Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: Merc_Girl on June 07, 2021, 22:21:33
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Hi folks
Apologies if there has already been such a suggestion and I’ve missed it.
So, many moons ago when I had a Triumph Spitfire IV, I belonged to the Triumph owners club, as one does.
Anyway, they had a scheme where they asked members to put their names and contact details forward if they were happy to help out fellow Triumph owners in distress, ie had broken down. There was a little form to complete which included obviously names, addresses and contact details, but also what help could be provided, ranging from mechanical help, tools, room to stay overnight, parking for your broken down car etc.
I’ve seen a few posts on various road trips etc, and indeed would like to do one myself at some point, but rather scared of breaking down without anyone to talk to about getting help
I would certainly be more than happy to help out fellow pagoda owners and I’m sure others would. You had to be a member of the Triumph owners club to access this, so I would imagine the same here given folks home information and also another good reason to become a member.
Any thoughts.
Katie
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Great idea! Count me in
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I like that, great idea.
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Smart! I like it!
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I like it. Unfortunately, I’m shocked that we only have a handful of folks in my area active here. I’m wondering now if the local Mercedes Club has such a list
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Count me in! Great idea!
James (Eddie) Black
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Excellent idea would be happy to be included
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Good idea. Pls count me in.
jz
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I like the idea. A major US-based motorcycle club publishes an annual little "Black Book" for their members which lists fellow members willing to help out, what facilities they have and what they are prepared to do. Memo to the Membership Admins: if this idea gets traction, a questionnaire could be put to the members when they renew. This way a database could be built to create such an emergency network. Of course, this being 2021, this should be an app which lists the nearest emergency contact based on where you are at the moment. I would be happy to participate in a brainstorming.
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With thanks to all for positive reactions
I like the idea of a little black book😁
Maybe we could get a section placed on the members site, not sure how I do that?
I remember the ‘Board’ sending a mail shot to all members about past issues of pagoda world, maybe something similar could be done with this to kick it off. When it comes to renewals, reminders could be included to either ensure details are up to date and also ask if people wish to join the little black book group!
Unfortunately I don’t know anything about Apps, other than using them of course, but idea good so long as we can limit just to ourselves
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Hi Katie,
It is a wonderful and great idea. In addition what should be added would be the shop that the member would use for his or her maintenance needs (shop name, location and a phone number). The list should be sorted by shop location.
This way if one travels more then say 200 miles from his home (or across the country like Garry did) one can direct the tow truck in the direction of the shop.
I don’t know what our site regulation would be, I would feel comfortable in having the first name and city or town in the list. I don’t think it would be appropriate. I’m sure you plan to discuss this at the next board meeting. I make a print out of the area I travel to of members in that area so that I can post a PM to someone near by also I make a list of possible shops (using Google) looking for shops that service Mercedes, Porsche And other euro cars), before I leave town.
I also carry with me a listing of Mercedes Dealerships that are near by we’re I plan to travel. I have to check I think amount my documents I have a listing of MB Dealerships I cannot remember if it came with my Pagoda or one of my AMG’s
Dieter
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I also carry with me a listing of Mercedes Dealerships that are near by we’re I plan to travel.
Rolf-Dieter,
Based on my experience, I would be careful with the dealerships. Most of them do not have the talent any more to work on a pagoda. I further believe that this is nothing they like to work on for that reason. If it doesn't have a computer, telling them the problem, its gets tricky. You are likely better off with a good local mechanic that is somewhat familiar with older German cars.
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I think it is a good idea also. When i did my big trip around the USA i had the names of repair shops that i knew or that i had gathered from our site that i would have trucked my Pagoda to in the event of a break down in addition to some known parts suppliers and also rather than carry spares, had asked certain people to have available such things as fuel pump by Bob Youngman and ready to sent to me where ever i may have been.
Whilst i did not need any of these, it was nice to know that i had this info if needed.
Garry
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Hi Katie,
It is a wonderful and great idea. In addition what should be added would be the shop that the member would use for his or her maintenance needs (shop name, location and a phone number). The list should be sorted by shop location.
This way if one travels more then say 200 miles from his home (or across the country like Garry did) one can direct the tow truck in the direction of the shop.
