50th Anniversary Celebration

[06474]

Herein lies the issue - RESPECT. Steve Prewitt used his monthly article as a bully pulpit in the June Mustang Times to disrespect any member who disagrees with him or the board.

The Mustang Times is always looking for Member feedback. Respond in a civil manner and your voice will be heard. I believe a vast majority of MCA members support the dual shows. The minimal number of crybabies (8-10) members on this forum(50th) topic and feedback from my contacts in the hobby seem to support my opinion. If there was only one show in Charlotte many members west of the Mississippi would chime in saying MCA is nothing more than a Georgia Regional club! MCA should include the West coast members too. It's hard to please eveyone all the time. I think the dual shows schedule is in the best interest for most MCA members. I know it may be a tough decision to choose a venue but, fortunately you have 2 years to decide thanks to MCA's early planning.

[FastDad]

The Mustang Times is always looking for Member feedback. Respond in a civil manner and your voice will be heard. I believe a vast majority of MCA members support the dual shows. The minimal number of crybabies (8-10) members on this forum(50th) topic and feedback from my contacts in the hobby seem to support my opinion. If there was only one show in Charlotte many members west of the Mississippi would chime in saying MCA is nothing more than a Georgia Regional club! MCA should include the West coast members too. It's hard to please eveyone all the time. I think the dual shows schedule is in the best interest for most MCA members. I know it may be a tough decision to choose a venue but, fortunately you have 2 years to decide thanks to MCA's early planning.

Why is it that you feel the need to characterize everyone who disagrees with you as a "crybaby"? That does not sound like a civil tone to me.

If you read both this thread and the one on the main page of this website, no "name calling" started until after the membership recieved their copies of the June Mustang Times. Our MCA president chose to start this with his uncivil tone in his June message to the members. A true leader knows how to motivate and unify. I believe what Steve wrote went 180 degrees from this and his action only serves to split apart the membership.

People have asked very specific questions regarding the logistics and problems with two shows and Mr Prewitt and his Board have chosen to answer none of them. The only thing that Steve has chosen to do is resort to public name calling. That is not leadership.

As far as submitting a letter to the Mustang Times, print media is old school and dying. If one choses to use that method, their response will not be heard until months later. MCA created this website and forum out of a realization that members wanted a more immediate and timely method to submit their questions and opinions to the leadership and the rest of the membership. In that light, it is entirely appropriate to use this forum to express those opinions and an enlightened leadership should use this forum to respond to those questions and opinions.

[06474]

Dad , I use the labels crybaby, late model and newbie because I know it irritates you, like your personal agenda irritates most long time Mustang enthusiest like my self. I don't think your agenda has enough support to warrant a response from MCA. Dead issue as far as I'm concerned.

[FastDad]

Dad , I use the labels crybaby, late model and newbie because I know it irritates you, like your personal agenda irritates most long time Mustang enthusiest like my self. I don't think your agenda has enough support to warrant a response from MCA. Dead issue as far as I'm concerned.

It does not irritate me, just makes me wonder if you are actually an adult.

[jacostang]

Back on subject, to me its very simple, put all your resources in one place and unite the Mustang Family... Yes I have chaired many Mustang shows including an MCA Regional in Arizona. I know it takes alot, if you build it they will come...

[MartyRupp]

What is going on here is what destroys clubs. We all have our short comings, let’s focus on the positives, “Our love for the Mustang”. I am not posting to put fuel on the fire, but just tell what I know. I have only known Steve Prewitt for three or four years. The last two years my wife Tari Rupp has been National Show secretary, she and I have the opportunity to work closely with Steve and have found him to be a tireless worker for the MCA membership. When there was a problem with judges testing he did not delegate all the work on it, he was involved. Last year when the postal service was losing members judge sheets Steve was concerned and helped us change all of the judge sheets so they could be scanned. Then he found and purchased a scanner that would do the job for us. And if that was not enough he has personally scanned all of the judge sheets from the last two national Shows. Now that is what I call commitment to the members.
Since taking over the tally room we have had several shows that did not go well. We have had some problems with the show data base. At those times you did not see Steve cruising the show field on a golf cart or at the evening banquet talking with friends. No he was working with us till past 11 PM to be certain that the awards would be correct and on time. He has a co-worker creating a new data base that we hope to test soon.
Those in my humble estimation are true signs of leadership. What’s more I have always found that if I had a question or even a difference of opinion Steve would listen. Perhaps a phone call or a direct e-mail may get better results than personal attacks on the forum.
I know that no one is perfect, Steve included but I thought you should know some of these things.
I would suggest if you do not like the direction the club is headed you should follow Steve’s lead and roll up your sleeves and get involved. Club elections are coming soon so I would expect to see your names in the bios.
Respectfully Marty Rupp

[Mustang 3]

Dad , I use the labels crybaby, late model and newbie because I know it irritates you, like your personal agenda irritates most long time Mustang enthusiest like my self. I don't think your agenda has enough support to warrant a response from MCA. Dead issue as far as I'm concerned.

