Announcement

**russellw** · 02-08-2007, 07:00 PM

We have taken the step of registering the the E-series Owners Club of Australia as an incorporated body, effective from July 23, 2007.

Fiirstly, let me say that it is not our intention to in any way takeover what has been achieved by those dedicated individuals who helped to form the club as it stands at present. We have listened to the comments made over the last few weeks (both positive and negative) and we felt that in order to progress the issues needed to be addressed in a timely manner and this process is one step to achieve that.

This Incorporation of the Club has long been overdue and we felt that given our previous offers of assistance we should be proactive in doing this as it did not appear that this was going to be actioned in the near future.

As discussed in recent posts it is our intention to restructure the forum along the lines that have been indicated below as a means of improving the environment for all members. Along with those changes we will be looking at the structure of the club and have best to blend the existing structure with this new direction. To this end we have opened a dialogue with the existing board to establish their response to these changes. It is perhaps unfortunate that we have had to do this in the order we have but it was apparent to us that there were differing views within the board in terms of where their future lay. We were hopeful that these may have been resolved at their meeting last week but as this did not appear to be the case and we have been unable to establish meaningful communication with them as a group we took the action that we deemed appropriate.

The proposed a new layout would see the club forum being divided as follows:

Newbie Discussions (publicly visible)

E-Series General (publicly visible)

Help needed (only visible to registered users)

Workshop Builds (only visible to registered users)

E-Series Technical (only visible to registered users)

Events & Meets (only visible to registered users)

E-Series Private Room (an opt in area)

E-Series Board Room

The private area is where I believe it would be possible for us to allow more relaxed posting rules. This might include the use of SMS style language or mild swearing and somewhat more relaxed rules about acceptable posting although it would not compromise the requirements within the general terms and conditions about no pornography, courtesy towards fellow members or abusive posts. It is our view, at this stage, that this area should be available to most, if not all, club members but with clear guidelines about what is and what is not to be posted there.

We are also considering the addition of a fourth moderator to the area in general but this will be subject to nomination.

It is our hope, and mine personally, that we can leave behind the personality clashes, the little cliques and some of the past difficulties and worked together to make both the club and these forums something that everybody with a passion for the e-series vehicles can be proud of.

Regards

Board of Directors

Australian Ford Forums

Allen · 02-08-2007, 07:06 PM

Good to hear, hopefully this is the start to a much better E-series club.

NudgE^SIKBRO · 02-08-2007, 07:28 PM

Sounds good to mee...

Dezza · 02-08-2007, 07:30 PM

Sounds like a good move

needfordspeed · 02-08-2007, 07:32 PM

So who actually registered the eseries club? AFF or the eseries board?

bentles · 02-08-2007, 07:32 PM

does this mean that some of the banned members can be reinstated? or not a chance

EFFalcon · 02-08-2007, 07:35 PM

AFF Registered the E-Series Owners Club without the permission of the current board.

Just so everyone is clear on that.

Stevo · 02-08-2007, 07:37 PM

Edited: EFFalcon answered my question.

So why did you guys register the club and take the name away from those who, as far as i can see rightfully own it? lol?

-jjM- · 02-08-2007, 07:48 PM

e-series is the best section here on aff, nothing compares... who wouldnt want to own it, its e-series!

oneredED · 02-08-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

Fiirstly, let me say that it is not our intention to in any way takeover what has been achieved by those dedicated individuals who helped to form the club as it stands at present.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

AFF Registered the E-Series Owners Club without the permission of the current board.

Just so everyone is clear on that.

Well there you go. Care to explain the reasoning for this Russell?

oneredED · 02-08-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Along with those changes we will be looking at the structure of the club and have best to blend the existing structure with this new direction. To this end we have opened a dialogue with the existing board to establish their response to these changes. It is perhaps unfortunate that we have had to do this in the order we have but it was apparent to us that there were differing views within the board in terms of where their future lay. We were hopeful that these may have been resolved at their meeting last week but as this did not appear to be the case and we have been unable to establish meaningful communication with them as a group we took the action that we deemed appropriate.

Isn't this akin to shooting first and asking questions later? It seems to me that you have placed yourself, and I say "yourself" as a collective noun meaning the AFF big-wigs, in a very fortunate position of not being able to lose. Either people co-operate with you so that they can continue to enjoy what THEY have helped build (you have only fostered that growth; only ever a catalyst), or they can get PHUKKED and leave behind what they created?

galapogos01 · 02-08-2007, 08:04 PM

russell, who from the original e-series club (which dates back to 2001) will be on the board of your newly registered entity?

JUZXR8 · 02-08-2007, 08:04 PM

So the E-Series Owners Club no longer belongs to the club?

Grechie · 02-08-2007, 08:07 PM

Sounds good, so its finally registered club?

needfordspeed · 02-08-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneredED

Isn't this akin to shooting first and asking questions later? It seems to me that you have placed yourself, and I say "yourself" as a collective noun meaning the AFF big-wigs, in a very fortunate position of not being able to lose. Either people co-operate with you so that they can continue to enjoy what THEY have helped build (you have only fostered that growth; only ever a catalyst), or they can get PHUKKED and leave behind what they created?