I don’t know what our site regulation would be, I would feel comfortable in having the first name and city or town in the list. I don’t think it would be appropriate. I’m sure you plan to discuss this at the next board meeting. I make a print out of the area I travel to of members in that area so that I can post a PM to someone near by also I make a list of possible shops (using Google) looking for shops that service Mercedes, Porsche And other euro cars), before I leave town.
I also carry with me a listing of Mercedes Dealerships that are near by we’re I plan to travel. I have to check I think amount my documents I have a listing of MB Dealerships I cannot remember if it came with my Pagoda or one of my AMG’s
Dieter
Hi Dieter
I think we may get into sticky ground if we start ‘suggesting’ who may repair cars as could put one in an awkward position if for some reason something went wrong? May be easy to just keep it simple to start with?
I’m not aware of when the next board meeting is, I was merely floating and idea to get folks thoughts. Maybe one of the Board members could PM me if they pick this up?
I’m not sure what you do not believe would be appropriate (I would feel comfortable in having the first name and city or town in the list. I don’t think it would be appropriate...). Do you mean providing your full address?
Casting my mind back to Triumph days, I believe there was effectively a table with counties (presume we would need countries as well as we wouldn’t want our ‘London’s’ and Birminghams’s mixed up for example..... that could cause even more confusion!.!?), then towns, contact name, contact number, then some tick boxes on what those individuals could help you with, even if just tea and sympathy 😂
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To keep it simple, my recommendation would be:
City/State/Country
Name
Phone number with text message capability
No personal address info is necessary.
If someone in an area needs help, they look up a participant in a nearby area, and can text that person in the area for recommendations of where to take their car.
No guarantees expressed or implied. YMMV
But at least it's better than nothing.
My 2 cents
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Good idea, I would be up for that.
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I think it is a good idea.
I have made a note to bring the idea up at the next board meeting. Thanks for your creativity!
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I think it is a good idea.
I have made a note to bring the idea up at the next board meeting. Thanks for your creativity!
Thank you
I as going to contact Jon Bernardi as hadn’t seen comments from Board members (albeit I mat may missed)
Maybe have ‘country reps’ maybe for large countries such as USA that may need to be divided up!!,, to update details rather than leave it to board members to do? Obviously better if there could be an area for folks to update themselves
It can’t be too hard if the little Triumph Owners managed to do this many years back with little technology!,
Anyway, happy to help if needed
Katie
Katie
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Hello Katie,
great idea, you can count also on me. Unfortunately, I do not have seen a lot response from Europe to this idea, but anyhow it is the beginning.
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Katie i'd be glad to offer any pagodadriver a safe rest and more on the middle atlantic french coast... ;)
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I will be in as well.
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The BMW Motorcycle Owners Club of America has a booklet that comes out every year. It contains lists of members who offer emergency service. Tools, camp-side, overnight stay, towing, parking, coffee and conversation. Whatever level of support you can and want to offer to someone traveling through or having a problem.
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Katie i'd be glad to offer any pagodadriver a safe rest and more on the middle atlantic french coast... ;)
Ooh, La Rochelle!! My parents had a home a few miles away some years back, lovely part of the world. Maybe when I take Bessy Benz on a road trip, I can swing by and say hi?
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Y're welcome. Have a beer and a swim....and a pagoda talk in the garage ;)
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The Board is working on a couple of ideas for this. The dicey part is making sure we stay compliant with the various privacy legalities out there.
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To add to what Jonny B said, yes the Board is working on serveral possibilities for a emergency contact list, but will take a few months to properly implement.
Thank You for your patience.
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Of all the Marque Clubs of which I am a member, the New England M.G. "T" Register has been doing a membership and mutual aid directory the longest, since sometime in the 1980's, and I actually used it while on a driving tour in 1993.
See Reply#4: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=32628.msg237443#msg237443
and Reply#7: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27956.msg201336#msg201336
In the days before everything was on the Internet, they contracted with Harris Publishing in White Plains, NY, which printed and distributed the books (hardbound, about 6X9, just about the right size to fit in the glove box or door pocket.) As I recall, if one subscribed and submitted information one got a book.
These days the Membership List and Motor Assistance Directory are separate links on the Register web-site, for which one needs a current user ID and password.
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I believe if someone consents then that’s fine?
As other groups do this, Mike mentioned the BMW motorcycle club, I don’t see a problem?
Perhaps you could ask members to find out what the ‘rules’ are in their respective countries?
Happy to look at this from UK viewpoint.
