pcar928fan

Ed,

More and more people are spending time at the 928OC forum every day. It is great to see. If you want club specific information there needs to be a club location to get that. It is the 928OC Forum. It is NOT, I repeat IT IS NOT in competition with Pelican, RW, or RL...it is an addition to those places. Some folks like it here at RL. Others hate RL and prefer Pelican. Others like the quiet solitude of RW. New members are flocking to the 928OC forum. It would be GREAT to have more of the brain trust from here stop in over there.

What happens a lot of the time is a newbie will ask a question and if no one present knows the answer we will jump over here because it is more active. RL however is a for profit site and is not the proper venue to be a "club site".

It is not that big a deal to go over to the OC site once a day or a few times a week and click on "NEW POSTS" and see what is up. I like the "members profile" section at the OC personally, but to each his own.

Important info will of course be cross posted to all major 928 forums in the future. I would not exclude any of them personally and have posted extensively on most all of them (a fair bit less on RW).

OBehave

I think that if the new president continues on the path that the OC is on at least with bringing value to the membership, I think it will become what everyone is wanting it to be. But realize this, not James or Andrew will be able to do anything unless they have the help of the members. It is very easy to come up with an idea then sit and wait for someone else to execute it, it's another to volunteer and make it happen yourself. The club is for the club and the president and board are there to help and guide the members in making the club what the members want.

dr bob

This whole thing inspired me to renew my lapsed OC membership. James has been bugging me regularly by e-mail to do this, and I've been negligent. I was in the first 100 or so members way back when the OC was founded. Been so long now that I don't remember my original membership number. I'm sure there's a record of it someplace.

The success or failure of the OC is dependent on the members. The trustees and officers are elected to guard the interests of the membership, but it's up to individual members and local groups to make bigger things happen. So anybody who complains that the OC doesn't do enough need only check the mirror to see why that might be. Meanwhile, invest your votes in folks who are willing and able to support your interests. Some are vocal regarding their wishes, while others are quietly effective.

... and that's all I have to say about that...

pcar928fan

Bob,

I didn't realize you posted this post in both our election sections. I mention it over on AO's thread (his is MUCH more fun and lively!), you are Charter member #81, I am #51! We are exactly 30 apart! COOL (well, I guess it is cool...I kind of like the symmetry there anyway!)

Ed, you are quite correct too. The "leaders" of any club can not carry out ALL of its functions. That is where I have proven my success time and again. I bring people together to carry out a project to completion. In most cases it is a lead by "doing" thing for me. Despite my disability I do more than most and am happy to do so...maybe that alone inspires some. Regardless, I have a vision and I know personally how to make that come true and I know how to help others when they choose to work towards our shared goals.

Hilton

James, thanks for posting here. I hope that Rennlist can see that the OC is a potentially useful part of the community, and isn't a threat to IB's ongoing advertising revenue, and thus allow these threads to keep going.

What percentage of the current paying membership is outside the USA? (I ask as you're currently the membership chair - and I really have no idea. I know at least three local-to-me aussies who're members).

Could you give us an idea of what your ideas are on how to include international members, beyond the keyring/t-shirt etc.?

Also, what's your position on the OC's structure, including the number and role of Trustees?

ROG100

James,
Sorry to jump on your thread - if Hilton starts to request his OC discount I will go bust - Just kidding.
Roger

The Dubai contingent joined for their discount and I am happy to add new members even if it means my kids do not have bread on the table.

Good luck,
Roger

pcar928fan

Hilton,

We have about 635 on the active role. More than a few of those have expired memberships. We are discussing when we should move them off the role and stop sending them renewal notices. If they send a note saying they have sold their car we take them off, but often we don't hear anything from them...

I show the following numbers for ROW (if you will) members.

Canada: 21 (5 expired)
Australia: 6 (3 expired)
UAE: 1
Sweden: 1
South Africa: 1
Germany: 2 (1 expired...I don't think I have NoVector listed in Germany yet btw)
Norway: 2

I am open to suggestions on how to help you guys in other countries. Our license plate trim rings generally don't fit your cars and because the numbers are so few and the distances so vast and since I don't live in your country we need to rely on all of you to tell us how the OC can serve you better.