That is not true Bob. You used those terms in your first post on this forum- and you directed them to me and NOT FastDad.

Can you please explain your change of "story" and what FastDads agenda is?

And what long time Mustang enthusists are irritated?

I've been heavily involved with Mustangs since 1966..not a member of MCA until 99 as it was always seen as an eastern club until recent times. But I'm far from a newbee in terms of Mustangs.

Understand I own more books on the history of the Mustang then you do; I've owned more Mustangs then you have; I know more about the history and development of the Mustang then you do. I fully understand that the future of the Mustang and MCA is in great danger. Individuals with your attitude have almost driven MCA into the ground.

Without new buyers Ford will kill the Mustang. Without the new owners and their new cars MCA is dead as an organization. Without the push west and the inclusion of new cars MCA is dead and MCA is clearly not out to the woods yet.

Are more Grand National Shows needed in the west- clearly. Are major anniversary celebration shows needed in the west- clearly. But there should be one and only one Supreme Grand National 50th Show--the mother of all shows. Be it east or west I'd be there--would you? 2014 need not be about 1 show--as the 50th year there is room for many celebrations of the 50th but there needs to be one gathering spot for everyone at one point in time-the 50th party.

Now the real questions-the hard question. Is the 'new' MCA a lie?

Is MCA lying as to its desire to include Mustangs of all years and their owners or is it still a good'ole boy Georgia organization of 1st generation owners as you seem to indicate and you and those long term enthusiasts like you (your term) tolerate the irritating newbee late model owners as you need their dues money to support the true 1st generation organization within the "organization"?

I will post MCA's declared purpose below--Is it true Bob or is it just a 1st gen owner front to hide behind but pay no real attention to?

MCA's declared Statement of Purpose:

MCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, care, history and enjoyment of all model years of Mustang, Shelby, Boss, Saleen, Roush, SVT Cobra, Steeda and McLaren.

Mach on-

[Mustang 3]

I would suggest if you do not like the direction the club is headed you should follow Steve’s lead and roll up your sleeves and get involved. Club elections are coming soon so I would expect to see your names in the bios.
Respectfully Marty Rupp

More than a fair comment Marty! More than fair as it is always easier on the sidelines then at the front...

But I would counter it is not so much an issue of where the Club is heading (the club is correctly heading where it needs to go- west and north, striving for new, younger members Nationwide) but an issue of 1 event in April 2014--an event to bring all together not split them apart AND even more importantly 1 Mustangs Times column that probably should have seen an editor before being published. I hope, looking back, that Mr. Prewitt would agreed that maybe he should have addressed his column in a slightly different manner.

[MartyRupp]

I don’t like to post on these things because I feel that it has become a gripe session and not a learning and encouraging tool like it was meant to be. But, I am tired of the mudslinging, name calling, and character assassinations. This is just plain wrong! I have not read all of these posting on the 50 because what I have read has made me ill and kept me awake at night wondering how grown adults can act like this. I cannot believe all the drama that this 50th Anniversary Celebration has caused. If it had been only one location then you would have opened another can of worms about where it would be held and when and don’t deny this because you know that it is true. You are never going to make everyone happy. As anyone in leadership will tell you. Now we have placed it so that both East and West can enjoy the event and that makes you mad? We would still be reading the mudslinging, name calling, and character assassinations on the forum, but they would have been for the double Celebration, only the names would be different.
In the bigger scope of things, (sorry) they are just cars, a hobby that a lot of us enjoy. But, I have learned that really there is only a very few things to fight for. My faith, my family, and my friends these are the most important things in life. I have four wonderful kids and a God given spouse. Out of my 30+ years of marriage I have learn to be happy and satisfied with what I have been given. I have had one daughter fight a battle with Cancer, another with a blood disorder, and around 20 years ago I almost lost my husband to a propane explosion. I enjoy watching him with our kids, Grand kids, and his hobby. I was given a blessing of having all of this. Where the 50th is held or not held is not that big of a thing for me. I have other GREATER things to make me truly happy and I am sure all of you do also. Think on those things and work together to make this a GREAT hobby. You don’t know what you have until you have almost lost it or when it is too late and it’s gone.
Respectfully
Tari Rupp, A proud MCA Show Secretary

[jacostang]

I will ask one more time.

Why didnt the MCA ask the membership what they thought would be best? A simple questionnaire would have been sufficient... I have also sent e mails to Steve and he answered me very quickly and I thank you Steve. I also sent e mails to Mr. Farley and Mr. Stoehr at Ford... I bet I get a phone call back from Tim.... I know Ford is watching closely..... They wont let their Pony's 50th be anything but fantastic.....

Tari, thank you for your post and service with the MCA,

Dave