Roadster! began in late 2022, when 8-year-old Sam thought there should be a motoring magazine aimed at children like him. As a parent and child team, we launched a pilot issue in December 2022.
Since then, over the course of seven termly issues (3x per year), we have developed an adult-facilitated, child-led model. We think our model works, and we have an ambition to extend it further - Roadster! has the potential to become a key industry engagement channel, which uses connected learning experiences to introduce children to the automotive world.
From the outset, we have had an emphasis on quality. Roadster! stands out because it is a proper 36-page printed glossy magazine with a rich variety of content which educates, inspires, and entertains. It is a magazine that is worked on and produced by children for children, but with adult support every step of the way.
Our approach has been drawing attention from within the industry, but we are struggling to make headway. We personally lack the resources and knowledge to drive this forward and are now seeking assistance with this from within the industry.
We need help.
We feel that it is time for the parent/child project to come to an end, and an industry-backed product to take over.
We are in the process of establishing “Roadster! Publications”, an umbrella social enterprise organisation, to help us steer this new Roadster! magazine product forward.
Our mission statement is:
Roadster! aims to be a not-for-profit adult-facilitated, child-led children’s automotive magazine dedicated to educating, inspiring and entertaining its young readers in all things “the road”.
Roadster! uses connected learning experiences to introduce children to the automotive world, teach them about road safety, develop their awareness and drive their interest.
We also have developed our initial vision statement:
Roadster! has the potential to become a social enterprise charitable endeavour, which brings together industry partners, and provides a key communication channel through which to engage with a diverse range of children - tomorrow’s driver’s innovators, employees, consumers and community members.
We feel we now need a Steering Committee…
We are looking to establish a Steering Committee of industry-connected volunteers who will work with us, challenge us, and help Roadster! to realise its potential.
The Steering Committee will help Roadster! decide its priorities, provide guidance on its operations, and provide wise general counsel. It will oversee and support Roadster! by providing guidance, recommendations, and leadership. The Committee will scrutinise and advise on financial decision-making and hold Roadster! to account for its deliverables.
Committee members will be asked to support us in the development of the eight Roadster! pillars of readership; social media; expertise; time; equipment; content; events; and funding.
We would be looking for Steering Committee members to be able to commit to:
* An hour-long Steering Committee meeting once a month (exact frequency and timing to be agreed by the Committee at its inaugural meeting)
* Supporting and growing Roadster as a social enterprise on your social media channels
* Sharing knowledge and best practices to help us maintain a professional air and appearance
* Helping us to develop a strategy, budget, and programme for delivery of the magazine
* Assist in reviewing, advising, and signing off our Strategy and Delivery plans
* Helping us find other sources of funding and perhaps seek paid advertising in the magazine to secure its financial viability
* Assist in making links with companies and organisations which can enable our delivery
* Undertaking and sharing the monitoring and review of our action plans
* Supporting Roadster! at scheduled networking events (where scheduled)
Who we are looking for to join the Steering Committee
We are looking for dynamic, well-connected, and knowledgeable industry professionals to serve as volunteer Committee members. These individuals will be well-positioned to support and enable Roadster’s continuing growth and development. They will have access to resources which will enable and help us to continually improve Roadster, and they will work with us to ensure its resilience and sustainability.
We are particularly looking for:
* Education experts with a specialism in Key Stages 2&3
* Publishing specialists with a knowledge of printing and launching small magazines
* Automotive journalists with a good general automotive knowledge and a wide range of industry connections
* Road safety specialists and advisers
* Motoring and motorsport Industry specialists with a broad range of industry connections
We are working hard to put the foundations in place for a great and innovative automotive product, which we are looking to (re)launch at the British Motor Show in August.
Do you think you could serve on the Roadster! Steering Committee?
Write to us at roadster.magazine@gmail.com, explaining why you could be a good fit for us.
We are hoping to have a Committee in place by the end of February, with an initial meeting to take place at some point in March by video conference.
Many thanks, Sam and Carl - Editors, Roadster! Magazine
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