Public & Products Liability Policy

Information Sheet on MAG Local Groups

The aim of local groups is to provide a way for MAG members to meet at a local level so as to forward the general aims of the organisation. To be truly effective at national lobbying there needs to be a MAG presence in every constituency in Ireland. Groups are encouraged to identify themselves with one or more constituencies. MAG Ireland cannot achieve it's full potential without strong local groups throughout the country.

This information sheet is an introduction to the local group concept and provides a basic idea of what’s involved. A full description of local groups, their organisation, rules, operating practices, etc. are contained in MAG’s "Representative’s Handbook" available on the MAG website or from the office.

Local Groups can be set up by MAG members of a particular area, with the approval of the National Council. Members wishing to start a local MAG group should first contact MAG.

Why Local Groups ?

To convey concerns to MAG. The strength of any organisation stems from the grass roots so the first task of a local group is to convey to the National Council their specific concerns, local or national.

To recruit new members. All MAG local group meetings must be on an "all motorcyclists’ welcome" basis

To represent MAG's interests and activities at a local level

To help raise funds for MAG

Positions and Jobs Descriptions

Chairman: Chairs the regular meetings, point of contact for the local group, if it's the only group in the county then this person is also on the MAG National Council.

Secretary: Keeps track of decisions made in meetings, also a point of contact.

Treasurer: Manages bookkeeping and products.

If you feel it's useful you could also elect a Dealer Liaison Officer, TD Liaison Officer, Events Secretary

How To Start a Group

Don’t wait for someone else to do it. You do it. Talk over your ideas with other members and the MAG office which is there to help you.

Decide what would be a suitable venue for the first and for the regular meetings.

Decide upon a suitable date. If you wish, check with the National Office to see if someone could give you a hand with the first meeting.

Personally contact as many motorcyclists as you can, tell them what you are trying to do, ask them for their personal support by attending the first meeting.

Make out posters - ensure they state that "all motorcyclists are welcome". Get them up in local bikers’ pubs, send them to clubs - ask the club to try and send at least one person, get them put up in bikeshops, try and get the local media (papers, local radio etc.) to mention the meeting.

The First Meeting

Get a stock of MAG Membership Forms, back issues of RoadRunner, MAG products etc. Discuss ideas with the MAG Office and Group Liaison. What are local motorcyclists’ chief concerns ? Insurance ? A particular road hazard ? Make sure you have a plan for the meeting: what you want to say, the discussions you want to stimulate, the result you are aiming for. That result should be :

yes, let’s meet again -(perhaps same day each week or month)
lets make sure others not there tonight are invited, ask each one whom he could invite ?
ask what topics they’d like to cover next time?

Running the Local Group

Once the group is up and running, it meets regularly, as decided by the members themselves. Keeping the group running involves attention to the following areas:

Local Activity

If there are local issues affecting motorcyclists or national issues which the group can help with on a local level then these need to be discussed and tackled. Examples include crash barriers, road hazards, secure motorcycle parking.

Social activity

This is the reason most people turn up and stay with MAG. You might decide to schedule one meeting a month as the active MAG issues one and the other weekly meetings as more purely social events.

Information from MAG

MAG's monthly update to local groups (MAGLink) will keep the group up to date on what's happening nationally and around the country and frequently contains items that need discussion or feedback.

Information to MAG

Calendar. Ensure that details of any events you learn of in the local area are passed on to the MAG Office for inclusion in the calendar.

Local Issues. MAG can only help you with a local issue if MAG knows it is happening. Experience and advice from handling similar issues in other areas may also be available so let the office know.

Bike clubs. Please ensure that the MAG knows of all active clubs in your area.

Contacts list: the MAG group should compile and maintain up to date a list (name, address, phone, FAX, e-mail etc.) of all useful local contacts for its own use. This could include for example: Local newspapers, Local radio stations, helpful T.D.s, County Councillors, County Engineers, County Road Safety Officers.

Fund Raising

The group should aim to raise funds for its own projects and for the general work of MAG. Excess funds (net of operating expenses such as posters, cost of meetings, postage etc), and over £100, should be sent to MAG Office. Annual accounts should be submitted to MAG Office. Local groups can obtain MAG products for re-sale.

Project Funding

Should an occasion arise where a Local group wants to mount some specific project which requires an outlay in excess of local funds, application may be made to MAG.

Rallies & Events

The local group should try to have a member to represent MAG at any rallies or events which take place within their area to distribute membership forms and let motorcyclists know what MAG is doing both nationally and locally.

Elections

The Chair, Secretary and Treasurer positions need to be elected every year. Only MAG members from within the county can vote. If there are more than two groups in a county then the division of MAG members on constituency lines should be clear in advance. A MAG official from the NC or NEC must be present to verify that the election is fair. A copy of the result should be sent to the MAG Office after each annual election.

Press Releases

Local MAG groups should only make statements to local or national media on details of forthcoming local MAG meetings, activities or events. All other areas should first be checked with or referred to the MAG Office.

Regular Reports

It is very important that close contact is maintained with the MAG Office. A monthly update (possibly corresponding with a regular local meeting) is ideal but an absolute bare minimum is a quarterly report on the recent activity (meetings held, numbers present, matters dealt with, local issues of concern, local group activity etc. etc.) sent to the MAG office well before each newsletter deadline.

Bike Shops

Many bike shops are interested in doing MAG discount, displaying MAG membership forms or local posters. Bike shops must know that there is a local MAG group as they are often the first point of contact for potential new members.

E-mail

It is extremely desirable that there is an e-mail contact within every local group so that information (such as MAGLink and reports) from and to the MAG Office can pass as cheaply and as quickly as possible.

Official Visits

Speakers can be invited to address the group on issues like training, security, mechanics, road design, touring or whatever. Visits from active MAG members from outside the local group should also be encouraged so as to share ideas.

Queries

Never hesitate to ask for advice, guidance or assistance. The MAG Group Liaison person in particular tries to be as available as possible during and outside ‘office’ hours and should be contacted if you are in doubt about something or want to discuss an issue.

If there is no local group in your area and you are considering starting one, please contact the MAG office.

(Visit MAG local Groups)

Disclaimer:

This information sheet is provided free of charge as a service to motorcycling. MAG Ireland cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. Last updated 2001-02 Approved by NEC: 2001-03