So:
bucksmjb wrote:boff180 wrote:Blunt question, are either of you anything to with APRES officially?
Yes I am...
And:
bucksmjb wrote:We have no money - we lack aeromechanical experience - we have a good idea should we be allowed to utilise it. The hate and mistrust is totally without foundation and is simply fuelled by a few people who want to see anything fail that they havent thought of.
But:
bucksmjb wrote:... I have never posted on the APRES facebook page
So you're involved, and to the extent that you know the financial well-being of whatever it is APRES is, but you've never posted on the official Facebook page? Yet your first post on this forum was to come here and rant about... those looking at the Facebook page?
Look, if you're involved with APRES, that's cool, and if you think this forum has been unfair on you guys, then that's also fine - put your side across. Don't throw tantrums, make compelling points.
If you're on here as the "official" voice of APRES, then from someone whom you're supposed to be marketing to, you're doing a very poor job of making any positive PR.
This is a forum for discussion, not for people to agree with you. You and your organisation is asking for our money. If you want it, you have to be prepared for hard questions. Getting grumpy and petty does nothing to progress APRES's cause, so why are you doing it?
Fine, people make snippy comments about your organisation. True, sometimes it hurts to read them. I have zero doubt airshow organisers have it when their hard work is received with something other than positivity. But true maturity (which I would respect dearly if some were shown) would be to rise above what you see as silly comments, and properly address the real questions being asked (see, you haven't once clarified the question of whether you guys are a Trust or not. Something you could have done in a single post that may or may not have immeasurably improved APRES's PR).
You know, comparatively, the real people who have respect on here? People who answer the hard questions as best and as maturely as they can, and move on. The Shackleton Preservation Trust had a PR nightmare last year when by all accounts they almost imploded from within, but lo and behold, a member from that organisation still pops up here and updates the thread from time to time, and you know what? Instead of childish comments filling that thread, it's a nice, informative place, and a lot of people have heard of the Shackleton Preservation Trust because of their hard work and positive PR.
So instead of taking huge offence at the slightest comment against your organisation, stand up tall and address the questions being asked. Put minds at ease, tell people "yes, we aren't yet a charity, but here's what we're going to do about it", "yes we are a Trust, our trustees are named and listed, but our website isn't up to date", "Comments noted Re. membership fee, but here's how we're going to address that".
Start responding in that way, and I guarantee that you'll put yourselves light years ahead of where you are now.
Presently, though, you're doing a great job of convincing people to go elsewhere with their £52 p/a.
Oh and I take issue with:
bucksmjb wrote:The hate and mistrust is totally without foundation and is simply fuelled by a few people who want to see anything fail that they havent thought of.
Nope. Quite incorrect. No-one wants to see projects fail. Look, from my own hands just earlier today:
Tommy wrote:I would love to be proven wrong
So, going on experience, one of three things tends to happen at this point; either carry on arguing petulantly and get nowhere, retreat back to the safe haven that is the organisation's Facebook Page, or properly and professionally present yourselves, address concerns as best you can, and make a really convincing case why people should give your organisation the time of day.
Go out and prove me wrong, mate. There's nothing I like more than seeing an ambitious project succeed, but to get there, you must make it succeed. Cool off over the weekend, and come back afresh, and say "alright chaps, here's what we are, and what we plan to do, and here's how we plan to do it" - I guarantee you'll be treated much more seriously than you are currently. Of course people will still disagree with you, and that's fine - it's double-standards to reserve the right to your own opinion if you're unhappy tolerating everyone else's. So yeah it's a tough ride at times, as is any project of this nature, especially if you want to convince people to give their hard-earned over to you guys. But it's a lot better in the end than the current approach you're taking.