Woody for Recorder

[casm]

This question is being proposed to all three candidates as I'd like to hear individual responses from each.

is a growing club representing several hundred paid members. In your opinion, what do you believe to be the greatest challenges currently facing the organisation, and what would you propose as potential solutions to them that would best serve the membership? Also, what potential issues do you see coming down the pipeline that may require advance action or mitigation?

(Yes, I do understand the responsibilities of the open position - I'd just like to hear the candidates' opinions in a general sense.)

 

[woody]

I feel that the greatest challenge to (and it's leadership) is to maintain it's value as a resource to the greater XJ/MJ community, and at the same time maintain and increase it's relevance as a Club for dues-paying Members. We also need to remain attractive to potential and current Sponsors. As it stands, looking back over the past 5.5 years, I feel there has been a pretty good balance struck between the three. Room for improvement here & there? Yup! Some FUBARs? Absolutely... but overall pretty good IMHO for a pretty young organization in a 'new' (web-based) environment.

Another challenge will be to find new venues for "XJFests" that offer legal trails that will interest XJers of all abilities and modification levels. (As well as reinforcing the bonds we have at the venues we frequent regularly.) Great events have great people involved making them happen. There will always be a need for solid Members to organize and execute our events. The Chapters have been and will continue to be the foundation of these cadre(s), but that's not to say they are the only ones with the ability.

One "issue" I feel is needing looked at fairly soon is that the initial dues ($45) and renewal dues ($40) for two-year Memberships are close to be a break-even or money-losing propositions. I'd have to run more current numbers than I have at hand to be more specific, but as I last recall, it was 'close' on the 2yr renews. That was some time ago. There was once a valid reason to offer a little discount/incentive for folks to join or renew for multiple years. I feel we need to explore it's validity at the present time (and at the current rates.)

Mainly I think the leaders simply need to continue staying focused on executing the Club's missions and staying true to it's purpose.

Woody

 

[casm]

Thank you, I appreciate the reply.

and at the same time maintain and increase it's relevance as a Club for dues-paying Members.

For me, this is pretty much the crux of the matter at least as far as I'm concerned and I do appreciate it being brought up. While I have undoubtedly learned a lot in my time here and met a great bunch of folks in the process (even if I can't get out to go wheeling with them as often as I'd like), the benefits of paying dues beyond supporting the forums and UFWDA membership aren't necessarily immediately-apparent. This is something I would very much like to see addressed - I know it's been talked about before, but never in much of a concerted manner - and do appreciate your raising the point. It's good to know that it's at least on the radar.

 

[OT]

Well, since Troy is getting beaten up over on his thread, I thought I'd make it an equal opportunity bash.

Woody smells like he has the poo on him.

 

[OT]

To be fair with the Googling for dirt, I am appalled at what I found while searching for Woody's.
http://www.samurajdata.se/~cj/woody/woody.jpg

 

[GSequoia]

I was a little nervous there tattoo boi.

 

[JeepFreak21]

Why's Woody's thread only 2 pages long? That has to say something!
Billy