Who is ASRA
Hi all,
We're talking about public representation and the like but when i look at the web page i notice that it was started by bugs (thanks great site) and there are some popular contributors through the posts, but that's about it. Who is ASRA? (i know "about ASRA") but there seems to be little guidance and most topics end up in a free for all.
From the posts there seems to be a couple of distinctive groups:
1. The pro's
2. The amateurs, and
3. The distinguished gentlemen of the sport
Each of which have something to offer. The pro's obviously have the mad skills and enthusiasm to promote the sport and draw crowds, but can also be somewhat isolated in their social interaction and experience, and sometimes have single minded approach to the world. Fair enough that's what it takes to do what you do, but there is a time and place for everything.
The amateurs (not grom's, were not on a beach let's make our own terminology) have varying ranges of experience but are the ones putting the cash into buying equipment and attending events. They are the ones who need to be encouraged and mentored, and from their recent mpegs they're giving everybody a run for their money. remember no amateurs buying equipment, there's no shops, no shops no identity, and everyone slips back into anonymity.
The distinguished gentlemen who for all intensive purposes seem to have the genuine care and respect for the sport and the community to not only consider performance but also perspective. Knowing that its not what they think that is the most important, but what other people perceive, that will have the ultimate outcome on our transition from rogue individuals to a nationally represented community and organization.
Any chance ASRA (if it doesn't already have one) could generate a reference group with a selection of various people to represent each group. That those people are publicly posted on the front page, and then people can contact them with opinions or issues. The reference group can then discuss and post feedback on their own chat thread for everybody to read.
We're talking about public representation and the like but when i look at the web page i notice that it was started by bugs (thanks great site) and there are some popular contributors through the posts, but that's about it. Who is ASRA? (i know "about ASRA") but there seems to be little guidance and most topics end up in a free for all.
From the posts there seems to be a couple of distinctive groups:
1. The pro's
2. The amateurs, and
3. The distinguished gentlemen of the sport
Each of which have something to offer. The pro's obviously have the mad skills and enthusiasm to promote the sport and draw crowds, but can also be somewhat isolated in their social interaction and experience, and sometimes have single minded approach to the world. Fair enough that's what it takes to do what you do, but there is a time and place for everything.
The amateurs (not grom's, were not on a beach let's make our own terminology) have varying ranges of experience but are the ones putting the cash into buying equipment and attending events. They are the ones who need to be encouraged and mentored, and from their recent mpegs they're giving everybody a run for their money. remember no amateurs buying equipment, there's no shops, no shops no identity, and everyone slips back into anonymity.
The distinguished gentlemen who for all intensive purposes seem to have the genuine care and respect for the sport and the community to not only consider performance but also perspective. Knowing that its not what they think that is the most important, but what other people perceive, that will have the ultimate outcome on our transition from rogue individuals to a nationally represented community and organization.
Any chance ASRA (if it doesn't already have one) could generate a reference group with a selection of various people to represent each group. That those people are publicly posted on the front page, and then people can contact them with opinions or issues. The reference group can then discuss and post feedback on their own chat thread for everybody to read.
Views: 1
Replies to This Discussion
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ASRA AdminPermalink Reply by Bugs on -
Thanks for the question Chris.
ASRA is a non-profit incorporated association with membership, rules, and an elected leadership. Haggy and I got the idea to start it because we wanted to be able to put on legitimate races instead of unofficial/unsanctioned races. It's grown and now others play big roles as well.
Anybody who wants to get involved, just do it! Turn up at a race and start helping out! Offer to run BBQs or stalls or sponsorship or man the timer or pick up cones or sweep the course or provide some much needed infrastructure. Lots and lots of people already do this, which is very much appreciated and and has been absolutely essential to the success of races - they couldn't be done without all the friendly people offering help in a hundred different ways.
As for the web site, yes it's a free-for-all, and that's by design. Too much structure and/or moderation kills the vibe. I'm guessing that what you're after is more of an "official ASRA response" to particular issues that get raised. Usually there is no "official ASRA response" and I'm not sure there should be for most things unless some real action is needed in the short-term to address a particular issue. If that's the case feel free to ask "what is ASRA doing?".
