Ways to help First Timers {and others} enjoy the National more

[Camper Dave]

Hey, I know some of these clique-y people... and personally, I don't like there riding style... so I wouldn't want to ride with them anyways.
It might not be such a good idea to open these cliques up.
They ride together, they are use to each other.
Throw in a new rider and you could end up with someone who might try too hard to keep up or to impress others of their mad skillz... Or is surprised that these cliques ride like idiots...

[connie_rider]

Much as I hate to say this,,,, Camper Dave has a "very" valid point.
   {Don't tell him I sed that}
    Some of the Cliques are intentional.
         {as they know the speed they plan to ride, and the people they know are safe to ride with at that speed}

LSGiant also has a good point.
    Lets move the discussion to other idea's to help First Rally Attendee's enjoy the National more.
      {Don't tell him I sed that either}

Here's an idea; I {Experienced National Attendee with a #10 on my Blue Ribbon} would be more than happy to ride with the New Guy {First National Attendee with a Red Ribbon} if he were to offer to buy lunch.
    {I particularly like my idea}.. <sneaky grin>

Other {more serious} idea's??

Ride safe, Ted

[WANDRNG]

If people want to stay in their cliques (riding or social) let them. (and no shame should be put on them)

If people want to be loners and solos (riding or social) let them. (and no shame should be put on them)

For those that are open to meeting and riding with new people, help them.

Everyone should enjoy the National on their own terms.

I think as a club we should just be finding ways to assist newbies, especially those that are a bit more timid socially,  in meeting the "experienced" national attendees that are open to it.

In the end, no matter what the club does, it's still mostly up to the newbie to participate. If he's invited by someone to a specific ride, to eat ice-cream, to go to a museum, to sit at the supposed cool kids table - they still have to say yes, and actually do it.
As a club we just need to make sure "first" attendees get invites, in a personal way (not just listed on the schedule), then it's up to the newbie.

[connie_rider]

Ok, ok,,, Much as I hate to say this,,,, Wandrng also has a "very" valid point.
   {Don't tell him I sed that}

In this case; He sed the same thing I sed, but he used a lot less words.... 

Ride safe, Ted

[Camper Dave]

Much as I hate to say this,,,, Camper Dave has a "very" valid point.

Hellz ya, I had to quote this!!

My very first rally, I planned out a route I was going to take. I described the route I was going to take to a friend and he asked if he could ride with me. Sure, I'll meet you at the rally hotel (I was camping). I show up the next day and there was over a dozen people waiting for me. My friend said he may have mentioned the ride to a few other people. I described the route to the folks gathered and a few said they would take their own ride. But I left that parking lot with a whole bunch of people behind me.

My point....

Hi, my name is Camper Dave and I've lead a GROUP RIDE!

I think if the club was to end the No Group ride mantra, some of the issues would go away.
If there were known Group Rides at the National Rally, that would break the ice for a lot of people.

[Ranger Jim]

The Mentor concept was used at the Vermont national and it (IMO) worked pretty well. Have the ADs contact all their members for volunteers with someone (Ted?) serving as the coordinator.

On Monday, as a part of the opening social, separate the attendees by region and introduce the AD, AADs.

At the banquet, separate the attendees by region. Seat them in a group. Have a callout about the number of nationals attended and especially recognize the newcomers.

ALWAYS remember the old adage about leading a horse to water. At some point, the responsiblity falls on the newcomer whether they like it or not.

[Robby1953]

"At some point, the responsiblity falls on the newcomer whether they like it or not."

Well, there's your problem! And again I say, it's not just first time attendees!

[Jeff Kerkow]

I am not so keen on the Mentor program.  I think the goal should be to meet numerous people.  Some attendees are not going to be compatible with others and one mentor does not represent all the diversity of COG. Also as has been mentioned before its not just newbies who may want to expand their group of contacts.  I will bet I was at some of the same rallies as Ted until I really got to know him better at I believe it was Cortez. I also met some folks at this rally who were not new comers but the were newcomers to me. We had some of the same interests and I will try to reconnect with them at the next rally. These first contacts were made in the lobby while I was hanging around the map table.

