2008 Elections: nominations here!

[REKCUT]

This doesn't have the last 8 months, but there are a bunch of minutes here:
TLCA minutes

Thats what I am refering to. Three and four years ago all the months were posted. Less last year and almost none this year. Will those be posted?

 

[Hulk]

Thats what I am refering to. Three and four years ago all the months were posted. Less last year and almost none this year. Will those be posted?

I can't tell you -- I ended my term as webmaster in March. The current webmaster, Mark Van Meter, has been working on an all-new version of the TLCA website, set to launch very soon. Maybe the minutes from the other 2008 meetings will be posted there?

This would be better as a separate thread, rather than cluttering up the nominations thread. Is there a moderator who can make this happen?

 

[Chef]

I've asked the secretary and webmaster to address the imuntes being updated.
We'll get it done, tho it's is likely to be a little lower on the priority list than launching and debugging the new site...
Launch should be tomorrow.

back to your election thread;
thx-alan

 

[REKCUT]

This would be better as a separate thread, rather than cluttering up the nominations thread. Is there a moderator who can make this happen?

Actually I am asking this because of the nominations thread. As posted in thread 34, 33, and others about leaders doing business behind closed doors.

It sounds to me like Rising Sun is of the opinion that the current board is conducting business behind closed doors and without member input. Could you expand upon that?

and here

4) Ethics. When things get stressful, there is always a temptation for leaders to cut corners and ignore the rules.

here

A few years ago the regional reps were more involved it seemed and comments/communication was more public.

I am very much interested in the election and am learning about the two candidates from these post but there seems to be a common thread dealing with "hidden business" from a statment and defensive position by members. It gets a person thinking and then when you go to the minutes they are mostly missing. Its not just a out of the blue question. I am interested in how these things are to be addressed.

 

[Rzeppa]

This is the Jeff Zepp that I know, and that many other people in Rising Sun and TLCA know as well. He certainly has my vote.

Well golly shucks! Thank you Matt (and Ken), that was very flattering, and I appreciate it very, very much. TLCA is much bigger than Rising Sun, but I promise I will do my best.

I did think long and hard before accepting Art's nomination. I know it's tough job. Time consuming and sometimes emotionally draining. I think Justin probably knows this too, and I applaud his nomination, and his acceptance; either one of us will work hard to make TLCA better not only for existing members, but new members as well.

Happy Cruisin'!

 

[Rzeppa]

It sounds to me like Rising Sun is of the opinion that the current board is conducting business behind closed doors and without member input. Could you expand upon that?

TJK

(Worth noting that Jeff is a member of that board.)

I wouldn't characterize it that way. In fact, Rising Sun has 2 elected officers, a delegate and alternate, and a contractor on the Board, all of whom communicate TLCA business to membership. For sure, every Rising Sun meeting includes a TLCA report, and the Rising Sun minutes posted on our member's-only section of our forum include the TLCA report from our delegate for members who are unable to attend meetings. We keep our members posted on what's going on in TLCA pretty effectively.

I think (and this is my personal take, speaking for 50-80 some members) Rising Sun members are pretty interested in TLCA, contribute to Trails on a regular basis, and are proud of TLCA. They want to know not just "what just happened?", but why and how it came about. I am sure, the TLCA Board can improve how we communicate the latter two.

I also know that a very large fraction, probably the majority of our broad TLCA members aren't that interested, so there is balance in how much information we present to membership, and to what level of detail. Some members want detail about TLCA business, others don't care and just want to go wheelin'. I know that most Rising Sun members are not representative of "typical" TLCA members, so that balance needs to be carried forward.

Rising Sun members are not only informed of TLCA business, they probably have a greater interest than typical TLCA members, whether chapter or individual. I believe that Rising Sun members do feel that they are informed, and that they have input.

 

[Rzeppa]

when you go to the minutes they are mostly missing. Its not just a out of the blue question. I am interested in how these things are to be addressed.

Hi Thad,

I am pretty sure Mark is like a one-armed juggler getting the re-built web site tweaked, kind of like debugging that V8 conversion just before GSMTR. I have copies of all the minutes that are missing from the TLCA web site, as do every BOD member. I'll be happy to share them with you. Would you prefer MS Word or PDF?

 

[REKCUT]

Either way is fine but I am not in a hurry and can wait until they are posted on the TLCA page. Would like to see them out in public to try and deflect or solve some of the underlying currents floating through the forum.

 

[Rzeppa]

Either way is fine but I am not in a hurry and can wait until they are posted on the TLCA page. Would like to see them out in public to try and deflect or solve some of the underlying currents floating through the forum.

Hi Thad, thanks for your comments. If you are in Green Country Cruisers, you will be able to get copies of the minutes from your chapter TLCA delegate. Both chapter delegates and alternates get copies via the bodrepsi email list. Individual members who are not in a chapter can get a copy from their IRs. Chapter delegates should be reporting back to their chapters about TLCA business; not just meeting minutes, but also what the conversations are on bodrepsi.

