The AO Platform, My Analysis

pcar928fan;10619 wrote: Two years ago Andrew and several of his supporters were quite verbose in their denigration of Stan and Stan still won by 10% of the vote (though the numbers were small) and the club survived. I suspect that will be the case this time as well. Regardless of the outcome.

As for Jerry's thoughts, ideas and posts, I can't believe that a club would deny someone the right to express their opinion publicly. I'd say that regardless of who he was talking about. If you agree with his opinion then fine, if you disagree fine... I can't imagine this would be addressed in the by-laws. I suppose if voting was held on ONE DAY then you might make a rule that all "political" posts would be eliminated other than the platforms of those on the ballots, X number of days before the polls open, but since we have voting over many days (or weeks) that just does not hold water here.

I suspect there are more than a few new NON-RL members who have yet to vote by the way, and may not vote at all, but Stan (I guess) would know more about how many have voted or that we might expect to see vote.

Hey James. Don't worry.. I'm not pulling the plug on anyone here. Just a recommendation.

I support free speech, my friend. By the way, I remember the last election process. I don't understand Andrew or many of his supporters. I just feel that there might be a better way to invite them into the discussion. That's just my $.02

KilnRed;10615 wrote: I have realized that my opinion may or may not be the majority view by our membership. I find that confusing. The discussion on Rennlist made this clear to me. I can't understand why so many of our members decline to contribute to the forums we, as a club, own & operate here. I have nothing against Rennlist. Personally, I'm not a member. I just feel those that make so much time to contribute to Rennlist should have the same interest in this club and our forums; especially if they're a member. Not just during an election. I think it's sad actually. I just hope our club survives the politics and differences. That's why I worry about us, as individuals, continuing these posts that invite political debate. I don't feel that the conversation on Rennlist was necessarily all negative. I think the moderators there chose a good time to close the door on it though.

Keep in mind, quite a few of those who posted on Rennlist specifically stated they were not members. I wouldn't be surprised if many were the same with the same complaints two years ago. I just find it so ironic that what they ask for exists; communication, programs and a mission. They choose not to come to here, so they are ignorant, and apparently quite proud of that.

Probably most telling is when the critics claim they 928 OC needs change. Why? Because 40% growth in 2 years isn't enough?

There was a quite telling post at Rennlist before they closed the topic. One person questioned why the club had $15k and wasn't spending it. All they think is that there is a pile of money to take, they know nothing of how long it takes to raise it, or what efforts and costs it takes to keep members signing up and renewing. But they sure know they can spend they money, and then it will be over.

pcar928fan;10619 wrote: ...but Stan (I guess) would know more about how many have voted or that we might expect to see vote.

I would not expect to be provide any voting details until after the time period specified has expired and all votes have been audited by the election committee and the board has been advised of the results. That is what I have done in the past.

^^^^
Cool! Good info. I didn't know how that went or who (if anyone) was following the results as they came in...sort of real time if you will.

Hi Jerry,

I appreciate your analysis, but I think you're wrong.

Feather;10601 wrote: VALUE:
...
In short, Andrew offers nothing of additional value, at least that I can see in his program.

This is your judgement.

From many of the non-members and former members, they have personally told me they don't see a value in becoming or remaining a 928OC member. That needs to change if we want to retain and attract new membership. Any organization that cannot clearly articulate a strong value proposition for its customer/membership will lose relevance quickly.

You clearly see value, and that is why you are a member. Not everyone does. All the questions you posed are valid questions. I've thought through most if not all of them and then some. Vendor discounts are a tough, for sure, but I've thought through it and I think i have a plan for implementing it. If I am elected, I will certainly reach out to you to gauge your company's interest in supporting the 928OC.

Feather;10603 wrote: COMMUNICATION
...
Therefor, Andrew proposes actually doing everything that the Club is already doing, but he will want to call it change; and then, as with President Obama, he will have to have a good enough reason why nothing different actually happenes.

You are way off on this. The only communication I get from the 928OC is when there is an election or it's time for me to renew my membership. I think the 928 OC needs to have regular communication. If we don't get in the face of the membership it's too easy for us to become irrelevant. I propose using a system like Constant Contact and posts to RL to maintain a communications campaign. Nothing fancy. Maybe a one-pager. I already write a regular 928-related column for our local PCA publication that can be re-purposed for this. The main thing to increase the level of communication - promote events, 928OC vendors, etc. I want to stay in the minds of its members and potential members.