What I am saying is our Tuesday Socials and Ice Cream Social do not do a lot to encourage any of us to break out of our normal group of friends myself included.

[Jorge]

It's natural for groups to get together... we can call then cloques and so on, but it's really nice to see folks you haven't seen for  a long time, maybe since the last National. Having said that, I thin it's also very important to not be exclusive.

Sport Rider's comments were all good.

1- I agree with the "Mentor" approach.
Have a checkbox in the registration one can check if willing to be a mentor. Match the mentor with the 1st timer from the same region, state if possible. The mentor simply is a first point of contact for the 1st time attendee. The mentor can help him/her meet new people, and being from the same region, meet people they are likely to see again. I for one would be willing to do this.

2- Set up sign-up sheets for rides (this has been done in the past). When the time comes, the groups is split up into reasonably sized groups (6 seems like a good number). If only a couple are left, then make two smaller groups, or let the group get more than 6 so no one is alone. Maybe request volunteers to lead one ride that week. I would also be willing to do this.

When we went to our 1st National (Johnson City) we already knew several COGgers, so it was easier, but not everyone has this benefit.

I think there are a number of things we can do to improve how we welcome 1st time attendees. Let's get them implemented.

[Fais]

It's free to repeat myself.

Get folks to come to smaller events, then nationals. This way they know someone and bonds have been made. If you work for a company and go to the yearly retreat you at least know the folks from your home office/store, whatever.

We must promote the rallies. We don't. We didn't promote the national nor do we promote the regionals. How are we getting first timers? There should be more. Adverts for smaller rallies - and a bjg push for the national rallies will bring in more new members and the problem will start to go away as a larger percentage of attendees will be like our cliques were before they met. There may be too few newbies at the national level.

Let's get folks to a rally BEFORE they get on the forum. There's one who will certainly run them off if they post anything before memorizing fhe FSM and every post in the history of COG. We need to redtrict any forum abuser who has been to the principal's office over and over from replying to new people's posts. Let's create a COG newbies want to be part of.

 
 

[Sport Rider]

The Mentor concept was used at the Vermont national and it (IMO) worked pretty well. Have the ADs contact all their members for volunteers with someone (Ted?) serving as the coordinator.

On Monday, as a part of the opening social, separate the attendees by region and introduce the AD, AADs.

At the banquet, separate the attendees by region. Seat them in a group. Have a callout about the number of nationals attended and especially recognize the newcomers.

ALWAYS remember the old adage about leading a horse to water. At some point, the responsiblity falls on the newcomer whether they like it or not.

I do recall those regional meetings in JC on Monday.  if we could push it farther to have the leader from that region specifically take on the first timers plugging in, that would be the best case.  the ADs and AADs by and large did not attend my first-timers meeting in Helen.  that's where I wanted to plug the first timers into their specific leadership team.  so that doesn't seem to be the answer unless leadership steps up to do their job.

What if we assign each AD (or a designate from their region) to the first timers team.  that person needs to be someone that is definitely going to attend the rally.  the coordinator from the region still has ownership for the logistics of registriation and meeting/greeting first timers much as my team did in Helen.  After that, the regional lead takes on the role of plugging them in.  helped by the coordinator in setting up meetings like the Monday night one and perhaps others.

[ConcoursKZ]

We will need to consolidate these ideas and revisit these one month before the National.

[Sport Rider]

We will need to consolidate these ideas and revisit these one month before the National.

Tim...was there someone assigned for coordinating first timers in Missouri?  I'd like to hear what was done there.  it can be PM.  not looking to call anyone out, just hear the good and bad of how it went.

