Tweet
Club turmoil
Rich, as a former board member, you should most appreciate what you just said. Eh too Brutus? You yourself have been a victim of a vindictive board that picks it’s own, and spits them out when they no longer are useful [or in other words, no longer a “company” man]. In a board voted on by the members, this could only occur if the members voted you out except in the case of term limits. You need to look at the substance of what Steve Dawdy wrote. You castigated him based on how you may have seen his personal actions as opposed to reality and truth of what he was saying. You tried to make his personal issues overshadow what is painfully evident. No matter how one may feel as to whether he had an agenda or not isn’t the issue here. Look at his words.
The cornfield group and Jersey ‘mafia” standoff would never have happened or stood for in a board voted on by members. While it is true that board members give and volunteer a lot of time, they are still chosen from amongst their own ranks or their friends that are enticed to throw their hat in the ring. While it is true that any club member may submit a resume to the board, because of the long term secrecy, anyone considered a troublemaker or one who speaks his/her mind will be passed over. Some of the most knowledgeable members of this club have been treated in this fashion. When the actions of a board, or more specifically, a president with his own agenda chooses to place politics over what is best for the club, this hurts all the members.
Many of the issues facing the club began to blow up prior to Eustis with the judging committee that spilled over to the Eustis meet that culminated in losing both the head and assistant head judge. Many of us witnessed the humiliation of the most knowledgeable Indian restorer and judge the world knows today. The Davenport group has their many reasons for becoming a regional show, which to a small degree include judging problems going back to Eustis. Based on the past and present club leaders personal agenda, the club has been robbed of a wealth of knowledge that can not be replaced at any cost today. Is this in the best interest of the club? We had the best judging the antique motor world had. It is laughable now in spite of what the board and president would have you believe today. The opinion and desires of the most senior judges in the country was overruled by one person with his own personal agenda. Any claims to the contrary are a feeble attempt to pacify the members, most who only care about a meet and a magazine. The majority of senior judges with ten or more years of experience will no longer judge. This blame can only be shouldered by the president himself.
Members? What Members! We are allowed a magazine! The so called members are in reality subscribers. Those who can afford to do so may go to an occasional meet. We have NO rights. Yes, we elect chapter presidents. The chapter presidents may have a meeting at a national meet and give input to the board. However, look at how we elect our national officials in this country. We get to elect our representatives. Our governors are also elected by we, the people. However, the governors, just like chapter presidents can not make any national policy, and our national AMCA board is under no obligation to follow any suggestion they have.
This form of club management may have been fine 50 years ago when the club was small and everyone knew each other. It is archaic today in this world of transparency and a club this size. There is no reason at all that every board meeting isn’t videotaped and released on the internet. It is no longer a prohibitive expense, in fact, the posting is free. The lack of transparency was also painfully obvious when votes on the torque four and the foundation occurred. The merits of those situations are not the issue, but how business was transacted with no input or announcement in advance to the members. Saying there was no choice or time is a significant hint of mismanagement or lack of management skills by the self sustaining narcissistic board. Also, having to ask permission in advance to attend a board meeting [only two allowed for space reasons] is a slap in the face. If we are not allowed to be there for space reasons, fine, but show a videotape in stead.
At the same time, we can’t just pull the plug. We need time to make changes by slowly bringing in new ideas of how to elect board members so as to not lose continuity. Elect several openly, and others in rotation over a three year period until all positions are member voted. Resumes can be placed in the magazine just like other national organizations. When this occurs, we will have our club back.
It is time the club enter the 21st century.
Rich, as a former board member, you should most appreciate what you just said. Eh too Brutus? You yourself have been a victim of a vindictive board that picks it’s own, and spits them out when they no longer are useful [or in other words, no longer a “company” man]. In a board voted on by the members, this could only occur if the members voted you out except in the case of term limits. You need to look at the substance of what Steve Dawdy wrote. You castigated him based on how you may have seen his personal actions as opposed to reality and truth of what he was saying. You tried to make his personal issues overshadow what is painfully evident. No matter how one may feel as to whether he had an agenda or not isn’t the issue here. Look at his words.
The cornfield group and Jersey ‘mafia” standoff would never have happened or stood for in a board voted on by members. While it is true that board members give and volunteer a lot of time, they are still chosen from amongst their own ranks or their friends that are enticed to throw their hat in the ring. While it is true that any club member may submit a resume to the board, because of the long term secrecy, anyone considered a troublemaker or one who speaks his/her mind will be passed over. Some of the most knowledgeable members of this club have been treated in this fashion. When the actions of a board, or more specifically, a president with his own agenda chooses to place politics over what is best for the club, this hurts all the members.
Many of the issues facing the club began to blow up prior to Eustis with the judging committee that spilled over to the Eustis meet that culminated in losing both the head and assistant head judge. Many of us witnessed the humiliation of the most knowledgeable Indian restorer and judge the world knows today. The Davenport group has their many reasons for becoming a regional show, which to a small degree include judging problems going back to Eustis. Based on the past and present club leaders personal agenda, the club has been robbed of a wealth of knowledge that can not be replaced at any cost today. Is this in the best interest of the club? We had the best judging the antique motor world had. It is laughable now in spite of what the board and president would have you believe today. The opinion and desires of the most senior judges in the country was overruled by one person with his own personal agenda. Any claims to the contrary are a feeble attempt to pacify the members, most who only care about a meet and a magazine. The majority of senior judges with ten or more years of experience will no longer judge. This blame can only be shouldered by the president himself.
Members? What Members! We are allowed a magazine! The so called members are in reality subscribers. Those who can afford to do so may go to an occasional meet. We have NO rights. Yes, we elect chapter presidents. The chapter presidents may have a meeting at a national meet and give input to the board. However, look at how we elect our national officials in this country. We get to elect our representatives. Our governors are also elected by we, the people. However, the governors, just like chapter presidents can not make any national policy, and our national AMCA board is under no obligation to follow any suggestion they have.
This form of club management may have been fine 50 years ago when the club was small and everyone knew each other. It is archaic today in this world of transparency and a club this size. There is no reason at all that every board meeting isn’t videotaped and released on the internet. It is no longer a prohibitive expense, in fact, the posting is free. The lack of transparency was also painfully obvious when votes on the torque four and the foundation occurred. The merits of those situations are not the issue, but how business was transacted with no input or announcement in advance to the members. Saying there was no choice or time is a significant hint of mismanagement or lack of management skills by the self sustaining narcissistic board. Also, having to ask permission in advance to attend a board meeting [only two allowed for space reasons] is a slap in the face. If we are not allowed to be there for space reasons, fine, but show a videotape in stead.
At the same time, we can’t just pull the plug. We need time to make changes by slowly bringing in new ideas of how to elect board members so as to not lose continuity. Elect several openly, and others in rotation over a three year period until all positions are member voted. Resumes can be placed in the magazine just like other national organizations. When this occurs, we will have our club back.
It is time the club enter the 21st century.
Comment