Club Organizational Meeting needed

[NO_H2O]

After talking with the other members that attended the March Dyno Day/Silver Dollar Races, we came to the conclusion that we need to hold a meeting with all club members that can attend. We need to get our club back on track. We have not had a news letter in quite some time, most of us are out of date on our dues, there has been little to no communication to members via email or our forum and it seems that the club is driffting apart.
We need to elect officers (At least 3-4 so no one person has to do too much). Open a club account for our funds (what little we have), Kick the news letter back off so floks will get something for the membership. This will have to include news from all of our membership as to what is happening in their respective area (cruises, shows, tech, etc). We also need to help our freinds in UK get their chapter going and include them in our news letter, ect.
I have been as guilty as anyone for the lack of communication on the forum. My life has been very busy and I know the same can be said for many of you.
We has a communication problem at our last event and tho it wasn't a major problem, we didn't wold up our end with regard to some raffle merchandise. While we did gather lots of nice stuff to give out thanks to Jake (our club sponsor who came up with a Type 1 DTM shroud, vidios, etc.), Herrell's Bug Parts, and the SEVWA (Thanks Kathy), and the raffle went well, we could have and should have had more stuff.
We can leave things as they are. Or we can get things back on track. I would like to see things back on track myself, but that is only one vote.
Please indicate what date/time is good for you and lets see if we can get a good meeting organized. :agree:

[massIVe 79 vert]

Amen brother!

Any Wednesday night is good for me. I think all of us that discussed it at Dyno Day are in total agreement, we just need to elect some officers and set it all in motion!

[oasis]

Are we talking about in-person or on-line?

[NO_H2O]

This will be an online meeting. I am off Wed., Thur, Fri. this week. I still don't know about next week as we are have to bid our off days at my work this week due to the layoffs that happen at the end of the month.

[yetibone]

I'll be around...

This has been on my mind since late 2004. Quite frankly, I'm loosing interest in being a member of the gruppe.

Geographical distance between members, being 300+ miles from the nearest get-together, and trying to complete a teidious, and expensive project by myself, all after 50+ hours of repairs in a normal work week have really curbed my enthusiasm considerably.

This doesn't mean I've given up on the Poorsche project, and of course Sue will never give up her Bug. $$-wise, I'm in way too deep to shelve the whole thing, or part it out, and sell it off for less than half of my investment. That happens too often in the car hobby. I'll finish it as soon as I can, and will get some enjoyment out of driving it, most likely as primary transportation, along with the Toytruck.



I can plan on meeting any evening this week.

[NO_H2O]

Yes Joe it is folks like you that have been excluded. We can get input from you on what you are doing in your area or on your car(lots of good tech stuff going on there) and put it in the newsletter to share with the other members. It is not like being together but it will go far to bridge the gap and make people feel like they are included.

[yetibone]

Well, I'll keep the updates on the car comming as they happen. As far as the gruppe goes, I believe when my dues are up again, I'll let it lapse this time.

There are other reasons besides distance from 'Gruppe Central', club outings, and burning both ends of the candle on my Bug vs. work, but those three are what hold the most weight.

[Mikey]

I'm for getting the club on track. I'm more than ready to re-up my dues. I don't make many shows and even less meetings. Bettween school and work I have little time during the week.

As far as the distance goes, I have a gf in Canada and we've been together for almost 2 and a half years. The distance of the club doesn't bother me. I'd like to be at more shows and have more get togethers. But I'm on a VERY tight budget with my project. I'll have more money flowing in once I get out of school and get a real job welding. But then again, more money in my hand means more money for the project.

My thoughts on the situation...

[oasis]

I have a lot going on but I have not been neglecting the Shantung Cruiser. There are a few things I would like to do when the weather improves. I have been neglecting posting my car here and at VKG. Work has been intense. Remodeling the house Phase II is about to commence. We are selling Westy, our EuroVan, and have been getting calls and e-mails from as far away as Winnipeg, Portland (OR), and Honolulu.

