2010 SEC Elections

[bigalpha]

i think he means that the current BOD is not overwhelmed with running such a large chapter right now.... if we had a larger base outside of the central SE (especially in coastal areas) then the volume of people would necessitate a division to more easily organize targeted events for the regions, but the fact of the matter is that as of right now there just isnt that big of a turnout from those areas, so another chapter just isnt necessary

Separating the chapter isn't necessarily based on work load ... but geographic distribution. IMO, the Atlantic states are pretty separate from the rest of the SEC states. I know that the distance from those states are a direct factor that causes most people to not come to the big wheeling events.

At any rate, I'm not actively petitioning to get rid of those states from our chapter.

Maybe it's time for a 3rd official run in the Atlantic states.

 

[Mr.Shrek]

What if each state had a representative? One that would help organize/promote events in their state and/or team up with neighboring states for rides/events. Not really a position of prominence just a volunteer to help keep areas involved and active.

 

[PacificEd]

What if each state had a representative? One that would help organize/promote events in their state and/or team up with neighboring states for rides/events. Not really a position of prominence just a volunteer to help keep areas involved and active.

That's a really great idea.

 

[Mr.Shrek]

Then you aren't splitting up regions and to be honest if I was on the sub-board for say TN, AL, & MS (just to give a general division of the SEC) I would be in over my head with not knowing a single thing about either AL and MS as far as wheeling is concerned.

 

[Ghost]

What if each state had a representative? One that would help organize/promote events in their state and/or team up with neighboring states for rides/events. Not really a position of prominence just a volunteer to help keep areas involved and active.

Good thought but being the devils advocate here I doubt you will find one person in each state willing to do it.

 

[Mr.Shrek]

Thanks debbie downer :bawl:

Just some ideas to help get more of the chapter as strong as the TN area.

 

[bigalpha]

Maybe we solicit volunteers from each state. If nobody wants to volunteer for a state then sucks for that state.

 

[Cottontail]

Good thought but being the devils advocate here I doubt you will find one person in each state willing to do it.

That is what got us into this situation in the first place. Big talk and little action from the "forgotten" states.


And Shrek (since I can't figure out how to do mutiple quotes), regarding your statement about not knowing anything about MS and AL wheeling, I don't see that as much of an issue because the chapter officials probably don't either. Actually I see that as a benefit, because a secondary board could work hard to build those smaller areas as part of the SEC in whole. As the rep for TN, AL, MS, you could learn about wheeling in AL, and MS and provide that information for the chaper officials to strengthen the chapter as a whole.

 

[Mr.Shrek]

And Shrek (since I can't figure out how to do mutiple quotes), regarding your statement about not knowing anything about MS and AL wheeling, I don't see that as much of an issue because the chapter officials probably don't either. Actually I see that as a benefit, because a secondary board could work hard to build those smaller areas as part of the SEC in whole. As the rep for TN, AL, MS, you could learn about wheeling in AL, and MS and provide that information for the chaper officials to strengthen the chapter as a whole.

That's why I'm thinking each state having their own volunteer A) splits up the work load to help provide a higher quality effort in that area B) cuts down the learning curve C) the old saying "many hands make light work"

 

[Ghost]

Thanks debbie downer :bawl:

Just some ideas to help get more of the chapter as strong as the TN area.

TN also has a lot more places to wheel. NC lost Tellico and has very few places now and SC is in the same boat.
I remember when NC was stronger then TN. It goes in cycles IMHO.

That is what got us into this situation in the first place. Big talk and little action from the "forgotten" states.


And Shrek (since I can't figure out how to do mutiple quotes), regarding your statement about not knowing anything about MS and AL wheeling, I don't see that as much of an issue because the chapter officials probably don't either. Actually I see that as a benefit, because a secondary board could work hard to build those smaller areas as part of the SEC in whole. As the rep for TN, AL, MS, you could learn about wheeling in AL, and MS and provide that information for the chaper officials to strengthen the chapter as a whole.

