Club turmoil

[c.o.]

I have to admit you are correct on the abatement observation Sarge. It has picked up a little bit around here as of late. The only thing I'm wondering about after hearing some of the slamming and character bashing is..... if it all evolved and were democratic, would the campaigning be civil? Just pondering out loud...

[scd]

I find myself watching and wishing constantly that enough members would take notice of the fundamental problem and make their wishes known. It makes 100% sense to me to move this club into the 21st century with a more representative structure. It would do wonders for general morale, enhance volunteerism and club pride, and make the club more attractive to the world. It’s time, fellow members. It’s time to do something about the problem. This is not an issue created by a few pockets of disgruntled troublemakers. It is THE problem, the big one, the one that fuels all the other controversies. This is the problem that those who really care about moving things in a positive direction want to talk about. This is the problem that hurts people, destroys friendships, harms club programs, harms member businesses, and drives away newcomers. This is the problem that will never go away until we change the rules and make everything open, honest, and fair. It must get fixed or the club will continue to lose favor within the vintage community and fall into decline, I fear. We can fix our motorcycles when they’re not running safely, let’s get on it and fix OUR club! It won’t be that difficult, and when the work is done we’ll all see how much better it works. We’ll all be happier and healthier.

Let’s start the process of becoming open and honest with a daring move. I’m asking all current and former leaders at a national or chapter level to weigh in here. What is your opinion about moving toward a system in which member needs are addressed through chapter representation on the national board, such as through chapter and/or regional representatives sitting on the board with voting rights? The time for dialogue is now! Silence is not golden.

Steve Dawdy
former Chief Judge
former national director

[RichO]

O.k. Steve I'll bite. Dawby asks National board for monies for family member to go with him when he goes to National meets to perform his job as Chief Judge. That's not in the rules, they won't change them for him, he takes his ball and quits the game. Enter Finny who's upset about Dawby's condition. Where Spagnoli is himself responsible for any of this I have yet to find. Trudi Johnson-Richards has been the nuts and bolts of this club since Mr. McClean held the reins. When Gagan came south to take control after Bob left things made a shift. The Torque Four, the Magazine to the news racks, museums (some would have worked but for outside forces), the p/u raffle, trialer, etc. Mostly everyone had issues with Heinz. Rocky took over and did the best he could given the circunstances. O.K. Steve, I'm a former National Board member, former National meet coordinator (5years), former chapter editor, former chapter secretary, former and present Chapter Director, and former National Judge. One of my tasks while on the board was to compile all the member input from the FIRST member survey. That was when the Cornfield Mafia was fighting with the New Jersey Gang for control of the President'c position. I wouldn't back either and the finding of the survey was not flattering to certain board members so I was not voted back on the board (I've always been ok with that even though they stuck it in the back like Brutus) and their hand picked Blackhawk man took my place. The President's board now meets like a Congress and brings forth their Chapter's issues. That's local representation. Things are just starting to settle down and right it's self but some can't get their way so thay make the most noise so they'll get the grease. We almost dropped out of having a National meet out here and went back to a Regional because YOU Steve messed with the judging and even wanted to give out our vanity (club) awards . I heard but haven't confirmed that you had issues with three other Chapter's you were in, just sayin'. If the Blackhawk Chapter doesn't want to be in the AMCA, have a National or Regional meet that's up to them and them alone. Makes room for other's that probally would. If they can't make money at it then somethings wrong with the financial management of their funds and they ought to change the way their doing business and not blame it on the National Board. Richard Ostrander National#47, former National# 2176, former National#11 (how about that Dawby)

[scd]

LOL. Thanks Rich, I didn’t realize you still loved me so much. But seriously, the question I have posed is not supposed to be about you or me, our tenure has passed. I am still hoping for some constructive dialogue that might give our leaders some member input as they move the club along to more positive territory. How about it everybody, any other opinions out there?

