Add the Barn to the selection survey (1 Viewer)

[NCFJ]

All members should have already received the survey for where to use the money that was returned to the club, $1,000.00.

At the Meet & Greet annual meeting I suggested that we put some or all of that money toward the Barn that Kenny and Lydia so generously allow us to call home. Johnny shot the idea down, even though a great many agreed and of course it is not on the survey.

Several of us spoke to Lydia about this , she was of course humble, but was OK that we as a club would like to contribute to the structure and property that we like to call our home.

Mike Shandor has an idea for sliding doors at both ends of the barn to keep some of the weather out.

Speak up members, tell us your thoughts!



Yes yes, I know there is an "other" spot on the survey, not enough. This deserves a spot on the survey!
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. It may not look as special on social media yet it is still the right thing to do.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Thanks Stan, this is why there is a "fill in the blank" section on the survey.

If you are concerned that we don't contribute to the barn at all, please be aware that last year we began making financial contributions to the owner of the property, John Whitley, to pay for taxes, electricity, etc. This, combined with cutting trees to make up for the wood we use, has been deemed more than sufficient, despite multiple requests to contribute more.

In the future, please ask what we're doing instead of making assumptions.

EDIT: Thread reopened.

Please feel free to voice your concerns. The survey will not be modified at this point, so utilize the "fill in the blank section".

 

[NCFJ]

What "we are doing" is rarely conveyed to the club. What you are doing is whatever you feel like. When was the last time any change to the club was put to a vote other than BOD positions. Family memberships went away with no vote. Club dues went up with no vote. Now club funds are at interest yet something that was brought up at an open meeting was immediately shot down.

OK so NOW some of us are just learning that club funds are already being disbursed with the barn in mind. This is the type of thing that most clubs openly discuss prior to doing it or at least announce what is being done with club funds.

The fill in the blank section is not enough. Go ahead and put in on the survey Johnny, what do you have to loose?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Thanks for your concern Stan and Izzy (Izzy because he liked your post at the time of my reply).

Despite your opinion, I'm not doing "whatever I feel like". The BOD and I are doing what we feel is best for the club and based on past election results, the club agrees that we're doing what's right. To date, you are the only member who has raised concerns we're not fulfilling our duties in that regard. I'm not sure what I can do to make you happy Stan, but I'm trying. It seems like no matter what I do, you will always find something you don't like and put up a post about it.

To be specific, last year we sent John Whitley a check for $100 along with a letter. This year, since taxes went up, we'll be sending John a check for $250. We had come up with a plan to build a shower enclosure but plans fell through. If you'd like to take up that project, by all means, please take the lead and start a new thread. Assuming the plan is approved by Kenny and John, you'll have full financial backing of the club. With your construction background it should be a piece of cake.

It sounds like your concern is largely about transparency. How would you like me to convey club activities to you moving forward? I fear that if I listed everything out the list would be so long that no one would read it. Despite that, I'm willing to put together something along the lines of an annual report if that would address your concern.

If you don't feel comfortable discussing your concerns about the club with me directly, then please reach out to my fellow BOD members. In case we forgot, let me list them again (in no particular order):

John Vargosko - @JohnVee
Stacy Rymer - @blue98stang
Eric Forrest - @forrest5000
Eric Johnston - @fourtrax
Allen Dickenson - @Fort Knox

 

[roadstr6]

Perhaps a quarterly Treasurer's report would be sufficient to alleviate the transparency concerns. Every car club I've been involved in started each meeting with a short business discussion and a Treasurer's report. Our problem is that we are so spread out over the entire state and beyond. We don't have a quarterly newsletter or anything like that. I'm not sure what the easiest way to distribute this info might be? Maybe if we just had a copy of the report emailed to each member every quarter? Ideas?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Perhaps a quarterly Treasurer's report would be sufficient to alleviate the transparency concerns. Every car club I've been involved in started each meeting with a short business discussion and a Treasurer's report. Our problem is that we are so spread out over the entire state and beyond. We don't have a quarterly newsletter or anything like that. I'm not sure what the easiest way to distribute this info might be? Maybe if we just had a copy of the report emailed to each member every quarter? Ideas?

