committee meetings ? Look at the AKA and their system to see what happens given this situation!
One of the great strengths of AIDKA is it's rule stability, this is helped by the current format of making rule changes a long process..
How can it be a true national series when all the states are running themselves ? This will lead to many different sets of rules, why does this make sense to you ?
I understand many clubs don't attend, i beleive it's more to do with the fact that they are satisfied with the current state of play. That is a good thing. Unfortunately there are some things that need to be moved along (that aren't always relevant to all clubs). I don't think it would hurt to alter the constitution to allow proxy voting from club delegates on agenda items to allow council meetings to happen without everyone attending.
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Apathy
Jan 23, 2008 20:29:03 GMT 9.5
Post by Racer on Jan 23, 2008 20:29:03 GMT 9.5
Unfortunately you must not have been around karts very long. Every national sport has a state and national body system. Just look at the AFL , SANFL and WAFL. The states look after the running of there sport in each state which allows state classes to be run at state level etc. If WA wanted to run a Vortex 125cc class at a state level they could but when it came to a national title they would have to run the normal 125cc TAG motors.
This system is currently working very well at the AKA. They only have rule changes at a national level but have sup regs at a state level for classes. This allows changes through the year when new products are released and it also caters for different kart shops supporting different products.
If we think AIDKA are doing a great job we are wrong. The technical, scrutineering and stewarding are heading in the right direction but all other things are stone age. We dont even regularly send in articles to the kart magazine.
The national karting mag is 90% full of AKA due to each AKA club submitting information. This is controlled through the AKA National and State Bodies.
If we are going to move ahead we should adopt the good points from the AKA and help AIDKA grow.
It was 3 years ago where the clubs voted not to put the speedway karting association into AIDKA. NASAR offered the clubs to us but we rejected the proposal. Do you think that was the right thing to do?
As we are trying to move the association forward wouldnt the extra funds help?
Now for the agenda issue. Why have meetings at all if you can not table new general business. Any club delegate should be able to bring up new items but if they require voting on they are taken back to the club and the club replies in writing with their vote. This means you would not have to wait 2-3 months for the next meeting.
Now for your comment on all the clubs must be satisfied. Just ring any club in WA or SA and talk to their Secretary or President and they will chew your ear off with complaints about AIDKA.
How can an association give a club like Lucindale a National title? The facilities are too small. Their is not enough pit area (They struggled with 160 entrants at the last state titles)
If it was a true national competition Dirt trackers should have got the titles or a club like Morgan, Renmark or Alice springs with wide open tracks and plenty of opportunity to pass. These tracks have large pit areas capable of holding over 400 karts and have great track amenities.
The last time Morgan, Alice and Renmark held the titles were over eight years ago and dont speak to me about Dirt Trackers who have never held a National title but have one of the largest member bases in AIDKA.
Do you think the association is being run well when they vote not to have a 125cc Mediums class for national and State titles and they turn down the track grading method which would award A class B Class and C Class licenses to clubs so only the best track facilities are used at titles.
Once again what is wrong with Lucindale holding the title but running it at Dirt Trackers for a fee. I know this would reduce sponsorship deals but come on at least the racing would be good and everybody would be happy.
Advertising by AIDKA. Well thats another sore point. Did you know it took a racer from the Aussie Title to write an article and supply pictures for the Kart Mag. AIDKA did not even bother to appoint a reporter or offical photographer. It cost this racer money out of his own pocket and time to try and promote dirt karting.
Well sorry for my bitch but its time to take the blindfold off and give AIDKA a good kick up the Ass and move things forward.
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Apathy
Jan 23, 2008 21:14:44 GMT 9.5
Post by Here Here on Jan 23, 2008 21:14:44 GMT 9.5
Well well well. Finally someone has the balls to call it as it is! I for one agree totally with this post. AIDKA is stale and lacks any sort of forward thinking. I am considering going racing with the SASKA guys. At least they are serious promoters of kart racing in Australia!
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Apathy
Jan 24, 2008 13:05:16 GMT 9.5
Post by tom on Jan 24, 2008 13:05:16 GMT 9.5
I have been around karting a long time.. A lot of your comments are very well founded, and if you take the time to canvass other clubs and present an action plan to AIDKA in a timely fashion i'm sure you will be able to move forward in these areas.
One of the easiest ways to kill an association is to make ad-hoc adjustments to rules, and the general way of running things. NASCAR in the USA is the perfect example of how a set of rules can last for decades with only the tiniest of tweaks.
