The Fra needs a defrag

[swanaldo]

I have just been ooking at the current setup of the Fra and i think it needs a bit of a shakeup for 2009. I just wanted to know what others thought if my opinions.

1... There needs to be a change on the regional reps. there seems to be too many areas and not enough reps. Who represents Scotland?. so if the areas were split up into 3 areas... South, Midlands and North.

2... On the contacts page the technical contacts need changing. No offence to Mike Lambert but he doesnt do robots anymore and if i were to ask for Pneumatic advice I wouldnt ask him. And does Mr stu still maintain the site? I might be wrong but i dont think he does, and is Paul Hunt the same Paul Hunt from the hydra team or the Shredder team.

3... Who is the heavyweight rep and antweight rep and is Alan Young still the rep for feathers and middles?

i am sure there is more that needs subtle changes that i havent spotted yet.

[swanaldo]

President: Andy Kane
Chairman: Geoff Smith
Secretary:
Mainland Europe: Marco van Hek

What actually is Marco, is he Mainland Europe or does he need a specific title perhaps. There is no secretary so mabee the Secretary should be removed?

[geeza]

Ok Swanny here goes my view. Yes the FRA does need a shake up, I keep harping on about this but when was the last time your rep asked you about your views? (general question to everyone). I know people are busy but if they arent prepared to put atleast a bit of effort in they shouldnt have stood in the first place.

The webiste definitly needs updating, i believe that Paul Hunt is the one from the shredder team.

Alan was told that as an EO he could no longer be the FW/MW rep, so there currently isnt one. My view is that the regional reps are there for all of us and we dont actually need weight reps anymore.

There is no secretary although at the last meeting I went to Karoline was nominated to be membership secretary for 2009. Marco has also stood down as overseas rep (or whatever the title is).

Is there another FRA meeting scheduled? Would be interested to see if any non-committee members know as it seems only committee members are told about when the meetings are. Again said it before but how are we supposed to have anykind of input to our organisation if we dont know when the meetings are?

[stu]

And does Mr stu still maintain the site? I might be wrong but i dont think he does

wrong Shane - i do hence the little sentance at the bottom of the page http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/index.htmhttp://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/index.htm.

I dont maintain the forum though anymore which is more intense than updating rules/news etc.

Mr Stu

[Mouldy]

i dont think mike or paul coopers advice section needs to be removed as its pretty much all still relivant..

Mikes advice helped me alot when i started up, i remember spending about an hour on the phone to him plumbing up my first bot, and i was very greatful for his help. Thanks to Mike lambert, paul cooper and Alan wood im now pretty compitent with pneumatics (helps that ive got qualifications in pneumatic and fluid power aswell)

For advice.. the forum is still going to be a better means of communication then any guide section.

[swanaldo]

I know Mike has great knowledge of pneumatics but does he want people asking him now he doesnt do the sport. Paul Cooper and Alan Wood are very helpful still but they are not on the Tech list. Mabee they should be. Mabee it seems you got me wrong dave. I dont want any threads moved just suggesting we update the names on the home pages of the website.

This wasnt meant to be a rant of any sort just my opinion on the forum needing a shakeup. I also dont mean to offend anyone and their knowledge.

At the end of the day the place where people come to see what we do needs updating and cleaning up a little. If roboteers put in their input then we could get the FRA website updated and ready for a nice new year of roboteering.

[anukhet]

For your info Mike Lambert is still very much involved and continues to be a member of the FRA

[swanaldo]

Thats good to hear Karoline. Do you not have an opinion on any of the other things i have brought up?

[robotwars]

well i think its a valid point to be honest...

Ive just had a look through it and yes, i think the FRA needs a bit of a shake up.

Lets face it, things are ticking over, and im sure 2009 is going to be yet another busy year of events.

It just needs a bit of time to get things updated.... i think all the technical advisors and regional reps etc..should be asked the question if they want to keep thier positions... with head of of office moving aorund in April, its a good idea to shake things up and maybe some re-elections.

John
http://www.RoamingRobots.co.ukwww.RoamingRobots.co.uk

[swanaldo]

Mabee the FRA would benefit from active Roboteers or not even roboteers but people who are active in the community. For instance i have seen more advice been given on the forum from Alan Wood than anyone else. Leo Van Miert and Mario also are very good advisers. Mabee their names should be put forward as new advisors. There are many more advisors too on various subjects for instance Mabee Jonno could be a general advisor for his events so people visiting the website know who to contact. Same with Robots live and all the others. Even a contact for Fanfic is needed as that part of the forum is overlooked but is posted on the most.