Feather;10604 wrote: CLARITY OF VISION.
...
The other activities of the Club, such as the tool program, don't seem to need a report.

I disagree. I think those are the kinds of things we should be reporting in addition to finances. If tools don't get loaned out, should we continue supporting that effort? How about the number of new members. How about renewals? How about the number of events sponsored? And how about any new initiatives being undertaken by the club to fulfill its mission?

A State of the Club address is not unreasonable from its president. Is it?

Feather;10605 wrote: Finally, I am perhaps most concerned about Andrew's Personal note.

... if Andrew doesn't have the time to do what is altready being done and to add whatever he might come up with to put on his planks, he is not the right guy for this Presidency. In fact it appears to me that he is really not in a position to simply step in and keep what we already have going.

Jerry Feather

Yep time is going to be tight. No question. I carefully thought about this before accepting the nomination. And that's an important point... I was asked by several people this time to run for OC president. I did not approach them. I was not planning on it this time 'round, until I was asked.

There was a comment that implied I renewed my membership in order to be in a position to run for this post. Not true. I renewed so I could go to OCIC as a member (and frankly I had forgotten about it).

Getting back to bandwidth, I carefully weighed the demands on my personal time and I am quite certain I can balance these additional demands. Is it possible that I have underestimated things? Sure. But I have a lot of people willing to help should I need it, but I am prepared to put in the time.

As I said previously though, we need to work smarter, not harder. We need to do things that add the greatest value for the membership and communicate that back to the club.

Please keep in mind, this is a small niche car club. Let's keep the personal politics (like comments about Obama or Romney) out of it. One's political affiliation should not impact our love of these cars. Your implied statement that my presidency will be akin to an Obama presidency has no basis in this discussion and is, frankly, way off base, rude, and inflammatory!

Feather;10614 wrote: I have had my say, so let's see how it comes out.

Jerry Feather

I've had my say too. No matter the outcome, friends?

Andrew Olson;10663 wrote: From many of the non-members and former members, they have personally told me they don't see a value in becoming or remaining a 928OC member. That needs to change if we want to retain and attract new membership. Any organization that cannot clearly articulate a strong value proposition for its customer/membership will lose relevance quickly.

Sounds like you intend to put to shame the membership increase of 40% in the last 2 years. What is you intent? Are you going to promise members that you will double or triple the size of the 928 OC? Currently there are over 600 members.

Andrew Olson;10663 wrote: The only communication I get from the 928OC is when there is an election or it's time for me to renew my membership. I think the 928 OC needs to have regular communication. If we don't get in the face of the membership it's too easy for us to become irrelevant. I propose using a system like Constant Contact and posts to RL to maintain a communications campaign. Nothing fancy. Maybe a one-pager. I already write a regular 928-related column for our local PCA publication that can be re-purposed for this. The main thing to increase the level of communication - promote events, 928OC vendors, etc. I want to stay in the minds of its members and potential members.

So the key difference is you think by posting in Rennlist, rather than where all this information is currently posted, the 928 OC forums, you will reach members better. Don't you think that is upside down? Like speaking at a Chamber of Commerce event to communicate to the Rotarians... Why not just continue to promote this forum where 365 of the members are registered now. You can't possible know how many 928 OC members are registered at Rennlist, as Rennlist isn't tracking it for you. So even if you communicate there you will have no idea if the members are hearing you. Not to mention if Internet Brands changes its policies about Rennlist, the 928 OC members could be required to pay to see your communications. That means the cost of 928 OC membership jumps by quite a bit, so the value you provide will need to go up.

Just to clarify for the members, will the 928 OC forums be abandoned? Rennlist does not have a 928 Technical Library, a 928 Roadside Assistance Forum or a Members Profile forum. Will you abandon them all? While it is quite late in the game to be laying out your intentions now. I have asked before, and I *am* a member, but you have not answered...

Seems like your vision is that the 928 OC to be a subset of Rennlist. Do you even know how many 928 OC members do not like the atmosphere at Rennlist? The belittling of new posters, the inside jokes, not to mention the 928 OC haters that show disdain for the 928 OC even though they haven't visited the site for many years.

We do know you talk about all the programs the 928 OC should provide, that are already in place, so clearly you are at least out of touch with a club you claim to be ready to lead.

Here is a simple question for you. How much of the accumulated members money will be spent on a national event that 90+% of them will never attend?