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I really enjoyed the spring meeting weekend, good food, good drinks, good company and good wheelin, maybe a camping/cookout weekend with a little wheelin thrown in,
 
I like car shows, but if people find it hard to make wheeling trips on a Saturday in the summer, will they not find it hard to make car shows?

one thing about cars shows is that it's low on the damage scale and it's flexible to people's schedule to some degree. You can leave at any time.

It's not like they are way out of the way and if you break down there is a 5 hour ordeal to deal with.

Plus it might be more family friendly than trudging through the woods battling mosquitoes, and having bathrooms near by and some entertainment and refreshments at hand.

I think if you re-read Davids opening you will see that we had to cancel one of our trail rides because of lack of interest. The NEA has trail cuts and maintenance all the time and how many of us show up?

I don't see where we are lacking in these areas.

I would however like to see more people engaged with club activities beyond the few events that have been repeatedly stated above. And maybe offering a few different venues outside of wheeling but still associated with our love for our vehicles would do that.

Who knows, Harry might get his girlfriend to take a drive, show of his truck, have a good time and be back at the house avoiding a B&B stay over.
 
Today it came to me that attending car shows might be fun. We drive some pretty diverse vehicles of all styles and I know that going to a few local car shows would be well received.

We have a hamburger place up here that has scheduled shows all summer. Music, 50/50 raffle and some really cool cars. One guy build a 3/4 replica of a Buick in his garage and registered it. Don't ask me why.

We've got 40s, Jason and his 45, Tim and his diesel troopy, Nate and his beat to s*** mini, just to name a few.

If we can identify a few good shows around New England and work up a schedule I'd make every effort to attend them.

I always attend both the spring and autumn Vermonster 4x4 events, the Deepwoods extreme show(that one might be a bit weird given it's put on by the Deep Woods 4x4 club) and the Vintage fest at Limerock Park(not that cruiserish but ton of motorheads in one place); I'd be happy to represent at any of these events in one way or the other.
 
Well, I’m even worse than a “Lame” member, I’m not a member at all. Yet I’ve given parts to, bought parts from, and met a few of you in person. From my perspective I really like what you folks have done with the club. I was planning on joining last year but life got in the way and I was off the forum for most of the last year. I’ve wanted to attend some gatherings and pub meetings in the past but something always seems to come up. Especially with two school aged kids involved in sports and activities who need shuttling to practices, games, rehearsals, and concerts. I think a lot of people have similar issues.

I would however like to see more people engaged with club activities beyond the few events that have been repeatedly stated above. And maybe offering a few different venues outside of wheeling but still associated with our love for our vehicles would do that.

FWIW, I agree with you. In general, that’s certainly good way to build camaraderie within a group. I think that is exactly what you need to do to help build bonds of friendship that tie the group together. Wheeling is also a great ( I grew up doing Jeep runs – I know, I know – with my Dad in the PNW) fun and a shared activity, but people are diverse in their interests and the more ties you can make the better. Now if you folks ever want a place to gather so you can talk cruisers and jump in a ring and do some sparring, I can set you up.:p:D

I will get my chit together and join up if y’all will have me.

William
 
New Ideas

One of the things I'd like to see is breaking bread with other 4x4 enthusiasts (yeah, even the Jeep guys). I say that because I just read recently in 4 Wheeler Magazine how more and more trails are getting restricted, making it difficult to find places to wheel. We know there are other clubs out here in New England, those who drive Jeeps, and those who drive Land Rovers. There are other folks who drive Fords, Chevys, Mitisubishis, and Suzuki Samurais as well as a few others. Since the problem of lack of available lands affects us all, it seems to me that working with some of these other folks toward keeping what lands we have access to and even to open up some more would be in our collective interest. To start that, let's see if other clubs would to combine for a few runs. Rivalries are cool as long as it doesn't get vicious, and bragging rights is everything :). But the goal here would be to as a combined group figure out how we can maintain a good image for 4x4 enthusiasts, do some trail cut/clean ups together, and continue to make these trails available for all of us to enjoy.

I'd also like to see more tech days, and an occasional beer and gaming night is always fun, maybe even a day for watching football!

Just my $.02...
 
