On-line entries

[guest]

Have just used the on-line entry system for JOK Chasing Sprint and it was so easy and simple to use - more than I can say for the one I attempted to use for the Welsh weekend.
Well done JOK

[Roger]

Have just used the on-line entry system for JOK Chasing Sprint and it was so easy and simple to use ...
Well done JOK

Yes, well done Dave Currie.

On-line entry systems open up a possibility that's being used for TVOC's Chiltern Challenge (26 Feb). Late postal entries will be accepted if postmarked by 19 Feb, but on Mon 20 Feb numbers of maps will be fixed.

The 'float' of maps over the entries received by post and on-line will be available for on-line entrants at http://www.ntrees.co.uk up to 12.00 the day before the event. Any very late postal entries will be returned. Hence the ntrees site always has an up-to-date entry count and, importantly, will enforce the course limits. The prices don't go up any further -- we'd rather sell the extra maps than not sell them -- but there won't be very many spare maps except on the colour-coded courses.

The drive is not financial, although I do dislike wasted maps. The idea is to reduce as far as possible the troublesome pressure-point of badge-class EOD. In my experience on download / results (and this goes back to typing names off stacks of control cards into a mainframe computer), it's inaccurate recording of on-the-day entrants that causes most of the time-consuming problems. Now, the ill, the injured and the fair-weather orienteers can wait until the day before the event and still pre-enter, taking the risk that there may be no maps left for their desired courses.

I reckon that this is a fair bargain: if you wish to put volunteers to the trouble of trying to type details accurately with numb fingers in a chilly tent, then you should be willing to take the risk of having to run a course other than your preferred one. Alternatively, be considerate and pre-enter, and get the course you want.

Roger
TVOC and JOK

[mharky]

Wouldn't it be great if you could pay your BOF membership online...

[Angry Haggis]

Wouldn't it be great if you could pay your BOF membership online...

Or to phrase it another way...

"It's 2006 - why on earth can't we pay our BOF membership online?"

[John Morris]

MHarky & Angry Haggis suggest paying BOF fees online.

It sounds a good idea.

Instead of just bleating on nopesport, why don't you suggest this to Mike Hamilton (mike@britishorienteering.org.uk) or, because Mike is V.Busy at present, to one of the Councillors?

Send me a draft proposal?

We're all happy to receive positive suggestions, particularly when the sender can (a) furnish some ideas on how his/her idea might be implemented (and at what cost) and (b) volunteer practical support for the implementation process. The more you can do for us, the more we can do for you...

Give us a good case and we'll champion it in Council and at Management Committee.

[P2B]

Sorry to return to the main topic... I've just entered a Southdowns event and their online system was v. easy. Much easier than entering e.g. the JK... although the event itself is smaller to be fair...

Just thought I'd add my two penneth worth.

[FatBoy]

Online entries - they need to be easier than entering by post otherwise we won't do it. I didn't enter for BNOC online because it was simpler to print off the form and write a cheque than register, activate my registration etc etc - looked like hassle. Registration should be optional, and details should only be auto-filled if you do register (still don't like the fact that the MDOC one you could look up my home phone number from knowing my street name bof number etc - although it's a lot better than it was).

BOF renewal online - not sure it's worth looking at on its own without looking at other uses for online payments. Seeing as there's a few online entry systems out there which have already got online payment facilities I'm sure one of them would allow an event "BOF renewal" or similar. Remember you can't take a card number through the internet and punch it into a PDQ machine - illegal I'm afraid.

EOD for regional events - why don't you use software which will detect course, class and who the competitor is from their card number. Wonder where you can get software which does that?

[guest]

When's Walton Chasers going to come out of the Dark Ages and have on-line registration?

[stodge]

Chasers are currently evaluating several online entry systems.
Up until now all of our entries for Regional events have been done by club members (wonderful people).
To enter using some of the online systems costs approx 5% of the entry fee or 50p
I agree it would be nice to have online entries and as I say we are looking at it, but at present members processing entries is saving chasers or the person entering (depends hw you look at it) approx £600.00 per regional event. Hopefully our next one will have online entry.......

[FatBoy]

Guest - I can only assume that's a dig at me, otherwise it's a totally random attack on WCH. For the record I only supply software to WCH and am not a member or anything to do with their will or otherwise to have internet entries.

[Tatty]

When I organised the November Classic, the only people I could find to do online entries wanted £1 per competitor!! That's a lot extra. In the end I got the charge down to 65p, but even so its a lot. Should those entering on line pay more than those who use snail mail. Its the posatl entries that take up a huge amount of time. What do you think?

[guest]

OOH Fatboy you are touchy! Can't be because you're a Splotty as Stodge is too but Stodge is able to see my comment as it was intended.
PS I'd just entered wch event by snail mail

[tokoloshe]

The entry bit is easy on line - it is the payment bit that is less easy to organise and costs money. Are there options for doing the entry on line but then sending a cheque. Saves the organiser the chore of keying the entries but doesn't cost anything - except for those who might forget to go to the post box.

[RJ]

Now if entries were done (or even just paid for) by the team manager in each club...... one cheque, brought to the event on the day. Entries could still be made over the internet by the individual, but the competitor's club would be responsible for collecting the fees.

Worth a thought. Perhaps some event should have a go with the system and see if it works!!!! After all it is just the handling fee that is the problem. 10% is a lot to forfeit.

[Rookie]

could the organising club handle the expenses before getting any money?