It's easier and more productive for a new karter to enter a sport in the knowledge that the kart they buy will be competitive and not ineligible to run next season due to rule changes.
It is AIDKA's responsibility to provide a framework for dirt karting that enables clubs and karters to get the most out of their karting experience. Simplicity has to be the key for this framework.
As a club you can apply for sup-regs to run a class that is not currently in the AIDKA rule-book, it has been done before many times, and has resulted in successful classes being implemented in the rulebook. When did you apply to AIDKA to have 125ccVortex motors race at your club?? I didn't see it in the last round of rule changes..
As for AIDKA publicity, i personally think publicity is best left to the clubs in their own areas.. If you feel strongly enough perhaps you would be willing to take on the task of collating and submitting articles to national newspapers / online kartsites / magazines ?
I'm not disagreeing with what you say, i just think slowly is a great way to progress when it comes to rule changes.
You say that the AKA system is working well, i think they have far greater problems than you imagine. We definately don't want to use their system of governance as a model.
AIDKA has a sound system of implementing change, it's just that people don't use it correctly.. If you wish to change something, you need to be clear what and why you feel your change is needed. You then need to contact all the other club secretaries and put your idea on their agenda asking for their support to change a rule. Once you have the support of the majority of the clubs, then submit your rule change to AIDKA, and it will be voted in!
You hear clubs bitching about rules being knocked back, but you have to remember that the majority of clubs voted against that particular rule change!!!! Why should the majority of clubs be forced to change a rule to suit the minority ?
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Apathy
Jan 24, 2008 13:29:04 GMT 9.5
Post by Admin on Jan 24, 2008 13:29:04 GMT 9.5
AIDKA have to be doing a great job because clubs are runnig meetings smothely and more and more dirt karter are joing up with the association. The association may not be moving at the speed you want it too but It is better than what it was in the past.
Racing is what its all about so cut AIDKA some slack they have been doing a great job in my opinion. The rules are the same for every one its the racing that counts.
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Apathy
Jan 24, 2008 18:24:46 GMT 9.5
Post by kartbay7 on Jan 24, 2008 18:24:46 GMT 9.5
I think AIDKA are doing and okay job but not great. They have alot of improvement to do and need to take on board some of the comments on this web site. I think the clubs are doing so well as they have to compete against each other to retain members and numbers at meetings. It doesn't have anything to do with AIDKA.
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Apathy
Jan 25, 2008 10:51:36 GMT 9.5
Post by tom on Jan 25, 2008 10:51:36 GMT 9.5
Now we have 2 threads on this discussion, so to i'll avoid repeating myself as much as possible.
Firstly AIDKA should be simply a facilitator for all the clubs. If a club feels there is a problem, then they should be in contact with all the other clubs to discuss the situation.
Rule changes aren't made by AIDKA, they are voted on by ALL clubs. By definition a majority of clubs must be happy with the changes (or non-changes)..
I do agree that bigger clubs should have a bigger say in rule changes, and from reading the posts on here i feel that that constitutional change alone would have a major positive impact on the AIDKA process.
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Apathy
Jan 25, 2008 18:35:18 GMT 9.5
Post by Loyal on Jan 25, 2008 18:35:18 GMT 9.5
Who is the PR person for AIDKA? (may be they need a new one) Why is the association still running from a free web site? (tight asses) The association should have a forum on their web site like this one. (monitored of course) That way in this day & age, members can have their say with direct contact with them. I thought AIDKA was going to listen to any sugestions from members regarding any ideas on race formats, rule changes, promotions, etc!
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Apathy
Jan 27, 2008 15:34:00 GMT 9.5
Post by tom on Jan 27, 2008 15:34:00 GMT 9.5
AIDKA shouldn't correspond directly with members, they should be a facilitator for club delegates to maintain a simple framework for dirt karting in Australia. The less responsibility AIDKA has, and the more responsibility individual clubs have, the better the sport will be for the general karter.
It's up to the clubs if they feel AIDKA needs more publicity. Have you put a motion on your own club's agenda with a framework for the details you feel the AIDKA publicity officer should be attending to ? And has your club contacted other clubs to see if they feel the same way ?
Like the original post implied, if people want action, they need to take action. When you have gone through all the channels, and have majority of clubs supporting you, and still AIDKA is preventing you from doing what you want, then we have a problem!
