WARNING.
This discussion is entirely experimental and may self destruct at any time!
For a while now, I have been taking part in various forum discussions on quite a few subjects.
One of the biggest issues I seem to read about is complaints about some aspects of the AKA.
The one thing that they all seem to have in common is that they go round and round in circles, with the same people posting over and over again.
I'd like to try something different here.......if you would all be so kind as to indulge me.
If I get enough responses to this idea, I would like to start a new thread each week, on a different AKA issue. While I have no way of enforcing any rules, I would ask that you consider the following as voluntary rules.
1. Only ONE contribution from each person to each thread, so please consider your response very carefully.
2. NO WHINGING! If you can't make a positive suggestion, please say nothing (there are plenty of other discussions for that).
3. If you feel that your issues with the AKA are so great that you cannot be objective, please comment on another forum.
4. Only comment on the ORIGINAL thread topic. That way, you are only commenting on the original idea, NOT that of other contributors. If this leads to many people saying the same kind of things, maybe it will represent an idea that a lot of people would find acceptable.
Why?
Because I believe there are some very good minds out there that can help solve some of the issues we, as Karters, currently face. Some people have expressed reluctance to make comments in the forums, for fear of reprisals by the AKA. To those people, I ask "If you are making a well considered, thoughtful and positive suggestion, with the sole aim of improving the sport, why would anyone have a problem with it"?
I'm hoping that if there are enough really well considered and well expressed ideas from enough people, I might try putting pen to paper and make a proposal to the AKA, asking them to consider some method of direct online contact.
Anyhow, that's my idea.
What do you think?
This discussion is entirely experimental and may self destruct at any time!
For a while now, I have been taking part in various forum discussions on quite a few subjects.
One of the biggest issues I seem to read about is complaints about some aspects of the AKA.
The one thing that they all seem to have in common is that they go round and round in circles, with the same people posting over and over again.
I'd like to try something different here.......if you would all be so kind as to indulge me.
If I get enough responses to this idea, I would like to start a new thread each week, on a different AKA issue. While I have no way of enforcing any rules, I would ask that you consider the following as voluntary rules.
1. Only ONE contribution from each person to each thread, so please consider your response very carefully.
2. NO WHINGING! If you can't make a positive suggestion, please say nothing (there are plenty of other discussions for that).
3. If you feel that your issues with the AKA are so great that you cannot be objective, please comment on another forum.
4. Only comment on the ORIGINAL thread topic. That way, you are only commenting on the original idea, NOT that of other contributors. If this leads to many people saying the same kind of things, maybe it will represent an idea that a lot of people would find acceptable.
Why?
Because I believe there are some very good minds out there that can help solve some of the issues we, as Karters, currently face. Some people have expressed reluctance to make comments in the forums, for fear of reprisals by the AKA. To those people, I ask "If you are making a well considered, thoughtful and positive suggestion, with the sole aim of improving the sport, why would anyone have a problem with it"?
I'm hoping that if there are enough really well considered and well expressed ideas from enough people, I might try putting pen to paper and make a proposal to the AKA, asking them to consider some method of direct online contact.
Anyhow, that's my idea.
What do you think?
Comments12
whats the first topic
Good thought Steve give it a shot and see what happens.
However as you say
"Some people have expressed reluctance to make comments in the forums, for fear of reprisals by the AKA. To those people, I ask "If you are making a well considered, thoughtful and positive suggestion, with the sole aim of improving the sport, why would anyone have a problem with it"?"
I think the hot topic on the general forum about PR is proof of why many fear backlash, I don't because there is nothing the AKA can do to me, others do so wont take the risk, I also know what its like to have "pressure" from the those in power to "shut up or else" and it eminated from your home town Steve!!! send me a pm and will explain as its a long story.
I hope the thread works
The on-line manual is a happening thing right now. I am reliably told it will be the way it is done from 2011 onwards.
Why do people think that anyone within the AKA can land great wrath upon anyone making bad comments on a forum ?? Get real and stop worrying about Big Brother and go to your club meetings to put your suggestions.
Why club meetings ?? Well if your idea gets the nod from 10 or 20 of your mates, local competitors, and some club officials or whatever then it may be a decent idea. But if those closest to you say go away that's crap, then maybe you should accept that it is crap and you need to rethink it.
I know I just broke the rules but Ian I have seen it happen time and again and it even led to the down fall of a club!!!!
Ian Williams said:The on-line manual is a happening thing right now. I am reliably told it will be the way it is done from 2011 onwards.