One of the things I'd like to see is breaking bread with other 4x4 enthusiasts (yeah, even the Jeep guys). I say that because I just read recently in 4 Wheeler Magazine how more and more trails are getting restricted, making it difficult to find places to wheel. We know there are other clubs out here in New England, those who drive Jeeps, and those who drive Land Rovers. There are other folks who drive Fords, Chevys, Mitisubishis, and Suzuki Samurais as well as a few others. Since the problem of lack of available lands affects us all, it seems to me that working with some of these other folks toward keeping what lands we have access to and even to open up some more would be in our collective interest. To start that, let's see if other clubs would to combine for a few runs. Rivalries are cool as long as it doesn't get vicious, and bragging rights is everything :). But the goal here would be to as a combined group figure out how we can maintain a good image for 4x4 enthusiasts, do some trail cut/clean ups together, and continue to make these trails available for all of us to enjoy.

I'd also like to see more tech days, and an occasional beer and gaming night is always fun, maybe even a day for watching football!

Just my $.02...


We call it "The Northeast Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs" Over 20 clubs involved now. They do a Snow Run, several Poker Runs, and Fall Crawl. All these events are open to club members and all info
about these events gets mentioned here on the Forum.
Our trail maint. and cutting is organized thru them. They also spend countless hours working with State government about the issue of access to public lands. We are also members of the Blue Ribbon Coalition which brings the fight to Federal government.
 
so many thoughts
I commend all the volunteers who have made the club what it is today
I promise to help more as soon as I stop having to change diapers(not mine)

Make FG a week,
three days is not enuf
add time/awards for fun? stuff like blindfold races
bling show
friendly rock crawl comp
ramp
poker run, multiple even
GROUP PHOTO?
?

more incentive for officers?
free FG?
awards for service well done ( hint )
free club wrench day

as far as wheeling, we have to grab what nea runs we can in the spring as I understand it.
Hard for me to hit the cuts, I need to help there more.
Lets build a jungle gym out of old trucks at gretchens for the kids...I throw in a 40 shell, get a jeep some pipe, swings...steering wheels
It is inevitable to be hard for everyone to schedule their families around a silly hobby, but we get what we can there.
I will continue to host a run, we can do more if people want, and are good....
Some new parks in Maine,,,
I think the small impromtu club runs are great
car shows would be fun, more likely local individuals tho..
cant make the pub nites


hell, lets change the name too

and get a boxing ring at FG
ding ding, and in this corner.......
 
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I think we've seen some major changes over the last few years and YTs isn't alone.

With the event of MUD and opening the "Club House" section more people have found it more easily to find clubs across the country.

Add to that Toyota's push with the FJ Cruiser and everyone has seen a large expansion in their membership base.

And this now larger base is also very diverse. While once upon a time it was local hobbyists working in their driveways on old tired iron, now we have people with relatively new trucks and never get grease on their hands along as well.

The challenging part is going to be pleasing everyone. With limited resources and time how do you make things fair across the board where no one is left out.
 
Trail leaders for our 3 levels of wheeling.
Have them work out a schedule for the sub groups.
It was great that Larry stepped up and led a group last month.
 
All things are possible if people step up.

YT did have monthly runs and they were fairly well attended. But someone did set a date and offer to lead. Those that could attend did.

As anyone who has ever been a part of organizing the FG knows, it does not just happen. Many put in their time to run this great event.

We have been fortunate that we do have members willing to step up and lead.

I do understand that we are all in different places in our lives. At one time I had a more normal job and could attend and volunteer more than I have in the past few years. Hopefully, my schedule will allow me to attend this year. It was difficult missing 2 years.

Please think about stepping up. You have many past club officers who are more than willing to assist and to help make the transition easier.

The best part is, it is appreciated. I have the utmost respect for those willing to donate their precious time to our club.
 
One thing I was thinking about in regards to pub nights, and driveway tech days is that given our widespread membership, maybe we could have "area captains" for lack of a better term. A person who helps organize events in their area, for the folks closer in.

It would allow us to have social gatherings more often, spread all over, instead of trying to get a membership that is spread over 5+ states all in the same central area for a few hours.
 
Good idea Dave.
I really enjoyed the VT pub night but I'm not willing to drive to RI
or Boston for one. Same goes with the Tech days.
 
Good idea Dave.
I really enjoyed the VT pub night but I'm not willing to drive to RI
or Boston for one. Same goes with the Tech days.

My thought exactly. Fact is it's crazy to think anyone wants to drive 2-3 hours each way for a few hours of dinner and drinks. By organizing for different regions we give everyone a good opportunity to get together.
 
I like this idea, I would definately step up for my area.

Again I would like to know what positions are going to be open in the club,
along with that what about a breif job description of the positions?
Also with these important positions opening, will the officers overlap with the new officers?
I think a shadowing period may be a good idea, especialy with things as scheduling trail runs with the NEA.
 

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