RE: Vision, format, and progress
>This was a volunteer effort ...
>
>I wrote the Guiding Vision in January 2001, with
>participation and concurrence from the PRB, as my first act
>as Chairman of the PRB to establish a set of targets to work
>toward.
>
>I chose to express it as a PowerPoint presentation.
>
>After obtaining authorization from SCCA headquarters to make
>it available on-line, it was converted to PDF images (I
>believe by someone in the SCCA web site support chain) and
>placed on-line.
>
>But instead of sniping at the cumbersome format of what has
>been placed on-line, I submit that the more important issues
>are ...
<<>>
>4. Communication: How might the Guiding Vision be better
>conveyed to the membership?
Mark-
I've probably inserted my foot firmly in my mouth. This happens from time to time. I assure you I'm not evil.
Do you have the original of the document? I'd like to mess around with it. Information will always be limited by the format it's presented in.
A person who has heard the points presented verbalized will have an absolutely different connotation than someone who works strictly from a written version.
**
So, in addressing your 4th point, is it useful for the guide to also affect and drive communications and presentation with the public at-large, who may or may not be members?
There is another level(s) to the participant triangle, that feeds into Rallycross, or Clubrally. There are interested spectators/car ownders, as well as disinterested members of the public.
If we work from assumption there are 5 participant levels (Prorally, Clubrally, Rallycross, Knowledgeable Non-participant, Unknowledgeable Non-Participant) I think the vision, and what aspects are emphasized should be tailored to suit them.
Event media quides usually contain an obligatory paragraph explaining performance rally. They are short overviews, and not laden down with specifics. What is the attention span of the mother of 3 reading a newspaper in the dentists office, waiting for her kids? How much can she absorb about performance rally in one sitting.
Move up a level. A knowledgeable non-participant is primed, and receptive to the message. They are in a position to make a go/no-go decision. I'm making the assumption that part of the purpose of making a vision statement is to be able to work toward common goals, which will include growing and promoting the sport.
A person at this level presumably is a sponge. They will read anything they can get their hands on, if they can find it. The next stage, participating in either Rallycross or Clubrally, should be presented and explained in a manner that makes it easy and desirable for the person to say "ok, I'm going to do that".
The slice presented to them should concentrate on making them a part of it. The particulars of ProRally won't interest them, and in all actuality, could intimidate them on some level. The concepts of "a fun grassroots sport" should be emphasized.
At some point, organizational issues will need to be addressed. I don't think the casual participant wants to deal with a lot of those issues, but at the same time, it's important to maintain 2 way communication with them. The public must have knowledgeable advocates of the sport among them.
Up to this point, "The Vision" has been presented in external media.
Do event organizers have tools available to them to present a consistent global plan to the public? (I'm asking, because I don't know)
I think it's a long road just to get the public to the point where they are knowledgeable about Rally, and have figured out if it's something they want to do. My impression is that this step is left largely up to local organizers. If that's true, it's quite a burden.
Once people are brought into the fold as participants, they'll be willing to deal with organizational issues and the "Big Picture". A lot of the complaining is done at this level. The "fun grassroots sport" feeling is wearing off.
The flow of information here has to open up, in both directions. We need to know who is making decisions, in what capacity, and why.
I've been poking at this stuff for 6 months or so. I've worked a couple of events. Haven't joined SCCA for various reasons. One of the reasons is that I don't see much official representation from them to counter the oft repeated complaint that the general membership isn't consulted.
I would propose that the SCCA create their own official forums within their website to engage in real dialogue with the members. Pull in the ideas and concerns of the members in a visable manner and show they are being addressed. Appearing to disenfranchise your members is the same thing as actually doing it.
While specialstage is the "de-facto" media source for many of these things, it also serves to reinforce the notion that there is some lack of caring at a top level that prevents the formation of anything formal and official.
So, the vision should be expanded in scope to include non-participants. It should be presented in slices, catered to each group, in a format and medium accessible to that group. Non-participants will primarily view print, TV, and static web information.
It should be dynamic document and responsive to the membership's desires for the sport. If mechanisms don't exist for this to happen, work should begin on creating them. Participants at the low and medium level will engage in dynamic information sharing, the telephone, meetings, and web based messaging.
Top level participants will possibly care less about the rungs underneath. Expect information to be filtered before reaching them. Executive summary style communiques, along with the other dynamic methods should be used.
It's likely I'm not saying much new with any of this. Or they are ideas that people have thought, or knew on some subconcious level, but hadn't seen in (rambling) print.
matt