Why do people think that anyone within the AKA can land great wrath upon anyone making bad comments on a forum ?? Get real and stop worrying about Big Brother and go to your club meetings to put your suggestions.
Why club meetings ?? Well if your idea gets the nod from 10 or 20 of your mates, local competitors, and some club officials or whatever then it may be a decent idea. But if those closest to you say go away that's crap, then maybe you should accept that it is crap and you need to rethink it.
maybe the forum operaters can put it inplace of where the officials corner was. I think this is a great idea but thoes who have nothing positive to say and are juswt winging need not add to it otherwise it will defeat the purpose of the threds.
There, like you have said, lots of people on here that have great ideas and are very knowlageable people, lets get some positive things put forward to the aka and use this forum to get these ideas together and an idea of what sort of support each has and how wide spred the support for it is.
It all sounds reasonable to me..... what's the first topic?
I will announce the first topic early next week.
Also happy to take topic requests by PM....NOT on the forum please, as it will only confuse me.
Damian, are you always first to the first corner :) No prob, good subject for a discussion anyway, so I'll be sure to formally post it soon.
Steve, brilliant idea. I've been trying to get some calm, considered and POLITE political debate working for quite some time! My last effort failed. Keep people to just the one post each mate, great idea :)
If I can support your efforts at all (and deleting posts from people that won't play by the rules is one such option) then please let me know. I'd love to see this work.
I agree with the basic principle proposed. One topic per thread, one post per person and kept rigidly on-topic by a moderator.
First problem I see, because this is a forum, one persons reply may prompt further thought from someone who has "had their say". May I suggest a solution? If this situation arises, the person posting a second time prefaces his or her comment with a reference to what has prompted the follow-on. Did that make sense?
Hi Dennis,
I see where you're going, but instead of agreeing with you, I'll up the ante:
Still keep it to one comment per person, as the purpose is to see what thoughts are out there.
Then, every 3 months, I will re-post the 3 discussions that have the highest number of quality contributions.
In other words, I will narrow the focus. Then, everyone has a chance to make another contribution to the same (or very similar topic).
I kinda have in mind that once the ideas have been distilled and refined by all of us, we could then put them to some kind of vote, to see what ideas seem to work with the most people.
After that..................not sure at the moment.
Dennis Neagle said:I agree with the basic principle proposed. One topic per thread, one post per person and kept rigidly on-topic by a moderator.
First problem I see, because this is a forum, one persons reply may prompt further thought from someone who has "had their say". May I suggest a solution? If this situation arises, the person posting a second time prefaces his or her comment with a reference to what has prompted the follow-on. Did that make sense?
TOPIC #1
(Please read the rules of this discussion before contributing)
There have been many, many posts on Kartbook regarding various issues with Stewards Hearings. There seems to be two common issues that have been raised time and time again. The first one is that most Karters are (thankfully) not too familiar with the process that takes place at a Stewards Hearing, so are not sure what they should do. The second issue is that there seems to be no protection for either the Stewards or the Competitors, in the event that someone complains that 'due process' was not followed.
The question this week is in two parts:
(a) Should there be a neutral observer present at all hearings for the SOLE purpose of observing everything that happens (thereby ensuring that there is no inappropriate behaviour by anyone present)?
and
(b) Prior to commencement, should a competitor facing a Stewards hearing be issued with a 'checklist', written in plain english, explaining the process and advising them of their rights and responsibilities?
(a) Should there be a neutral observer present at all hearings for the SOLE purpose of observing everything that happens (thereby ensuring that there is no inappropriate behaviour by anyone present)?
In an ideal world this would be possible. Sadly, as mentioned above, it would be nigh on impossible to find such a neutral observer. In my opinion there should be some form of voice recorder used, from the commencement through to the conclusion of ALL hearings. The record so produced must then be duplicated. One copy of the hearing is then passed to the Defendant, and one to the Complainant. This record will then be available to form part of any subsequent appeal. I would like to think that any reasonable person would bear in mind the fact that what they are about to say and do could come back to haunt them.
(b) Prior to commencement, should a competitor facing a Stewards hearing be issued with a 'checklist', written in plain english, explaining the process and advising them of their rights and responsibilities?
Such a "checklist" would be advantageous. However, the procedures for a Stewards Hearing are spelt out in Chapter 7. Part of the responsibilities that go with holding an AKA Karting Licence is an undertaking that the individual has read and understood the Karting Manual. Yes, I know, how many karters have actually read through every section of The Book? Dare I ask how many Stewards have actually read through every section of The Book? Incidentally, that last question will lead nicely onto a discussion about the grading process for Stewards . . .
Thank you. Who is next on the soapbox?