2008 Elections: nominations here!

[Chef]

I'm cooll with that. Nice.

 

[brew8]

Who has been nominated for Central rep?

 

[wardfoto]

I actually nominated Jeff and myself for c/mir. Figured whichever of us gets president, the other could take that position on.

 

[Romer]

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.

Justin,
Rising Sun has a TLCA event where all are invited, its called the Rising Sun Rally and we get together in stadium parking lot, have vendors, raffles, food and a swap meet. Its a way for Toyota owners to get to meet each other and we end up bringing people into the TLCA as a result. We can't make membership a requirement or it would defeat our purpose of letting people know about the Toyota community. We then do trail runs the next day and our club trail runs are open to anyone, TLCA or no TLCA. This year we made it a Colorado event and people from the other Colorado TLCA clubs got involved and will become more involved next year.

These kinds of events across the country would help grow membership.

This was not meant as a dig, but clarifying that I am sure you meant actual wheeling events and not Rally's


Our Cruise Moab Event requires TLCA membership, but that's a wheeling event and has a different purpose.

BTW - we always pay our 10%

 

[Radd Cruisers]

What ever makes you think you or Jeff will get the position, maybe there are some other entries like a Canadian EH................


Just a little funnin.

I actually nominated Jeff and myself for c/mir. Figured whichever of us gets president, the other could take that position on.

 

[wardfoto]

Romer- Thanks, and I totally understand that, and you are right, i was referring to wheeling specific events. and as far as the ten percent? I am sure evrybody pays thats makes a profit, so it's really not an issue, right? hehehe
and Radd- Who says Jeff and I aren't secretly canadians. eh? We are kinda like Ron Paul. Running as Americans, when we are really canadians. and if you'll buy that....

 

[Romer]

Jeff use to own a truck that was registered in Canada, does that count?

BTW - one of our club members is a canadian, BigblueFJ

 

[brew8]

I actually nominated Jeff and myself for c/mir. Figured whichever of us gets president, the other could take that position on.

Thanks Justin, sounds great, cheers, Larry

 

[wardfoto]

Romer- I've been to canada, and watched a couple of tv shows from there, and one of my favorite bands is Rush. does that count? hehehehe


Larry- no worries. glad to be of assistance.

 

[Romer]

Romer- I've been to canada, and watched a couple of tv shows from there, and one of my favorite bands is Rush. does that count? hehehehe :cheers;
quote]

That counts. I'm not Candain but I did have a moosehead last night

 

[wardfoto]

Romer- Nicely played, sir. Nicely played.

 

[timmbuck2]

I've known Jeff since 2000, and followed him as president of Rising Sun. I was there during the dark days of 2002-2003, and I was one of those few souls who volunteered to put together Cruise Moab 2003 when 90% of the founding committee quit. The club is now stronger than ever -- we're past 80 paid members in 2008 (and RS isn't cheap to join: our membership is $50/year). Much of the success of the club can be attributed to good decisions made by Jeff during his two years as club president.

Here are some of the things I observed in Jeff, that I admired and tried to emulate during my own term in office:

1) Daylight for every decision. Nothing is decided in secret, away from the general membership. Jeff will always have an opinion (a good one, usually), but he will not take action without letting everyone have their say and putting it to a vote. If you've ever been frustrated by a lack of communication from the TLCA BOD, Jeff will be a breath of fresh air.

2) Fiscal responsibility. Jeff was good with this in Rising Sun. He's also been one of the few members who actively reviewed and commented on TLCA's balance sheet on a regular basis.

3) Respect for every individual. Jeff has an amazing ability to connect with every new person who came to a RS meeting for the first time, and personally make them feel welcome. No one will feel like TLCA has an elite inner circle with Jeff as president -- every member will be respected and listened to.

4) Ethics. When things get stressful, there is always a temptation for leaders to cut corners and ignore the rules. Jeff maintains a clear head and plays by the rules at all times. Even when others suggest expediency, Jeff will take an unpopular position when he knows it's the right thing to do. In the end, it always is the right thing to do, and his ethical leadership was appreciated in RS, and still is.

