Review of funding model
Last August the A2OC administration team agreed to follow a voluntary donations model for club funding with an annual review. This decision was based on a consultation with the membership and a democratic poll as per this thread:
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread...p-consultation
The membership's response to the donations model has been beyond anyone's expectations, with nearly £2500 pledged for the running of the forum and to assure it's future protection.
This will be reviewed in August with a further open consultation and a vote on the long term funding options for the club. This is fair and democratic, because regardless of the success and popularity of the donations model to date, there are members opposed to this concept and who favour a fixed fee for all persons who wish to fully participate in the club forums. A 'pay to play' option if you will.
Until this review takes place, no further voluntary donations will be sought with the exception of those relating to marketplace access which will remain in it's current format.
As a result of the stunning generosity of the membership, we do not require more funds and currently have our static operating costs covered for the forseeable future plus contingency funds for any unforeseen circumstances. Thanks to this generosity, the club is in a considerably safer position than it was a couple of years ago.
When we originally debated the requirements for a funding structure to be introduced, it was considered that a formal committee would be necessary in accordance with guidelines for managing a fee paying organisation. Therefore it was agreed to form a committee from the current admin team in the first instance, with fully democratic voting after the first year.
With a donations model being implemented, this formality is not required. It will however be necessary if the memberships decision is for a fixed fee or subscription model for the club in the long term.
Again, this will be decided when we hold a formal review later in the year.
Therefore, the formal committee of the forum will be dissolved. Key roles of webmaster, treasurer and social secretary will be retained while administration of the forum will continue to be managed by the team of moderators as normal.
Advertising for club donations on forum pages will be removed with the exception of the marketplace, and we'll look forward to the review in the summer.
Meanwhile we would seek proposals and feedback for the investment of club funds in preparation for the review. Already we have had some excellent suggestions including member competitions with prizes, regular charitable donations, investment in social activities and registering the club as a charitable trust.
We thank you for your ongoing support and the quite staggering generosity of the membership these last few months which could not have been anticipated. It's the membership of A2OC which makes it a fantastic resource for the enjoyment and preservation of this outstanding little car.