| Author | Message | ||
     Fiona Powell Username: Fionap Registered: 12-2003 |
Richard, what I can do is write stuff so, when I get time, I send reports about our indoor driving events to any local magazine that will take them (you have to keep doing it, even when they aren't interested at first!). I send the dates to the local free paper and design and print and distribute posters to publicise our events. We take photos at our events and publish them for free download and I even started a magazine to publicise carriage driving news (well, not everyone's daft enough to do that!) I run training sessions at our arena for all - indoor drivers and anyone else... (I'm not up for saint-hood, just offering ideas!) So, if you fancy writing a report about the events you've had so far from your area of indoor driving events for In Harness, I'd be delighted to publish it. (In Harness is not a free magazine - I wish I could make it free but it costs money to print and distribute it...) Alternatively, you could write a blog on this website: lots of people would read it and, you never know, some might be tempted to come to watch/compete in your area. It has sometimes taken 2 - 4 years to get people from sitting in the gallery to sitting on the box-seat: it's not a Damascene conversion, you have to stick at it. East Anglia is well-supported but we can usually take a few more entries and I want to encourage everyone to have a go, at every level. It's taken us 7 years to get to this point - and we have a fantastic team of helpers. I think what the Indoor Team are exceptionally good at is running events, and that takes a lot of time, as you know. What carriage driving needs, IMHO, is PUBLICITY. You've hit the nail on the head, but please don't go away, we need you and your ideas and enthusiasm! If you (or someone else you can "persuade") send me an article - it needn't be long (500 - 1500 words + pics, if possible) before Friday this week I'll print it in the next issue of In Harness - and send you a free magazine to say "thank you". We, the organisers and helpers, are all volunteers and it's people like you doing a bit to contribute as well that helps to keep it all going. The more people join in the better, and, potentially, the more advertising/publicity/sponsorship we could attract - as I think you are saying. (Please don't get put off! Rita's great and does a fantastic job and works very hard for us all - bark worse than bite, dare I say? She's a sweetie really! Join in, we really need you!) Call me? 01473 735732 | ||
| IHDTC Office Username: Ihdtcoffice Registered: 01-2003 |
Richard.I am sorry if you took offence of my reply, I was just trying to explain what happened to membership fees as you appeared to think you did not get much for your money. In the past we have tried several 'money making' ideas but most have fallen on stoney ground. We still sell and have in stock, horse wormers, ihdt sweatshirts, keyrings, bone china mugs, christmas cards, all in an effort in fund raising. Many events hold raffles. We advertise in Carriage Driving and have regular articles in that mag, Horse & Hound and many of the 'free' mags, In harness feature Indoors also the BHDTA Yearbook has details, so you see we do try to get Indoors promoted. If you are willing to join our small team of helpers or just want to discuss your ideas or concerns, then please email or phone me. Thanks. Rita | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
Sorry I missed the newsletters but they have not been posted on the website. Unfortunately you've missed the main point. I was not having a go, but looking for ideas to enhance the 'club', get money to upgrade the vans and equipment, as a member I get no communication until I reach an event, no one has asked me to do a write up. The organisation is missing an opportunity to promote itself, no-one appears to be trying to get new members. I can see that some areas are over subscribed but what about the areas struggling to cover the arena costs as you have mentioned, what are you doing to rectify that? I don't need to know how the organisation struggles to cover costs because I have been there and done it which is why I was willing to help the organisation out. However , the attitude of the HIDTC office tells me that you are quite happy to carry on struggling alone - good luck, and don't talk down to me regarding the cost of cones and vehicle maintenance because that is what I was offering to help with. One less member next season, Richard | ||
| IHDTC Office Username: Ihdtcoffice Registered: 01-2003 |
Last season was the first year not to have full Newsletters, a couple of flyers went out. It is difficult to write newsletters when no-one sends any news in!! I am in the process of getting one written before Christmas but have little info to put in it, this is why there is a news page within this site, it is also a lot less expense, paper, envelopes, especially postage all amounts to quite alot of much needed funds. What else do you get for your membership fee? Lets start with BHTDA affiliation, which includes your liability insurance at all events, each van and trailer(we have trailers in various areas) are full of equipment that has to be purchased/replaced when required, do you know how much just one cone is? Cheapest £15 and there is 20 in a cones course indoors. Vans need tax, insurance, mot, servicing, tyres,fuel, repair and replacement. We still have one of the orginal vans!! Then there is the National Championship at Keysoe, a huge expense, yes, Carriagehouse Insurance Services do sponsor this two day event by covering part of the cost of hiring this huge complex. The costs involved just break even with the entry fee income at the Finals - some areas do not even cover their arena hire costs, and so are 'helped out' by other areas and membership fees to continue running events so that indoor events can be enjoyed by drivers all over the country. Plus there is always the possibility that events have to be cancelled due to weather conditions, the arena will still need to be paid for either partially or in full, competitors will need a entry fee refund, so where does the money come from? That's right, your membership fee. We try to keep the costs down for everyone as much as possible. Any funds left over.. ha ha.. are put back into our sport. I hope this info will help explain what you get for your membership fee. As for raising funds......... We hope to have a Four in Hand Challenge at the Finals at Keysoe, come along on the Saturday evening. There will be limited tickets available. We need sponsors for this exciting Challenge, any ideas????????? Enjoy the rest of the season and Good Luck to everyone competing 'Indoors' Rita | ||
| Guest Username: New Registered: 12-2006 |
What has happened to the newsletters? Sept 2004 was the last one. Should we try and get them back - what else do we get for joining apart from the chance to qualify for the finals. Looking at some of the IHDT vans - we need some form of communication to raise money to replace them before they fall to bits. |