Simple poll: 2 shows for 50th, yes or no

[FastDad]

Your comments about Jim Silverman & the B.O.D. are out of line! I've been a member of M.C.A. for over 30 yrs and these volunteers put in a lot time & energy to run this club. They may not make the popular decision every time but they all try to do their best for the club AND its members. I for one like the 2 show plan, though maybe having it on different weekends would be better. Living in New England would make it tough to go to a show in the middle of the country or on the west coast.

As for you club's plans to quit M.C.A. when your membership expires, if you're that unhappy then the childish thing to do is quit. If you really want to be an adult about this then get involved and run for office in M.C.A.!! Being a former B.O.D. of the Mustang Car Club of New England and many local/regional car shows I have found that there are a lot of belly-achers but not many who want to get involved.

Once again a member is attacked because they dare express an opinion. Exactly why is expressing an opinion "out of line"? The Board is elected to represent the membership and vote on issues. When the Board ceases to represent the membership, then why is it "out of line" to express an opinion contrary to the Board? Additionally, since MCA does not release comprehensive meeting minutes that list exactly how each Board member voted on each issue, it's impossible to ascertain which Board members actually represent your views.
Then the cry comes up "if you don't like it, then run for the Board" Easy to say, but harder to do. With the current setup of face-to-face Board meetings, you need to have both time and money to be on the Board (or have an automotive-related business so you can write off the travel expenses). As others have stated, in this day and age, it is unneccesary to have face-to-face meetings. Telecons could be substituted and allow more people to run for the Board.

[17780]

Yes,,,,Great idea !!!

[65 Fastback 2+2]

Once again a member is attacked because they dare express an opinion. Exactly why is expressing an opinion "out of line"? The Board is elected to represent the membership and vote on issues. When the Board ceases to represent the membership, then why is it "out of line" to express an opinion contrary to the Board? Additionally, since MCA does not release comprehensive meeting minutes that list exactly how each Board member voted on each issue, it's impossible to ascertain which Board members actually represent your views.
Then the cry comes up "if you don't like it, then run for the Board" Easy to say, but harder to do. With the current setup of face-to-face Board meetings, you need to have both time and money to be on the Board (or have an automotive-related business so you can write off the travel expenses). As others have stated, in this day and age, it is unneccesary to have face-to-face meetings. Telecons could be substituted and allow more people to run for the Board.

No where did I attack anyone because on their opinion! Everyone has a right to voice their opinion but some comments like "need to wake up" along with the name calling & unproven actuations ARE out of line and unnecessary. The adult/professional way to voice yourself would be to contact the board member(s) via email or by phone and discuss it one on one not on a public forum.

I'll agree with you that it is expensive to be on the B.O.D. with all the travel expenses but it is what it is so you either pony up and "pay to help or you try and work in a constructive way with the ones who do pay to help run this great club.

[jacostang]

It would be nice if they actually posted minutes from the meetings along with, let say an agenda, so members would know what is being discussed and not having to react to a decision that has already been made. Counter-productive to say the least.

They say the BOD's represent the members, but how do they know what we want or what we are thinking when they dont ask??? I have been the president of my club and a board member for many years and the one thing I learned is to listen to the members, they have alot of knowledge and great ideas. Shut them out of your decision making... One word.. Titanic...

[MrFarmdog]

Once again a member is attacked because they dare express an opinion. Exactly why is expressing an opinion "out of line"? The Board is elected to represent the membership and vote on issues. When the Board ceases to represent the membership, then why is it "out of line" to express an opinion contrary to the Board? Additionally, since MCA does not release comprehensive meeting minutes that list exactly how each Board member voted on each issue, it's impossible to ascertain which Board members actually represent your views.
Then the cry comes up "if you don't like it, then run for the Board" Easy to say, but harder to do. With the current setup of face-to-face Board meetings, you need to have both time and money to be on the Board (or have an automotive-related business so you can write off the travel expenses). As others have stated, in this day and age, it is unneccesary to have face-to-face meetings. Telecons could be substituted and allow more people to run for the Board.

On the meeting topic... meeting in person is so much better than via teleconference. I am on calls about 6 hours a day with my normal job and work in virtual teams daily. Even with all the visualization today we still find it very beneficial to fly employees to a central location periodically for planning meetings, etc as it helps get everyone on the same page. As long as there are people that are willing to dedicate the time not only for the position but also for the expense of travel for BOD meetings I doubt that it will change.

I also wanted to offer up a personal comment outside of my position in the MCA.

I am an optimist at heart and feel you can always make something better if you want. You don't have to be a member of the board to get involved. How about volunteering for a committee? I am sure there are many areas that people can get involved, we just have to be creative. I appreciate everyone's passion but we need to find a way to channel frustrations into something positive. Our club would be so much more enjoyable if we could.

[Mustang 3]

[QUOTE=MrFarmdog;15805]On the meeting topic... meeting in person is so much better than via teleconference. I am on calls about 6 hours a day with my normal job and work in virtual teams daily. QUOTE]

Agreed whole heartedly...but maybe some "compromise"... 3 meetings a year by teleconference and 3 in person (or 2 and 2 if 4 meetings held per yr). Schedule dates on a rolling 24 months out thus you KNOW the dates when you run for office and can plan your life accordingly (with obvious medical emergency exceptions)...

On another note- are Board Meetings closed? Can MCA Members who are not Board members nor Regional Directors attend? I do not belong to a local MCA Club so strictly an "independent" here.

[MrFarmdog]

On another note- are Board Meetings closed? Can MCA Members who are not Board members nor Regional Directors attend? I do not belong to a local MCA Club so strictly an "independent" here.

Not at all. They are open to all MCA members and the meeting dates and locations are posted in this thread http://www.mustang.org/showthread.ph...Dates-and-Info. We agree to the dates at the beginning of the year so we can publish them for people to attend. I really have a good time at the meetings. Everyone is there with a purpose and it is a great place to understand the workings of the club as well as see friends. We routinely have a few people visiting that are not BOD nor regional directors.

[MrFarmdog]

It would be nice if they actually posted minutes from the meetings along with, let say an agenda, so members would know what is being discussed and not having to react to a decision that has already been made. Counter-productive to say the least.

Meeting minutes are posted in this location
http://www.mustang.org/content.php/1...eeting-Minutes

We follow Roberts Rules of Order so they have to be approved at the next meeting or via email approval before they can be posted. Sometimes this takes time.

As far as an agenda I believe the information is sent out to all Regional Directors and it is their responsibility to share it with their club members as well as solicit feedback from the club on the items and represent the club via voting. If they can not make the meeting they can provide absentee ballots for items to be voted on. There is a process and there are several clubs that use it well, unfortunately it is hit or miss as to whether the Regional Director takes their role seriously and participates in the process.

[57158]

As far as an agenda I believe the information is sent out to all Regional Directors and it is their responsibility to share it with their club members as well as solicit feedback from the club on the items and represent the club via voting. If they can not make the meeting they can provide absentee ballots for items to be voted on. There is a process and there are several clubs that use it well, unfortunately it is hit or miss as to whether the Regional Director takes their role seriously and participates in the process.

CONFIRMED! Agenda and meeting materials are emailed to all Regional Directors prior to the meeting. It is up to the Regional Director to communicate with his/her respective club and to represent on the club's behalf either in person or absentee ballot or by proxy.

[MrFarmdog]

CONFIRMED! Agenda and meeting materials are emailed to all Regional Directors prior to the meeting. It is up to the Regional Director to communicate with his/her respective club and to represent on the club's behalf either in person or absentee ballot or by proxy.

Is this an issue?