New BOF events list

[Nimby]

The events list has been completely revised on the BOF website.

I noticed that four our (and several other clubs') forthcoming events it's used the junior entry fee as the senior fee too, so those wth edit authority might want to correct it.
Then, if you don't enter a figure for "family groups", it puts £0.00 so they might expect a free run.

[Clive Coles]

I guess the reason for this is that the web site no longer forces clubs to allow a £2 BOF member discount on all levels of events. Instead Fixture secretaries need to record the actual fees that the club will collect for Juniors, seniors and groups both for BOF members and non-members.That's 6 different fields. So if clubs want to charge flat fees for both Members and non-members they can. Horay ~ flexibility at last. Common sense prevails.

But of course Fixture secretaries now have some editing to do ~ give them a little time !

They also need to check out the course matrices for most level C events ~ ours were all set up with more than the usual 7 colour coded options.

There are a few teathing problems ~ emails already winging BOFwise but, for what it is worth, I feel the new facilities are an improvement. Quite like the changes.

[Sunlit Forres]

I agree that it's an improvement. There are few snags but that's to be expected. There doesn't appear to be anywhere showing whether you get an "own e-card" discount and I've let BOF know.

BTW, to encourage more people to join I think all clubs shold be charging different fees for members and non members - junior and senior - at every event.

[SeanC]

I'm sure this approach can help, but we've found this year that the best way to get newcomers to join is to ask them directly (it helps if the event is mass start/finish and announcements can be made before and afterwards), and not giving them a reason not to join by making the first year membership completely free.

Getting them to stay will be another matter when the first year free membership wears off, but at least we have a communication channel to encourage them whilst they are members. Discounts at events could help with retention, but personally I think if membership is at the £5-£10 level then most people will rejoin if it's sold to them well - eg emphasise the good work the money is being spent on, what other benefits available etc. Once it gets to about £15-£20 then my gut feeling is that many occasional orienteers wont rejoin. We shall see.

[Mrs H]

....and that's exactly what happened to most of my MADO recruits once the year's free BOF membership expired. They still come but as Inds. There seems to be more of a possibility to remain as a club only member now.

[greywolf]

BTW, to encourage more people to join I think all clubs shold be charging different fees for members and non members - junior and senior - at every event.

Membership of MOR is free...but to join MOR as an adult costs £17 or £30.50 at 2011 rates Knocking £1 off entry fees for Level D events isn't going to be much of an incentive for most occasional orienteers.

[SeanC]

I suggested as part of the membership fee consultation thingy, that instead of members paying the BOF membership fee when they join/rejoin, BOF bill the clubs annually for number of members X BOF fee. Clubs would then have the choice of raising this money through higher club membership fees, higher entry fees, raising money from some other means (eg putting on more events or drawing down reserves) some combination of all 3. No idea how practical this is.

[seabird]

if you don't enter a figure for "family groups", it puts £0.00 so they might expect a free run.

This was either not the case, or has been very quickly corrected.

I never put a fee in this category and all that is being shown is a blank space.

[King Penguin]

Snags include no events at all before "today" - either that or the "filter" only selects those from toady onwards no matter what date range you try to filter on.
I know most will want to look forwards not back, but I find it useful to be able to look back as well for some purposes.

[SJC]

I suggested as part of the membership fee consultation thingy, that instead of members paying the BOF membership fee when they join/rejoin, BOF bill the clubs annually for number of members X BOF fee.

Which would be an incentive for clubs to try and keep their membership numbers down. Occasional local competitors would cost the club money if they joined.

[SeanC]

If a club feels that way, all they have to do is raise their club membership fee by the amount per member billed by BOF, and it would be exactly the same as now.

I think many clubs would take the view that they would prefer to retain the occasional orienteer by offering cheaper membership, as this is better for the long term economy of the sport in their area.

[Electrocuted]

Snags include no events at all before "today" - either that or the "filter" only selects those from toady onwards no matter what date range you try to filter on.
I know most will want to look forwards not back, but I find it useful to be able to look back as well for some purposes.

This is a bit of a pain. My BOF number has been missed out on a set of results. When trying to e-mail the club to get it added I looked at the BOF fixtures list to find the organiser's e-mail. As the event has passed, you can't access it anymore.

[madmike]

This is a bit of a pain. My BOF number has been missed out on a set of results. When trying to e-mail the club to get it added I looked at the BOF fixtures list to find the organiser's e-mail. As the event has passed, you can't access it anymore.

I have had this issue in the past, I tried begging for help here on Nopesport mentioning the event and it was sorted by a very helpful noper in double quick time - might be worth a shot

[Mrs H]

If the event used Fabian the information often lingers there for a couple of months.

[Sunlit Forres]

Membership of MOR is free...but to join MOR as an adult costs £17 or £30.50 at 2011 rates Knocking £1 off entry fees for Level D events isn't going to be much of an incentive for most occasional orienteers.

For a family attending ten or so events a year it's a very good incentive, especially as first year BOF/SOA local membership's free. And the are more benefits than just cheaper entry fees - it just needs existing members to tell potential recruits what they are.