Allen has done a great job of producing financial reports and providing them somewhat ad-hoc at the Triangle Monthly meetings but it was never requested by members, more of a checkpoint with the BOD members locally. Regardless, it's a great suggestion and distribution would be easily done via email, just like the survey I emailed out two days ago.

Quarterly is a lofty goal, how about bi-annually? Once at the annual meeting (we'll send it out soon if agreed) and once 6 months offset.

EDIT: Quarterly might not be too lofty. Do we think this is a good idea? I don't think it'd be too hard to put these reports together. Off the top of my head, it'd be a financial summary then an explanation of a few expenses that are one-offs or special use cases.

 

[izzyandsue]

Thanks for your concern Stan and Izzy (Izzy because he liked your post at the time of my reply).

I prefer to stay out of these politics. Leave me out please.

 

[erymer]

I'll chime in as well since I do think we need to do a little more in regards to giving back. I cut wood every time I'm at the barn but I also feel like I am never doing enough to repay our generous hosts of the barn. Kenny, Lydia and John would never openly ask for help with anything. It's just the way they are wired. As with any structure there is always maintenance, repairs and upgrades to be made. I know the military and scouts pay to use the facility but I'd venture to say we are the only group of regulars that do not openly rent the space. Knowing that we have sent money to John certainly makes me feel a little better but I would like to see a giving back project of some sort towards the barn facilities whether that is a barn door or completing the shower we discussed at some point or even a second outhouse. Who knows but open discussion with John, Kenny and Lydia would help answer those.

I don't think we as a club want or need to know everything, but I think a little more transparency would go a long way to ease any questions members may have. I think we all understand executive decisions have to be made. We voted for the BOD because we all believe they have the clubs best interests in mind. I know there are a lot of decisions the BOD makes and we as members don't need information overload. I think at some point it would deter people from paying attention. But major things that impact everyone in a major way could be conveyed to the group. Now for the record I think the BOD is doing a good job and I hope none of my comments are taken to imply otherwise.

Dave is right about the financial report. Since we are so spread out and don't have one monthly meeting for everyone, I like the idea of the quarterly or bi-annual report being emailed to members. Or even BOD updates sent to a person attending the monthly meets to share and pass along.

 

[NC LX]

Perhaps a quarterly Treasurer's report would be sufficient to alleviate the transparency concerns. Every car club I've been involved in started each meeting with a short business discussion and a Treasurer's report. Our problem is that we are so spread out over the entire state and beyond. We don't have a quarterly newsletter or anything like that. I'm not sure what the easiest way to distribute this info might be? Maybe if we just had a copy of the report emailed to each member every quarter? Ideas?

As a newer member and somebody that wants to get more involved, I'll second the newsletter.

Sometimes it's hard to read the the numerous threads and pick out what is important. At times I can spend a lot of time on mud and other times several days go by.

I often miss things that I would like to be apart of or upcoming information that I realize too late.

Saying this, a simple monthly news letter that hits the main topics may be beneficial.

 

[custyota]

Freaking drama! I trust the BOD and their decisions. Its a 4x4 club not a Home owners association.

 

[David70FJ40]

I trust the BOD as well but when it comes to money there needs to be a dose of reality with some sort of report so a decision that the BOD makes is not simply left out for the general membership. We have a survey to voice our preferences on where this money is to go, why not a survey to allow the membership to voice their opinions as to big decisions the club needs to make.

Just my 2 cents worth!

 

[roadstr6]

I don't have a personal stake in any of this. I'm generally content to go with the group on business-related stuff. I just offered my suggestion as a simple solution. What we don't want is to make the job of Treasurer so onerous that nobody wants to do it. Whatever we end up doing, the simpler the better. Quarterly, bi-yearly...whatever works best.

@NC LX For the record I did not suggest a quarterly newsletter...only a quick financial statement via email. My point was that because we do not have a newsletter and because we meet as separate groups in different locations, email may be the only way to reach everyone.

