About this DJ Josh guy...

[djblade311]

About me for those who don't know me:

Moved to SoCal in April 02. Purchased my first XJ in June 2005, bone stock primarily for hauling DJ equipment and camping gear. Received help from local SoCal XJ and members with various wrenching and advice. Now my rig is lifted, locked, armored, and serves as my daily driver and trail rig. My first super simple trail was Lytle Creek followed by going down to the Baja 5-1600 races. Ever since, I have had perfect attendance at all official chapter events and attended nearly all OC meet n greets except for 2 since Ive joined. Stepped up to coordinate, prep and run SoCalFest 09 and RockinXJ Goatfest 09 with great volunteers. But enough of the past...

I have a wife named Nicole and a 3yr old daughter named Gianna. On the side, I also run a DJ company hence my screenname "djblade311". Currently serving as your Chapter Treasurer.

As you have heard from various members, You will only get out of the chapter based on what you put in. The SoCal BOD should never be the only ones to do all the work. The BOD is there with certain responsibilities to make sure the chapter can hit its goals. It should not be one person but a large active chapter with BOD that empowers its members. I don't want to sound corny but ask not what your chapter can do for you — ask what you can do for your chapter.

A few points:

1. Perfect attendance for official chapter events and high attendance for non-official events.
2. Chapter BOD insight and experience.
3. I don't like personal politics and egos. I focus on the bottom-line of helping people, raising money, resolving conflict and accomplishing goals. Its not about me, its about the overall membership so I am always open to feedback.

My Goals as Chapter President:

1. Coordinate / schedule 3 cleanup days per year
2. Add another trail to adopt (some suggestions from others were Holy Jim)
3. raise atleast $2K in proceeds per year
4. Hold atleast 2 official events per year with hopes of 3 large events.
5. Promote monthly wrench parties.
6. Better plan trail runs to not single out any particular group. Make Stocker runs very beginner friendly with optional obstacles. JeepSpeeders, Rock crawlers, and mall crawlers alike.
7. Increase member involvement and participation.

I'm going to stop there but again, the chapter goals and success depends on a majority of its members. I just hope to be the one who can take us there.

 

[djblade311]

oh yea...members please vote!

 

[djblade311]

any questions? i hear crickets

 

[Monkey55]

How will you handle it when it gets tough around here? Will you be able to do what's best for the SoCal Chapter and not what a few vocal members and users complain about?

What do you plan on doing to address the issue of sub-groups alienating themselves? As far as I know, this is one club - ::, not a mother club of smaller clubs

 

[Kejtar]

My Goals as Chapter President:

1. Coordinate / schedule 3 cleanup days per year
2. Add another trail to adopt (some suggestions from others were Holy Jim)
3. raise atleast $2K in proceeds per year
4. Hold atleast 2 official events per year with hopes of 3 large events.
5. Promote monthly wrench parties.
6. Better plan trail runs to not single out any particular group. Make Stocker runs very beginner friendly with optional obstacles. JeepSpeeders, Rock crawlers, and mall crawlers alike.
7. Increase member involvement and participation.

How do you plan to raise $2k?
Regarding the events do you mean that the 3 large events would be coordinated but not necessarily "official" ?
Why do you think that the chapter BOD (or president) need to promote monthly whrenching parties?
HOw do you plan to increase member involvement and participation?

 

[tcm glx]

How often will you do your "special dance" for the people?

 

[cracker]

What is your policy about drunk polish people hanging around campfires with a handgun in view?

 

[GSequoia]

Will any of these events involve painting my house?

 

[djblade311]

How will you handle it when it gets tough around here? Will you be able to do what's best for the SoCal Chapter and not what a few vocal members and users complain about?

What do you plan on doing to address the issue of sub-groups alienating themselves? As far as I know, this is one club - , not a mother club of smaller clubs

Most of the time when the chapter forums are heated is because of people not using their filters, lack of respect, misunderstandings and miscommunication. I work as a Product Manager and my primary expertise is understanding the market and the customers (ie, the members). I deal with vocal salesreps and there will always be one or two loud customers. It is difficult to please every individual all the time but if you take the time to listen to the complaints (if the members come forward) and understand where they are coming from, you find the common ground and do something that benefits the majority of those affected. I would do the same with the club by talking to each person who raised the issue before making any decisions. Some are just frustrated and want to be heard or considered. If one person reports a post, the severity differs than if 10 people report the post. The selected moderators and BOD should discuss taking action on any particular thread and issue when it arises to get a consensus rather than one person making the wrong decision.

The alienation of sub-groups seemed to happen because of what occurred or what was said at events but also on the forums. Some didnt feel welcome because of the selected trail runs. Providing more trail options that can accomodate everyone is much easier issue to solve with sufficient trail planning and feedback. The first issue mentioned is a tricker issue to solve but can be addressed only if the affected parties wish to resolve. It depends on the members giving and receiving advice. Noone is perfect but we should all know the difference between right and wrong.