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Dear all,
it's just a matter of my time. We can do this in a GDPR correct way, as I've already informed the board. The way it would work is as follows:
- I slightly modify the database/membership data to include a telephone number and a tick box "emergency contact list"
- I create a (Full Member only) listing of the member list called "emergency contact list" with just country, state, city, name, telephone nr and e-mail address
- when a member renews, we ask them to verify the contact details again, including telephone nr
Then at least we are ok with the GDPR, people will have given explicit consent to share "emergency help" data, and when their membership lapses, they go off the list automatically, and we delete their records automatically.
The full member listing I could even format as a small pdf booklet people can print and take along. After the summer I may have time to make these changes if the board wants to go ahead with this.
Ok, I've just implemented the first step.
If you are interested in adding yourself to the Emergency contact list, go to your Profile / Forum Profile (https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile).
At the bottom, two fields have been added:
- Telephone number, please add in international format, e.g. +44 8984 1234 or +1 213-343-7894. We recommend using your mobile number
- Emergency Contact, a checkbox which indicates your permission to participate in the emergency contact list, sharing your telephone number and e-mail with other members
Note: for privacy reasons other users cannot see your telephone number field. Only you can see yours. The booklet function will be restricted to members who have shared their own telephone number. Since the system cannot verify your telephone number, please take very good care when entering it. The Emergency Contact list will be a lot less useful if we do not have valid contact numbers in it.
Note 2: when your membership expires, and your data gets deleted, so does your contact data. You will no longer be included on the Emergency Contact list.
Note 3: the contact list is not static. It is updated every time a member includes his/her data. Before you travel, download the latest and greatest version!
So please start adding these fields and clicking the checkbox for future use. The booklet function will take some time to implement, but until there is data in the database there's not much point in adding it. So start adding your details. Click here! (https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile) and look at the bottom fields.
Peter
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This sounds great ,Peter
Keep safe
Paul
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Ok, I've created a menu button to retrieve the Emergency Contact List. It is under "Members" in the main menu bar.
Note: you only get to see this option if you have added a telephone number and the Emergency Contact list Checkmark. Please note, use the international formatting for your telephone number.
To date there are only 6 members who have added this. I'll look into producing a better formatted layout once there are many more Emergency Contacts.
If you have suggestions or spot errors please mail them to me at admin@sl113.org!
Peter
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Great, Thanks Peter.
I have added my phone no and ticked the box but how do I get my name, postcode and email address on the page as 7 others have.
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I have added my phone no and ticked the box but how do I get my name, postcode and email address on the page as 7 others have.
:-[ Oops... software error on my part... now resolved...
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Also, please check... if you modify your forum profile to add a telephone number, then the system asks for your password. You browser may have changed the username back to your old log-in name... so please check how you are listed in your profile or the Emergency Contact List. The system may have mangled your display name, it did to me.
For the telephone number, do add the + sign, the international access code, and spaces or dashes to make it easier to enter. Thanks for your cooperation.
Peter
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Hi Peter
How do I access the Emergency contact list from my android phone please ?
Thanks
Paul
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Fabulous Peter!!
Great we have such clever people on the forum
Just wondering if at some point, if you would be able to add options of what help would be available?
Ie, tea & sympathy; tools, parking, emergency bed for night etc?
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Hi Peter
How do I access the Emergency contact list from my android phone please ?
Thanks
Paul
On your phone the menu item becomes an icon. No submenu possible. Use your iPad or pc prior to your trip and print it… sorry
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Fabulous Peter!!
Great we have such clever people on the forum
Just wondering if at some point, if you would be able to add options of what help would be available?
Ie, tea & sympathy; tools, parking, emergency bed for night etc?
Sorry… that would add too much. Just ring or e-mail someone in the vicinity…. I’m sure they’ll offer all the help they can!
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Awesome idea! Added myself.
Yes, the nearest (geography) emergency contact may not be able to help you with exactly what you need, but may have local contacts for other SL113.ORG members, extreme car enthusiasts, mechanics, parts suppliers, etc. who can help. Just call and get the ball rolling.
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I have received the e-mail, connected button was there, document was there. All works fine, thank you!
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Looking fab, well done!!
Come on Brits, we can do better than this! Pop your name down, the worst that can happen is you’re not able to help 🤓, on the flip side, can meet new friends!
