Questions for the Andrew Olson Candidate

In case some of you didn't notice this thread was directed directly at Andrew Olson. So far as I can see he has not seen fit to respond, but I am not to concerned about why he hasn't.

The real question in this thread is simply this: If the OCIC belongs to the 928 Owners Club and if the volunteer organizers make a profit in the conduct of the convention, where should that profit end up? In the Owners club or in the pocket of the Organizers???????

The volunteer organizers stated in respect to the 2009 Convention that "we made a profit" and I think they may have even refunded to the Club some portion of the money paid in advance for the event, but I am pretty sure that there was never an accounting and I suspect that there was more profit that was simply pocketed.

Then for the OCIC 2012, there is simply no accounting, at least at this point, and it has been several weeks since the final accounting could have been completed. I don't think any money has been submitted to the Club, nor is there any accounting nor even any request for some additional support for some perhaps deficit.

So, no one so far has responded to the question, and clearly not Andrew. I don't really expect any response from Andrew, because I am pretty sure that he does not have a clue. Even if he did he has to choose between supporting his nominator/volunteer group as the ones profiting from the convention versus stating that clearly the money ought to all come right back to the Clubs coffers, as any normal person/member would expect. That is just too tough a position for him to be in.

For me, I do not think that the vendor involvement in the Convention is really the issue. True, I was a small-time vendor at OCIC, and at the direction of the organizers I was directed to put my meger presentation in the faces of the participants. However, I think the Vendors have a real place at any of our conventions, but not necessicarliy in everyone's face. I feel badly that one of you thinks I was the "featured" vendor there.

But, I was not running the convention and I had nothing to do with the convention accounting. I didn't pay anything for the "vendor" positon I appeared to and in fact enjoyed, but I did see fit to donate about $400 worth of Porsche related door prizes for the benefit of those participating.

My position is that when a member volunteers to conduct the convention that is no difference from the President or the others volunteering their time and effort for the Club. None of them should be in a position to profit from it!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone doing an International Convention for the Club is in a clear fiduciary position in respect to all of the money associated with the Convention and should quickly account to the club for all of it, win or loose.

Does Andrew Olson oppose this position in respect to his candidacy. Let us hear from Andrew about this and not those who support his or his nominator's position on it, or on some collateral issue that seems like it relates.

Jerry Feather

Jerry - the OCIC doesn't "belong" to the owners club, it's more or less like any of the other events that Wally mentioned - the OC lends the name and donates money to support the event, but that's the extent of it. All the financial risk and hard work is born by the organizers and their volunteers. There have been previous OCIC's where the organizers lost significant money, conversely, others have posted a "profit" and given back to the club IIRC. Others can provide the details. This arrangement was initially a surprise to me, as having OC in the name certainly implied to me that it was officially put on by the OC. It was/is not.

Additionally, as it is not an official event of the OC, I think it's up to the organizers as to whether or not to give an accounting to anyone, although as a general rule I support transparency. If the club feels it's being taken advantage of in this arrangement, it can certainly limit or withdraw its support.

One can debate the merits of the historical magnitude of financial support, but I believe most (if not all) who have attended an OCIC have had a thoroughly enjoyable time and have gained in their knowledge and appreciation of the 928. I hope the OC will continue to support it as it has done in the past.

Respectfully,
Jarrod Wise

Feather;11013 wrote: ...The real question in this thread is simply this: If the OCIC belongs to the 928 Owners Club and if the volunteer organizers make a profit in the conduct of the convention, where should that profit end up? In the Owners club or in the pocket of the Organizers???????

The volunteer organizers stated in respect to the 2009 Convention that "we made a profit" and I think they may have even refunded to the Club some portion of the money paid in advance for the event, but I am pretty sure that there was never an accounting and I suspect that there was more profit that was simply pocketed.

Then for the OCIC 2012, there is simply no accounting, at least at this point, and it has been several weeks since the final accounting could have been completed. I don't think any money has been submitted to the Club, nor is there any accounting nor even any request for some additional support for some perhaps deficit.

So, no one so far has responded to the question, and clearly not Andrew. I don't really expect any response from Andrew, because I am pretty sure that he does not have a clue. Even if he did he has to choose between supporting his nominator/volunteer group as the ones profiting from the convention versus stating that clearly the money ought to all come right back to the Clubs coffers, as any normal person/member would expect. That is just too tough a position for him to be in.
...
Jerry Feather

Jerry,

Gary Knox, 928 OC Treasurer, would have accurate information on the funds transfer between the 928 OC and the OCIC organizers. My recollection is that the 928 OC board approved a $1k sponsorship for the 2009 event. We received money back, but I believe most of it was for membership fees. considering the cost of sponsoring smaller events, the $1k sponsorship to include our logo on shirts was a very reasonable expense (but not necessarily affordable every year that would need to be reviewed annually).

We have not received any funds from the 2012 event. We provided $2.8k as a sponsor. We know 1 member signed up. I can't recall any additional information provided to the board. After the 2009 event we received the accounting on August 11th, just 9 days after the completion of the event. It has been 42 days since the close of the 2012 OCIC.

I did not request an accounting in 2009 or in 2012.

The OCIC has *not* been run by the 928 OC. The history as I recall:
1. In 2000 and 2004 Marc White ran the OCICs on his own. The 2000 event was before my involvement. The 928 OC sponsored the 2004 event for $1k. Marc ran both events with the support of his own team. Marc was on the 928 OC board in 2004. He organized the event separately from the 928 OC.
2. In 2006 Erik Behrendsen and Richard Lang organized the OCIC. The 928 OC provided $1k in sponsorship. Neither were 928 OC board members
3. In 2009 Roger Tyson and Jim Mayzurk organized the OCIC. The 928 OC provided $1k in sponsorship, and as mentioned above received funds back that included membership fees. Neither Roger nor Jim were on the 928 OC board.
4. In 2012 Roger Tyson and Jim Mayzurk organized the OCIC. The 928 OC provided $2.8k in sponsorship. Roger was/is a 928 OC board member. Jim is not a board member.