How do you plan to raise $2k?
Regarding the events do you mean that the 3 large events would be coordinated but not necessarily "official" ?
Why do you think that the chapter BOD (or president) need to promote monthly whrenching parties?
HOw do you plan to increase member involvement and participation?

$2K is a tough goal but there are a few ways to accomplish this:
1. Controlling our costs. There are some things we purchase that can be had at a lower price such as food for events.
2. Provide more schwag options and not just T-Shirts. We all have a ton of event t-shirts, let look at other items that members can use.
3. 50/50 raffles at meet n greets.
4. more fundraising events and not just our 1 or 2 events.

Currently, our official event consists of SoCalFest but newly added GoatFest/RockinXJ Jambo. Other events can be coordinated by BOD and members and not official whereas it would not require National support. Our chapter should be able to sustain itself without much outside assistance.

the BOD or president will help motivate a promote wrenching parties but of course it depends on the members to help host and power those events. Most newbies are afraid to ask for help. BOD can make it more of a scheduled wrench event and reach out to members to post up their wrenching needs. We ALWAYS have something to wrench on. Wrenching parties would not be a shortage.

In regards to involvement, some members may feel that the BOD handles most items behind the scenes. I feel that the BOD should be more open and request for volunteers on a more regular basis when needed. Many events don't get the promotion it deserves. Yea we post up threads about it but we shouldnt stop there. Planning MUCH further in advance will give the chapter the chance to promote sooner to a larger audience. We should be thinking outside in...and not inside out. Flyers, posting up on other offroad forums, marketing, SupaTweets, etc can be done if we ask for help and empower the members to do so.

 

[djblade311]

How often will you do your "special dance" for the people?

As often as you show me the money! I've done much worse to raise money for charity and I won't disclose that list.

 

[Monkey55]

...$2K is a tough goal but there are a few ways to accomplish this...

Is this extra $2k needed and how do you feel it should be spent??

 

[djblade311]

What is your policy about drunk polish people hanging around campfires with a handgun in view?

haha :conceited

I believe in the 2nd amendment even though I dont own a gun. however guns and alcohol should never mix. Keep it out of sight, packed away. If you feel the need to touch cold steel and go shooting, leave the campfire (miles away) and leave the alcohol behind.

 

[djblade311]

Will any of these events involve painting my house?

If you would be willing to donate some money to the chapter cause, I'd come paint your house.

 

[djblade311]

Is this extra $2k needed and how do you feel it should be spent??

Last year we donated $1000 to SBNF Adopt a Trail and $1000 to FOJV. It felt really great to donate that money to a cause that relates to our sport and to keep the trails open for everyone to enjoy. Other times, we've donated to members who have lost family, to families of members that were lost, vets, etc. My goal is to raise $2K in proceeds (after costs) to donate to SBNF and any other land use cause that would make a difference. The needs shift from one cause to another quickly depending on how much support they receive before we are able to donate. There are certain causes that may be lost causes unless we have 5 - 6 figure amounts. No amount is too little.

 

[Monkey55]

Same question to all candidates:

What do you intend on doing about the "overlooked" safety requirements for official :: runs? For every official trail run I've been on, no one has inspected any vehicle to make sure they met 's minimum safety requirements.

Do you feel that those safety requirements should be over looked??

 

[mattyj]

Josh. I just want to say thanks for not peeing on my motorhome couch.









:wantyou:

Goodluck!

 

[djblade311]

Same question to all candidates:

What do you intend on doing about the "overlooked" safety requirements for official :: runs? For every official trail run I've been on, no one has inspected any vehicle to make sure they met 's minimum safety requirements.

Do you feel that those safety requirements should be over looked??

I've conducted tech inspections for various events although I can admit that inspections were overlooked in the last two events due to scrambling last minute. Safety requirements should not be over looked. There are scenarios when performing tech inspections on 50+ rigs the morning of the run may not be feasible when you have limited time and no preplanned support. At that point, you have to ask the trail leaders to check at the trail head.

To address this issue, the event planning needs to start much earlier and have contingency plans for no-shows. I would appoint 2-5 members to be the tech inspectors and have backups. It works much better when you begin registration and tech inspections the day people arrive.

 

[djblade311]

Josh. I just want to say thanks for not peeing on my motorhome couch.









:wantyou:

Goodluck!

No Thank you for providing me with a comfy couch! I was too dehydrated to pee... :thumbup:

 

[karstic]

Josh. I just want to say thanks for not peeing on my motorhome couch.









:wantyou:

Goodluck!

I'm glad he was using your MH, mine was about tapped out with my two visitors, plus extras.

 

[karstic]

In regards to the AAT program, how would you promote increased participation in AAT activities as well as other land-use/volunteer opportunities?