Chapter BOD positions/election

[DutchVDub]

Well even though I've already been nominated I'll post up why I want to be vice president.

The current bod has been doing it's job for yrs and is admittedly burned out from it. Because of this I feel things have become a bit stagnant. Some of the larger chapter trips have fallen to the wayside and until recently m&g's have been pretty much nill. I want to see this chapter and even naxja as a hole become the kick arse family it can be. I want to see more gtg's and group/chapter trail runs. I also want to see us giving back to the trails more and creating a better overall wheeling experience. By the looks of things that means it's time to step up and make things happen which is exactly what I'm planning to do

I also see a lot of new blood in this forum and quite frankly I think it's time the new crowd is better represented in the big picture. There is essentially a "good old boy" system in place that needs to be rectified. New ideas need to be tried and new life needs to be had

I'm glad some of the old timers are stickig around to help us new pups get into the flow of things (Troy for wanting to take up an advisory position in the bod for example) beause it's good to keep what works working, but overall it's time for something new.

 

[Jawa]

To follow suit, here's a little bit about me, why I'm running, and why you should vote for me:

When I joined 2 years ago I had a stock Cherokee and my idea of serious wheeling was what TrailDamage.com rates about a 2 or maybe a 3. I had never heard of a locker, had never done any work more involved than an oil change, and wouldn't have been able to tell a tie rod from a track bar. Fast forward to today and I'm comfortable running trails in the 6-8 range, have 5.5" of lift, armor, swapped axles and various other mods that I installed myself, and I like to think I'm now pretty knowledgeable about our XJs, mods, and wheeling in general. I have to thank for that. Nearly ALL of my experience and knowledge has come from these forums and CO chapter members.

In addition to the reasons Rich gave above, I'm running for a BOD position because I want to give back to and do what I can to help others the same way members have helped me.

I have been very active with over the last couple of years, attending runs to Slaughterhouse Gulch, Twin Cone, Red Cone, Mill Creek, Bill Moore Lake, Middle St. Vrain/Coney Flats, Illinois Gulch, Spring Creek, Chinaman Gulch, Iron Chest, Eagle Rock, and others. I attend meet and greets when I can and attended CO Fest... even if it was for only a day to swipe some really cool raffle prizes. I already have time blocked out to attend the full week in 2010. My point is that I'm not a web wheeler - I'll be actively promoting trail runs and events and I'll be out there on the trails with you.

As for specific qualifications for treasurer, I have a degree in business finance, am responsible for client reporting and invoicing at my job, manage the bills at home, and don't have a single late payment on my credit report. :laugh3: :thumbup:

What dirt will the competition be able to dig up? Maybe the fact that my wife owns a JK and that I've been known to wheel it on occasion... Shhh.... :eyes:

 

[Kittrell]

.....my wife owns a JK and that I've been known to wheel it on occasion... Shhh.... :eyes:

Banned!

 

[YELLAHEEP]

I guess you can say I'm becoming a bit of a "fixture" in this Chapter and with ...... doesn't seem like 10 years ago I came to this club. But from my standpoint, I feel like I've got a vested interest in the Colorado Chapter and I'd like to see it continue to do good things and it's members have a great time enjoying these stupid little XJ's that swallow up so much of our time and funds.......

I am approaching this election term with no agenda this time. I have no goals, projects or specific items of concern that I hope to address...... that's primarilly why I am looking at a Director's seat again this year. It will be my purpose to lend my support to the Chapter BOD as they work toward their goals. I do feel that with the potential for a totally new BOD, there will be times where some experience will be needed and most likely appreciated - it's not an easy job and many times - very time consuming. I've held all positions in the Chapter's BOD now so I have a well rounded view of what can be expected.

I enjoy moderating the Chapter's forums and overseeing the maintenance of the For Sale Forum. Those duties keep me pretty occupied as it is.......

I agree - the Colorado Chapter needs some fresh energy and motivation. But with that, those running for BOD seats need to be very certain that they truely do have the time available to devote to the tasks...... and that their family understands there will be days where they will seem married to the computer and phone.

I just got handed another full year of working in the Jail, rather than transferring back to Patrol so time isn't going to be an issue........

I wish all of those running for positions the best of luck and I look forward to serving as the Front Range Director should the members choose me. :thumbup:

 

[Seiler]

Fellow Colorado Chapter Members –

My name is Scott. I’d like to tell you a bit about myself, and provide a few reasons why I feel I can fulfill the responsibilities of The CO Chapter Treasurer.

