Why NAXJA.

[EricsXJ]

What would be without some drama?

It seems like there has been a fair bit of it lately, and honestly I only know of about 1% of it. But I'd like to share some thoughts, and insights, that might help us keep some things in perspective. I've been on since 2000 or so... and became an official member of the club in 2001 (I think). I've been a paying member ever since and did two terms as President of this chapter, which has been one of the 'bedrock' chapters of in my honest opinion. A few chapters no longer exist, for specific reasons unkown to me but we can speculate that there may have been disagreements, drama, or perhaps nobody wanted to step-up and serve as BOD (which will result in chapters being disbanded). For that, anyone willing to serve should be given credit and appreciation, even if there are disagreements.

Over the years, I've seen many people come and go. Some sold their jeeps and moved on, some (I guess) didn't like the 'format', or the rules, and chose to join a Facebook wheeling group (there are many). So when I think "Why ?", why do I stay? what's in it for me? what's in it for others?

The main reason for me and I believe the number one reason exists is this: comradery, which is according to Merriam-Webster: a feeling of friendliness, goodwill, and familiarity among the people in a group

I like knowing that when I show up to a meet-up or trail run, that it is with people who are friendly, we have common interests (primarily the Jeep Cherokee, secondarily wheeling, outdoors, etc) and that my group will have my back and I have theirs. It is a brotherhood. Even if I show up and there is someone new, we can have that familiarity with each other as XJ owners. It can also happen with, ahem, Toyota owners, or Wrangler people, etc, but its not as easy or automatic, and can take some time to build trust (I'm not saying non-XJ people should be excluded). But especially at this point in my life, I have zero desire to go and join some random Facebook group, or go wheeling with random people who I don't know, so long as this group exists. Call me selfish, but here is where I believe the goals and priorities of and this Chapter should be:

#1 - Comradery (see above)

#2 - Resource and education. (the forum) has been the most comprehensive database of XJ/MJ related knowledge in the world (Yes the site's format was lacking for several years...) This also includes knowledge shared person to person. We can ask for help with anything, and local guys often help each other with doing the physical work like installs, repairs, or fabrication.

#3 - Trail maintenance: we should be good stewards of our trails, by not damaging them, littering, or being wreckless. We should be participating in work days and should be friendly and polite to other users. This is the first step in preserving our trails.

#4- Supporting Land Use organizations or other clubs: while this is extremely important, it is not THE primary goal of in my opinion. If we have the means to do so via fundraising and raffles, then yes we should be donating. However we should remember that we don't exist solely for this purpose. I don't show up because of a raffle. It's nice, but its not the reason I choose to be here.

That's just my opinion. Why I'm here, why I will continue to pay dues, why I'll participate, and I hope all of you will too. I don't want to see people choose to leave over drama. If they have to take a break and separate for a while, I understand. My hope is that they (or you) will return.

Cheers.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

Eric,

I agree with goals 1-3 . Hands down.

But for point #4 I think is the most important goal, its sets us apart from a facebook groups. It sets us apart, and it also shows we can organize, we can build relationships, and we put our money where our mouth is. Its the culmination of our comradery.

I think we should all be very proud of what our small group has accomplished over the years. I sure am .

I will explain more below, feel free to counter the argument:

Point #1: raising money is not something a facebook group can do

I would argue that as a 501c7 , as a social club, and having the ability to raise money via a raffle for land use, when facebook groups cannot do this , this distinction sets apart from a random facebook group - Since goals 1-3 could be achieved with a random facebook group, but not goal #4.

And that distinction coupled with the above three goals all together is the driving factor why we still exist at all in a world where most forums are ghost towns like bodie.

Point #2: Legacy

When naxja is gone, and we are all dead, that naxja sign might still be on that rock on the rubicon on the rtf property. Maybe some of our kids will camp there in the future long after our time has passed . Other wheelers see that plaque . The rtf appreciates all of our support. We have built Standing in the community - enough to get something that really no one has on the rubicon. We worked super hard to get that. We did that together . We all did that.

That plaque is a beacon of our dedication to the offroad community and fighting in our own way to help keep trails open .

Its a tangible way to recognize our achievements. Most members love this. You dont just get a plaque out there on the Rubicon . I can tell you that. I bet every member here is proud of that. I can only say that as a club we achieved that. There was no one person. Without our volunteering and fundraising, that would have never happened. Its a physical representation of our comradery .

That plaque on fordyce might still be there as well for a long time. Every time I see it im proud of supporting these trails.

Those fire rings might still be in deer valley. Im proud of all members everytime we go to hermit valley. We made a difference.

How many facebook groups donate 3000$ in fire rings to a rad campground that everyone uses?

I would bet good money youll never see a facebook group with a plaque on the rubicon or fordyce or 9 fire rings at hermit valley.

Point 3 : Cutting those checks

Anyone can run rubicon. Any group - facebook or a group of friends. Fordyce. Dusy. Slick Rock. Deer Valley.

Cutting those yearly donation checks is a reminder that we are something more than just some Dudes out there wheeling trails. We care enough to come together to support these trails.




Thats just my Opinion.

Its a matter of opinion. It is subjective. And I fully respect your opinion at the same time.

I think a respectful discussion is healthy.

 

[EricsXJ]

Jon, I appreciate your reply and glad to further this discussion. Perhaps this is the root of some of the drama (I don't know since I'm not in the BOD) so maybe these things can be discussed openly in a respectful way.

