So what has brought this on you might ask? Two things really, an email from Geoff Turner about the round the island race, which served to remind me of the total inactivity of our south west organiser, after promises to do something. So there you have it really, as I said, somewhat disappointed.

Regards, Ray.

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384

(the last one built by John Baker)

The PSSA is a member's club, not a commercial organisation, so it is my view that those of us who put nothing in except our subscription - which currently includes myself -should be grateful for whatever benefits we get out of it, not least this excellent forum.

To paraphrase JFK- "Ask not what the PSSA can do for you, but what YOU can do for the PSSA."

If you don't feel able to organise a Rally or a get-together yourself, why not approach the South West Area representative and the Commodore and ask what else you could do to help bring about the activities that you would like?

sincerely

Geoff Sheddick

Parker 27/146 "Stroller'

You are entitled to your view, my view is that if somebody promises to do something, then they should do it.

Regards, Ray.

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384

(the last one built by John Baker)

Hello Ray and fellow 22ers,

and indeed South Westers,

<Geoff, should we move this discussion to general chat?>.

I had not read this thread, or the one from a few months back, until Geoff our webmaster alerted to me to it today. Let me wade in (as Seals like to operate at wading depth of course). There are two elements to this topic I'd like to address:

- Solent centric (or not)

- Getting more things going in the South West (& other regions)

I will give you a call, Ray, for a chat on how we can help you get more from sailing your S22 in company. I just called the membership secretary to get your phone number, as you just missed getting an entry in our 2011 membership handbook, but Di was just leaving the house. So in the meantime, here are some thoughts.

SOLENT CENTRIC. The association is not by design Solent centric. At the AGM and at National Committee meetings, we frequently discuss how to attract new blood and think how to do more to help our Area Reps. Some examples: we've held AGMs in Boston, Rutland, Bristol, Reading, Poole, Falmouth, London, Bournemouth and Weymouth in past years. We try to alternate between central south and elsewhere. Our trailer sailor rep is in Rutland, webmaster in Wales (but ex-Solent) and we are trying to recruit a newsletter editor from the East. I try to attend, where possible, Area events. If there is some national thing you'd like to see, then just speak up. We are all on the same side and are driven by the desire to get more fun from our yachts. It is true to say that for many people, including in the Solent/Chichester/Poole area, that their main connections to the association are in a) the people they've met, b) the newsletter, c) the web. It is for this reason that I am a big supporter of keeping membership fees at a very affordable level and I encourage members to submit articles to the newsletter for all to enjoy.

GETTING MORE THINGS GOING IN OTHER AREAS

I know from speaking to our reps in the East, in Poole and in the South West that it is incredibly difficult, and sometimes soul destroying, to get people to show up to events. The point about the Solent is that the catchment area is from Poole to Chichester, and Littlehampton if you include our National Sailing Secretary who travels well. If just a few people show up from this area, you have a rally. Poole is a special case where most members are happy with their club (not PSSA) activities but like to have PSSA membership anyway.

For the East and the South West, we have no such single point of content, like the Solent. Our members are spread all over the place, and we usually do not have critical mass. It is very hard work to round people up. In fact, even in the Solent we have as many impromptu rallies as organised rallies,as members have got to know each other over the years.

So can we try to restart rallies near you? Yes of course we can. It does not have to be formal. All we need is a) a date, b) a venue (sounds like Topsham), c) use the web to publicise the event and get people to sign up. Kate has been a great asset to the association over many years and continues to do so. Of course she has to fit this in with being a mum, working and being commodore at Topsham, not to mention her mega involvement in racing and her almost annual keel repairs (which I did read about, having a 275 too).

My suggestion is this:

1. Geoff (webmaster) - please move this discussion and the previous one to the general chit chat forum, if you agree with this

2. Ray - propose three rally dates that would suit you

3. I will ask Kate to pick one of the dates when she could be available

4. We'll publicise the event in the events part of our website

5. See who turns up

6. Ray, I would like you to write a report for our newsletter and in there appeal to S22 and other members in the South West to stand up and be counted

7. Geoff (webmaster) - what do you think about the idea of having a "South West informal rallies" entry in the 2011 events forum? It might work, and could give some South West focus. We could do this for Poole and Eastern areas as well.

If anyone else has any ideas please do chip in. All I can say is that getting things moving in a top down fashion has not met with past success. Getting things going in a bottom-up way might work, and I know that Kate has all the energy in the world to co-ordinate this once things get going.

Keep your feedback coming,

Ken

Ken Surplice

Commodore

Many thanks for your lengthy reply, Please see my post "Why be this?" You will see from that, that is was indeed a bottom up request for something to happen, and Kate said that she would organise something possibly at Topsham, but I'm afraid it just hasn't happened.

Reference my comments about the association being somewhat Solent centric, it may not be intentional, but it certainly seems to pan out that way.

As for me being involved in organising some sort of "rally", it's really not possible for me to do so, I have other commitments and also my boat to get sailing this year. I would support any attempt on the part of whoever to have a southwest get together, even if it was only for a pint and a bag of chips with a few like minded Sealers. Maybe that would be the best way to go initially, and perhaps someone could come up with some ideas of how to proceed and possibly a volunteer could be found to either organise something, or help Kate organise something?

I would prefer to keep this thread in the Seal 22 / Sinbad forum, and not have it moved, as I placed the original thread in here to try and get Seal 22 and Sinbad owners to pipe up, it is an event for us that I am particularly wanting, as I think that the owners of the other boats have plenty going on for them.

Best wishes, Ray.

PS. I would be happy to write something for the newsletter, but I think it may be a bit late in the year now, I would suggest that the energies of any interested parties be channeled into the 2012 season?

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384

(the last one built by John Baker)

cheers. Ken

Ken Surplice

Commodore

Ray.

Hi All

I am indeed the South West area rep for the PSSA and based at Topsham with my Parker 275. As Commodore of TSC I have been somewhat preoccupied with Club events and our members (three SS26 a S28 and S22 and me IIRC) mainly join in Club events and cruises. Apologies if I have neglected you! I am happy to forgo breathing in and out for a while.

I would be more than happy to organise a social gathering at Topsham where we can discuss what sort of events you want. Shall I propose a date around Easter? With supper and a drink? Or we could do it by email if that suits better. I would post it on the general Forum and mail everyone in the handbook.

Kate

Edited by - kate.hattersley on 31 Mar 2011 18:32:29

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384

(the last one built by John Baker)