Tips for Regional Group Leaders

Leading a Regional Group

Since, especially in larger Regional Groups, the elected Regional Group Leader cannot do everything themselves, it is recommended to divide the individual areas of a Regional Group, for example, generally:

Regional Group Leader
Deputy Regional Group Leader
Technical Officer
Internet Officer

If the conditions are met in individual cases:

Exhibition Organizer
Tour Coordinator
Slide and Film Editor

In smaller Regional Groups, all tasks can be concentrated on the Regional Group Leader.

Changes are to be reported to the responsible board member using the form (preferably email) (Appendix 1).

Information for Regional Group Management

For members residing in the catchment area, an extract from the club’s overall membership list for the relevant regional area can be requested from the membership administration.

Contact with members in the catchment area is regularly made via email or telephone.

Regional Group Events:

Typical Regional Group events include a monthly Regional Group evening, technical meetings with evaluations, care seminars, vehicle appraisals, and inspections in spring and autumn.

Insurance coverage for an event under the club’s insurance policy is only available for liability if the event is registered online in the event database (own Regional Group area).

In exceptional cases, written approval for events outside the internet can be obtained from the responsible board member.

Only registration via the internet or registration form makes an event a club event, which is then also insured. Without registration, the initiator is personally liable.

For Regional Group tours: Registration is mandatory according to the Road Traffic Regulations for 30 or more cars starting simultaneously. Environmental zones must be entered with a sticker.

Without a sticker, only: H-plates, red 07-plates, or temporary registration.

The use of mobile or two-way radios is advisable for convoy drives.

Example Agenda for a Regional Group Evening

Welcome

Particular emphasis should be placed on new members and interested parties introducing themselves (and their car, if applicable). Due to the special structure of our club, special attention should also be paid to welcoming companions, usually spouses. The hobby can only be fully enjoyed with the full acceptance of one’s partner. Support from an experienced member is advisable.

Afterwards, an attendance list should be filled out by those present. It is important to mark guests as such. This is important for determining club contributions to the Regional Group (see below).
Information from the club is presented, as well as from the general classic car scene.
Political information is also important, e.g., fine dust zones and similar.
Projectors and screens are available to the Regional Groups for these program points.
Technology, including parts supply, is a “must.”

Other Responsibilities of the Regional Group Leader

The Regional Group Leader is the local representative of our club. They maintain contact with the factory branches and authorized partners of the Mercedes-Benz organization in their catchment area. Contacting local representatives of major automobile clubs and participating in their events is also important.

A particular focus is on motivating members to use hidden talents, organize tours and events, and serve as role models for other members:

The Regional Group Leader regularly receives the membership list for their catchment area and makes special efforts to introduce and integrate new members into the SL family.

Regional Group Funding

Financial support can be claimed for one- and multi-day events (not technical events). This is not intended for “going out to eat,” but rather to prepare specific tours or, for example, to pay for first aid courses, etc.

The maximum amount of the subsidy is 500 Euros per year for multi-day events. For Regional Groups with more than 20 average attendees at the Regional Group evening, the above amount increases by 30 Euros for each full number of persons (members only).

The attendance lists from the Regional Group evenings in September/October/November serve as the basis for the following year.

After prior consultation with the board, investments such as endoscopes, IT equipment, etc., can also be funded from this budget.

To apply, the corresponding form (Appendix 6) must be used in all cases, and costs must be substantiated with receipts and invoices. Entry fees and financial contributions from members are deducted from the costs in advance. (Total cost of the event ./. member contribution = basis for funding).

Technical events must be arranged with the Technical Board Member and settled through them (see Group 5 of the manual). The same applies to promotional events or other general events exceeding the scope of a single Regional Group (e.g., AvD Oldtimer Race Nürburgring). These must be individually applied for through the Board Member for Public Relations and submitted for settlement.