ZRoadster.org needs your help :)

[GazHyde]

Feel free to jump in and discuss here, or if you'd prefer to message me directly that's fine too. I've run this site since launch in Decemeber 2011, with the help of various people along the way for which I am very appreciative of..

For me ZRoadster.org experience breaks down in to two distinct areas.

• The "IT tech". Everything which goes on behind the scenes - server & forum management, moderation, user registration management and so on. (what I call "The Magic")
• The "Community" side. Everything "front of house" - fund raising, promotion, organisation of events, merchandise, advertising and company tie ups. (Oh and the actual chatting with you lot on the forum!

I'm getting behind on so many of the community tasks, and hoped I can find 1 or 2 people to join in and form a more structured team to not only catch up, but be proactive and push things on further.

If you want to get involved more with how the site is run then please drop me a direct message and we can arrange to chat on the phone/skype/whatever. I'm looking for people who are willing to get stuck in (with a bit of direction from me) and feel empowered to bring their own things to the site.

Please don't get me wrong, the site will continue to be run (and grow) in the same manner. I'm thinking that with more hands at the wheel it can offer more to the members than it already does. I have a very long list of things I want to do, but just don't have the time to do them.

Cheers, Gary

 

[Kit]

Quality costs but people like free, so a drive to encourage people to donate and then farm out the work would be fine by me.
I say this because I personally don't have the time to offer my self, but love the site, so from me keep up the most excellent work Gary and staff my hat goes off to you all, your all stars in my book.

 

[David Cullen]

from running my own site Garry i am aware of how difficult it can get and how super time consuming. Structure wise my site had about 2000 members, i had
3 admin
2 moderators
a reps manager, who ran a team consisting of one to two reps per county

come show time we would all get together and organise our stand etc and we had a promo team also at one stage. The reps would organise meets in their own county and pull together once or twice a year for a central meet.
thats the gist of it, may give you some ideas
mods were there as acting admin and also cleaned up the site, ie. locking threads and keeping an eye on thread content etc

 

[GazHyde]

David, thanks for taking the time to reply. Luckily the admin/moderation doesn't take up too much time (can't think why). We had a spammy post yesterday, which I think was the first for about a month (got this site on lock down!).

I'm not looking for as in depth a structure as what you have right now, just need one or two keen people who want to be a bit more involved. Already had a reply so all is not lost yet.

Maybe it's just me but I've been member on forums where the people who run it have zero enthusiasm when you approach and offer to help out. I really want members to feel like they are part of something here and get involved (if they have the time). We've organised some utterly awesome things for people to turn up to or do, just be nice if people wanted to give back a little for the benefit everyone else.

There is an alternative which is that I start nagging people to click the Donate button on the front page, and then I can pay someone to run the IT side and then I can concentrate on the other stuff. Shame as I'm a hell of a lot better at the IT stuff than the organising stuff.

 

[oldcarman]

Hi @GazHyde I only have an iPhone with terrible access so probably not the best setup for what you need. That said though I have an abundance of time, feel I'm fairly neutral and want to give back to those that have done so much for so long to make this what I feel is the best forum anywhere. If I can help in anyway please let me know and thanks for your service! JIM

 

[David Cullen]

the problem with my site is that it is towards a younger crowd and as such the dedication and reliability aspect is hard to find, you have an older crowd here which is fantastic, more brain power and access to funds, if need be, and a more relaxed approach with little messing. From being on the site a short time i can see that you have some great members who are loyal and do give their time to check in each day so i dont think you would have any trouble getting someone on board in the likes of a mod role. admin wise the site works very well and is user friendly so not many changes needed there, just updating pics etc. seems to work very well from where i am and a great bunch of people also, an extra pair of hands is always a good thing i guess, im sure you will get a few offers ;-) keep up the great work folks
Dave

 

[pgunter]

@GazHyde Everything in life has a cost. I for one do not mind donating a little bit each year to keep the good forum running. A figure of say £10 once a year would not break most peoples piggy banks. It would though create a big pot for the team to organise and make this site safer.

 

[Grumps]

@GazHyde Everything in life has a cost. I for one do not mind donating a little bit each year to keep the good forum running. A figure of say £10 once a year would not break most peoples piggy banks. It would though create a big pot for the team to organise and make this site safer.

I'd happily donate Gaz, what do I need to do?

 

[GazHyde]

@GazHyde Everything in life has a cost. I for one do not mind donating a little bit each year to keep the good forum running. A figure of say £10 once a year would not break most peoples piggy banks. It would though create a big pot for the team to organise and make this site safer.

I'd happily donate Gaz, what do I need to do?

Thanks Paul & Dave. It's hugely appreciated

On the forum list page is a button which takes you through the process. On any first donation you unlock some extra features on the forum such a personal photo galleries and a thread bookmark system (so you never lose that important thread again!).

Or click this link - https://zroadster.org/account/upgrades

 

[Shelly]

I would help out if you need me
Don't know if I would be any good as I'm not good with computers
But I can try if you want
If I'm asked to do something I always try my best to get the job done

 

[pgunter]

@Shelly @Davejue1 @GazHyde

In life it's always nice to actually give something back, be it time, monetary or just a thank you. And as a bonus you get to meet and make some great friends.

 

[GazHyde]

Don't know if I would be any good as I'm not good with computers

Hey Shelly, It's not just computer stuff that needs doing. It's general organisation stuff, and getting people other than me involved. It's also an extra brain or two to come up with interesting ideas.

I think it's nice for people to feel they are really involved in running the site, not just a member.

 

[SteveZ3]

Gaz another idea that I've found from being in other clubs with my past cars is a yearly subscription, say £10 per year to view the technical forums.
I know it's horrible getting people to pay but for most people £10 a year isn't much.

Just an idea anyway mate.

 

[Shelly]

I like to do my bit .........
If I can
I'm a giving person and always help others if I can
Sometimes I take on more than I can chew
But we always come out the other end smiling

 

[Shelly]

Hey Shelly, It's not just computer stuff that needs doing. It's general organisation stuff, and getting people other than me involved. It's also an extra brain or two to come up with interesting ideas.

I think it's nice for people to feel they are really involved in running the site, not just a member.

That's a relief .........
Thought I'd have to get my son involved to give me a few tips

 

[miller1098]

I would hate the thought of having to pay,I like the idea of volunteering it's a reflection on the sort of people that frequent the forum .Not better but nice and at my age I don't mind trying to be "nice"

 

[stevie_a]

Hi Gaz if i can help in anyway let me know!

 

[pgunter]

@miller1098 I like the idea of the 'donate' rather than mandatory. Gives people the choice. I think the forum being free brings a lot of people online who would not normally do such things too.

Even though I can not always give, I do enjoy organising a run out. The second new forest one is the 10th May with a few meeting up the evening before for a meal. I will try and run one further along in West Sussex too later in the year. All good fun and great getting together.

 

[GazHyde]

I'm really not keen on charging to access the site (or parts of). I'd really not like to have to accept donations either, but it's a fact of life at the moment I can't personally finance support the site like I used to.

I prefer if people give they get something back, which is why the sporadic merchandise & calendars have been a life saver over the years. Not a huge amount of profit made, but enough to cover some of the stuff I do in the background.

 

[Gail]

I have also volunteered my services on the community, marketing side of things.