The fact is, there hasn't been a whole lot going on at the board over the summer; we skipped having meetings in July and August. The main things have been Mark Van Meter rebuilding the web site, and an initiative to reach out to and ally with other Toyota 4WD groups such as TTORA, FJC, etc.

As for forums, I don't know why, but I seem to see more TLCA criticism on forums than email (LCML), and a lot more than face to face and via telephone. And a significant fraction of our membership simply don't hang out on forums. Some don't even use the internet much, or in some cases, at all. I think you see a few squeaky wheels on forums, which may not be representative of the majority of membership.

Happy cruisin'!

 

[REKCUT]

Thanks for your responses Jeff.

 

[packman73]

Thats what I am refering to. Three and four years ago all the months were posted. Less last year and almost none this year. Will those be posted?

Thad,

I just sent all the minutes that I've taken to Alan and Mark to be posted on the new website. Thanks for noticing that they were missing and bringing it to our attention, it was an oversight on our part.

Now get your band of brothers in Springfield together and start a club...it's FREE! ...or I'll have to when/if we move down there...and you already know how that's gone for me...

Cheers!

-Art

 

[REKCUT]

Ozark Mountain Cruiser??? its in the works.

 

[packman73]

Ozark Mountain Cruiser??? its in the works.

Nice work!

 

[packman73]

Presidential Candidates

Alright, couple of questions for you guys, please PM me the answers to the first question...for obvious reasons...and please post your response to questions 2 and 3.

1. Who is the head of TTORA, and who are the organizers of the FJ Summit? Have you ever met them or had any sort of contact with them?

2. There have been several discussions on IH8MUD as of late in regards to the TLCA and events. What ideas or suggestions do you have in regards to introducing a "regional" TLCA event (West, Southeast, Midwest, East, Southeast). And how would that be used to bring in potential TLCA members?

3. How do you intend to deal with the chapters out there that put on annual events and then don't send the required 10% cut (in the bylaws) to the TLCA?

 

[Radd Cruisers]

I have watched Jeffs input to Toyota trails for years now along with the continuing contributions to the LCML I recieve regularly.

Jeff seems like a very fair person who look at a situation unbiased, plus he sure comes across as a strait shooter.

Good luck Jeff.


Rob

 

[Exiled]

I don't usually get involved in TLCA discussion these days, but I really like the idea of Jeff Zepp heading it up.

Another suggestion, based in part on reading Kowboy's comments and my own twisted experience. Go back to the basics and REDEFINE what the TLCA stands for. I know it sounds stupid, but I do think it's important to draw out a framework and then stick with it. No organization with as diverse a membership as this one can be everything to everyone; at some point we need to say "this is what we are" and then people can decide if the organization fits the bill or not. It's ok if we lose membership, it's the nature of every vehicle-based organization to have a constantly rotating membership and a small nucleus of hard-core dedicated folks (like most of the participants in this forum -and I'm not including myself).

Most of you know that I don't care (personally) for FJ Cruisers, but I'm glad to see them in the organization and I value the injection of eager enthusiasts, younger members, and a different perception.

When I first read Kowboy's controversial post I was a bit taken aback, but even I, as ardent a supporter of Toyota Trails as you can find (I take a lot of pride in my small contribution to its development), will say that if the magazine has become a drag on the TLCA's P&L, then we should be open to *all* options, even cutting back on it or moving it online or whatever it is that makes sense.

Kowboy's suggestion that there be a minimum commitment of wheeling to stay a member in good standing is controversial, but common in a lot of similar organizations. If y'all decide to go that way, you probably want to consider doing it *with* a cutback on the magazine, as it will significantly erode the membership. I'm not advocating one way or the other, just cautioning that doing so *will* have an impact on membership. Heck, my current personal/work situation keeps me away from wheeling; I haven't attended a TLCA event in over a year (Rubicon '07) and haven't wheeled my own Land Cruiser since Roundup '06. If wheeling becomes a pre-condition to stay a member, I may or may not be able to do so, but I *DO* believe that it will help define the membership and bring it together. You may end up with a much smaller organization, but it will likely be a stronger, more cohesive and tight-knit than it is today.

One last comment. Be careful of the "Chapter Leadership Rotation" that we sometimes fall into. I think it's great to have a diverse group of people involved, but if we stack the leadership with too many people from one chapter or region, you run the risk of undue influence or the imposition of a particular identity. Remember the old days when Marauders ran the show?

One last thing. As one of the file-and-rank TLCA members (#4080, in good standing for 14+ years), I am profoundly grateful for your contributions and sacrifices. I remember my times as a member of the TT staff as hectic, loaded with deadlines and scrounging material and spending a lot of my own money on film development (10-12 rolls per event, 3-4 events per year). I also remember those care-free days as some of the best in my life. I know how much if your time and dedication you put into this, and I hope you know that the rank-and-file recognizes and appreciates that.

