Papa Cal Club Election : RESULTS

[Glenn Duensing]

Why do we care about putting solo people on the BoD and why do we care about the $25 if we want to be left alone and we don't know what the agreement with Papa CalClub is??

Oli is trying to open communication between the two and all we're doing is complaining. It's not the first time somebody on the BoD has tried and the been blasted. No wonder they don't talk to us.

Oli, the main problem with adding a group such as a PDX has been no time available without counting back on their track time. That would be like Solo cutting back to 2 runs.

Let's just see what happens and what the "agreement" really says.

[Oli Thordarson]

You have zero right for a plan of action from the Solo Committee. That's the whole point.

You may be right, but I would like to hear that from the solo E-board. They were elected to represent all the solo members. If they tell me "Thanks, but no thanks" then I will drop it.

Plans of action usually involve a list of assets and a plan for how solo competitors can bail out the club racers.

That is a mischaracterization of this whole discussion. Anyone who knows me inside or outside of SCCA would say this is an unfair impugning of my character.

You got a huge windfall from us with mandatory SCCA.

I get no such windfall. I represent the interest of all Cal Club members and that is why I am persistent about my questions to you all.

Piss off too much and we'll start a coordinated campaign to register our members as San Diego members.

That is a legitimate option for everyone here. If Cal Club is not delivering the goods, then you need to decide who can and take your business there. That is part of this discussion I thought. I am one of the BoGs whether you like it or not. There are several posts on this thread expressing disappointment that the solo group did not get any seats on the BoG. It is apparent from this thread and a prior thread strategizing on how to win BoG seats that Solo perceives some benefit from having representatives on that board.

I take my role as a BoG seriously. That role is to represent all Cal Club members. It is my conclusion that solo has been under-represented in at least the most recent times and I came here specifically to try and provide that representation you seek.

Steve, your message to me is coming across loud and clear. If all solo members and the solo e-board provide that same message then it is fine with me. I will cease trying to represent any interest in solo activities.

This discussion is deteriotating rapidly and no longer a productive. I will reach out by phone and e=mail to the Solo E-board as I would like to hear their thoughts about the BoG and whether they request my involvement or not.


Sincere regards,

Oli

[Oli Thordarson]

Why do we care about putting solo people on the BoD and why do we care about the $25 if we want to be left alone and we don't know what the agreement with Papa CalClub is??

Oli is trying to open communication between the two and all we're doing is complaining. It's not the first time somebody on the BoD has tried and the been blasted. No wonder they don't talk to us.

Oli, the main problem with adding a group such as a PDX has been no time available without counting back on their track time. That would be like Solo cutting back to 2 runs.

Let's just see what happens and what the "agreement" really says.

Glenn, thanks for a breath of fresh air in this discussion. I may end up being a big loser for all you guys, but it won't be because I did not try and it won't be because my intentions were not honorable.

I am not sure what this agreement is that you are referring too. Heck, I have only been in Cal Club two years as of November. But I will try to find out about that, unless someone here has a copy. As far as the $25 goes, I will find out before too long what the financials look like for Cal Club. Maybe there is a windfall for everyone in Cal Club except the solo members paying it, maybe not. I can promise to look into it.

Please elaborate more for me about what you mean with regards to "the main problem with adding a group such as a PDX has been no time available without counting back on their track time." It appears to me that the venue for these events are race tracks like BW. Usually there are 4-5 run groups. Instructors get to drive in one of them from what I can see. Usually five 25 minute sessions in a day is more than enough for most drivers. I don't know the PDX schedule so I ask for you patience in explaining it to me.

Thanks,

Oli

[Bob Pl]

Let's try harder next time, I've was involved in some local election stuff years ago. For something like this it's about "turnout", communication not issues. If we don't get a board menber next time we deserve whatever papa does.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

This discussion is deteriorating rapidly and no longer a productive. I will reach out by phone and e=mail to the Solo E-board as I would like to hear their thoughts about the BoG and whether they request my involvement or not.

Sincere regards,

Oli

Yeah, I'm not really sure why Steve went off there. I don't wanna become a target of his wrath myself, I'm just gunna say that some of us do appreciate the effort.