The OCIC is organized by members and sponsored by the 928 OC. It is not *the* 928 OC's event any more than SITM or Sharktoberfest or The Frenzy.

I hope this helps some to understand better.

wallyp;10994 wrote: There are at least four types of 928 get-togethers in the USA...

The OCIC events.
928 OCIC (Majors in 2000, 2004, 2009, 2012, plus smaller events in Denver and Indianapolis)

The continuing "major local" events, scattered over the country, with the date started:
The Frenzy near Washington DC (1997);
Sharks in Hell, near Pinckney MI;
Sharks in the Park, near San Francisco;
Dave Tassinari's Wilbraham MA event;
Sharks at the Lake at Tahoe (dead at the moment, hopefully to be revived);
Boston Shark Party, aka Porschefest;
Third Coast of Texas 928 Event (2002 apparently going to two a year);

The smaller "one-off" local events, usually with a specific purpose, such as a dyno day.

The vendor events:
Sharks at the Lake/Sharks in the Mountains - the 928 Specialists Customer Appreciation Day Event (1998 Originally in GA, now in the NC mountains).
Sharktoberfest - Started 2003 as a SoCal/928 International event, morphed into Mark Anderson's Customer Appreciation Day
Devek Days- 1997 - 2006

Both the OC and the vendors support the OCIC and the local events to a greater or lesser degree.

I strongly agree that the OC should support the local events, and should be the major support for the OCIC. I do think that the OCIC can be excessive. For example, I see no reason to provide lunch and/or dinner to the attendees. Anyone who is taking valuable time to attend, paying for a room and travel expenses isn't likely to balk at paying for lunch...

There are also international events, some quite major. I would like to see the OC furnish at least token support for some international events.

Totally agree with Wally on this and John, I do indeed wish I could have been there! Hell, I wish all 600+ of our members could be there, or at least participate in SOME sort of 928 gathering! I have been saying for the last two years in my new member welcome email that I would love to add this phrase to the 928OC Mission Statement: (this is the exact wording that follows the mission statement) I would also add one more thing to our purpose and that is to foster friendship and camaraderie among owners and fans of the 928.

THAT is what my view for the 928OC is in the future! All the petty squabbling, back stabbing and infighting needs to stop! I don't care who starts it, it just needs to stop... It just brings everyone down.

I have stood up and with the help of others hosted the 928 Owners Club International Convention in Dallas and recently in Wichita.
I funded both personally and can assure you that it cost me and my company a lot of money.
Others contributed to the cost in the form of sponsorship.
Jerry you featured very prominently at the OCIC in Wichita yet you chose not to offer any support in the way of sponsorship. Your decision, but you should know others paid their way namely 928 International, 928Docs, Classic 9 Leather Shop, Project Nine and yes 928sRus.
We made sure you had a prominent position and all the assets of the microphone and time to sell your products.
For you to come back at us in this way is very disappointing.

I approached the OC board and as it was "THEIR" International convention and proposed that they sponsor a significant amount of money to secure the main dinner on the Friday night and lunch on the Saturday. This was the $2000 and it was approved by the board.

They also approved $800 towards the cost of providing T shirts and Sport Shirts for the registered attendees with cars. Again this was a contribution towards the cost and the rest of the monies was provided by the other sponsors.

As of this moment I have not had time to complete the accounting on the 2012 OCIC but I know the expenses were more than the income. I will report that to the OC treasurer as and when I can complete the books. Who will bear the cost for the delta – guess who ME.

Maybe ask Marc White and the other hosts how this went when they hosted the OCIC?????

Jarrod,

Well put and like you I thought the OCIC was an "official" 928OC event. If it IS an "official" OC event then Jerry's thoughts about fiduciary responsibility apply. If it is an event that is supplier/vendor sponsored then that is fine too. Those events are AWESOME as well, but they probably shouldn't have OC in the title of the event, but there is no reason why OC sponsorship would not be an EXCELLENT idea...

I have spoken to Marc in the past about the OCIC's that he organized and he indicated that it cost him as much as $10,000 out of his own pocket! I can't even imagine that!!!

These events bring owners and fans of our great cars together and they need to continue at the local and national and even international levels as much as possible. How much sponsorship the OC can provide will wax and wane as the treasury and membership expand and contract.

Thanks for your thoughts Jarrod, John and Wally!

Roger, I wrote the above at the same time you were writing your response. Thanks for your update. That was all news to me and it is appreciated.

JWise;11015 wrote: Jerry - the OCIC doesn't "belong" to the owners club, it's more or less like any of the other events that Wally mentioned - the OC lends the name and donates money to support the event, but that's the extent of it. All the financial risk and hard work is born by the organizers and their volunteers. There have been previous OCIC's where the organizers lost significant money, conversely, others have posted a "profit" and given back to the club IIRC. Others can provide the details. This arrangement was initially a surprise to me, as having OC in the name certainly implied to me that it was officially put on by the OC. It was/is not.

Additionally, as it is not an official event of the OC, I think it's up to the organizers as to whether or not to give an accounting to anyone, although as a general rule I support transparency. If the club feels it's being taken advantage of in this arrangement, it can certainly limit or withdraw its support.

One can debate the merits of the historical magnitude of financial support, but I believe most (if not all) who have attended an OCIC have had a thoroughly enjoyable time and have gained in their knowledge and appreciation of the 928. I hope the OC will continue to support it as it has done in the past.

Respectfully,
Jarrod Wise