 

[wardfoto]

Alright, couple of questions for you guys, please PM me the answers to the first question...for obvious reasons...and please post your response to questions 2 and 3.

1. Who is the head of TTORA, and who are the organizers of the FJ Summit? Have you ever met them or had any sort of contact with them?

Never met any of them, that I'm aware of.

2. There have been several discussions on IH8MUD as of late in regards to the TLCA and events. What ideas or suggestions do you have in regards to introducing a "regional" TLCA event (West, Southeast, Midwest, East, Southeast). And how would that be used to bring in potential TLCA members?

We will have to tap the membership for this. Seems we have plenty of folks that aren"t happy with things as they stand, and i think this would give some folks an opportunity to stand up, pitch in, and help steer the course of future endeavors for T.L.C.A.
Any actual T.L.C.A. event should require membership as part of the entrance fee. We should make sure that an event has more than enough merch, and trails to go around, logistics would be worked out as the event itslef is fleshed out.
This one isn't gonna be the easiest thing we attempt, but most of what is worth doing requires the best efforts of those involved.

3. How do you intend to deal with the chapters out there that put on annual events and then don't send the required 10% cut (in the bylaws) to the TLCA?

The simplest thing to do would be withhold future club involvement, until good standing is attained. This one is fairly simple, folks.
when you go to get a part for your cruiser, you know when you walk in that a payment will be required. Same applies to an event that is held. nobody finds out afterwards that ten percent is owed, they know this going in. Some events don,t make a profit, and that is ok, but for those that do, why is there a problem paying what is owed?
Perhaps, if these clubs feel we are being unfair, we can specifically give them options for where they would like to see the ten percent go. But, the plan is known, you understand the situation before the event is held, you know that ten percent goes to T.L.C.A.
It's simple. pay your bills, folks, and no more problems.

These are simple brainstorming answers to the questions, and if elected as the next president, they will obviously need to be fleshed out to a usable standard, but I am excited at the chance to really make a difference for the club, and to serve the members.
I would also like to thank everybody on here that is paying attention to this election of officers. it's good to see so many passionate about our future.

 

[packman73]

Never met any of them, that I'm aware of.




We will have to tap the membership for this. Seems we have plenty of folks that aren"t happy with things as they stand, and i think this would give some folks an opportunity to stand up, pitch in, and help steer the course of future endeavors for T.L.C.A.
Any actual T.L.C.A. event should require membership as part of the entrance fee. We should make sure that an event has more than enough merch, and trails to go around, logistics would be worked out as the event itslef is fleshed out.
This one isn't gonna be the easiest thing we attempt, but most of what is worth doing requires the best efforts of those involved.



The simplest thing to do would top be withhold future club involvement, until good standing is attained. This one is fairly simple, folks.
when you go to get a part for your cruiser, you know when you walk in that a payment will be required. Same applies to an event that is held. nobody finds out afterwards that ten percent is owed, they know this going in. Some events don,t make a profit, and that is ok, but for those that do, why is there a problem paying what is owed?
Perhaps, if these clubs feel we are being unfair, we can specifically give them options for where they would like to see the ten percent go. But, the plan is known, you understand the situation before the event is held, you know that ten percent goes to T.L.C.A.
It's simple. pay your bills, folks, and no more problems.

These are simple brainstorming answers to the questions, and if elected as the next president, they will obviously need to be fleshed out to a usable standard, but I am excited at the chance to really make a difference for the club, and to serve the members.
I would also like to thank everybody on here that is paying attention to this election of officers. it's good to see so many passionate about our future.

Follow up question:
For the clubs that are having events and not making any profit, what would you propose the TLCA do to assist them in making their event more profitable (for their club as well as the TLCA)?

 

[Trollhole]

Here is an idea. Why not have the BOD come up with a set of questions for the candidates. Even if a position is unopposed. Have them answer the questions either on the BOD or this forum. Post them up in each thread. Then have people ask them questions below. That way BOD members can point their chapter members to them and have the chapters give feedback to their BOD on who they want. Plus your gonna get more people involved in this forum if you give them a reason to come and look.

And get Woody to do an announcement in the chapter sections pointing them here.

Put it all in one place. Get everyone to participate. Make it public and let the candidates respond to questions. We shouldn't have to dig to find out who we want as Officers.

 

[packman73]

Here is an idea. Why not have the BOD come up with a set of questions for the candidates. Even if a position is unopposed. Have them answer the questions either on the BOD or this forum. Post them up in each thread. Then have people ask them questions below. That way BOD members can point their chapter members to them and have the chapters give feedback to their BOD on who they want. Plus your gonna get more people involved in this forum if you give them a reason to come and look.

And get Woody to do an announcement in the chapter sections pointing them here.

Put it all in one place. Get everyone to participate. Make it public and let the candidates respond to questions. We shouldn't have to dig to find out who we want as Officers.

That's a great idea! I like it. Anyone opposed?