Future of the JPSC

[jeffw]

Hi Guys,
Whilst your comments on the usefullness of the Forum/Chatlist are very welcome and Valid, we are trying to discuss the JPSC and it's future overall, not just the Forum.
Edd

I take your point Edd but a central point of information/banter relating to Jeremy's creations is essential to any club based around Sylva Cars. A lot of people will never meet up or attended Kit Car shows where JPSC might attend so in this age of the Internet this forum binds the club together.

I have, on a number of occasions, tried to get the google group combined but the users of the group like it and don't like the forum. Issue is that there are a number of very experienced owners of Sylva cars on the group who post on there and we (forum users) tend not to see those.

I still think it is a shame that there is not one site/group for all things JP and I think this one fact goes a long way to explaining the decline/apathy of the club.

[MaRkStar]

Out of interest, what are the statistics on the number of 'hits' the Forum has a month?
I know Edd it's off topic . . . .'ish, yet it gives a different indicator as to the interest/popularity/apathy there is in the JP Mark and the 'club'.

[peter030371]

I have had a Striker since 1995 and was a very early member of the previous club which carried over to the JPSC. However I have never been a fan of shows or club runs as I often prefer to spend what little spare time I have 'doing my own thing' and my involvement has thus been 'minimal'. I have however always kept my membership up and I would be very sad to think the the cars we all know/ build/ own and love had no 'club' for them

Any news letter, Dwindling Dot or Proper Job, are always an interesting read and I am happy to continue to pay for them if the resources are available to produce them.

I run a business and have four young children....so the chance of me having spare time to join the committee are less then zero! Any spare time I do have is precious to me and spent building my next Striker

I do use the forum and chat list (plus others i.e. locostbuilders etc) as an invaluable resource for building and maintaining my cars and if a 'formal' club is not viable then a link up to one of them would be better than no club at all.

[Beardy]

As a lurker who has just made the committment to build after many years of sitting on the side lines, I want to say that the information in forums makes a huge difference when seeking not to repeat the `learning experiences' of others. Its years since I was a member of a car club, but the access to others with similar interests is huge benefit. I cannot comment on the other aspects of this club beyond the forum as I dont partake more than the rare posting (on any forum). I live in the US where the car culture (or more properly "kulcher"), is quite different and this is as close as I get to chatting to mates down the pub on a weekly car club run out.

I also note that kit cars are in decline for many real reasons but this whole aspec of dilution via many niche groups is a big issue and something can only be a bad thing for the community. Again, without being a harbinger of doom, it might make a lot of sense to try to focus the efforts somwhere like Locostbuilders. The internet is strewn with dead forums and chat lists that are not used.
mike

[Edd]

could you please remind me Edd what does the JPSC club do?

Assuming this was a serious question:-
1. Provides and pays for this forum.
2. Provides and pays for a website.
3. Publishes a magazine, at certain times.....we know tis is an area we are failing in.
4. Provides an insurance discount, not sure how much this is worth, but it's worth noting that many insurance companies do come to me to check you are actually a member so they clearly value the discount they give.
5. Try to be present at as many shows as possible. In recent years, and the likely future this is at the very least Stoneliegh. We do provide tea/coffee and shelter from the weather. We also have a BBQ/Social on the Sunday evening of Stoneliegh.
6. Various other support things as and when happens, we have supported a few trackdays in the past.
That's of the top of my head....
So.......
Edd
PS. I will try and get on this Forum more often

[jeffw]

PS. I will try and get on this Forum more often

Which is one of the fundamental issues. I had to post up for Adam when he couldn't get an account setup. If it is too inconvenient for the committee to visit often than make sure there are other mods around who can sort out issues.

[Edd]

[quote="Edd"
If it is too inconvenient for the committee to visit often than make sure there are other mods around who can sort out issues.

Would you be happy to be a mod Jeff?
To be honest, if we don't get more help, the JPSC in it's current form won't exist. I am not just talking about the forum
Ed

[robcollingridge]

As far as the JPSC club goes, it is going to be difficult as the potential pool of members is quite small. This isn't helped by them being spread out around the UK (and I guess some further). I've yet to make it to a JPSC event, though I have been to Stoneleigh a few times. I think it is a useful source of information though. Even if I wanted to be involved in the running of the club, I would struggle with the distances involved.

May be better use of technology (video chat, Google Hangouts, etc.) is a way to keep the membership better connected and more involved? JPSC could also have a Twitter account and Facebook page? Publicity is going to be key in recruiting and maintaining membership.

As far as the forums go - with such a specialist interest group, it will be very difficult to maintain a high level of interaction. The key to keeping it alive will be in keeping the management overheads low and making it open to as many (registered) users as possible.

The JPSC club also needs to stream-line they way it collects/enforces membership and payments. Maybe a lower yearly fee and a direct debit system would work better?

The Sylva Chat group works well as it sends out emails. Something similar for the forums would be good as email is more in your face and is low effort.

Rob Collingridge

[robcollingridge]

Meant to say, I'm happy to help on the Internet / publicity / moderation side but can't really commit to much more given that I live in Suffolk and miles from most of the other people running the club.

Rob Collingridge

[jeffw]

[quote="Edd"
If it is too inconvenient for the committee to visit often than make sure there are other mods around who can sort out issues.

Would you be happy to be a mod Jeff?
To be honest, if we don't get more help, the JPSC in it's current form won't exist. I am not just talking about the forum
Ed

Sure....happy to do that.