Steve

[fillibuster]

Kinda seems like Zeus and the other gods set up a lofty foundation where they could retire, and watch and laugh at the rest of us mere mortals tumble about in the garbage duty of managing the club and all of its silly politics. (i think I'd rather manage a juvee house)
It's fun to get an occasional chuckle, though, as it really does entertain.
Meantime, I'll trust the board to call us in when the time's appropriate, when we HAVE to fix something. I don't agree that it's at a crisis level until they can't handle it anymore. And they haven't flunked yet.

[bikerdds]

Rich, as a former board member, you should most appreciate what you just said. Eh too Brutus? You yourself have been a victim of a vindictive board that picks it’s own, and spits them out when they no longer are useful [or in other words, no longer a “company” man]. In a board voted on by the members, this could only occur if the members voted you out except in the case of term limits. You need to look at the substance of what Steve Dawdy wrote. You castigated him based on how you may have seen his personal actions as opposed to reality and truth of what he was saying. You tried to make his personal issues overshadow what is painfully evident. No matter how one may feel as to whether he had an agenda or not isn’t the issue here. Look at his words.
The cornfield group and Jersey ‘mafia” standoff would never have happened or stood for in a board voted on by members. While it is true that board members give and volunteer a lot of time, they are still chosen from amongst their own ranks or their friends that are enticed to throw their hat in the ring. While it is true that any club member may submit a resume to the board, because of the long term secrecy, anyone considered a troublemaker or one who speaks his/her mind will be passed over. Some of the most knowledgeable members of this club have been treated in this fashion. When the actions of a board, or more specifically, a president with his own agenda chooses to place politics over what is best for the club, this hurts all the members.
Many of the issues facing the club began to blow up prior to Eustis with the judging committee that spilled over to the Eustis meet that culminated in losing both the head and assistant head judge. Many of us witnessed the humiliation of the most knowledgeable Indian restorer and judge the world knows today. The Davenport group has their many reasons for becoming a regional show, which to a small degree include judging problems going back to Eustis. Based on the past and present club leaders personal agenda, the club has been robbed of a wealth of knowledge that can not be replaced at any cost today. Is this in the best interest of the club? We had the best judging the antique motor world had. It is laughable now in spite of what the board and president would have you believe today. The opinion and desires of the most senior judges in the country was overruled by one person with his own personal agenda. Any claims to the contrary are a feeble attempt to pacify the members, most who only care about a meet and a magazine. The majority of senior judges with ten or more years of experience will no longer judge. This blame can only be shouldered by the president himself.
Members? What Members! We are allowed a magazine! The so called members are in reality subscribers. Those who can afford to do so may go to an occasional meet. We have NO rights. Yes, we elect chapter presidents. The chapter presidents may have a meeting at a national meet and give input to the board. However, look at how we elect our national officials in this country. We get to elect our representatives. Our governors are also elected by we, the people. However, the governors, just like chapter presidents can not make any national policy, and our national AMCA board is under no obligation to follow any suggestion they have.
This form of club management may have been fine 50 years ago when the club was small and everyone knew each other. It is archaic today in this world of transparency and a club this size. There is no reason at all that every board meeting isn’t videotaped and released on the internet. It is no longer a prohibitive expense, in fact, the posting is free. The lack of transparency was also painfully obvious when votes on the torque four and the foundation occurred. The merits of those situations are not the issue, but how business was transacted with no input or announcement in advance to the members. Saying there was no choice or time is a significant hint of mismanagement or lack of management skills by the self sustaining narcissistic board. Also, having to ask permission in advance to attend a board meeting [only two allowed for space reasons] is a slap in the face. If we are not allowed to be there for space reasons, fine, but show a videotape in stead.
At the same time, we can’t just pull the plug. We need time to make changes by slowly bringing in new ideas of how to elect board members so as to not lose continuity. Elect several openly, and others in rotation over a three year period until all positions are member voted. Resumes can be placed in the magazine just like other national organizations. When this occurs, we will have our club back.
It is time the club enter the 21st century.