What is the role of a State Co-ordinator?

[george]

Recently there has been discussion on the forum as to what exactly a State Co-ordinator’s role is. This is timely as these positions become vacant and nominations will be called for before our AGM in May. To my knowledge there has never been any written “role description” so this is my personal view on the role and one which has evolved I guess throughout SRA. As the National Secretary I process all new SRA registrations and maintain a National Register. All State Co-ordinator’s have been provided with a section of the register relevant to their State. Every time I receive a new registration I sent those details to each State Co-ordinator to update their register (very simple cut and paste). Each State Co-ordinator also has a group email of all those registered in their State. The State Co-ordinator’s send a welcoming e-mail or letter to each new registration in their State introducing themselves and what-ever else the State Co-ordinator chooses to write for example if you have regular meet and greets, regular ride dates etc. When I was asked to become State Co-ordinator for Victoria I said from the outset that it is not my role to organize regular rides, but it is my role to co-ordinate regular rides. I encourage others to organize rides and I then ensure the ride is placed on the SRA forum calendar and also that a thread is created about that ride or event. However, yes, I do organize rides and other events. We have a regular monthly meet and greet breakfast which is now well attended and it is often at these breakfasts where we discuss and plan our rides. This works well in Victoria and also I believe in Queensland. I also look out for events such as Toy Runs, black dog and other charity rides I ensure these dates are in our calendar and again a thread is created and I send out emails. I honestly believe that if Co-ordinator’s were expected to organize every ride and every event, then no one would volunteer for the position as it is sometimes just too hard to continually keep coming up with different rides. We have, and I am sure it is the same in every state, those who have no interest in organising rides but more than happy to attend rides. That is fine and there are never any expectations or demands placed upon any person in particular to organise a ride. One thing I have found though is that if somebody posts a ride, and it doesn’t matter who, they will come. I am not sure if we need to formulate an official job description for the position as this might appear too restrictive and some might say policy or procedural driven and may be off putting to some. Perhaps a guide would be far better. Remember it is a voluntary position and if there are too many requirements or expectations some might be overwhelmed or think it is simply too hard and perhaps again off putting. However if required, this is certainly open for discussion at the next AGM.

[george]

This is a summary or guide for the role of State Co-ordinator and is not restricted or limited in any way but would probably be a minimum requirement.

State Co-ordinator Guide

Maintain and update State Register.
Send welcoming email/letter
Organise rides/events (optional)
Encourage others to organize rides/events.
Ensure ride/events are entered in the Forum Calendar
Ensure a post is created on the Forum about the ride/event (this is automated upon creating a calendar event).
Send emails or sms about the ride/event.
Ensure communications if any changes to the ride/event ie change of times, meeting places, lunch venues. (This is important as not everyone may go for the ride but others might meet up for the lunch).

[Deleted]

Pretty well sums it up George .
Happy doing this so far as long as at times as George stated that others do post rides ,even if is a spur of the moment thing for a weekend that isn't designated as a SRA ride. I,m happy if those riders let me know and i can send out a quick STATE email .
Happy to organize rides but it is very helpfull to have others do this . Which here in QLD we do quite regularly .The job or role is to CO -Ordinate riders from different ares to attend these rides ,which at times can be quite interesting.
I do believe however I ,we ,state co-ords have a responsibility to get rides happening if no other rider helps out . We have put our hand up for the role so we should'nt sit back and expect it to happen by itself .Otherwise nothing happens and riders go their own way and this is where some decent creeps in . So iff you have a passion to ride with SRA members put ya hand up and post rides ,others will come .
Cheers Ray

[Wendy Witch]

Thanks for addressing this issue George. In my opinion we as a "GROUP" need to take a long hard look at our organization structure and formalize it so everyone is clear as to who does and doesn't do what. It will also allow our volunteers to understand the full expectations of their chosen role. I also feel it will ease undue pressure of higher than nessesary expectations from members.

Proper structure and organization 'I feel' will support quality growth in SRA as a whole.



Sent from my SM-N9007 using proboards

[Ricksta]

Well George , that sounds great and thx for clarifying what the basic idea of what the state co-ordinator's role is...
Makes me wish I lived in VIC or QLD. Well Qld actually, VIC weather too crappy...lol

As for NSW, well apart from one female member who regularly inputs, and is NOT the state co-, there seems to be NO posts of any kind on ANY subject from any NSW state co-ordinator since approximately may,June and July of 2014. If im wrong on that regard, more than happy to be told so.

So the basic roles of the state co-ordinator as you stated such as  - "Encourage others to organize rides/events.
Ensure ride/events are entered in the Forum Calendar, Ensure a post is created on the Forum about the ride/event (this is automated upon creating a calendar event). Send emails or sms about the ride/event, Ensure communications if any changes to the ride/event ie change of times, meeting places, lunch venues. (This is important as not everyone may go for the ride but others might meet up for the lunch)" doesn't SEEM to be happening in NSW, BUT again, im more than happy to be told if im wrong.

I personally have never been contacted in any way by a nsw state co-ordinator in the last year and wouldn't know him if I fell over him...

So Ray is right, when nothing happening, new members (and not so new) will just go ride with a group where things are happening... So I agree George, definitely something to discuss at the AGM.

I really like the whole idea of shadow riders getting together socially for rides etc, just seems to be a dead fish here in NSW at least, which is a pity considering NSW high population and large number of shadow riders. 

 
Anyhow, get out and ride folks, it's nice and warm and im definitely looking forward to an excuse to ride to Qld, so all good..
cheers

[Deleted]

It's a shame Ricksta but hey next time you want to go out just post on the forum""going for a ride who wants to join in . Put a time and place . Someone turns up a bonus it is if not we'll try again and their loss . lol