If you really want to know about BC Ferries....

[Dane]

www.bcferries.com/about/annualmeeting2006.html

Go to that. I'd love to be there, but I have a Crse in Victoria to attend.

[Curtis]

Everyone knows what this Means right? A new BCF Video and a New Annual Report

[Political Incorrectness]

Oh dear, looks like Karl is going to be on the altar of sacrifice for our board speaker.

[Ferryman]

Hmm, I just might go. Could be interesting. Group Trip! hahahah

[Curtis]

That would be funny if we made a group trip out of it.

[Doug]

I think we'd scare them.

[Curtis]

I'd Imagine us taking pictures of everything there. And the guys on stage are like...what the heck are you doing?

[Political Incorrectness]

Instead of starting another thread, I will add this

Do you believe we should have someone be ambassador for our forum?

Is someone willing to stand up for our voices and make them heard?

Does anyone have any other ideas about what to do for this event?

(edited for clarity)

[Dane]

Generally the comments people are make are quite stupid, it's rather enjoyable to watch.

[Mike C]

I elect you, Dan.

[kylefossett]

yes let's send dan, he seems to know everything and then some

[Political Incorrectness]

If it was on a Friday, I would think twice but my parents are going to give me the automatic answer of no.

Yes I do know everything, I'm even smarter than einstein. Kyle, I know what you mean and you don't have to tell me. (remember, I like sarcasim)

Since you elected me anyways, why me? Please state a few reasons for a nomination instead of a one lined post giving me very few details on the question why?

[Doug]

Send whoever is nearest to the meeting place...if it's in Victoria, then it's Karl's turn.

[Mac Write]

I am on SGI so I might go over (How close is it to Transit?)

[Dane]

cascade said:

Why doesn't the forum, put together a list of question they wish to have answers on. Then submit the question's to the Ferry Commissioner and to the "Company Secretary" of BC Ferries in a written format.

As John is the owner of the web site - it should be his name, which the question are submitted on. Plus "John" is a known figure to BC Ferries - so the question would carry weight.

I would also propose that Karl is send as the "local" rep to the forum - in person to hear and record the answers given.

So let the type of question you want answers to begin.

You've never been to one of these meetings have you? They don't care who you are, where you're from or anything. They just take questions at random. There's no real need to create work or an artificial organization to get yourself heard. Simply put your arm up.

They aren't afraid of shutting down stupid and rhetorical questions, though.

[Neil]

Exactly, Dane.

BC Ferries has often shown a less than responsive attitude to the needs and input of actual stakeholder groups: people and advisory groups who live on the islands, and in the regions, for who the ferries are essential, and not just a hobby.

How interested do you think David Hahn would be in the opinions of a group of fans, largely teenaged, who chat about ferries on their computers?

[Political Incorrectness]

I suppose you think that "if it isn't broken, don't try and fix it" applies but I also do believe the "nothing ventured, nothing gained" philosophy applies. If it has been attempted before, then the PR is screwed and that is that. After hearing about BCF not taking action, then us taking action may not be worth it.

[Low Light Mike]

For me, I'm simply not all that interested in the corporate workings of BC Ferries. The realist-approach says that my voice wouldn't be heard anyways.

What I'm really interested in, is the character and stories of the ships and it's voyages and it's regular travellers. That's something that an audience with Mr. Hahn or his VP's would not be able to help me with. And unless the media spokesperson had 2 weeks to prepare for & research my questions, a meeting with her would leave me sadly unsatisfied.

All I would love to do is "talk ferries" with some people in the know. And you know what? I've already experienced some of that: I've experienced that on a few bridge-tours, and with some encounters with deckhands during trips. I also have experienced that with an acquaintence who is a retired employee. I also had an on-board conversation with a senior-citizen activist-type resident on the Quadra Island ferry.

So "No", attending the AGM or whatever it is that's happening in Victoria doesn't interest me that much. But I'd love to have been at the Northern-Service employees' 40-year-reunion that was held at Nanaimo this past spring. That's the type of gathering that I would have loved to observed !

Conclusion: If you really want to know about BC Ferries, then ride them, and talk to the people that run them and use them.
(just remember that what is just a hobby to you, is someone else's Livelihood).

[Scott]

flugelhorn said:

For me, I'm simply not all that interested in the corporate workings of BC Ferries. The realist-approach says that my voice wouldn't be heard anyways.

I agree. I often hear David Hahn on the radio on the way to work, and sometimes at work. Sometimes I think.. "hey, maybe I should pick up the phone and call in!". Then I think... "What am I going to say?" I could pick his brain on a few things, perhaps.. but, like "Fugelhorn," I'm more interested in the ferries and the stories of the people who have worked and travelled on them. I'm more interested in what other people think of the ferries, not what management thinks. I already have an idea of what they think, and I already have a pretty good idea of what they'll say and what they won't say.

That said, I'd probably be interested in attending the meeting if I could (I can't this year). Mostly just to observe... and eat the snacks (Dane, didn't you go last year and observe that there was a lot of free food?.

[Queen of Nanaimo Teen]

I dunno, I think it would be interesting to go to the meeting. Watch a reporter ask a really hard question, and see David Hahn come up with a stupid answer! Also it would be sorta cool to hear all the stats of bc ferries over the past year. So, basically if I could go. I would.

[Dane]

cascade said:

so they just don't take much notice of "Joe Public". I wonder do they follow this same path when a reporter ask the same sort of quesation?

Once again having been to two of the three of these meetings held I would differ. They do answer questions from anyone and don't even allow media to ask questions until after the event has taken place. The answers I observed were solid, or they would be honest to say "I don't know" in some cases. It's a very frank discussion. My favourite part last year is when the accountant told someone who went off on a rant that they clearly had no idea about the finances of the Gulf Island services and that they ought to research before making blanket accusations.

And John, there was a lot[/b] of free, quality food. The ferry nerds the highlight was the sampling of Coast Cafe items, for normal people they had a fantastic caterer.

[Scott]

klitsa said:

I dunno, I think it would be interesting to go to the meeting. Watch a reporter ask a really hard question, and see David Hahn come up with a stupid answer! Also it would be sorta cool to hear all the stats of bc ferries over the past year. So, basically if I could go. I would.

I've never met David Hahn, but I've heard and seen him in interviews and on talkshows. For the most part I find him a very intelligent and honest person. His answers to both easy and tough questions have never been "stupid" in my experience. Even when I disagree with his opinion, I usually end up thinking pretty positively about him whenever I hear him. That could just mean he's a good speaker, I don't know. I don't blame him for "privatising" the fleet... he's just doing the job given him.

[Curtis]

Say if someone goes to the AGM maybe you should ask about the John Atlantic Burr and if it's renamed yet. Or you could do a question simalar to that about the Northern vessels or the intermidiate ferry.
Think up some questions we could ask BC Ferries that we could get a answer about.
I wonder if they would allow someone with a digital camcorder going in.

[CN2972South]

How much are they selling the V's for? LOL