And I like being referred to as a "distinguished gentleman" although I'm not sure I'm either.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Lance and Josh on -
a damned good question and I might add thought process to go with it .......like Bugs I dont know what you would call me either as I am a keen and now comitted newby to the sport (my 13 yr old son Josh was in that recently added mill hill 90 kmph video so he has a future at the top level which I will wholey support )
I have a wealth of sporting and management experiance as an ex motorracing team owner , driver and businessman and I would also like to offer my support and assistance from up here in Brisbane . lets keep this going and see where it could lead the group for the betterment of the pros and "groms" (haha) and statesmen/gentlemen of the scene
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Permalink Reply by Chris on -
Thanks Bugs,
And more credit to you that a couple of guys put their heads together and made this, it has obviously been worth it.
I understand your point on moderation. I read a lot of the forums and find that in the whole there is a lot of good conversation and viewpoints. While others can be open aggressive, insulting or derogatory. Either way it is the freedom to speak your mind and I appreciate that.
Guess sometimes I'd like to hear the responses from people in an elected or nominated position of responsibility rather than just the guy with the strongest viewpoints.
I like to think that unofficially, I am being mentored by some of the distinguished gentlemen of the sport. They're not just giving me advice on what gear to purchase but also on how the industry operates, who is who in the zoo, what they have learnt during their time in the industry.
Maybe there is an opportunity to create some chat threads on mentoring, or for some of the people interested to identify themselves. I know mentoring takes time and a willingness to build a relationship. I have lots of mentors and find it a great way to learn.
At 37 I'm not a new bearing, but by the same token I'm no Carbon Evo either. I'm happy to have as much guidance as I can get. The world is hard enough without thinking that I have to do and learn everything by myself.
P.S. if you want us to chip in you have to have more events in Queensland ;)
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Permalink Reply by leeso on -
if we organise the events asra said they will back us all the way..they are the coolest bunch of dudes around thats who asra is..if you need something done they will find a way..
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Permalink Reply by Aych on -
I think part of what Bugs is saying is perhaps WE should have more events in Queensland; as in it is, in part, up to us as members to put forward the idea and then where we can help with the fruition. I know I'm not the only person at the moment with plans a foot to bring forward constructive ideas to host various meets in QLD in the near future. As CHC 1 was hosted by NACOSS there is, as I understand it, nothing stopping any of the various groups putting forward plans for a meet to ASRA to be sanctioned as "official"
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Permalink Reply by Chris on
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Thanks Leeso, nice props to the guys.
Thanks H, I guess the fact that we can have a 3 day outlaw on the coast and a 2 day car park session in Brissy concurrently, and not have all the people that attended one attend the other, and still drag in 30+ skaters at each must demonstrate we are at least in the ball park for an official event, and that's not even going near the state media coverage.
I look forward to seeing what guys in 'the know' come up with.
When it starts getting put together maybe we can all be kept in the loop through an occasional update or post.
Not that it will always be the case, or is even on offer again, but just as an example...
I was asked by a guy to support a skate/BMX tour from Brisbane to Cairns, I spoke to my boss about it and they ended up being sponsored to the tune of $10,000 plus logistical support.
This is a little different because as a sport we are not targeting such things as rural youth development, but there different ways of doing business.
BTB is a good example, by tying in a community issue you can then garner for corporate support. In the right circles its called "contributions to social welfare" or "corporate social responsibility" they are actual strategies from government departments and large industry. Drop those little pearls the right way in a conversation with potential sponsors and you should at the least get their attention.
That's without including groups like QLD health for things like helmet promotion, positive youth role models, yada yada yada
I could go on about it for hours but I'm sure you get the gist. When you guys are seriously planning, make sure you canvas ASRA to see who and how people can contribute. It's not a case of asking on the day. It's the sort of thing that takes a couple of years to work the system, meet the right people, know the right angles........
Then again it depends if you just want to set up some cones and have a race, or you want to really go for gold. If its Gold the case then I guess it's up to ASRA to give some guidance.
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