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Apathy
Jan 27, 2008 20:22:57 GMT 9.5
Post by outlaw19 on Jan 27, 2008 20:22:57 GMT 9.5
U I know for one thatnfortunately Tom I think you are flogging a dead horse AIDKA is not the perfect option but it is what we have to work with at present although floored in some areas there is not much option. It concerns me that clubs don't correspond which other. The avenue available for change is to be nominated and stand for the AIDKA executive and have a voice in the corrum at an AGM or general meeting. I for one would be prepared to stand but unfortunately our local club has not empassed a lot of information on to members in relation to AIDKA meetings.I think basically everyone is entitled to have and state their opinion but also be prepared tio instigate change because without imput from clubs and members nothing will happen its alright to suggest change but put it in writing get it included on the business agenda and have it discussed at the very minimun it will be recorded in the minutes from meetings and can be followed up. To change there must be change and members have to be prepared to nominate and be nominated for roles in AIDKA otherwise all that is left is to complain in forums such as this. happen.
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Apathy
Jan 29, 2008 7:50:22 GMT 9.5
Post by tom on Jan 29, 2008 7:50:22 GMT 9.5
That's it..
To further explain, i feel that it is a benefit to have responsibility placed back to the clubs for many reasons.
The main one is that it prevents clubs sitting back and doing nothing other than complain about the management of the sport, if they are unhappy they can only blame themselves. If they are really unhappy they have the chance to take action.
It also prevents a vocal minority from getting in the ear of the AIDKA executive and changing a rule to suit themselves at the expense of the majority of karters wishes (take note of the history of the AKA if you want to see the perils of this..)
It fosters stability in the rules, sure you might be a couple of years late in getting a new rule implemented, but if it was such a great idea, it won't go out of fashion!
Even in this thread, we have a few complaints, but when i have asked questions about what attempts have been made to rectify the problems there is silence... From this i gather it is more a general whine than an actual problem.
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Apathy
Jul 2, 2008 8:27:04 GMT 9.5
Post by outlaw19 on Jul 2, 2008 8:27:04 GMT 9.5
I know it may sound like AIDKA bashing but I see the community webb site is not working, when are we going to use some of the money we receive from fees and register and design our own site, and then maybe the management might have an up to date site with current information, and maybe even have someone whom replies to emails which doesn't regularly happen at present. So come on management its about time we had our own site.
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Apathy
Jul 2, 2008 12:26:52 GMT 9.5
Post by John on Jul 2, 2008 12:26:52 GMT 9.5
I know it may sound like AIDKA bashing but I see the community webb site is not working, when are we going to use some of the money we receive from fees and register and design our own site, and then maybe the management might have an up to date site with current information, and maybe even have someone whom replies to emails which doesn't regularly happen at present. So come on management its about time we had our own site. Agreed about time they got a official website. Why not ask Race Craft Designs he can put together a better website then AIDKA could ever make themselves.
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Apathy
Jul 3, 2008 19:28:03 GMT 9.5
Post by KART32 on Jul 3, 2008 19:28:03 GMT 9.5
I know it may sound like AIDKA bashing but I see the community webb site is not working, when are we going to use some of the money we receive from fees and register and design our own site, and then maybe the management might have an up to date site with current information, and maybe even have someone whom replies to emails which doesn't regularly happen at present. So come on management its about time we had our own site. THE WEBSITE IS UP NOW ALL WEBSIT HAVE SOME DOWNTIME YOU CAN EXPECT THAT.
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Apathy
Jul 3, 2008 20:34:43 GMT 9.5
Post by outlaw19 on Jul 3, 2008 20:34:43 GMT 9.5
I know webb sites have down time but AIDKA is consistently out of date with there information, My biggest beef being with an organization the size of AIDKA ,expectations should be that the webb site is run professionally I know there is a lot of volunteer hours involved by many people and I don't knock anyone for that, but it appears to be less professional than it should.
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Apathy
Jun 13, 2009 20:00:29 GMT 9.5
Post by Cougar on Jun 13, 2009 20:00:29 GMT 9.5
Seems to be a lot of anti AIDKA sentiment on this site. I'm not a member of any AIDKA club but have assisted at the occassional event.
What you need to remember is that althofg there is an AIDKA executive, the actual AIDKA Council consists of representatives from each of the member clubs.
If the majority of clubs vote against any of your ideas then it is majority rules. Any negativitity is essentially "dummy spitting" just because you can't get your own way.
If you have a rule change or idea then channel it through your club to the AIDKA Council.
Ensure you clearly outline your rule change or idea to the other clubs to give it the best chance of being supported.
As per an other members response, remember the majority rules, so if you don't get your way it is because the majoruty don't agree.
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