Please don't assume that because I placed Land Use as #4 on my list that I am saying it has less value or is less impactful or meaningful. I am very proud of the plaque on the RTF property and was glad to have been there helping when we put it up. The following year I was the ONLY ONE who chose to camp at that spot, while everyone else chose to camp at the RTF sheds by the creek. I did so out of PRIDE for that spot and the desire to feel like it could be something special for people who value what is and can accomplish. Also, I was President and "cut the check" the year we donated to Friends of Fordyce and they hung a placard on their sign. You were part of the BOD too so you know this.

The case I am making is that was not founded, nor does it exist, explicitly as a funding organization for the BRC, RTF, FOF, CA4wd, or any other club we have donated to. Another way to show this is - We enjoy going to the Rubicon. We organize trail runs in order to experience the Rubicon and each other's company. BECAUSE we do this and enjoy it, we want to help ensure it stays open for us (and others) to experience in the future. That is why we donate. What you are seeming to imply is because Land Use is most important, we choose to, or should be, organizing trail runs (and raffles) FOR THE PURPOSE OF being able to donate money to the cause. As noble of a cause as that is, it is simply not true. The organization is the "North American XJ Association". We CAN donate to, and we CAN partner with Friends Of The Rubicon, or Friends OF Fordyce, but we aren't FOTR or FOF.

You ARE a part of the RTF and that is awesome. I applaud that, and feel you (and Alan) do a great job, and because of your efforts we benefit. But that doesn't mean that your role as Chapter President here means that our priorities have to be exactly the same as the RTF priorities.

Now about Facebook groups and other clubs vs , I agree with you that there are distinct differences. I will disagree when you say a Facebook group can't raise money. They certainly can and do. The difference is has (or had) the backing of our national organization and BOD. We had matching funds, and name recognition, both of which were not trivial things.

My issue with Facebook groups (and other local wheeling groups I was a part of) is that they start out great, but devolve into shit over time. They tend to be welcoming at first. Inevitably sub-groups or cliques are formed and it becomes fragmented. Drama happens and it turns to shit. Why? One reason is the simple tribalism between Toyota vs Jeep, or XJ vs JK, or I've even seen "hardcore" versus "family-friendly". But one other thing I've seen is that they lack organization, rules, and accountability. People show up, or are "invited" that do not have the same values as other members of the group and can lead to problems. I've seen the worst behavior on the trails by some of these people, but because there is no framework in place, where values and expected behaviors can be evident, they ruin it for members of the group and it is a very bad look for the "club". In large part, 's organization and by-laws prevent all that. At least that's how its supposed to work, and by and large it does.

I distinctly remember one year for the Reno Run we invited one of the Facebook groups from California (I won't name them) to camp with us and join us wheeling. They got butt hurt because they were asked to pay their fair share of the camping fee and we told them no drugs due to our by-laws. Apparently they were butt hurt because they wanted to smoke weed, claimed they had 'medical mj cards' and all that. But not only was it against our by-laws, it was flat out against the law in the state of nevada at the time. They chose not to come, and I'm sure it was for the best.

is fading away, and has been in decline for years. But to me it still has value and why I prefer it over other groups that have zero organization or structure, or common values.

 

[#S194]

Some of the best friends I have and the nicest folks I've ever met have come into my life becasue of . Sad to see the drama and the damage it causes. In the end, its the club that suffers and ultimately it will contribute to the steady decline of the club.

 

[Alboy97XJ]

I definitely get your point Eric on what this chapter was/is but I personally feel raising money to donate has helped us keep the chapter alive and get members to interact by having people feeling rewarded to come to the events and buy raffle tickets and the bod making donations with it for trail related things. I’m not saying the chapter would have died, but I feel like it wouldn’t be as active without this. I could be completely wrong with my opinion on this, but that’s the great thing about America! So with that I believe the board should continue trying to keep members active and feel rewarded with coming to our events or meetups. Not sure how else to accomplish this without events with raffles to raise funds and donating or installing fire rings, etc.

Honestly the only reason I left the BOD was to work on having a bigger role in the Rubicon Trail foundation. I just got finished with my first time running Cantina for the con, which was a great success. In October, I will be throwing my hat in the ring for vice president in the RTF. I hope whatever happens with everything that the Sierra chapter is able to keep existing and work on the mission of maintain existing membership, grow new membership, put on offroading events for existing members and also non members (prospective new members) , and raise funds to support land use organizations and clubs to keep trails open.

I do agree about the camaraderie with this group as some of my favorite people to camp and wheel with I have met on Naxja. I hope I am one of those acceptable people with a Toyota Eric!

 

[Phil]

I like that in general and Sierra Chapter in particular support land use so much and so consistently.

I feel like is one of the most reliable places to find information and support to keep these 23-40 year old vehicles running and performing.

I have little interest in trying to coordinate trips via facebook or other social media of the kind and will continue to post my little trips here even though I haven’t been able to attend any of the big events in several years. I think the last time I went wheeling with an XJ was Jon’s April Fordyce trip a couple years back.

 

[EricsXJ]

Can't find a photo of the sign on RTF property. I know someone has it.

 

[EricsXJ]

Found it.

 

[Alboy97XJ]

 

[cj_mike]

Can't forget the Hermit Valley fire rings! I remember thinking it would be an all day event but we had a TON of people show up and we installed them all in like an hour or hour and half? We had a well-oiled machine that day!

Sharkmark even drove the Grinch up for the day to represent the 2WD-ers who can safely drive over 60 mph ;-)