5) Serious Cruiserhead credentials. Who doesn't know Jeff? I think he will be able to help pull TLCA together just simply because he knows so many of the members across the US, Canada and even globally. There are people who come to Cruise Moab and want to get their picture taken with him, just because he is the "legendary Jeff Zepp." I'm not making this up -- I've seen it. It's kind of weird, actually (sorry, Jeff). As TLCA president, Jeff will have the ability to pick up the phone and call members everywhere, many with whom he already has a relationship. That's effectiveness!

6) Un-killable Enthusiasm. Let's be honest here: every single person who is willing to be nominated for a TLCA officer role has enthusiasm. We all had it at one time. But club politics can suck the life out of you, leaving a person willing to go through the motions but do little else. Jeff has already been involved in the TLCA BOD for years, and he's still one of the biggest TLCA boosters you will ever meet. He's not going to get sick of the crap and give up. At this point, he's seen it all, and he's still excited about doing the job. I don't think I can stress enough how important this can be! Jeff will still be hard at work during month 24 as he was during month 1. He really cares.

7) Knowledge + Experience. With his leadership credentials in Rising Sun and TLCA, Jeff will hit the ground running as TLCA prez. There will be no period where he is trying to figure things out. Jeff already knows how to be an effective leader in a Toyota 4WD club.

8) Dedication. Jeff probably has the longest string of any TLCA member for attendance on those monthly BOD calls. Yeah, they are boring. I forgot a few of them myself. Jeff was always there. As TLCA president, he will be deeply dedicated to the job. He will be available in meetings, phone calls, email, and on the forum. I know that Jeff thought carefully about accepting this nomination, because he knew that he would be unable to do the job halfway. He will not be an absentee leader, ever.

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.

Matt Farr beat me to it. Even though Jeff doesn't have an 80 (yet) I believe he is just what the TLCA needs at this time. The TLCA needs Jeff's integrity and enthusiasm to ensure things are handled above board and in a fair and open manner. Jeff would do a great job in bridging between the older cruiser community and the rest of the membership of the TLCA.

x3...or x100...these guys beat me to it obviously...but 2 other things I wanted to mention about Jeff. 1 is the obvious, he will drop everything and do anything to help out someone in need. The other is related to his position on the BOD now. We have all sorts of different issues come up on the BOD email lists...and you can *always* count on Jeff to chime in with a very well thought out position. Many a time I have hit the "reply" link real quick and spouted my 2 cents worth real quick..then later on I read 5 paragraphs from Jeff than touch on every aspect of the topic, and usually mentions a couple of things I did not even think about. I am proud to be a member of the Rising Sun thanks to guys like Jeff...and Ken and Matt, too.

T

 

[wngrog]

Jeff has a killer basement.

......I need some of that foam for my Pelican case

 

[JuttyShabango]

I would like to throw my hat in the ring to run for TLCA President. I want to move us forward as an organization using my business vision and work ethic learned and earned from 17 years as an entrepreneur.

I have worked for myself most of my adult life and work without a net so to speak. I stay cutting edge on my thinking and philosophy of doing business and feel that a club like the TLCA is under-marketed, under-exposed and is missing out on capturing a huge segment of Toyota population that use their vehicles for other things than just wheeling. We have a strong contingency of wheelers now and they are a very valuable and vocal segment of our membership. However, we need to offer more for the 3,000 or so dues paying members that don’t wheel but use their Toyotas to get to the ski slopes, haul a mountain bike to the trail, Overland or simply want to restore a Toyota to the glory of yester-year. Adventure is at the heart of all Toyota owners and is the common denominator amongst us all regardless if our rig sits on 37s with dual lockers or simply has a Yakima rack on top with all the trimmings.

If the TLCA is going to move forward, we need to reconsider our name. Now, this doesn’t need to be a major change. Ken Romer said it beautifully when he said the name The Toyota AND Land Cruiser Association fits us better and what he offered there was really brilliant. We have a rich history and enjoy unique brand recognition around the World and making this slight change reflects, IMO, what the TLCA is as we approach 2009 and doesn’t change our core identity, just updates it a bit.

Making this slight name change also opens the door to much needed growth for the club and I feel we are at a critical crossroads right now. The TLCA should not try and outshine its chapters, it should support those chapters by providing them with a national medium to attract new members, help them voice issues on land use as a collective whole under the TLCA flag, support their events, offer insurance, and most importantly guidance for our younger chapters so they can grow in numbers and be successful.