On top of that and other things, I have been nursing an injury that I believe came about from trying to return from an injury too fast. Wednesday and Thursday may not work so well for me. The final fourth quarter GDP figures get released on Thursday morning and that could mean staying at my office late Wednesday. I'm supposed to play tennis that evening if I am healthy enough. I guess if I am not, I would be available.

I would like to keep up with everyone. It may be tough to make a time suitable for all. Generally speaking, Tuesdays and Thursdays are out for me.

Also, I was a bit later than most in joining so I have a lesser sense about when dues are due. I'm definitely in. I am planning a few shows this summer including a return to BugJam. The better weather will aid my other bug plans as well. I just need to get through this patch.

I need to relax, laugh and smile more ... again.

[vujade]

I agree with Dave that things need to be addressed. I for one
have not given the club the attention that it deserves due to
many factors going on in my life.

First off, I would like to appologize for not making it to Dyno Day.
I had full intention of making it there (even had my room reserved),
but at the last minute I dropped a bolt into my intake and was not
able to bring my car. At the very last minute I decided not to go to
dyno day (and almost didnt come up to Georgia at all) because I had
worked for a week straight to get my car up there that weekend. This
threw me into a tail spin and to say the least, I was dissappointed and
upset about it and it clouded my judgement. The other thing that
happened to me that weekend was my cellphone blacked out. I had
no screen whatsoever, so I was not able to call anyone from my phone
book, nor was I able to see who was calling me. I have all my numbers
for club members on there and couldnt call anyone to let them know
that I wasnt coming. Im not trying to make excuses, but I wanted
everyone to know what occurred and why I was missing in action!

One of the problems with the club is that other then the 3 founding
members (Zen, Dave & Myself), no one ever stepped up and offered
assistance to help with writing news letters, organizing club events,
and keeping the club on track. This left most of the work to a couple
of people. In the beginning we were all much better at keeping up
on things, but as time went on and the club grew, life got in the way
for most of us. In recent times we tried to elect club officials, but I dont
think that anyone stepped up for the other positions besides president.

In regards to club funds, which Dave mentioned in his post, we do
still have club funds from our very own Dyno Day that we organized
in Tampa. I still have this money in an envelope and never got around
to opening a Club bank account.

In regards to the Uk members that want to start a chapter, I have
been in contact with bug-er (Adam) from the UK and we have emailed
back and forth on several occassions. At this point he told me that
most of the potentional UK members were attending a big car show
and they were going to try and meet to discuss the future of a UK Chapter.

I am more then willing to make the needed adjustments to the club to
get it back on track, whatever actions that may mean.

I am available any night this week as well. :agree:

[massIVe 79 vert]

so....somebody wanna pick a night???

[oasis]

Tomorrow night will work for me after all. How about Wed @ 9?

(And if a time is agreed upon, I will need a refresher on how to connect. My technoklutziness extends beyond fool-injected cars. )

[NO_H2O]

I think Zen is sending out and email to all the members so we can get as many folks as we can together at one time.

[Massive Type IV]

"True leaders, don't make excuses"
General George Patton

Honestly the lack of organization has kept me from being more of a sponsor to the club than I have been.

Glad to see someone showing some leadership initiative to square the club away.

[vujade]

Originally Posted by Massive Type IV

"True leaders, don't make excuses"
General George Patton

Thats because most leaders are dishonest and dont give two ****s
for those that they are leading! They dont make excuses so they
never get caught in a lie.

In addition, I was only letting the members know why I didnt make it to
Dyno Day. Its not an excuse. Its my reason in case anyone wanted to know.

Honestly the lack of organization has kept me from being more of a sponsor to the club than I have been.

And as far as organization goes, no ones besides myself, Zen or Dave
ever stepped up to help with organizational stuff. Either Zen or myself
did the news letters, and Dave always helped out where he could. When
Zen tried to elect new leaders a while back, no one stepped up for any
of the other duties besides the president. If others had volunteered for
the other positions, maybe there would have been more organization.
One person cant do everything.

Glad to see someone showing some leadership initiative to square the club away.

I have to agree with you there... (Cant believe I actually just said that) :shrug: