Listers: I'll apologize in advance if you think this is too long, a boring
topic or whatever. Please read on or use your Delete keys at your own
discretion.
First, brief points:
-Blake earns much credit for himself and VTR for re-labelling this thread
and pursuing it (in my books at any rate).
-my comments were an attempt to provide perspective, and not on behalf of
anyone else, nor of NASS. They are simply and only one person's opinion.
-Michael is a self-determining adult and will choose his course as is best
for himself and his own circumstances.
-My own participation or not, will be taken up with Blake, off-list, where
it belongs
-I believe in the traditional Praise in Public, Punish in Private when it
comes to individuals. VTR is an organization that has Officers that can
speak on its behalf, whereas individuals do not.
-the fact that this dialogue is continuing should be at least encouraging to
those who wish to at least explore alternatives, and reassuring to those who
do not. Discussions are just that, and should not be construed as a threat
to the status quo. Changes in VTR would have to be approved by the members
of VTR and/or as represented by its elected Officers. A similar process
should take place in NASS or any other club contemplating such a change.
Blake's comment:
"But what does concern me is the migration to other clubs. That means VTR
is not serving
their needs and things need to be re-evaluated." is insightful and
inalienable.
Issues arising include:
-who wants in, and how many
-could change(s) be made to attract those who want in, without alienating
the current satisfied membership
-what would it take
-why bother, what does VTR have that others might want.
A quick tour of their public site shows that VTR has:
-some kind of relationship with an insurer, always a bonus for vehicle
owners
-an existing structure, hierarchy and organization
-a membership which is likely affluent (some more than others)
-a large group of members who are enthusiastic about their cars and the
Triumph marque.
As well they likely have liability insurance for the organization and its
Officers.
A viable course of action from here would be for the elected officers of VTR
to consider the possibilities and decide if VTR is interested in expansion.
Once they have arrived at a conclusion on that, it would be worth soliciting
ideas from possible "expansion" teams as to what they might expect from VTR.
The Board of most clubs are likely volunteers, with other commitments. Even
with the best of intentions from all parties, this may take time.
Especially at this stage, it is important to respect and recognize that both
Boards would need to be seen as of equal relative importance to their own
members. Neither Board should expect to be able to dictate terms to the
other. Either can walk away with no harm done at this and several other
intermediate steps, with no harm done.
In my industry at present, one of the huge players has just changed its
bylaws to enable smaller entities to join under its umbrella, take advantage
of some volume discounted services, and maintain their own Boards and
identities.
This structure is very similar to the possibility suggested by Joe Curry on
the NASS list.
Best suggestion: have the Boards of the possible organizations have some
very preliminary discussions. Don't involve the members yet until there is a
least an image of how it might look, and the benefits to each group can be
clearly identified. Board members would be well advised to hold their hats,
sit down, take the personality out of the equation, and talk. Do a little
blue-sky dreaming and then see if the other Board can see a place for
themselves in that sky.
Either Board may choose to involve a small (to keep it manageable) group of
interested members. Those members could serve as an immediately-at-hand
mini-focus group.
The end is in sight, but not quite:
I'd like to thank Blake for not flaming me, nor taking offence at the
tongue-in-cheek attempt at humour that began my earlier message. Sometimes,
you meet the nicest people when you least expect it, and he strikes me as
one of them.
On that note, and in closing (gaaaahhh), a true story, happened today. I
bought a new to me Spit a fair ways away from home and stopped to get gas.
It would not re-start! Starter spun, had gas at the carb, but no combustion.
Two early to mid 60's Minis came into the gas station where I (and my
darling and long suffering wife, this is number Spit number 4.5) were
stranded.
A young fellow driving a pick-up, and the guys from the Minis all came over
to help. All made suggestions, and the guy from the pick-up and one of the
fellas with a Mini, got stuck right in narrowing down the problem. They got
it running, and I'm deeply grateful!! (Thank you all, Juan was one of them!)
My point in recounting this is that sometimes we get so involved in the
detail differences, and fail to remember the huge amount of common interests
shared by all LBC owners/drivers/admirers.
Thanks for reading this. If you feel it is all drivel, I respect your
opinion and your right to it. This has been, after all, only my opinion.
Nick Moseley
(I'll be corresponding with Blake off-list, as I'm now far over budget in
the "here's my two cents" category).
N
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