[ConcoursKZ]

Why don't we have a ride posted on the forum for 7 riders. It would describe and show the route. Distance, locations, ride style, start time, lunch location etc... It would be posted by the leader and would have three spots for first timers and three for veterans. Plus the leader making 7. Once this ride it full another leader could step up and promote another ride. Or several threads with rides could be posted and when they are full they could be labeled as such. I am betting if this was done you would dramatically increase the people on the fence of attending a National Event. A first timer might even have the ability to sign up for a couple rides with different groups. And the veterans would only be away from their core groups for one ride. It would also give veterans the ability to reach out to other areas and riders. If we were really smart we could post a couples only ride for our two up riders. And maybe have a stop along the route that might interest them. Thus making the National more attractive for our Wives and Partners.

The National can be more than all of us sitting around at the Ice Cream Social in our little groups listening to are arteries hardening. Talking about the way it used to be.

[Sport Rider]

one of the things I've always thought about the national rallies is that it's a chance to meet people from other regions.  that makes all of us first timers in some respect.  I wonder if some type of ride or social/mixer approach would work for that, getting people away from their local friends they see all the time to expand their circle of friends.

I know one of the great things about COG and the nationals is making friends with people from other areas of the country.  that doesn't mean anyone would want to meet Ted from Texas, but there are SOME good people down there.   

[Ranger Jim]

Curiosity forces me to ask, do we KNOW if our past efforts have been effective (or not)?  Are we making these suggestions based on "old" data and assumptions? Has anyone queried past new attendees and asked them two simple questions: (1) What were your expectations? (2) What could have been done to make your experience better. Keep the questions open-ended. Only a genuinely interested individual will take the time to send a response.

[Robby1953]

Curiosity forces me to ask, do we KNOW if our past efforts have been effective (or not)?  Are we making these suggestions based on "old" data and assumptions? Has anyone queried past new attendees and asked them two simple questions: (1) What were your expectations? (2) What could have been done to make your experience better. Keep the questions open-ended. Only a genuinely interested individual will take the time to send a response.

Along these lines, how many were first time attendees at this last rally? What's the percentage?

[kv5e]

Curiosity forces me to ask, do we KNOW if our past efforts have been effective (or not)?  Are we making these suggestions based on "old" data and assumptions? Has anyone queried past new attendees and asked them two simple questions: (1) What were your expectations? (2) What could have been done to make your experience better. Keep the questions open-ended. Only a genuinely interested individual will take the time to send a response.

This is a great probative question. from what i have observed over the years there are a few attendees (frequently 1st timers) who give the feedback on the forum about group riding and mixing with the others. That being said, it would be fruitful to  survey everyone who attended with a subsection for 1st timers.

I know that has been done in the past, but it would help COG get metrics year after year on our performance and which areas need improvement.

Surveymonkey or some other online tool should be leveraged after every National, with the results published after analysis.

Of course trying to get a meaningful sample return is always the challenge.

Additionally, the survey questions should be vetted to return honest and accurate metrics on the Rally and Rally management team.

The analysis of the data should be from a group independent from the Rally Team.

Again, i know this has been done at several rallies in the past.

My two bits of gray code,

Craig

[connie_rider]

Hi Jim/All; {as Craig Sed} Yes, we've asked for input, and yes we know our past efforts were not effective enough.
  * Primarily, we know this because; every year/after a National, we see the new Guys posting,,, I felt alone/left out..

Going back to the posts here: I see that the main topic has been Group Rides.
   Reply #2; Fred (2017 Rally Meister) posted the team is aware and working on idea's to make it more enjoyable to the new Folks.
   Reply #21 Rev (COG E.D,) posted that he thinks the insurance problem for Group Rides might be overcome.
So, I'll assume we will be seeing Group Rides in Kerrville, {and we will get more info on those as they plan}..   

What I don't see is much discussion about New (and old) members attending gatherings/meetings/social events.
A COG National is far more than just rides. It's a social event where we can meet other Members and get to know one another.
   These gatherings are the key to involving the "New Folks".
     By "attending" the gatherings, and meeting folks,,, "everyone" will be more comfortable.

So, my next question is; how can we improve the gatherings to help the First Timers {and all} enjoy the National more?

