drded@ix.netcom.com writes:
<<
> I thank you for your perceptions and feedback. What I need to know is have
YOU ever >submitted materials to the editor for publication in an effort to
turn this thing around?
This isn't about articles in the newsletter, it's about attitude and vision.
(and yes, we submit our newsletters and event dates to the Driver)
>NAMGBR members Officers and Coordinators are all voluntaries who recieve
nothing in the >way of payment for the many hours they donate to MG
community. We pay our own way to >and from events and also pay all entry
fees to shows we attend. Heck, I just sent in my dues, >we get nothing for
free.
I am newsletter editor for my club and do many other things for it, I get
nothing for them for free either. And they don't pay my NAMGBR dues
either.That is not the point here.
>It is unrealistic to ask us to travel many hundreds and in some
>cases a few thounsand miles to represent the organization. The way I see it
is, if you are >there and you are a member of NAMGBR, YOU ARE a representive
of the club.
It's unrealistic of you to think that anyone on the west coast will give a
rat's behind about being a representitive of a club they feel doesn't respond
to or represent them. There's never been promotional packages offered, little
tip sheets for how to sell folks on the club, or enough regional activities
that are promoted by NAMGBR to even get you on the radar screen.
And talk about representing the organization... do you think I'm going to
drive to Jersey or hop a jet to DC to go to a national meet or an AGM?
Why is it, do you think, that most of the candidates for office run
unopposed?
Who, especially out here 2000+ miles away from your typical annual event,
wants the obligation of having to be there?
How does one from out here get to be known well enough by the membership to
get elected?
No wonder almost all of the officers and coordinators are from a 500 mile
circle. AND they all seem to know each other. How convenient.
I'm not suggesting every club executive be out here for our events. I am sugg
esting you have a huge problem with image and representation out here that
likely can't be cured unless NAMGBR takes some fairly drastic steps. Steps
like a regional council sub-grouped within the club, so representation, major
events, and club support could happen on more of a local level. You need to
do this in the southwest as well, and likely in the "near west". Otherwise,
you will always be seen as a 500 mile radius club that puts out a nice
magazine.
>As Membership Coordinator I gladly send information
>literature / membership forms to clubs requesting them for use as
registration envelope >stuffers at events. I'll even send Free One Year
Membership Certificates for use as door >prizes. There's one catch....you
have to ask me for them.
First I've heard of this being offered, and I've been in NAMGBR for several
years now. Nary a mention in the Driver of this... so answer me why... and
how long has this been available?
>We work hard to make the NAMGBR the best it can be.
Glad to hear it, and perhaps you do! My perception is that not everyone cares
nearly as much as this, beyond nuturing their little clique and power circle.
>GOOD NEWS: Starting in the next MGB Driver there will be a new feature
series starting. In >each issue two Affilated Local Club Chapters will be
featured. We will be notifying the chapters several months prior to the
deadline of the issue we wish to feature them in and at that point to ball
will be in their court. I personally have spearheaded this feature and am
real excited to have MG Car Club - Long Island Centre as one of the first
two clubs in this series. The other, you'll be happy to learn, will be a
California based club.
>Bottomline: You want to see more about west of Rockies happenings...make
some
>noise and we'll listen and respond.
I've made noise. Others have made noise, and Ron's made noise, and a lot of
it. And gone unheard. I went to the trouble to write a letter regarding this
to the board last year for the AGM, presented through Ron.
NO ONE EVER RESPONDED.
>MGB Driver is only as good as the materials it's membership provides. Help
> us make this organization what you want it to be.
Let's not confuse the Driver with the Club. The Driver is pretty decent. It's
that vision thing again, you can't seem to be able physically or
philosophically to see west of the Mississippi.
I fear you are still missing the point. Without more diversified
organization and regionalization, the club will remain remarkably irrelevant
in the west, west coast and southwest. There's THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of Bs
out here. The only national club 95% of them know of is the AAA club. You
should be profoundly troubled that you only have 150 members in California,
not proud of it. It's nice to put this on our backs, but it's awful tough to
try to sell something no one can see.
Until the leadership on NAMGBR gets more creative about trying to become
visible out here the situation will never change.
>>Thanks again and Safety Fast, David Deutsch
Thanks for at least bothering to respond.
Ignore this issue to the clubs ultimate peril.
Thanks
John
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