Just recently, in a nearby thread, there was a discussion about nothing changing, even if we have new COs. Actually, I think things will change and I wanted to start a thread about it before anyone is elected to anything.

I'll start this with my thoughts on this subject.

My idea of being a CO is to do a couple of things.

1. Build the community.

2. Find out what direction the community wants to go in and try to take it there.

If I feel I can no longer do both of these things, either because I am out of ideas, tired of working, or disagree with the communities wishes, then I will resign my post to give someone else a shot. So before any of you decide you want me as one of your COs, let me share my thoughts and visions for the community.

Increase membership.
I'd like to see more new people in the forum. I'd like to work with some of you to find new ways to find people and bring them into the club.

Add and attend different meets.
Car shows, Autocrossing, Track days, Special destination drives, Overnight meets, Modification how-tos are just some of my ideas. I'd like some of you to help on this and I'd like to hear your ideas too.

For Sale policy.
Each community can set its own rules on this. Right now, New England lets anyone come in and sell just about anything. I have some strong feelings about this, but I would want to hear all your opinions on this subject before I spoke to my co-CO about changing anything.

Annual National Event (Nor'easter)
If we are successful this year, I'd like to run the Nor'easter every year. It is a lot of work and many of you will have to help if we are going to do it.

Site sponsors.
How do we get more sponsors? What are the requirements to be a site sponsor? What do they provide to the site? I don't even know, but I want to discuss this with Glenn and then with the membership. Let's figure out what sponsors will be expected to provide us to qualify as "sponsors" and then let's try to get some more of them.


Those are the subjects I'm thinking about, and if i am your CO, I will want us all to participate in the discussion about how we address them. If you don't care for those issues, or think they are a waste of time, please let me know.

Also, let me know if there is anything that you care about that a CO could help to addres that is not listed above.

 

I"m Legal Bill, and I approve this message

 

My sig line already says that.

But you are correct. If people are not interested in those issues, they should not support me. It won't really hurt my feelings if the community says "no thanks Bill."

 

Bill, you seem sincere about bringing some sort of change around here. For that, my hat is off to you.

I wonder how much change can actually be made. You have been around here as long as I have and I am sure you remember the days when meets were well attended and plentiful. That just isn't the case now. The car isn't as "fresh" as it once was. Many active members have moved on. Most new owners that you would attempt to recruit are very young since the car is now affordable. These youngin's (for the most part), don't want to hang out with a bunch of older folks who don't street race and fix neon to the bottom of their car. There goes your new membership.

Even when we get a decent meet going, the turn out isn't spectacular as it once was. People have too many other commitments these days. Some, like me, have kids and a grouchy wife. Others have a very busy career (me too). So, the meets aren't as well attended as before and won't be.

It seems like a lot of new members or maybe just the general trend these days is to just go out to eat and hang out/drink beers. This is great and I love taking part of it myself. But, where is the car stuff in all this? We have all these Fitzy meets and Wendels and everything else, and no one even says the word S2000 at the table. It's all about gossip and other social stuff. Cars just arent the focus anymore. Erick is one of the only members I can remember having a car related conversation with in recent past.

My point is that the community itself has changed. No amount of CO interaction or rhetoric is going to change this. Basically, this is a social club more than a car club.

That being said, if you can change that, you got my vote, but I don't think it will be easy.

 

doh, I'm so observant

 

Jeff - I am always thrilled to talk S, racing, or even cars in general I would LOVE to have more CAR related events, that's why I signed up here.

I have become more interested in the people (some anyway ) but that does not mean I have any LESS interest in DRIVING my car.

I have done as much as possible to encourage meets and get togethers but due to my location that is not a viable option for everyone.

I would like to see Nor'Easter happen every year. I have no kids and no grouchy wife I would also love to have a group participation autocross or two in the summer months - that's on my list to try this year.

 

Ellen,

I agree, you are very car oriented, which is cool. If I didn't make it clear enough, I want to make sure that I say I don't think this social club stuff applies to everyone.

 

I agree with everything but the conclusions that the base isn't there. I do think we have challenges, but why not try and get some of the younger people and find ways to make the club relevant to them? 7 years ago when this forum started there were more young people. I think we can get back some of that group by doing more tech stuff, car shows and motorsports events. This was the stuff Glenn was good at back when he was active. I think that is what the new COs need to try and encourage.

 

No offense taken Jeff. I don't see why the group can't be both car oriented and social. Most of the people here good company.

 

Absolutely! I pondered even making that post because I don't want to make the impression that I don't enjoy the social aspect of some meets. I enjoy everyones company and look forward to the non-car meets too.

I just remember the days when we used to meet at Garden City on Tuesdays and BS about cars all night. It was ALL about the car back then. I think the car is just a catalyst for social interaction these days.