4 years ago, I found myself the proud new (to me) owner of a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Country. Like many, I realized I was new to this hobby. Instantly, I became interested and dove head first into whatever I could find in relation to XJ’s, to feed my hunger for more. Through this process, I came across a knowledge goldmine, . Oblivious to what, exactly, I had found, I decided to join.

After decrypting the XJ suspension code, and investing some money in tools, I sought after the key to adding more ground clearance to my rig. 6.5” LA kit, 33” tires and devotion had given me the opportunity to wheel my Jeep to places I had never thought imaginable. I found myself working as many hours as I could, to afford the gas I would need to get me to places such as Buena Vista, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte, Montrose, Ouray, Telluride etc. Red Cone Pass, Chinaman Gulch, Bill Moore Lake, Grizzly Lake, Yankee Boy Basin, and Boulder Mountain are just a few of the trails I’ve been on. I have been to Meet-N-Greets in the past, intend to participate in CO Fest 2010, and share my experience, as well as wrench time, with all you folks throughout this Chapter and Board. I am unmarried, have no children and I have been employed with United Parcel Service for the past 4 years, and can devote much of my free-time to this organization. has provided me with not only the knowledge, but the opportunity to meet great people, and the confidence level behind my ambition.

Additionally, my role as a Manager with UPS is directly related to my company’s finances. It is my daily requirement to have an overall view on where our company stands as a whole financially, how my employee group has an effect on company growth, and how our actions benefit our customers. I also, manage my own bills, and can guarantee I’ve never been late with any payment resulting in late fees, or negative transactions. On a side note, I keep all my receipts, set a very strict budget and am wicked fast with a calculator. :shhh:

To those that take the time to read my above message, I want to thank you again for giving me the chance to participate in an amazing community, and hope to meet and interact with you sometime in the very near future.

Jawa - I wanted to say Good Luck with the outcome, and I look forward to what you would bring to the table should you be the victor. :thumbup:

Scott Seiler

 

[Stang5lgt]

First off I am a national born citizen. So I am eligible for President.

My name is Josh.

I enjoy helping other members with there projects. Sharing my tools and know how. And enjoy learning new things.

Lot of good guys in this Chapter. I enjoy the banter and ribbing. Fun to have a good chuckle now and again. And Troy never seems to get tired putting newbies in there place.

I would like put together meets. We can have some classes on welding, gears, and basic mechanical things. Maybe we could get a project heep to work on.

And of course have chapter wheeling trips. I think we will have some fun.
A vote for me is a loaf of bread in every basket and XJ in every driveway... Or something like that.

 

[Stang5lgt]

My XJ is a 89 2 door. I bought 4 years ago with bad motor replaced it. I put 3 inch lift on it right away. Then about year and half ago. I put a RE 5.5 short arm lift with 35s and 8.8 rear end. Currently I am installing HP44 front 9 inch rear. And Ford 5.0 V8 swap underway. Soon after I plan on a exo cage. I built custom bumpers for it also.

 

[DutchVDub]

I'm on my thrid xj in two years.

I stArted wheeling when I was a kid. We would take our 88 Chevy Suburban 2500 camping and wheeling all over Montana. When I got my license I bought a 2wd 84 chevy s-10. I made a 2" lift for it, welded the rear, and slapped some 30's (if I remember correctly) and went kidding and wheeling on lighter trails with my buddy who had a 52 CJ2A. From there I got into Zuki's and got me a job as a helper bitch at spidertrax

when I got back from Iraq In 07 bought my 99 Cherokee. I spent my last 2 months in Iraq reading on naxja and figuring out what I wanted to get/use for a wheeling rig when I got back

I wheeled my 99 completely stock almost every weekend until the winter and then installed a 4.5" lift and 32's. Unfortunately before I could start the wheeling season in 08 some coker ran a red light and hit my jeep, totalling it.

After that I decided to go cheap and used the insurance money to buy my 92 Laredo. I wheeled that with a welded rear, 4.5" lift, and 32's almost every weekend until winter. That's when it got long arms, 36's, etc etc etc

I rolled it this summer And am now in ownership of a 2000 sport on 33's and 5.5" of lift. My goal over the winter is to swap my full width 9" a d D44 under it and fit 37's without raising it any higher. What can I say, Im hooked on these xj's and I'm hooked on naxja

 

[Jawa]

Jawa - I wanted to say Good Luck with the outcome, and I look forward to what you would bring to the table should you be the victor. :thumbup:

Scott Seiler

Thanks Scott, good luck to you as well!