[Steve Ekstrand]

I fully believe that the link failure was intentional.

I think you're a good guy Oli. Good luck to you with the Board of G's. Keep them straight and do the right thing.

Trust no one.

[Glenn Duensing]

Oli, back when we became SCCA, there was an agreement made between Papa CalClub and Solo. What the agreement was has been a mystery for quite some time as nobody has seen it even back when Papa and the kids had an disagreement. Gayle Jardine is to have a copy of it.

I'll talk to later about the rest.

[Oli Thordarson]

If anyone wants to chat with me via cell-phone I can be reached at seven-one-four 658-1090. I will be on my way to a meeting in Santa Monica tomorrow morning.

I will be on the road from 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM. I would ask that you respect my schedule. After 8 AM I cannot be interrupted. I do have to make a living while doing all this BoG stuff.


Thanks,

Oli

[Renee Angel]

I think 144 total votes from a Jumbo Region in SCCA is appalling. As a previous Board member & past RE of Cal Club, I can agonize with Oli's confusion. However, there are definitely MAJOR issues between the Solo community & the Race community.

Jayson - I take exception to the fact that you've been reporting on this Speed Ventures deal at our meetings since April '08. I have never heard you spell out a plan for this event, only that we were getting the facility free, you made the arrangements & how did we want to handle the 2 day event.

[George Schilling]

I take exception to the fact that you've been reporting on this Speed Ventures deal at our meetings since April '08. I have never heard you spell out a plan for this event, only that we were getting the facility free, you made the arrangements & how did we want to handle the 2 day event.

WOW. There is definately some confusion here. Getting the inside lot for our practice has never had anything to do with Speed Ventures nor does it now. This was an effort on Jayson's part to get us a low cost lot for a lot for a practice. This could be a wonderful long term fund raiser and recruiting tool if we could pull our heads out of our rear ends and appreciate what we have here. I, for one, applaud his efforts.

[Christine Grice]

I think 144 total votes from a Jumbo Region in SCCA is appalling.

Its better than the 88 they got last year.
http://www.calclub.com/forums/index.php ... l=election" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Aaron Goldsmith]

I think 144 total votes from a Jumbo Region in SCCA is appalling.

Its better than the 88 they got last year.
http://www.calclub.com/forums/index.php ... l=election" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Turns out, with the +50 solo votes this year it's just about right, haha.

[Jeff Shyu]

I think 144 total votes from a Jumbo Region in SCCA is appalling.

Its better than the 88 they got last year.
http://www.calclub.com/forums/index.php ... l=election" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Turns out, with the +50 solo votes this year it's just about right, haha.

I was kinda surprised to read that there were only 144 votes.. I obviously don't have much (any) knowledge of the background, but I just figured with the turnouts i see and hear about at the solo events, there would be more.

i guess it also comes down to how many soloists are really involved in the organization on a daily (weekly, monthly?) basis to care about what the BoG does and does not do for them.

I read *most* of the FAQ on the site, and didn't realize until Aaron et al told me about how the SCCA dues don't go toward funding the solo program at all (kinda eludes to it with the explanation of the point cards, but doesn't quite outright say it).

speaking as a NON-MEMBER, that would kinda piss me off when i do sign up. I read, and can appreciate, but do not fully understand the whys of the original agreement, but for me to sign up as a cal club member of SCCA, i would personally like to see at least a portion of my fees going toward growing the solo program, since that would be where I'd be spending my time within the club.

the info i gathered from reading the thread thus far is that even if Christine and Marshall were both voted in, there would be no attempt to draw money out of the SCCA dues toward bettering the Solo program. rather, it would be to STOP any attempts to draw resources (money or manpower) from the solo program?

I think Oli's been made fully aware of that, even if he may not know the full story of the why. I see no harm in imparting some friendly suggestions on what the solo community would like to see from the BoG, rather than just sending them a big neon sign that says LAISEZ FAIRE! i mean, you don't need anyone on the board to send that message..