My goals, if you elect me, would be simple.

1. Get new blood in the club while maintaining our wheeling heritage.

2. Be more vocal on issues of land use.

3. Offer an alternative national event based in the Mid Atlantic at Snowshoe Mountain Resort to get more members involved and attract new members.

4. Reach out to TTORA, FJ Cruisers and get more participation by getting them to our chapter events.

5. Develop a marketing strategy that positions the TLCA as leaders in the Toyota community.

6. Provide our chapters that put on events every year with a swag package that contains extra issues of Toyota Trails, “TLCA Rocks” T-Shirts and anything else we can muster. Sign up new members. Garner more exposure.


My style of leading is simple: Surround yourself with competent people and trust them to make solid and sound decisions. The TLCA is very, very fortunate that we already have that with our BOD, I.R.’s and Contractors. I do not believe in micro-managing but also I’m not afraid to make a decision based on the advices of the people that I trust. And I trust the BOD we have now, our Individual Reps, and our current host of Contractors. They are good people that love this club as much as we all do. And most importantly, are stepping up to do something about it.

I encourage each of you out there to think about what I have said in depth.

Thanks for reading.

Mark

 

[Rzeppa]

Jeff has a killer basement.

......I need some of that foam for my Pelican case

You were in the neighborhood and didn't even stop by for some foam - I got a couple bags for ya! Stop back in next time - I got a Shiner with yer name on it! Nice article in Trails dude, nice profile photo of Julie too. Happy cruisin'!

 

[Green Lantern]

Very good Mark!

I can say without reservation that Mark Van Meter has my support, 100%.
Mark has a keen business sense and has proven he knows how to communicate and lead with the work he has done as Webmaster.

I agree with Mark that TLCA should operate as an association of independent clubs. That means, chapters come first. The 3000 or so members that only subscribe to Toyota Trails are a blessing. We should encourage them to participate, but they should not direct our decisions. Of course, if we lose those 3000, we lose Toyota Trails.

I also agree with Mark that the BOD is an approving mechanism. Our rules encourage individuals and committees to get things done (with BOD approval). For example, the BOD approves our contracts with the annual budget approval. Any delegate is able to access and comment on any contract (current or draft renewal) simply by asking. Tony Twiddy trained me in this practice and it has been successful during my term. We have good, motivated people that can develop projects on the Internet and then take them to the BOD as a "yes or no" question. I REALLY want to keep our conference calls under an hour.

Mark will have to decide how much work he wants if he wins the election. I checked the bylaws and there's nothing against a Contractor running for an elected office. However, the bylaws clearly state in Article V that Contractors can not be delegates or have any vote in TLCA matters. If a Contractor serves as President, and the President only votes in a tie, then the deciding vote would fall to the EVP. The SOPs are silent about Contractors.

Another option would be Mark dropping the Webmaster contract and monitoring the new Webmaster with the knowledge and experience he brings to the table.

I'm looking forward to next year!
Happy Trails! N

I would like to throw my hat in the ring to run for TLCA President. I want to move us forward as an organization using my business vision and work ethic learned and earned from 17 years as an entrepreneur.

I have worked for myself most of my adult life and work without a net so to speak. I stay cutting edge on my thinking and philosophy of doing business and feel that a club like the TLCA is under-marketed, under-exposed and is missing out on capturing a huge segment of Toyota population that use their vehicles for other things than just wheeling. We have a strong contingency of wheelers now and they are a very valuable and vocal segment of our membership. However, we need to offer more for the 3,000 or so dues paying members that don’t wheel but use their Toyotas to get to the ski slopes, haul a mountain bike to the trail, Overland or simply want to restore a Toyota to the glory of yester-year. Adventure is at the heart of all Toyota owners and is the common denominator amongst us all regardless if our rig sits on 37s with dual lockers or simply has a Yakima rack on top with all the trimmings.

If the TLCA is going to move forward, we need to reconsider our name. Now, this doesn’t need to be a major change. Ken Romer said it beautifully when he said the name The Toyota AND Land Cruiser Association fits us better and what he offered there was really brilliant. We have a rich history and enjoy unique brand recognition around the World and making this slight change reflects, IMO, what the TLCA is as we approach 2009 and doesn’t change our core identity, just updates it a bit.

