Any one else see this problem?

[xxmidianxx]

Ok first off I am not bitching nor am I talking about breaking up this chapter but, does anyone else think the area this chapter covers is a lil too big? Hell Texas alone is too big. I just think the main reason its hard to get ppl together for wheeling trips is cuz we are spread out too far. It was great meeting everyone that went to Hot Springs and my wife and I want to do it more often but time, gas, and distance to travel is too great most of the year. And its like pulling teeth trying to get the locals in the Houston area together. Its me and magimerlin just about every Sunday getting together and I have tried to PM others but never pans out. I LOVE the idea of the once a year Spring trip for the chapter but I would also love the idea of more of us getting together through out the year....

OK enough of my rant... sorry I am 19 hours into my 24 hour shift and got in front of a computer.:compwork:

But anyone else feel this way?

 

[blaisetd]

I agree with you. Like i've said before...i have only met one member. blaise

 

[MischiefMan]

Well, do you think that decreasing the physical size of the chapter would do anything to improve the situations you have described? I mean would decreasing the size of the pool of people do anything to increase the number of people who attend events or whatever?

In my humble opinion it isn't the size of the chapter, it is the state of our economy. I would love to get out and do more things, but since I can't afford to fix either XJ at the moment it kinda limits what I can do, or where I can do it.

If gas were still $1 per gallon rather than $3.50 I would have no problem going down there on weekends. I use to go to Houston all the time to hang out with the ex's family.

 

[xxmidianxx]

Ok Ian you missed the whole point... I was just saying that maybe the reason we can't get a run together is cuz of our size. And like I started out with: "...nor am I talking about breaking up this chapter". I frimly understand about the gas prices too... I stated that in my post. I also stated "And its like pulling teeth trying to get the locals in the Houston area together." and no one can complain about gas prices when we live within a 6-7 mile range of eachothereven if some of us are getting 13 to 14 mpg.

I guess I was trying to do more of a "wake up call" to some of the RRC members to start getting together more in their local areas and doing things together like day trip wheeling, mods on the XJs, cookouts or just sitting around drinking beers and talking about what they want to do w/ their XJs. I mean hey atleast I am trying....

 

[MischiefMan]

LOL...no, I got your point...which is why I asked what I did.

The size of the chapter is not the issue. Some members just are choosing not to participate for whatever reason.

All that we can do is lead by example. You and Magimerlin are doing a great job at doing so. I've tried to do get-togethers up here also. I'm in the same boat as you are in that DFW peeps don't seem to want to get involved.

One of our members has had people come out to his place to destroy his property (those poor rocks just can't handle the abuse). ExTanker and Co. north of me have gotten together on at least one occasion that I can think of.

Perhaps the things that we are trying to do are wrong and not what others are wanting to do?

 

[xxmidianxx]

Well the PMs I sent out were open ended.... I said in one "mass PM" that we can work on eachothers XJs, have a cookout or what ever we come up with. And there still was nothing. Roxj has been the only one to say that he is willing to come over but thats is so far... every one else has come up with one reason or another.

 

[goodburbon]

We are a year old now. This chapter is so large that it necessitates smaller group gatherings in several locations. This is why I suggested meet and greets, or friday lunches, or basically anything that would give 2 or more members a reason to get together. You guys are doing a good job at getting that started. If no one takes you up, no biggie. Don't give up. We are effectively 6 mini chapters: South La/Houston, NorthLA/Arkansas, Dallas, Oklahoma, West Tex, South Tex.

We can't realistically expect members to drive 10 hours or more for meetings, so it is up to our members to organize meetings with each other when they can.

We should also hold events quarterly or 3 times a year to allow those smaller groups an opportunity to come together and make this chapter a chapter. We have tried holding polls to determine when we can get the most attendance and where it should be, but these all wind up with more questions than answers. From now on to help streamline the process we should form small comittees to oversee these things or just dictate when they will happen and allow our chapter members a chance to make plans to attend.

 

[xxmidianxx]

burbon I wasn't trying to say members shoud dive 10 hours for a meeting... thats just idiotic!

And I agree with the small comittees though. The way I look at that is a small group, say 10 members, can get together and come to an agreement about.. lets say a trip somewhere.. then they group can speak as one instead of 10 diffrent ideas.

Ok so I propose the BOD, with help from other RRC members, come up with (for lack of a better term at this time) "sub-chapters" or even so called "reigons" to help deligate things and try to get things to run smoother. Also plan smaller events in between the big ones to keep us more focused.

RRC is a great group of ppl and I would love to see this chapter do great things in the future. I feel that we just have too much "area" to cover but if everyone helps out we can work through all of these lil kinks and move up hill side.

And sorry RRC BODs if I made too many waves in you guys kiddie pool. :kissyou:

 

[MischiefMan]

Ah...growing pains, gotta love 'em.

Little subchapters just sounds like too much bureaucracy to me. I mean what are we the federal government? LOL

I really like the idea of the BOD just directing and setting events or what-not. I'm not sure I understand the logic behind subchapters though.