 

[DutchVDub]

So basically I wheel a lot, I know what I'm doing in the modifications department, and I just plain love it.

What qualifies me for the leadership role of being on the BOD? I've been in the CO Army National Guard for 9yrs now. I've spent almost a full 4 of those years on Active Duty status for OIF. I've been in charge of squads, lead fire missions, ran a recovery team, and attended multiple leadership courses to continue my carreer. I was an E-4 SPC for almost 5yrs doing SGT jobs. I got promoted to SGT last March and after 18mos as a SGT I'm being considered for promotion to SSG

I know how to take charge when needed, listen when being told, and I always get the job done better than standard.

 

[old_man]

Well I guess I'm a member of the good old boy network. I've been around since God made dirt. Actually I helped organize the Colorado Chapter and served as its first president. I did a stint as Naxja President as well. That was a torture I never want to relive.

I think most of you know me. I tend to like to have things taken care of and run smoothly. I try to be open minded and treat everybody except Led with respect.

I personally would like to see more regional get togethers and more tech sessions. We have to remember we all were newbies once upon a time, even if mine was in the last millenium.

I would like to keep a good balance between outings being for stockers and buggies. One of my personal wishes is that we could come together and formally adopt a trail and work on its upkeep and improvement. If we don't establish ourselves as being proactive, the greenies will take our access away. In reality, I think most of us are far more REAL environmentalists than the greenies.

Positive exposure is important. I would like to see some type of organized training/certification of people to be able to help in snow emergencies and other situations in our communities. Maybe we could even sponsor a Saturday for people to get their Red Cross certifications.

A "week in the woods" for injured/disabled vets would be a rewarding experience for everyone envolved. I used to teach skiing to disabled vets coming back from Vietnam and it is some of my best memories.

All of this said, the presidents position is one of leadership and keeping things organized. The president can't be the only one working. In my opinion, the Directors should have a more hands on role than before. So if you are running and elected as a director and decide to not contribute, you will probably get a swift kick in the butt and if that doesn't work, steps will be taken. I had enough of trying to get a national BOD off their asses and I learned my lessons the hard way. Offices aren't for glamour or prestige, they mean you are signing up to work.

I have been very pleased with the Colorado Chapter management and have enjoyed seeing it grow into more of an extended family who takes care of each other. Where else in this world do you find people offering to help each other without their hand out. Everybody should be proud of what has been accomplished. Our events are loosely planned and everybody goes with the same agenda, to have a good time. It has worked well and I don't see a big reason to change it.

I would like to find someone to act as a kind of PR person (preferably a BOD member). They would help write articles to get into the news papers and land use organization newsletters, and generally promote our Chapter as well as /wheeling in general. Any ideas in this direction are welcomed. They might be asked to help publicize ColoradoFest and other activites as well. Naxja allows chapters to have their own web sites. Maybe these two things could be worked together to promote and protect our access.

A classic PR project would be getting articles in the local papers advertising the Toys-for-Tots run and inviting others to join in. We could meet a ton of prospective new members.

 

[fireLt.]

A little about me.
I don't know many people here and I would like to change that. I would like to bring the Western Slope together and be an active part of the Colorado chapter. I love this state and all it offers for recreation. As Tom stated above there are many things we all should be doing to promote our choice for recreation in a positive light.
I have been a gearhead as long as I have been able to hold a wrench. I was a professional mechanic for 11 years and decided on a change since it was ruining my true passion for it. I have owned more rigs than I care to remember but my XJ is and always will be my favorite. Wheeling and camping is what my family does to come together for that quality time we never get enough of. I am currently an operations supervisor at a power plant and run a crew of 7. I am a Firefighter/EMT for the local fire department going on 10 years. I spent three years as Lieutenant. I have good organizational skills and work to get things done. With my unique work schedule I should be able to attend meetings held on the Front Range and be the voice for the Western Slope. I would really like to see the Western Slope become a true part of the chapter. Thanks for your time and consideration.
fireLt.
Kevin Kernen
Craig Colorado

 

[DutchVDub]

I would actually lke to see a CO Chapter specific tech section. The tech section is good but can be a pain to go through and I fel we could pretty much handle most questions here locally. We generally do a pretty good job with allowing tech discussion here anyways, and I like that a lot.

 

[xj-grin]

I try to be open minded and treat everybody except Led with respect.

good lord, does Tom know how to campaign or what!:laugh3:

 

[eflores]

First off I am a national born citizen. So I am eligible for President.

man i thought your birth certificate said Obama......j/k......jeez ford ppl