TedStarzec Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 We have heard lots of reasons why people don't want to engage with SoSMR, but we have'nt had any constructive suggestions on what they CAN do to be a benefit to members. What do we want from our trade organization? Discounts from suppliers? Its been tried but not supported. What would encourage members here to join SoMSR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Friend Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 I think you have your answer in the above replies? 1. Needs a strong and educated leader 2. more transparancy with funds 3. better communuications 4. listen to the trade and make it a work related assn with membership catergories based on skill levels which would involve test/exam/inspection/or something 5. negotiate with suppliers please feel free to add kobblers and Tom D 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedStarzec Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 I suppose that the big question is "What can they do with their limited resources?" Do we give them up or do we look on them in a similar way as the monarchy, as a figure head for our trade. I liked the way that "Flash" paraphrased JFK. That we "ask not what my organization can do for me but ask what can I do for my organization" Several good points have been raised. The transparency is issued is easily resolved by publishing or sending to members the anual accounts. They always used to! The strong leadership has been tried. We had a general secretary called, I think, Mike Lynch. He was highly paid and highly motivated but couldn't raise the membership numbers and revenue, to a level to support the aims and ambition that he had.There were only about 6000 independent repairers and I would suggest there are far fewer now. The biggest membership incentive in my mind is the members only discount deals from suppliers. It was tried. It fell by the wayside when suppliers were reluctant to show favouritism to members and feared the backlash from non members. I love the idea of a skills based membership!! I suggested it a long time ago. The idea was to have a 3 tier membership with level of membership written under the window sticker logo incorporating the year. Level 1. Associate member. Entry level. Referenced by a supplier Level 2. Full member. After a skills based test. Level 3. Fellow. After a skills and written test similar to the old city and guilds grade 3 The fellowship recipient would be allowed to use the letters FSoMSR after his name and on his/her promotional material and advertising. The problems are, of course and as usual, the cost! We work in a discount orientated trade where everybody is looking to save every penny and find the cheapest deal. I know because I am probabl;y one of the biggest offenders! I would anticipate that the costs of a test would be (and I am guessing here) about £500 plus traveling expenses. Are there enough (any) willing to pay for these qualifications. So what of the future for SoMSR? It looks bleak as we old stalwart supporters fade away. (sad face emoji) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelCityShoes Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 I don’t want our trade society to ask for discounts, at the end of the day, our suppliers are in business just like us, so unless I’m buying high volumes, I don’t expect a hand out. What I want is for them to further the trade. Keep us going into the future. SOMSR need to start being more like the SSIA. kobblers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedStarzec Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 Sorry. I don't know what the SSIA is. I am an old codger. (embaressed red faced emoji) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelCityShoes Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 Shoe Service Insitute of America, it’s the trade society over the pond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D Posted November 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 the trouble with somsor ? out of touch with the real world 120 a year for what abit of paper not worth it has it ever engaged with its members don't think so has never done anything positive for its members think not theres an appethey in this business which basically says " im alright jack " Broms Cobb and kobblers 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 I just had a look as the SoMSR website, last blog entry was 1st June 2017. so I looked at their facebook & twitter, last facebook post 24th August 2017, last twitter 22nd February 2017. Cutting edge own this. Poor show all around, no wonder its failing, no one believes in it. kobblers, Tom D and keithm 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 membership used to be free as they gave you discount coupons to trade into suppliers for goods to the value of membership(was a few years back) ive given up this year on it Apathy rules! carry on! kobblers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 its going to fall by the wayside , its out of touch with real repairers takes the money does nothing with it , well nothing for its members , mention has been made of the ssia ( the American version) , well the ssia has a meeting once a year were those who go attend a meeting they talk vote in the chairman etc discuss business , its transparent , somsr isn't to be honest what exactly do they do? kobblers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 They should make Rick the chairman imo. Knows the trade inside out, knows the people inside out and is relentlessly loyal to the industry. Who even is the chairman? Cutting edge need to do what they do best organise a decent show and produce a decent magazine and finally get the right person from within the trade at the helm of somsr and give that person a budget. Tom D, kobblers and keithm 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 the sad thing is you cant charge 90 quid for a bit of paper and a sticker ( although at the moment you probabaly wont get either of those ) it just dosent make sense truth is the powers that be don't want to change it its been a joke for years and just like the old soldjer its just going to fade away which is probabaly for the best keithm and kobblers 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelCityShoes Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 You can charge £90 for a bit of paper that says “Masterâ€, it’s like buying a fake degree. Some people will be happy to pay for it if it gets them some customers. The customer has no idea that it doesn’t guarantee quality work, it looks like it’s an official award kobblers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 if im perfectly honest a few years ago I paid 20 quid to make my youngest son a lord so in comparison 90 quid to be a master is a bit much if you've ever looked through some of their members face book pages the make interesting viewing SteelCityShoes and Broms Cobb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 Chris Wilson and Darren from Sole savers in perth are joint chair i believe carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 Chris Wilson and Darren from Sole savers in perth are joint chair i believe carry on! They shouldn't be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 Might have that wrong ? carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D Posted February 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 don't think it matters who chairs it give it a couple of years & it will be no more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinh Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 Good morning gentlemen. ( and ladies) Some of you will perhaps remember me from my time in the trade. I have agreed, during a senior momentary lapse of concentration, to act as temporary secretary for SOMSR. At present I'm working my way through the backlog of paperwork and hopefully will have that under control very shortly. i will try, with the help of the Chairman and others, to deliver a more involved society. We value the historic position of SOMSR and hope to make it a more attractive and useful society to be a member of. I am not an expert on social media so please be patient whilst I work out how to get that side of things back on track As soon as I can I will provide my personal contact details and if anyone wishes to get in touch I will be delighted to speak with them. Regards Robin Healy hibsjo(SCO), kobblers, SteelCityShoes and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D Posted April 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 On 02/02/2018 at 1:32 PM, Tom D said: don't think it matters who chairs it give it a couple of years & it will be no more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinh Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 I'm secretary Alan. Temporary. Doing the admin. Trying to provide a line of communication. Being positive That's all hopefully will get a better response from others perhaps ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelCityShoes Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 Personally I think that’s great news and I’m looking forward to see where it leads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 1 hour ago, robinh said: I'm secretary Alan. Temporary. Doing the admin. Trying to provide a line of communication. Being positive That's all hopefully will get a better response from others perhaps ? Best of luck Robin, hope your keeping well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 Stepped up to the mark Robin, well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 Thought you would get bored Robin and need something to do within the trade. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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