This particular forum has the least popularity....hmmmmm i wonder why??,maybe the karters of Australia are indirectly saying something.....
A useless thread i know, but i'm sure 99% of the people on this site would agree, but well hey, none of them are going to be in here to even see this post, hehe, good on them.
A useless thread i know, but i'm sure 99% of the people on this site would agree, but well hey, none of them are going to be in here to even see this post, hehe, good on them.
Comments7
sadly its also the reason why the sports in a mess and could be better, the admin of the sport from the top especially is very poor, people just don't want to get involved in the politics sorry admin of the sport, many reasons fort his no time, lack of expertise, selfish, etc etc, imagine if the karters DID take better notice maybe they wouldn't have a member state in the federal court on price fixing charges, or lent $270k of your money, or make suspect decidsions karters knew nothing of etc etc.
funny, no, not surprising though either.
Problem is, as a racer i dont want to get involved in all that BS. Just because i race does not mean i have to get involved in politics, but unfortunately when shit doesnt seem right....what can you do when you feel outnumbered, politically speaking
For my mind, this website will continue to benefit the sport in the future. As karters can have their say on this website we will always be able to measure how well the sport is going as this website is somewhat of a temperature gauge, or yard stick if you will, to see where the sport is at......
Don't want to cause any ruffled feathers but one comment shows a lack of understanding that is endemic in our sport. To say "or lent $XX of your money" in regards to the actions of the AKA is just so far wide of the mark.
The AKA at a national and state level is a representative body for all of karting. And agreed that in that there is a level of responsibility on those elected people to do what they see, feel, know or however they do it, as best as they can. The money they get to ultimately play with is not "your" money, any more than it is mine or the local plumbers or butchers. That money ceased to be yours or mine after we handed it over, but so many karters feel so precious about it that they consider it theirs right up until the day they leave the sport.
Heck I have paid club dues, usually to 3 clubs each year, and paid for a racing license to both CAMS and the AKA every year for some 40 years now !!!!!! That money is not mine any more, I paid it over in return for a service and the opportunity to utilise the facilities that the clubs/AKA/CAMS offer. My rates and taxes and car rego fees each year total about 5 times what I pay out for my karting memberships and licenses, but I and I bet no other karter, feels that the local council is somehow now subject to explaining to me what it does with my fees each and every day of its operating life ?? Nor that that money remains "mine" forever more.
The AKA is a body that has been given the task to oversee the sport, and they deal in multi-millions of dollars each year. Likewise with the honorary elected officials at your local council. Just how many karters have looked at a local council meetings minutes, or scrutinised their finances, or even attended an event at the local coucil chambers, or are really bothered all that much with that few thousand dollars a year that you fork over - apart from maybe complaining on the once in a year day when the garbage truck is late to come past your house ??
My advise is for every karter to take the time and join his own club's committee for at least one year , and then you may see a little more of what is required to keep the sport ticking along. You may then decide to take a position another year at your state council, or even become a race meeting official -- gosh you all find the time on weekends to go racing as and when it suits you, how about once you are through with that you offer a mere handful of Sundays back to the next group passing through ??
I am one of those admin types who has put his hand up on a few occasions to take such jobs, and it is not at all a political game. I am not a political animal, I do the jobs as I see them needing to be done and I enjoy seeing the end results of my input. The only "political" part is having to deal with the general karter who seem to treat any admin person in a fashion akin to the way the paparazzi treat celebrities. And likewise they see the officials as there to be abused rather than listened to and allowed to do the job of looking after all of us.
Hi Ian,
sadly have to disagree as even KRudd admits the money he spends is NOT HIS its OURS!!!!!
yes you hand your money over as entry fees and licences fees, but its done so that you can participate in the sport, the money given does not belong to the executive to spend at their will if so WHY have meetings at ALL? we have a constitution that clearly says the role of the executive is also to carry out the will of its members!!! as well as a set procedure for making decisions, how many times has procedure been broken? Why have meetings or agendas if those on top don't have to follow whats agreed to. In theory our system if applied correctly ensures the karter has its ay, SADLY those on top know its failings and exploit it to the max, hence this impression that once on a committee the individual can do what he wants as those below on the pole WONT ever react until its all too late.
Anyone who occupies a executive position at club or higher that has the belief that that they can do what they wish should NOT be in the job. There seems to be a belief that once on the committee you are free to do whatever you see fit, WRONG, you are there to carry out the will of your members!!!! How do you find out what your members want, via meetings, where you seek instructions on what you can do, and majority rules, [ poliotics]
to get a role on a committee requires politics simple as that, most clubs even state and Nat agms don't have votes as usually the first person to nominate gets the job, but next level relies on support from other clubs hence you have to "press the flesh" to get the support required to get the position.
Sadly I think here is a huge rift in what those in executive positions believe their role is and what the members believe their role is, one believes they are there to carry out the will of the members the other is there to do what THEY believe is correct, and its my view the members wishes are NOT be sort or followed enough. you only have to look at the clutch devbarcle to see what I am talking about!!!
And yep have occupied every position on race day as an official and club executive, and other roles as well, anyone thinking its NOT political is fooling themselves. And yes copped heaps for it as well, but all sports officials get the same, its not karting specific.