If what John says is true, then I agree with what your saying Jared. I'm not going to go too far into this until RusselW replies, but so far it seems like a rat act.

DEVL-XR · 02-08-2007, 08:23 PM

Sounds good to me if its finally a registered club. Does this mean it will appear in magazine club listings?

Walkinshaw · 02-08-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

Fiirstly, let me say that it is not our intention to in any way takeover what has been achieved by those dedicated individuals who helped to form the club as it stands at present. We have listened to the comments made over the last few weeks (both positive and negative) and we felt that in order to progress the issues needed to be addressed in a timely manner and this process is one step to achieve that.

Can we get an accurate breakdown of what exactly is meant by "to progress."

I usually wouldn't comment as such but, underhanded would be the only way to describe the incorporating of the above name. Extremely disappointing from a professional group.

335JET · 02-08-2007, 08:31 PM

theres gonna be 8 sections in just the e-series section- bit over the top me thinks.

EFFalcon · 02-08-2007, 08:33 PM

AFF's actions are always over the top.
i think its in the T&C somewhere.

XR_Lightning · 02-08-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradensEBxr6

Sounds good to me if its finally a registered club. Does this mean it will appear in magazine club listings?

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, its the only club thats not listed just about

gthofan · 02-08-2007, 08:37 PM

does that mean we have our own "for sale" "wanted to buy" section etc?

Grechie · 02-08-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthofan

does that mean we have our own "for sale" "wanted to buy" section etc?

that would be awesome!

Dezza · 02-08-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthofan

does that mean we have our own "for sale" "wanted to buy" section etc?

That would be great because the sale yards are way too big, and too many people continue to post up threads in the e-series general section like "For sale, set of 16" FTRs" for example

**russellw** · 02-08-2007, 08:45 PM

It is nice to see some of the Board finally coming out of the woodwork to share their views. This is refreshing even if the views are somewhat negative.

For the benefit of those wondering, we have attempted to start discussions with the Board on a range of topics including possible means of restructuring but these attempts have fallen on deaf ears. Indeed my most recent attempt at discussion with one of them was somewhat less than satisfactory in terms of communication. This is not (as stated in my original post) an attempt to do anything other than set this group onto a sound footing with our full support. That I have stated that we wish to transition to full control for the membership in a timely manner should be indication of that.

We were fully aware that in making this decision there would be those who did not agree with it and that is their choice but there will also be those that can see beyond their own wish to protect cosy cliques or their own little fiefdoms to realise that this step was both necessary and of longer term benefit to the members as a whole.

That we have had discussions with previous iterations of the board on the topic of doing this for two and a half years would seem to indicate that it was not going to happen in the shorter term and while our actions may well have been controversial they are also well intentioned.

This is an open thread and it will stay that way as long as the site T&C is adhered to.
Some of the posts above have trodden a very fine line in terms of their content and I am warning those individuals that this thread will be moderated in accordance with the T&C and that attacks of a personal nature will not be tolerated.

I will be unavailable for most of this evening but the rest of the admin team will be able to answer any questions you may have along with the existing moderators who have formed a part of the discussions to this point.

Regards
Russ

Walkinshaw · 02-08-2007, 08:54 PM

Intresting the moderators were consulted regarding this and not the board....

nommic · 02-08-2007, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

That I have stated that we wish to transition to full control for the membership in a timely manner should be indication of that.

That's good to hear. I was hoping e-series would become a "real" club, but was a bit surprised to read that it was actually AFF that did it.

Are there any conditions placed on transitioning control? Or are you just eventually going to "do it"?

sexr6tasy · 02-08-2007, 09:08 PM

Hmm id be interested to hear what the last 3 moderators of aff e-series think

Walkinshaw · 02-08-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

That we have had discussions with previous iterations of the board on the topic of doing this for two and a half years would seem to indicate that it was not going to happen in the shorter term and while our actions may well have been controversial they are also well intentioned.

Russ I think you'll find the registering/incorporating of the board is not a problem. Rather the way it was undertaken. You make points that open communication is required, then admin go and undertake something as serious as legally forming an incorporated group using the name of the 'club' without any notification to those entrusted with running the 'club.' Something as simple as "we note you guys haven’t incorporated yet, what is the view of AFF incorporating the name on your behalf and assisting the club" would have removed 99.95% of any potential animosity. Apparently this (being seen as helpful rather than overbearing/shady/deceitfully tactful) either isn't considered important by AFF admin, or wasn't thought of?

It apears that there are good intentions (I have absolutly no doubt that there is), however again the delivery of this by AFF has missed the target.

efgiar · 02-08-2007, 09:50 PM

so just to set things straight... aff has registered the club as a proper on the books club, without permission of the board. i dont see how doing that will resolve the aff admin team standing over everyone in the club and deciding thier fates on these forums when it should be "e-series club forum - these are our rules if u dont like them, peece off"

question: is it even leagle to register the e-series club as a club, without being the president/owner/founder and without permission? im almost positive you can get into alot of shyte for that?

nommic · 02-08-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efgiar

question: is it even leagle to register the e-series club as a club, without being the president/owner/founder and without permission?

I'm guessing the problem with that is, the club didn't actually "exist" in a legal/technical sense. Something that doesn't exist can't have a president/owner/founder.