Jeff Zepp (Mountian Central IR) bio
Posting this for Jeff as he's ih8mud challenged...SNIP
Thank you for the nomination for TLCA Mountain/Central Individual
Representative for 2005-2006. I believe that serving TLCA in this capacity
will be an excellent next step for me to help promote our organization. If
elected to this position, I look forward to working even more effectively
toward our mutual goals of increasing our membership, improving our
retention rates, helping new chapters become sanctioned, and representing
the interests of members who are not currently in a chapter.
Background:
Having driven a Land Cruiser every day since 1982, in the mid 1990s I
started to become frustrated when trying to source affordable parts for my
beloved FJ40. While getting a haircut, my stylist, who also drove an FJ40,
told me about TLCA. So it was 1996 that I became a TLCA member and started
receiving Toyota Trails. Needless to say I was very happy, and even though
the publication was only black and white, it contained a wealth of cruiser
information and cruiser-specific aftermarket suppliers’ advertising. Through
TLCA, I learned that there was a local Chapter of TLCA, and soon I joined
Rising Sun. In 2000 I was appointed interim Secretary, and worked diligently
to keep accurate minutes and produce the club newsletter. These efforts
helped me win the Secretary’s job for the next two years, serve as interim
Webmaster, and then become Commander in 2003 and again in 2004. As Commander
I became our chapter’s TLCA delegate on the TLCA BOD.
Why I would do a great job as TLCA M/C IR:
I have historically volunteered to help, and then give the job my best
efforts. From my local civic association, Cub Scouts, and local high school
business liaison, to Rising Sun and TLCA. I currently serve on the Board of
Directors of the Coalition for the Upper South Platte.
In Rising Sun I have greatly increased our presence in, and support for our
state organization, the Colorado Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, and
have made land use and volunteerism a top priority. I organized two projects
for rehabilitating the Hayman burn area with dozens of other local 4
wheeling clubs, and wrote an article about it which appeared in Toyota
Trails. With the help of a great chapter board, we have adopted a second
trail, and work closely with the Forest Service to help keep our trails
open.
Another priority I have implemented and expanded is family-oriented
non-wheeling events such as our wheel bearing packing party, picnic, swap
meet, and Christmas party. I have prioritized making meeting fun again,
making the business portion go quickly, adding a tech Q&A section, bringing
in guest speakers, and emphasizing the social aspects. This has improved
attendance tremendously. Speaking of attendance, I have missed only 2 Rising
Sun meetings in 5 years, and the one TLCA BOD meeting I ever missed in two
years was to attend the funeral of one of our chapter members.
When Alan approached me about the M/C IR job, I explained to him that I
wouldn’t take the nomination unless I could step aside as Rising Sun
Commander, and make sure our chapter would be in good hands. The reason for
this is that if I’m going to do the new job, I need to give it my all, and
not be spread too thin. Running Rising Sun is a big job, and if I tried to
do both, neither would be done as effectively. I have spoken with several
prospective successors, and will step aside and hand over the chapter reins
to concentrate on helping TLCA grow, represent the interests of TLCA members
who are not in a chapter, and help new chapters become sanctioned. Happy
cruisin’!
Jeff Zepp
Kittredge CO USA
1971 & 1976 FJ40s, 1978 FJ45
Rising Sun 4WD Club/TLCA #4063
http://rzeppa.org