Multi quote is the littel page with the plus next to quote. Click it on the quote's you want to use then click quote on the final one and post away. At least that is how I do it.

Lets look at this another way. I am in SC and there are maybe half dozen members in the state. I'm 1.5 hours and do a day run in URE. It's 3 hours for people from Columbia and 2-3 hours for people from Greenville/Spartenburg area. Thoes guys are closer to Gulches then me so thet tend to go there. Plus weekend x is not possiable for me but weekend y is. If we do 2 set events a year and we post the dates before the year starts that gives everyone a chance to save/prepare for those events. IMHO 2 "sponsored" events is plenty. I look at the boards daily and have seen people posting up to go wheleing in AL, NC, TN, VA, and AL all the time. Are they organised runs? No, but they are chances for people to go to the events and to meet other people from thier chapter. I have also notice some people posting aobut jobs a lot more then they use to. I personally have had no time to go wheeling since the crawl, other then a couple runs on the loacal private trail, and certainly have not had the extra money to do it either. I guess I'm rambling now but do you see that point too?

 

[PacificEd]

I will tell you that being on the BOD takes a lot of time and money. Trying to do all you can within the chapter can be difficult. Mark, Ghost and I have really tried to get out and meet the people of the chapter. We've been to Alabama, Georgia and TN. We've tried to attend as many wheeling and meet & greet events possible. While we don't (and can't unfortuately) make every event, we sure tried whether it was a Easter M&G, WrenchFest, wheeling, or other.

That is why it is so important for people to take charge and help promote and build events in the area they live in. The BOD is willing to assist and do what we can even if we can't be there. Look at the M&G that the Charlotte guys put on. That was successful and has the opportunity to grow from there.

One thing that many people don't recognize is the two major rides we have each year. The Flog is coming up and I'm working on the Crawl for 2011 already. To SEC members, these should be must attend events. It's where all the fun is whether it is wheeling or hanging around the fire visiting. It's not about a daytrip to a place close to home, it's about getting away and having fun with people who share a common interest. These events help you to meet people and make new friends. They rejuvinate and motivate you. I would encourage everyone to put these events on their calendars and attend if at all possible.

 

[Maxcfm]

That's why I'm thinking each state having their own volunteer A) splits up the work load to help provide a higher quality effort in that area B) cuts down the learning curve C) the old saying "many hands make light work"

We called them regional directors, and had 10 to 13 in our state club broken out by city or county it was the officers call how it got broken up. They were the go to people for your area and handled the local info flowing up into the officers and help organize regional events.

There was an officer in charge of tracking all the events and interacting with other clubs and directors to keep the online calender of events updated as well as making sure the upcoming events made it into the monthly newsletter to get mailed or emailed your choice.

Now this was 450+ member club based out of Ga. We managed 2 large car shows a year and 2 club picnics. There were a slew of other events as well in state and out they where not all "OUR" events but there was someone who was point that you could call and get info or plan a ride to it. Regional directors were nominated volunteers or asked by the officers (some people need a nudge)

Biggest thing that's different we are an Internet based club trying to do real things, that car club meet in person once a month as did the officers so officers had 2 meetings to try and attend. It was not a perfect club but it still is evolving today because it has too.

All this boils down to running a club is a lot of hard work online or not someone has to do the foot work i.e. make the calls to vendors to get stuff to give away for the club events, deal with getting us a place to ride or be, deal with hurt feelings and bad attitudes. All a thankless job, but if you can divide and conquer the work it doesn't seem as bad.

From what little I've seen Ed, Mark, Glen and Glen have done a pretty good job and can't forget Stump for GA M&G's, Tyler for the cove ride. I'm sure I'm leaving people out that are behind the scene but thanks for making my stay here fun so far!

Sorry for the wall of text just needed to get that out there.

 

[RedHeep]

Separating the chapter isn't necessarily based on work load ... but geographic distribution. IMO, the Atlantic states are pretty separate from the rest of the SEC states. I know that the distance from those states are a direct factor that causes most people to not come to the big wheeling events.