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Just picking up this thread, and I also support the concept. Glad to see that care is being taken to respect the growing consensus about data protection.
One minor point: in the "forum profile" user interface, it says to include +1 in your phone if you are from the United States. But it should include Canada, as well. We use the same +1 instead of a formal country code.
(That was quick :) )
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Thanks, fixed!
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Great idea, sign me up
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PRATOR,
This is something you have to sign up for yourself, I believe.
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Brilliant idea, Count me in
Let me know what details you need …I’m in Fareham UK
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Please follow the instructions in the e-mail, or earlier in this thread. You need to sign up yourself using Profile / Forum Profile…
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Glad to see more Brits are wanting to join, but as usual, we don’t like reading instructions!!! 🤣🤣🤣
Please read Peter’s (van Es) very good instructions, basically go to your profile, then to forum profile and tick the box for emergency contacts (at the very bottom)
Don’t do what I did and forget to click the ‘change profile’ button 🤣🤣🤣
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Just wondering if at some point, if you would be able to add options of what help would be available?
Ie, tea & sympathy; tools, parking, emergency bed for night etc?
I've added the field to the Forum profile. You can add one line of text, up to 70 characters with help offered. Now I need to add it to the listing... that may take a little while.
Peter
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Sorry but i don't see where is the emergency contact list button on my Iphone ....!
(before I have modified with succes my profile with Phone number )
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There is no emergency contact list button on the iPhone, as explained before. It is because the "Members" menu item is changed into an icon.
You will need to rotate your screen to landscape to access the Emergency Contact List.
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Great idea, would be happy to help out on the wild Atlantic way on the west coast of Ireland or anywhere on the island as its small.
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Note to everyone:
You'll need to add yourself to the list according to the instructions in this thread, or in the e-mail we sent. You must do this yourself, as according to the GDPR laws you will need to provide explicit permission to share your details with other members.
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Hi guys , maybe I didn’t understand well , but you have to sign as emergency contact in order to see the other contacts ?
I’m not sure if I’m the best and experienced person to give emergency help but if this is the only way , I will sign myself an try to help the others .
Thank you
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Peter,
To avoid confusion for people wanting to joining the list, may I recommend that you add on the cover of the Emergency Contact List "To add your name to the Emergency Contact List, click here:" - and add the (clickable) link to the profile page.
Gary
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Hi guys , maybe I didn’t understand well , but you have to sign as emergency contact in order to see the other contacts ?
I’m not sure if I’m the best and experienced person to give emergency help but if this is the only way , I will sign myself an try to help the others .
Thank you
If you can make a cup of tea or coffee, that is good enough! Even local knowledge may be of help, ie who you use for your Pagoda, some tools maybe, where to stay if car off road for a while etc
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Peter,
To avoid confusion for people wanting to joining the list, may I recommend that you add on the cover of the Emergency Contact List "To add your name to the Emergency Contact List, click here:" - and add the (clickable) link to the profile page.
Gary
But doesn’t it have to be your own profile, so how would that work? Surely this would be more intrusive as the system would need to know your VPN to link to your own profile? (Sorry not an IT bod so may have terminology wrong).
Also, I think you have to have to accept being an emergency contact before you can see the list, although I can’t confirm this
I’m unclear why folk are finding this so difficult? I’m IT illiterate and managed to do it 🤣
Can only think, another ‘topic’ be added to the ‘landing page/dashboard’ that only members can access, titled something like ‘emergency contact - add your details’ and Peter (or someone else) can copy and paste the instructions in here, so they are easily found. But not to have it where folk can post comment as otherwise we end up with a long string again
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I’m unclear why folk are finding this so difficult? I’m IT illiterate and managed to do it 🤣
As we saw from the Pagoda World book ordering process, some things are not so obvious for everyone!
My suggestion was based on the assumption that the Emergency Contact List was available to all full members only, without having to join the list? And assumed that the access to the List was like access to the Tech Manual. Then, just makes it easier for members to add their contact info to the list.
But, as they say in crude translation, we know what the definition of ASSUME is... ;)
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I think I have signed up !
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At the moment:
- you need to be a member of the emergency contact list, to be able to download it. Why? As Katie says, everyone can help, even if you are not a mechanic. Think about it. Someone has trouble in your area/country. They do not know where to get spare parts, or who trusted local mechanics there are. You do. Or a trusted party where they can park their car safely. They might need your help with the local language... or just consolation.
