Summary of HRA Committee Meeting held on April 18th 2024. There is a lot happening on the HRA committee at the moment. Here’s a summary of the meeting from April.
HRA Website & Membership Management System
The Committee continues to work towards implementing a new integrated website and membership management system under the guidance of our web_admin, Steve Hollowood.
After market analysis, we’re focusing on two systems that are being used by other car and 4-wheel drive clubs in Australia – so we can benefit from their local experience.
The benefits to the club in moving down this path are significant. It will:
- Automate many of the tasks of the Membership Secretary
- Create an integrated and detailed database of Club Permit cars which is managed by the car owners/club members.
- Create better and more efficient ways for the club to communicate with its members.
- Create an individual member space with direct access to club documents, policies, calendars, chat rooms, ‘for sale’ pages and much more.
- Integrate the information on the club website with the members news feeds.
Event Development
Potential New LaTrobe Valley Event
Owen reported on ongoing discussions with the council and other interested parties in the LaTrobe Valley regarding a Special Stage style rally potentially conducted entirely on shire roads for the middle of 2025. This could also possibly be offered as a round of the VCRS. Next meeting is in late May.
2025 Events
So far the committee has only received notification from event organisers of two events for our calendar in 2025. If members want to organise an event next year it’s important the committee is notified as soon as possible so we can support your efforts in getting these events to happen.
Great Forest National Park
Discussion was held on strategies that we can implement to effectively self-advocate to state government. It was felt that the most effective strategy is for all car club members in Victoria to seek face-to-face meetings with their local members of parliament to advocate directly for continuing access to roads in any new National Park complex. Information will be made available to members of the HRA website shortly.
Owen is working with a small group to attempt to get a direct meeting the state minister for the Environment.
Club Permits
Tim is currently planning to undertake a survey of all members who currently hold a Club Permit under the auspice of the HRA to ensure that all details we currently on those members and their vehicles is as accurate and up to date as possible.
Competition Calendar Update
Peter reported that the Whroo Rallysprint calendared for May 11 has been postponed. Discussions on finding a date later in the year are ongoing.
Financial Support for Event Directing Teams
Robert Cranston raised the discussion of remunerating directors and that this might encourage new people to take up event organisation. Support was re-affirmed for reimbursement of reasonable expenses (this currently occurs). It was then suggested that committee work towards creating a system of a stand alone payment to event directors as recognition of the time and expertise needed to organise a rally. Owen and Kerril will work towards creating a proposal for the next committee meeting.
Club Promotion and Social Media
Our current social media offerings are spread over several platforms with no overarching planning or strategy. We need to develop a comprehensive, professional and cohesive social media strategy which includes Facebook but also embraces other social media platforms eg. Instagram, X. The club website should be the central hub for information with social media grabbing interest of the public with short and snappy messaging which links to more detail information on the website.
Jess has agreed to take on the role of investigating and creating a draft strategy which may include the use of a social media content developer.
Club Policies and Procedures
The committee ratified our new social media policy and social media rules. These have now been published on the website at https://hra.org.au/members/rules-and-regulations/hra-policies-and-procedures/
The next new policy up for consideration is a Volunteer Policy. Once ratified this will also be published on the website.
Owen Polanski
president@hra.org.au