If the AKA at all levels made a much more concerted honest effort in seeking karters views and instructions and made it clear they are doing so am sure much of the attacks on them will quieten down.
Its YOUR money, if its NOT whose is it? who controls it? an elected body who is controlled by WHO?? YOU THE KARTER!!! therefore its YOUR money!!!!!
But we MUST change this attitude that seems to exists that once in power I can do what I want!!!!
karters need to take MORE of a pre-emptive interest in the admin of the sport not react AFTER something has been done. No use kicking the president out AFTER he destroys your club eh!!!
Sorry Ian I disagree its OUR money!!!!!
Ian Williams said:Don't want to cause any ruffled feathers but one comment shows a lack of understanding that is endemic in our sport. To say "or lent $XX of your money" in regards to the actions of the AKA is just so far wide of the mark.
The AKA at a national and state level is a representative body for all of karting. And agreed that in that there is a level of responsibility on those elected people to do what they see, feel, know or however they do it, as best as they can. The money they get to ultimately play with is not "your" money, any more than it is mine or the local plumbers or butchers. That money ceased to be yours or mine after we handed it over, but so many karters feel so precious about it that they consider it theirs right up until the day they leave the sport.
Heck I have paid club dues, usually to 3 clubs each year, and paid for a racing license to both CAMS and the AKA every year for some 40 years now !!!!!! That money is not mine any more, I paid it over in return for a service and the opportunity to utilise the facilities that the clubs/AKA/CAMS offer. My rates and taxes and car rego fees each year total about 5 times what I pay out for my karting memberships and licenses, but I and I bet no other karter, feels that the local council is somehow now subject to explaining to me what it does with my fees each and every day of its operating life ?? Nor that that money remains "mine" forever more.
The AKA is a body that has been given the task to oversee the sport, and they deal in multi-millions of dollars each year. Likewise with the honorary elected officials at your local council. Just how many karters have looked at a local council meetings minutes, or scrutinised their finances, or even attended an event at the local coucil chambers, or are really bothered all that much with that few thousand dollars a year that you fork over - apart from maybe complaining on the once in a year day when the garbage truck is late to come past your house ??
My advise is for every karter to take the time and join his own club's committee for at least one year , and then you may see a little more of what is required to keep the sport ticking along. You may then decide to take a position another year at your state council, or even become a race meeting official -- gosh you all find the time on weekends to go racing as and when it suits you, how about once you are through with that you offer a mere handful of Sundays back to the next group passing through ??
I am one of those admin types who has put his hand up on a few occasions to take such jobs, and it is not at all a political game. I am not a political animal, I do the jobs as I see them needing to be done and I enjoy seeing the end results of my input. The only "political" part is having to deal with the general karter who seem to treat any admin person in a fashion akin to the way the paparazzi treat celebrities. And likewise they see the officials as there to be abused rather than listened to and allowed to do the job of looking after all of us.
You know what Paul,
Fundamentally, Ian Williams is correct!
Once the money for service is handed over, it does become the AKA’s to use. (we expect and believe for the betterment of the sport.)
It is not like we are all making donations to a charity with a proviso attached.
HOWEVER..........
And this is where you and I are set in concrete.
The National Executive and the NKC must be fully accountable for their actions.
Their actions should be completely transparent and open for scrutiny.
NKC Meetings are not public and therein lies the problem- Sure most times the meetings are opened up to the public, but R21 of the constitution allows them to conduct their business in secret, and too often they have, with the results we all complain about.
The NKC needs to learn some humility and respect for the members they serve. They are all currently lost in their own self importance and incredibly, at their last meeting had a group hug and uniformly shouted
“We have the power and we will use it!”
R8 of our constitution states:
Subject to any decision of a General Meeting of the Association, the Council has the entire
management and control of the Association and has power to do anything necessary or convenient
to achieve the purposes of the Association including: (points a –o)
So they are able to do whatever, whenever and will do so without fear it seems. Unless of course the member states remove them for their sins.
Qld removed their Delegate for past actions.
The Victorian and SA Delegates “scraped” back in by the slimmest of margins.
I cannot understand the philosophy of dictatorial leadership –when just as easily the information can be placed on the table for all to see and then the decisions can be made with full disclosure.
(Even Governments have referendums)
Hi Ian,
that the problem alright,
maybe the wording in the first sentence " Subject to any decision of a General Meeting of the Association," needs applying, that is list exactly what decisions they CAN make, no signing of contracts, only apply rule 21 under a set set of criteria, seek members thoughts on big issues [ referendums etc]. this is NOT a constitutional change thus only needs a simle majority vote at a general meeting, as you are NOT changing the rules just issuing instructions to the exec.
and the rule by the way uses the word "council" meaning states, not exec members, so again proper control of state delegates can at least go part of the way to stem some bad decisions.
Plus I an I hate that R8 rule, as its contained in many constitutions and has become bastardised to apoint its a green light for dictatorship.
its original purpose was to allow the exec to carry out doing normal duties to preserve the status quo in between meetings, eg pay normal bills etc without having to wait for membership approoval etc. not to go off on a tangent.
a dangerous rule I believe, but can be used against them if done correctly by some people with high morals.