 

[mtweller]

 

[NC LX]

I don't have a personal stake in any of this. I'm generally content to go with the group on business-related stuff. I just offered my suggestion as a simple solution. What we don't want is to make the job of Treasurer so onerous that nobody wants to do it. Whatever we end up doing, the simpler the better. Quarterly, bi-yearly...whatever works best.

@NC LX For the record I did not suggest a quarterly newsletter...only a quick financial statement via email. My point was that because we do not have a newsletter and because we meet as separate groups in different locations, email may be the only way to reach everyone.

Sorry, trying to get my thoughts through an iPhone. I said "news letter" but "quick financial statement" was what I was thinking also. A statement hitting the high points.

I just want to add how impressed with the infrastructure that the club has. As a member of other clubs in the past it's nice knowing that there is a BOD looking out for the best interest of the members. ONSC seems to being doing good things and I'm excited to be apart of it in the future.

 

[NCFJ]

Back to the original post for a moment. I brought up giving the money mentioned above to the Barn at an open meeting of this club. Many people agreed right then and there, all members in good standing. Johnny, you shot it down with your own reasons, yet when putting the survey together, not 24 hours later you did not include the Barn as a choice. Not only was it brought up in open meeting but many agreed, which within the loose nature of the meeting could very easily be considered a second to the motion put before the club, at it's annual meeting.

Yet you stand your ground, as President and refuse to put it on the survey.

Let the members have their say. You may just be right you know, and what better way to prove it. It is not about being right to me, it's about doing right. I will state it again. Charity begins at home and as a club we should contribute MORE to what we call our unofficial home. The fact that Kenny and Lydia are great human beings and don't ask for help does not equate to us being poor guests and not contributing more. This is my OPINION and I'll be damned if I hide and don't at least say it out loud.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Loud and clear Stan. Opinion heard and noted.

The $1000 in question will be donated to an IRS-recognized charity, end of story. We owe that to the attendees of Logan's Run as that is what we committed. That's not "my own reasons", nor was I rejecting the will of the club for my ulterior motives (there are none), I'm adhering to a commitment we made to the attendees of Logan's Run 2016, that $2000 will be donated to charity, a 501.c charity.

We have plenty of other money to put towards renovations or improvements for the barn. I'll ask again for you or another member of the club to lead a barn improvement committee so that you can spend that money to supplement the other contributions the club makes to the Monk/Whitley property.

 

[NCFJ]

I'll lead the Barn improvement committee. I'll speak with interested members and get back to Allen about it. You need not concern yourself with it Johnny. That way you do not have to feel like I am picking on you every time I don't agree with you and express my feelings out loud. I say these things out loud to and about you Johnny, not the entire BOD. Stop including them when I question something you do or say.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Great! The BOD and I will be here to help. I'm looking forward to what your committee comes up with. If you need contact info for Kenny or others to make it happen, don't hesitate to reach out.

Your message is clear. You don't like me or what I do, no matter what I do or say. That's fine and I accept that. As president I'm here to take the blame when the BOD takes action that members don't like, so I welcome the criticism.

I appreciate the support all, we'll work on getting a Financial report out on a regular basis

 

[NCFJ]

The $1000 in question will be donated to an IRS-recognized charity, end of story. We owe that to the attendees of Logan's Run as that is what we committed. That's not "my own reasons", nor was I rejecting the will of the club for my ulterior motives (there are none), I'm adhering to a commitment we made to the attendees of Logan's Run 2016, that $2000 will be donated to charity, a 501.c charity.

Had you simply said this at the M&G or as your first post in this thread this would not have been an issue.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Had you simply said this at the M&G or as your first post in this thread this would not have been an issue.

Noted! I'll be more specific in the future. My apologies for being ambiguous, it was not intentional.

Something good did come of this, I've got the ball rolling on the quarterly financial reports! That should help with your transparency concerns.



Keep it coming everyone! It's through conversations like this that we, as a club, are able to improve!!