At any rate, I'm not actively petitioning to get rid of those states from our chapter.

Maybe it's time for a 3rd official run in the Atlantic states.

What I was trying to say was that until the members are there, they don't require representation. The current number of BOD members can represent the membership within the SEC just fine.

As far as not driving to the events from the atlantic states, that's BS. I literally live on the ocean and I've been to crawls at tellico and harlan. It's only 8-10 hours away. The only reason people have for not doing it is making excuses that they don't want to drive for a long weekend to go wheeling.

I've said it often enough. Chapters revolve around places to wheel. There's nowhere in the coastal areas of VA, NC or SC to wheel, so there's no reason to break them out. It will wither and die with nowhere for the membership to go.

 

[RedHeep]

There was some informal talk with the MWC about this and basically they don't wanna give it up.

As much as I love the MWC, it's not their call. It's national's.

The people I've talked to from KY think it should be in the SEC. Their opinion should matter more than the MWC BOD.

 

[bigalpha]

What I was trying to say was that until the members are there, they don't require representation. The current number of BOD members can represent the membership within the SEC just fine.

Really? You must not be on the receiving end of some of the complaints that the BOD doesn't do enough outside of TAG.

As far as not driving to the events from the atlantic states, that's BS. I literally live on the ocean and I've been to crawls at tellico and harlan. It's only 8-10 hours away. The only reason people have for not doing it is making excuses that they don't want to drive for a long weekend to go wheeling.

For you it's 8-9 hours to Harlan. From the very Northernmost point on FL it's at least 9 hours. 12 hours from Orlando. Northern Mississippi starts at 8 hours; 10 hours from Jackson.

It's not just about the excuses of not wanting to drive a long time. It's mostly about money - especially nowadays. 5 hours is a helluva lot different than 10 hours just as 8 hours is to 4 hours.

I've said it often enough. Chapters revolve around places to wheel. There's nowhere in the coastal areas of VA, NC or SC to wheel, so there's no reason to break them out. It will wither and die with nowhere for the membership to go.

How would it be any different than it is now? Having these states in the SEC doesn't magically give them wheeling areas. There was obviously enough interest at some point in the past to get the ball rolling on a Carolina chapter.

Is it really prudent to keep areas that are 9-10 hour drive away and are geographically separated from the bulk of this chapter, inside this chapter?

Edit: I would like to reiterate that I'm not actively pushing to get rid of you Atlantic suckers. :moon:

 

[RedHeep]

Creating another chapter with no wheeling areas is just like having a big chapter with distant wheeling areas.

For the record, I've supported the decentralization of since I was on the national BOD. I think there should be more chapters, especially self-governing ones with their own dues and budgets.

Unfortunately, until the money and membership goes to each chapter rather than the giant national checking account, there's simply no point in creating more chapters. The chapter BOD is a planning committee. They plan events and raffles. Why create another chapter where there's no place to have an event?

If someone said "there's 50 members in florida, they all wheel "here" and they want to form their own chapter to hold events and support the things supports" I'd fully support that. But the general statement of "the chapter is too big" isn't a reason to split it up.

I'm with you, not concerned either way, just providing an opinion. If chapter realignment happened across the nation the way it should, it would look drastically different than choosing states based on college football conferences.

 

[xjtrailrider]

If we had a "regional" or "state" director, I'm sure a couple of us would step up from VA. As far as being on the BOD, not me, i don't have time! I'm on several local boards for youth sports and local wheelin clubs. It would be nice to have a rep from each state to organize meet and greats, trail rides, etc.

My wife would leave me if I join another board

 

[bigalpha]

My wife would leave me if I join another board

Every time I tell mine that I joined another forum, I get "the look".

 

[High2by]

I've got to where I don't "tell" mine anymore.

 

[Mr.Shrek]

I've got to where I don't "tell" mine anymore.

Ditto!