Ride safe, Ted

[Fais]

Wow guys. Lotsa big words.

How about:make it fun to be there - decorated up like something's happening, fun stuff like forget the prize  tickets; we oughtta spin a wheel every day from 4-6 cheering each other on to see who lands on the prize they want. All this with the vendors, photobooth, COG store and info tables/maps/rides/rte's. I'm surprised how each night on vacation we make new friends because we are lined up to do the same activity. Just a thought.

Here are more: tricycle races, pin the muffler on the ED, imitiate Ted's moustache contest 🤠

You guys who dont like this type of stuff can now sit  with your old buds and have your fun while the newbs play:-)

 

[Sailor_chic]

Wow guys. Lotsa big words.

How about:make it fun to be there - decorated up like something's happening, fun stuff like forget the prize  tickets; we oughtta spin a wheel every day from 4-6 cheering each other on to see who lands on the prize they want. All this with the vendors, photobooth, COG store and info tables/maps/rides/rte's. I'm surprised how each night on vacation we make new friends because we are lined up to do the same activity. Just a thought.

Here are more: tricycle races, pin the muffler on the ED, imitiate Ted's moustache contest 🤠

You guys who dont like this type of stuff can now sit  with your old buds and have your fun while the newbs play:-)

 

   

[kv5e]

Wow guys. Lotsa big words.

How about:make it fun to be there - decorated up like something's happening, fun stuff like forget the prize  tickets; we oughtta spin a wheel every day from 4-6 cheering each other on to see who lands on the prize they want. All this with the vendors, photobooth, COG store and info tables/maps/rides/rte's. I'm surprised how each night on vacation we make new friends because we are lined up to do the same activity. Just a thought.

Here are more: tricycle races, pin the muffler on the ED, imitiate Ted's moustache contest 🤠

You guys who dont like this type of stuff can now sit  with your old buds and have your fun while the newbs play:-)

 

   

Thanks Fais and Nicole - First the Right Brain stuff that's fun!!!!! Then Left Brain after the Rally.

Ride free and have fun,

Craiig

[Robby1953]

Worth mentioning that at this years rally, it was difficult for me to identify the facility as a rally Central, there was no defined hub of activity where people meet. The registration room was mostly closed and locked even on scheduled times posted to be open, never saw a ride sheet, bikes scattered all over the place along with their riders, the only gathering I saw other than ice cream social and banquet was town hall meeting.
IMHO there needs to be a defined hub for people to circulate and chat, sit and watch riders come and go which leads to conversation and makes it easier to ask in to join this afternoon or tomorrow on the next ride.

[Ranger Jim]

Don't use Survey Monkey or any web-based (formal) survey system!

Send a snail mail letter (they are spam filter proof) with the 2 questions I stated earlier. Ask them to respond via email to someone (Ted@iradummy.com). 80% will ignore it but the ones that respond will be ones that care.

[Jeff Kerkow]

Curiosity forces me to ask, do we KNOW if our past efforts have been effective (or not)?  Are we making these suggestions based on "old" data and assumptions? Has anyone queried past new attendees and asked them two simple questions: (1) What were your expectations? (2) What could have been done to make your experience better. Keep the questions open-ended. Only a genuinely interested individual will take the time to send a response.

We are only addressing the squeaky wheels. We assume this is the feelings of all new attendees. I personally talked to two of the first time attendees just before the banquet and they said they had a good time and would come again. Are they the majority I don't know.  I am not saying we can't do better. Just that we are not working with facts.  The interesting item to note is it appears the National Rallies for their respective areas are as big or bigger than they were at least the last 7 years. I know this North Central Rally had more attendees then the one that I was rally master of in Wisconsin. I also have attended everywhere but Vermont and Helen starting in 2010 and if the banquet areas are any indication, we had more attendees at those rallies then were expected. If we are doing such a terrible job of treating new attendees nobody would be coming back and the rallies would be getting smaller.

Sorry I drift off topic back to what can we do better.