By trustees I think you mean Board members. I am agnostic on that. Fewer is easier to manage when it comes to voting on changes and such. I am not averse to a larger board though.

dr bob

James--

Thanks for the reminder of the number. I was on an overseas project when the subject came up originally, using my leased satellite connection through a 9600 modem in the US to stay current with developments via usenet. May not have grabbed the membership number way back then. Gotta update my sign line...

Also, posted to both threads to eliminate any perception of favoritism. I'm all in favor of leaders who actually care about the goals of the group. I don't care to see what I see as my own definition of teamwork: Everybody pulling together doing what I say! It can't be ego driven.

928mac

oh crap with all this extra activity ill really be busy on top of stirring Hackers waters

pcar928fan

Bob,
I am a lead by doing kind of a guy. I like to get right in to the middle of a project along with everyone else and create something that is better than any one individual could do on their own. There is so much I don't know and can't do, but I probably know someone who does know or can do and it is up to me to bring them in and get out of the way and let them do what they are best at!

Jim M comes to mind with his ability to pull off these OCIC's! Just amazing! It would not surprise me one bit if he puts more time in to the planning and execution of those than I have as Membership chair!

I have spent well over 200 of my own personal hours over the last two years working to make the 928OC a better place. With the increase in membership we have seen I think I have been successful. I am SO glad I have had others who have been willing to pitch in and help too! Betsy, Teri, Grant and Jim W (as well as David Lloyd, my mentor) have been mostly behind the scenes doing very important membership work right there with me!

If I didn't LOVE this club I could certainly have found more enjoyable things to do with those 200+ hours! If I am elected I will need even more help from more people!

You guys ROCK!

Yours in service!

Hilton

Wow I'm surprised its so low.

Well thats the $m question. Things like loaner tools are a great idea until you factor in international shipping. Likewise having gatherings is hard due to the sheer size of Australia. We're lucky to get even a handful of 928's in any one place at a time, as the major population centers are very spread out in this country.

Thats why as far as I can see, the most useful function of the OC for foreign members is the preservation of 928 information, whether its for DIY'ers, scans of magazine articles etc. All the stuff which will get increasingly hard to find (try finding 924 manuals online.. its not much older than the 928 and more common). Not to say I think the other things are a waste of time - I think fostering community on a local/national scale is a great idea, and I'd love to attend an OCIC.

Cool.. it struck me that the current structure could use two more - 3 is a very small number when deciding issues on behalf of a diverse organisation, and having representation from both coasts, as well as one to represent event organising, and one for the incumbent ex-president is already more than the current structure allows, let alone one for international representation/ambassadorship.

Randy V

I recommend a böglyft run-off to determine the ultimate winner!

pcar928fan

Well, it is three plus, Pres, VP, Treas and I think I am leaving one out...

DR

Secretary, held by none other than "Mr. 928 Tips", aka Greg Nichols. :-)

Full 928OC Officers/Trustees/Chairs/Regional Contact info is on the 928OC Home page, Top Menu > "Information" > "Contact Information"

Direct link: http://928oc.org/contact_information.htm

DR

I am posting the following questions in both candidates threads, hopefully this will give us some additional insight into how each candidate will steer the 928OC "fiscally" going forward.

These questions are generally based on the Full Yearly Financial Statements provided at least through 2009 and partial year through 6/30/2010 (there seems to be no yearly info I can find for 2010, 2011, or 2012 YTD). For reference these statements are linked in the 928OC Member section of the 928OC Forum in a thread titled "928 OC Financials" , post date 08/16/2010

Do you agree with how Member funds have been and are being spent?

Do you feel it is in the best interest of the Members and the continuing support of 928 Ownership?

If you do not agree ,what specifically would you try to change and why?

On the subject of Election Voting. According to the 928OC Bylaws in section 7.3 it states "The Election Date shall be between July 1st and September 1st , inclusive."

Have you been told yet when the Voting is taking place?

If there is going to be some sort of delay in the Voting have you been told what is causing this?

Once again best of luck to both Candidates and thanks in advance for taking the time to answer these questions!!

Sincerely,