 

[xxmidianxx]

Don't get me wrong Ian I am all for chaos but I don't think it will work in this case. But I do beleive this is something every member in the RRC has a say in, not just me and you. But even then it will be up to the BOD from there. And isn't the great BOD that we have our governing body?

GOD I HATE POLITICS!

I am also not talking about having "mini BODs", just a group of ppl hanging out and trying to figure out where they would like to go/do and if its something like a big event, lets say an anual trip, they can all come to an agreement on things and then speak as one on the topic. I think it will get alot of the BS out of the way then we only have a lil bit more of it to go through to figure everything out.

Buts thats just my $0.02.

yes thats an opion Ian :laugh3:

 

[msrorysddad]

I do feel as if I haven't been promoting :anon: our group as much as I could. I see several xj in my daily adventures, I promise to do more on the meet and greet front, (Ian, I shaved my beard, and got a haircut). I have only been a member for a short time, however I've met up with 3 members, so far. Good, I would meet you, however I'm afraid our combined coolness would set off mass hysteria, and you know how all "those little people" :guitar: are. Back to the point. I feel we as a group need to do more meeting, for a year old club, we're doin ok. I will do more to find a place to wheel near here, for everyone. I extend this invitation to all, if you're ever in my neck of the not so woody woods, hollar and we'll get together. :wantyou: yes, I got on a smiles:rof: trip

 

[MischiefMan]

I'm not trying to decide anything for anyone.

I also agree that this isn't a decision that is up to you and I, but since we're the only two involved in this discussion right now.....

I've also not said that your opinions were wrong. I'm only trying to understand your logic or make sure I'm not misunderstanding what you're saying. Which I think I did misunderstand. I thought you were saying subchapters as in the literal sense, but I think now I get that you were saying it more as a representative from each area to help decide the chapter stuff. Or do I still have it wrong?




and wtf is an "opion"??

 

[ExTankerGuy]

Just plan one wheeling trip per quarter. Space them out location wise around the chapter. If people make it, they make it. If not, they don't...

 

[xxmidianxx]

Just plan one wheeling trip per quarter. Space them out location wise around the chapter. If people make it, they make it. If not, they don't...

That could work if ppl could even agree on a date. I mean its not really fair if one person says "OK it's on this date and no changing it." and that date can't work for 75% of the members.

 

[MischiefMan]

Ya mean kinda like the whole March thing? LOL

 

[BIgDaddyChia]

I think we should do sub chapters. They can do trips them selves or with other sub chapters and we as a whole can do 2 or 3 major events a year

 

[xxmidianxx]

Ya mean kinda like the whole March thing? LOL

yeah just like that... lol.

And now you got it... I would never want to split this chapter up. I met too many great ppl in this chapter out at Hot Springs and I would want to wheel with every one at any time. I just feel the more we meet up ( even in small groups) and wheel together the more ppl ( other XJ and MJ owners ) will see us and the more we will grow. But I honestly think we should call these areas "Regions" cuz I think sub-chapters makes us sound divided.... or that just me?

I will also try and get my buddy to make some and RRC stickers made up but that is also just like pulling teeth.

 

[MischiefMan]

I do agree with the psychological affect of "regions" vs. "sub chapters".

I swear I'm not trying to be argumentative or difficult :dunce:, but how is this any different from what we are doing now? Are we just applying labels for the sake of applying labels?

It seems to me that currently it goes kinda like this (on the local/regional level, not the chapter level). "Hey, I'm goin' wheelin' on XX date at XX location." People either go or they don't. Won't that pretty much be the same thing?

I'm still obviously missing the point. :helpme:

 

[goodburbon]

We already are divided into subchapters by region, purely by demographics. There is no need to establish further Bureaucracy. Not with only 10 truly active members, You guys already have the equivalent say of a "sub chapter delegate" just with your voices. As for mini trips...the more the better. It is up to you guys. Instead of sitting here trying to establish something officially that basically already exists. ( look at the Katemcy trips planned for october for example) You don't need official approval to wheel with each other! The other members just need to pay more attention and make a small effort to meet up with the rest of the members in their respective areas, if for no other reason than to get to know one another a bit better.


No, I don't think you're stirring the pot too much, this is a discussion that needs to be had.

 

[Exxon Valdez Jeep]

I went wheeling about every month last summer but none of it was with . This summer, my jeep fell apart in March and it hasnt moved since and if wasnt for that, i believe I would have went to about three events. I know that there is a nicely sized group from the Austin area up to Waco, I have recieved several PM to go do something and invitations to work on somebody elses jeep but I have just been to busy and will be until after October. Then everything around here is pretty much closed until hunting season is over. That leaves Hot Springs, Gilmer, and Spring Creek AFAIK.

rant over: I believe we already have our sub chapters, regions, goverments, cliques, what ever already made. We just need to get together sometime somewhere. Like Hooters.