- Location
- Alexandria, NJ
Damn - don't look at the boards for a few days and . . . . !
Anyway, I understand everybody's frustration - it's the nature of wheeling in the East, but don't get hung up on labels, guys.
We're all
members, and we all care about XJ/MJ's. Makes no difference if you're in Maine, Montana, or Missouri (right, 'Cher?), or even a few overseas guys. Being a member of a Chapter is a convenience, but we're all part of the big picture. And has always encouraged all of us out here in the East to participate in national events (Tellico, Attica, Colorado, Moab, etc.). Big commitments to do that, sure, but some have been able to experience XJ/MJ wheeling around the country
OK - time for a bit of long-winded rambling . . . . .
Long time ago (in the way, way back), as was just getting started, there was a lot of debate about whether of not chapters were even useful. Many of the founding "fathers" in the West didn't care for the idea. But, out here in the East, we know we have that special problem (no place to go), and we thought that by having some more focus, it might help give a better sense of belonging. In those days, there was a concentration of members in Eastern PA, and some others of us scattered around the Mid-Atlantic, but we avoided the temptation of coming up with a purely local chapter and hoped that by becoming 's first chapter as "North Atlantic" we could eventually get better participation in other corners of the area.
There was ALWAYS heavy interest in trying to come with things to do in other areas: we had a run down to GW National Forest in Va, an initial run up to North Adams, MA and were always trying to come up with other Adirondack and New England locales. There even was a bit of thought put into a Nova Scotia trip!
Paragon (although pricey) was SOMEWHAT central - was a pretty good place to wheel, and was vaguely convenient to the group. So that's where we established our signature national event.
Unfortunately (not for lack of trying), recruitment in other areas didn't work out too well and after a few years a lot of the original guys got burnt (and I'll admit that after three NACFests :confused1 , I was more than happy to let Ben get slammed in the next two!), but then a more energetic NE group appeared and kept the ball rolling and formalized a Mohawk run. And I notice now that we seem to have a center of interest growing in Central NY.
We KNOW that there are a lot of individual local 4x4 clubs in this Region, and NO ONE is suggesting that folks don't participate there as well - but, this is a Cherokee/Comanche club - and operates as such.
People's lives change, their vehicles change, priorities change - but don't let that discourage anybody. The danger of breaking this chapter down into smaller pieces is that each of those pieces runs the risk of that localized group eventually getting burnt, with no replacements. While I understand the frustration of various folks, the value of having a wide area to draw from is that it gives a higher probability of finding the 5 people necessary to form the BOD for the chapter.
So, don't get hung up on the bureaucracy, find some interest and have a run, whether it's 3 guys or 30, you'll still be getting out. This chapter is what ALL of us make it.
All NAC BOD members, starting with John B. as the first prez, served due to a desire in keeping this place going, and tried to accommodate all of our far flung interests. It's not a career, and, as others can step up and run, please do so. It can only help to broaden activity in the chapter.
OK?
Mike in NJ
atriot:
Anyway, I understand everybody's frustration - it's the nature of wheeling in the East, but don't get hung up on labels, guys.
We're all
members, and we all care about XJ/MJ's. Makes no difference if you're in Maine, Montana, or Missouri (right, 'Cher?), or even a few overseas guys. Being a member of a Chapter is a convenience, but we're all part of the big picture. And has always encouraged all of us out here in the East to participate in national events (Tellico, Attica, Colorado, Moab, etc.). Big commitments to do that, sure, but some have been able to experience XJ/MJ wheeling around the countryOK - time for a bit of long-winded rambling . . . . .
Long time ago (in the way, way back), as
was just getting started, there was a lot of debate about whether of not chapters were even useful. Many of the founding "fathers" in the West didn't care for the idea. But, out here in the East, we know we have that special problem (no place to go), and we thought that by having some more focus, it might help give a better sense of belonging. In those days, there was a concentration of members in Eastern PA, and some others of us scattered around the Mid-Atlantic, but we avoided the temptation of coming up with a purely local chapter and hoped that by becoming 's first chapter as "North Atlantic" we could eventually get better participation in other corners of the area.There was ALWAYS heavy interest in trying to come with things to do in other areas: we had a run down to GW National Forest in Va, an initial run up to North Adams, MA and were always trying to come up with other Adirondack and New England locales. There even was a bit of thought put into a Nova Scotia trip!
Paragon (although pricey) was SOMEWHAT central - was a pretty good place to wheel, and was vaguely convenient to the group. So that's where we established our signature national event.
Unfortunately (not for lack of trying), recruitment in other areas didn't work out too well and after a few years a lot of the original guys got burnt (and I'll admit that after three NACFests :confused1 , I was more than happy to let Ben get slammed in the next two!), but then a more energetic NE group appeared and kept the ball rolling and formalized a Mohawk run. And I notice now that we seem to have a center of interest growing in Central NY.
We KNOW that there are a lot of individual local 4x4 clubs in this Region, and NO ONE is suggesting that folks don't participate there as well - but, this is a Cherokee/Comanche club - and operates as such.
People's lives change, their vehicles change, priorities change - but don't let that discourage anybody. The danger of breaking this chapter down into smaller pieces is that each of those pieces runs the risk of that localized group eventually getting burnt, with no replacements. While I understand the frustration of various folks, the value of having a wide area to draw from is that it gives a higher probability of finding the 5 people necessary to form the BOD for the chapter.
So, don't get hung up on the bureaucracy, find some interest and have a run, whether it's 3 guys or 30, you'll still be getting out. This chapter is what ALL of us make it.
All NAC BOD members, starting with John B. as the first prez, served due to a desire in keeping this place going, and tried to accommodate all of our far flung interests. It's not a career, and, as others can step up and run, please do so. It can only help to broaden activity in the chapter.
OK?
Mike in NJ
atriot:
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