[Renee Angel]

George:

Since Cal Club is in "partnership" with Speed Ventures it's most likely the case. However, let's move on. I don't see this as a viable event to pull people into our sport. The type of autocross that will be put on is a total misconception of what we normally run. Personally, as a long time Safety Steward - I would not want to be part of that venture. Sorry, Jayson, but I've seen the lot and don't think it's anywhere near what we want for a typical autocross.

Renee

[George Schilling]

George:

Since Cal Club is in "partnership" with Speed Ventures it's most likely the case. However, let's move on. I don't see this as a viable event to pull people into our sport. The type of autocross that will be put on is a total misconception of what we normally run. Personally, as a long time Safety Steward - I would not want to be part of that venture. Sorry, Jayson, but I've seen the lot and don't think it's anywhere near what we want for a typical autocross.

Renee

In many regions, this is the size of the lot. My first ever autox was an arrive and drive for Cadillac. The courses were about 25 seconds. I had a blast. Because it doesn't meet "our" normal standards doesn't mean people won't have fun. Speed Ventures has nothing to do with this event.

[Glenn Duensing]

George is right about the size of the lot. Many Regions still run in those small lots. Let's not forget about some of the lots we ran on, Cal State East LA, Cerritos College, CS Northridge, Northridge or whatever it's called where we had a Divisional in the 80's and so on.

Jayson has been talking about this for quite some time, we agreed to run it so let's play.

[Mike Simanyi]

Ladies and Gents,

I've read more of this thread and have some comments.

• I'd like to thank Oli for his effort to understand our position and for joining us at the last practice. I extend an open invitation to continue joining us.
• I'd like to thank Jayson for coordinating the small inside lot for our marketing purposes. While we may not want to run Champ events there, I think it can be used as an effective tool to increase interest by novices at the perfect time to invite them to our New for '09 Rookie Challenge, and to several good school opportunities (two Evo Schools in Feb and hopefully our own school in May). As a region, we should be doing everything possible to support this event.
• I'd like to thank everyone for their passion on the subject. Clearly, we care. A lot. And we'll make that even more apparent in next year's Cal Club elections.
• I'd like to request that all insults be deleted from the posts. I think the content and tone are strong enough without being viciously uncivil. If you posted something like this, please delete it *now*.

Let's keep this discussion board focused on productive discussion. Oli asks a great question, and even though I doubt it should be hashed out on a public board I'll repeat it here: "If the solo group had a control of all the seats on the BoGs, what would you guys do?"

Mike

[Steve Ekstrand]

Just wanted to add.... I'm not asking for any part of the $25 region fees. My understanding of our agreed to autonomy was they get the fee, we get to run seperate from their control and with an independent budget. I just point the fee out to show that Papa isn't getting short changed in this deal. Especially, now that you have to be a member. This increase will really show in 2009 if we carry through our plans to change the pricing for weekend memberships.

Areas of cooperation I would support are efforts to cross promote.

On the Speedventures front. I don't like it. Its a missed opportunity for SCCA track days and its supporting a direct competitor to our autocross program.

On the inside lot thing. It doesn't interest me much, but I can't see turning it down. I think I would be more excited if it had a school component and tried to get some club racer family and crew involvement. Or maybe a challenge run off between some club racers versus solo people. Rent a car and go at it head to head in the same equipment? I don't know, something fun like that. But it would be foolish to pass up a free lot. Let's just make it clear to people that a normal SCCA Autocross championship course is atleast twice as long, faster, and more flowing. We can come up with some promotional materials. Make it clear that this course is "trial sized", "Mini", "travel-sized", whatever.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

On the inside lot thing. It doesn't interest me much, but I can't see turning it down. I think I would be more excited if it had a school component and tried to get some club racer family and crew involvement. Or maybe a challenge run off between some club racers versus solo people. Rent a car and go at it head to head in the same equipment? I don't know, something fun like that. But it would be foolish to pass up a free lot. Let's just make it clear to people that a normal SCCA Autocross championship course is atleast twice as long, faster, and more flowing. We can come up with some promotional materials. Make it clear that this course is "trial sized", "Mini", "travel-sized", whatever.

I'll add my vote to this. A two-day practice on a short-course would have more value as a means of introducing people to the sport. That can still happen; and this isn't a criticism of Jay's efforts on this event.