- secondly, the ECL is only useful if we have people around the world able to help. A single person in a state or country is not useful, if you are at the other end of the state. In order to make sure we have enough coverage on the list, you'll need to be on the list to get access to it.
- Really, adding yourself is easy... go to Profile / Forum Profile and fill the three fields at the bottom
Alternatively, just read the detailed instructions in the e-mail everyone was sent.
Once we have sufficient world-wide coverage, I can always decide to open up the list to all Full Members.
Peter
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Thanks Peter, as always 😁
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My suggestion was based on the assumption that the Emergency Contact List was available to all full members only, without having to join the list? And assumed that the access to the List was like access to the Tech Manual. Then, just makes it easier for members to add their contact info to the list.
As I've said in earlier postings, we need to do this in a way that is in accordance with European General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) because we are sharing very personal data: your e-mail address and telephone number. We cannot do that with a list in the Technical Manual. It has to be via controlled access, and then:
- a member needs to give explicit approval to share their data
- that sharing of data must stop when the member is no longer a member
Especially that last point cannot be implemented with a list in the Technical Manual. The way this is implemented is using the controlled log-in and membership system of the Pagoda SL Group forums. Ticking the ECL checkbutton is your explicit approval (point 1). If you do not renew your full membership, or delete your membership, the system automatically enforces point 2.
Peter
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Awesome idea! Added myself.
Yes, the nearest (geography) emergency contact may not be able to help you with exactly what you need, but may have local contacts for other SL113.ORG members, extreme car enthusiasts, mechanics, parts suppliers, etc. who can help. Just call and get the ball rolling.
This is the most important point to remember about adding one's self to the directory list: Just because you yourself might not be able to be of assistance personally isn't the most important thing. You have local knowledge that some traveler in distress in your vicinity doesn't have. Read my post (Reply #7) in the topic below:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27956.msg201336#msg201336
The "T" Register member I contacted when my fellow traveler's car stopped dead in the road in the middle of Smokey Mountain National Park did not himself render assistance - he knew the guy who could and got the ball rolling . . .
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Thanks for all your work, Peter!
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I have been a member of the Ford Model A club since 2004 , and they have a book that states members in the USA.
It is very simple, has states , cities and names of members with phone numbers.
So when you travel and are in need of assistance you just pull out the book and make a phone call.
DO NOT complicate it with other info.
EX: repair garages.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Tom M
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Surely one just print off the page(s) you need
To change the subject a little, it’s very disappointing, the lack of response for folks to put their names forward to help fellow Pagoda owners. 😢
Given the number of members we have, and how helpful everyone is on the forum, I’m surprised that the take up for folk saying they would help fellow Pagoda owners ‘in distress’ is not better? I think my old Triumph owners club emergency contact booklet had more names in it, which was only the UK, our group is world wide!
So come on chaps & chapesses, if you are happy to offer and/or receive help on your problems in the forum, surely you can offer, at the very least, some tea and sympathy to fellow likeminded members of the forum? Where all in the same ‘team’ after all 🥰
Katie
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It is summer holidays time. I’ll send out another mailing in a couple of months time…
Peter
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😁
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...the lack of response for folks to put their names forward to help fellow Pagoda owners...I’m surprised that the take up for folk saying they would help fellow Pagoda owners ‘in distress’ is not better...
Not surprising actually. A large number of members have only posted once or twice, some not at all. They don't come here often to check what's going on. The email address we have may not be one they check regularly...so any and all kinds of things can happen.
It is August as Peter pointed out when most of Europe is asleep.
(PS. I added my information moments after the note came through, but doubtful we'll see you passing by anytime soon!)
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Signed up :D
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Great idea and I've updated my profile to sign up. Maybe a note to this effect can be included when membership renewal comes up?
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Signed up :D
Well done!! And thank you
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I've added an explanation to the Technical Manual, such that I can refer to this in the Renewal and New Joiners pages...
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Main/EmergencyContactList
Peter
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I’m in the list . I realized that this forum is almost empty of people from italy . We should advertise our forum on Facebook pages.
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We do, frequently. But we do not "control" the Facebook pages. So help us, by posting on these Facebook pages, referring to our group!
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Of course in the South Chicagoland area I can be counted on. Bob
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Count me in!