by GT3Girl on Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:50 pm
Wow! After reading, re-reading and reviewing my older Windblown Witness back to 2002, AND in lieu of the timing in all of this such as the upcoming Board elections, I feel this forum could be the right place to voice my opinion, concerns, etc.
I am finding it very difficult to understand how this DRIVER”S DINNER hasn’t been a “BUDGET ITEM like, for example the INSTALLATION DINNER. I would have never assumed or thought that a year-end driver’s award event - an "earned achievement award event" would be minimized or piggy-backed with an “inauguration” party.
My curiosity prompts me to ask, “how has all of this come to the point where we are relying on someone posting under Items of Discussion (thank you GARY!). What people in leadership positions – past and present, have known of the drivers’ desires (whether those desires were made formally or informally)? Why are we relegated to scrambling around at the last minute to possibly make something happen – when, from what I am reading, and from people I’ve spoken to – it’s been a very well known request. Now we’re 7 months into the season and just now – due to some assertive and vocal people – we might have a voice, after all. I, like many other posters, believe it is important to figure out what went wrong so we can have resolution not only for today (this year), but years to come.
As I read all these posts and about everyone's desires, having served on two Boards (not with PCA) in the past 9 years, what comes to mind are the basic conduct and procedures that I learned and was compelled to follow.
The most basic premise of a Board member’s duty is his/her fiduciary responsibility to the electorate. The Board would be remiss not to take the drivers' wishes into consideration particularly since it contributes at least 50% (gross income from what I've read) to the club’s income.
Furthermore, the charge of a good leader (and I’m not referring to just the Board president but all Board members – as leaders) compels him/her to address and protect the interests of even the weakest members (those who may not know procedures or be uninformed). You might ask, “What does this have to do with our current situation?” Truly effective leaders would have solicited the required paperwork, be they budgets or proposals for this event. They would have requested this from those sanctioned to submit such proposals/budgets. This way, it wouldn’t appear as though they were being negligent by omission. The mere act of this “omission’ seems to be a catalyst for what could be construed as dissension or apathy.
I find it hard to believe that this has been a popular “hot” topic for the past couple of years, because the crux of the matter is that as a Board member and leader, simple democratic ethics compel them to make this topic a matter of priority within the operational terms of the club and NOT brought forth in a forum, at the last minute and in haste, (as in this instance) where semantics plays a vital role in understanding or misunderstanding each other, or wherein these misunderstandings could develop.
Another concern I have comes from a common statement that I’ve read in Board minutes and recently on this forum. The statement goes something like this “We can’t do this because it conflicts with that….” We are fortunate and should be proud that our Club offers venues for the enjoyment of Porsches in a variety of ways. Some like to show them, polish them, others prefer to drive them, yet others participate solely for the “socializing aspect” such as the nice couple that I personally met, at the Last Tuesday
Social who only attend Last Tuesday Socials. However, to limit the freedom of choice by only offering an event if it doesn’t conflict with another, is to interfere with the opportunities we all joined the club to pursue. It’s not logical to schedule, for example, two events within a certain group (an autocross on the same day as a time-trial). Yet not offering a driving event due to a conflict with a social event OR for example, a Concours event, or not offering a Driver’s Award Dinner because it might detract from the Installation dinner, denies me, the driver the choice and vice versa. Does anyone truly believe that because there won’t be an autocross for the next 4 weeks, that I am inclined to participate in a different event – perhaps a Concours? No. What it forces me to do is seek out other clubs that can satisfy my interests.
I wonder what would have happened had Gary not created this topic for discussion on the forum. I can’t imagine that Board members past or present were aware of the wishes of the drivers, but failed to slate it as an item on the agenda in the beginning of the year where things could have been planned in a timely manner without creating such angst.
My opinion stated above, by no means is meant to distract or take away from the honor and recognition that is intended by the purpose of the Installation Dinner. Yes, it should be exactly what it represents, a formal inauguration of sorts to celebrate a year of hard work and an exciting year to come. That this year’s event is held at the Hotel Del seems fitting, considering the recognition that this region has rightfully earned. But let’s not stop there. Let’s recognize those who have earned their “badge” and those who have given of their time, energy and resources to make events such as the driving portion of our club, successful as well!
Inasmuch as this commentary is open to interpretation and by posting it, I might be subjecting myself to who-knows-what, simply stated, I’m hoping that you seriously consider the bios of the Candidates so you can weigh the likelihood that their platforms will more accurately reflect your preferences, ideas,and interests.
Sheila Steverson......
PRESENT:
2007 997 GT3
PAST:
1985 Chevrolet Chevette (Ha ha ha)
WAY PAST:
1972 Schwin Sting Ray with chrome wheels