Making this slight name change also opens the door to much needed growth for the club and I feel we are at a critical crossroads right now. The TLCA should not try and outshine its chapters, it should support those chapters by providing them with a national medium to attract new members, help them voice issues on land use as a collective whole under the TLCA flag, support their events, offer insurance, and most importantly guidance for our younger chapters so they can grow in numbers and be successful.

My goals, if you elect me, would be simple.

1. Get new blood in the club while maintaining our wheeling heritage.

2. Be more vocal on issues of land use.

3. Offer an alternative national event based in the Mid Atlantic at Snowshoe Mountain Resort to get more members involved and attract new members.

4. Reach out to TTORA, FJ Cruisers and get more participation by getting them to our chapter events.

5. Develop a marketing strategy that positions the TLCA as leaders in the Toyota community.

6. Provide our chapters that put on events every year with a swag package that contains extra issues of Toyota Trails, “TLCA Rocks” T-Shirts and anything else we can muster. Sign up new members. Garner more exposure.


My style of leading is simple: Surround yourself with competent people and trust them to make solid and sound decisions. The TLCA is very, very fortunate that we already have that with our BOD, I.R.’s and Contractors. I do not believe in micro-managing but also I’m not afraid to make a decision based on the advices of the people that I trust. And I trust the BOD we have now, our Individual Reps, and our current host of Contractors. They are good people that love this club as much as we all do. And most importantly, are stepping up to do something about it.

I encourage each of you out there to think about what I have said in depth.

Thanks for reading.

Mark

 

[Kaderabek]

Thanks for stepping up, Mark. And for your current efforts as webmaster. You are a superb volunteer in an organization that relies heavily on the volunteer spirit.

TJK

 

[JuttyShabango]

Very good Mark!

I can say without reservation that Mark Van Meter has my support, 100%.
Mark has a keen business sense and has proven he knows how to communicate and lead with the work he has done as Webmaster.

I agree with Mark that TLCA should operate as an association of independent clubs. That means, chapters come first. The 3000 or so members that only subscribe to Toyota Trails are a blessing. We should encourage them to participate, but they should not direct our decisions. Of course, if we lose those 3000, we lose Toyota Trails.

I also agree with Mark that the BOD is an approving mechanism. Our rules encourage individuals and committees to get things done (with BOD approval). For example, the BOD approves our contracts with the annual budget approval. Any delegate is able to access and comment on any contract (current or draft renewal) simply by asking. Tony Twiddy trained me in this practice and it has been successful during my term. We have good, motivated people that can develop projects on the Internet and then take them to the BOD as a "yes or no" question. I REALLY want to keep our conference calls under an hour.

Mark will have to decide how much work he wants if he wins the election. I checked the bylaws and there's nothing against a Contractor running for an elected office. However, the bylaws clearly state in Article V that Contractors can not be delegates or have any vote in TLCA matters. If a Contractor serves as President, and the President only votes in a tie, then the deciding vote would fall to the EVP. The SOPs are silent about Contractors.

Another option would be Mark dropping the Webmaster contract and monitoring the new Webmaster with the knowledge and experience he brings to the table.

I'm looking forward to next year!
Happy Trails! N

Thanks Nick, I would like to remain at the helm of the website so we do not have to go thru a another transition period for a while and to carry the momentum built so far. IMO, that would be what's best for the TLCA right now.

Thanks for stepping up, Mark. And for your current efforts as webmaster. You are a superb volunteer in an organization that relies heavily on the volunteer spirit.

TJK

Thank you Todd..

 

[TRT2]

not to be a party p**per, but contractor/board member has come up before and a clear line of separation has been maintained.

Isn't this the same reason our current Admin had to remove herself from a board position?

and I'd thank you too for volunteering, but if you are a contractor, are you really a volunteer?
and thus begins the confusion between contractor or volunteer.

Just noting, want to be very careful about how you approach this, or decide which one you prefer.
(however, the issue is moot pending election results.)

Good job on the web site! and I really mean that. Nicely done.

 

[JuttyShabango]

Hi Tony and thank you for the kind words.

I have no problem turning over the webmaster's position to volunteer as President especially if there was a precedence already set (before my time) and do not want to create a percieved conflict of interest by any means.