Election Participation

Steve, The Lord moves in mysyerious ways. I can see clearly now.

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\"""

CLEARING THE RECORD - SINCE IT APPEARS THE ONES THAT CREATED THE FOG WILL NOT!

Following is my email correspondence on the post made by Art Dickenson:

First, from the management of this web site:

this was art's post so I'll let him clarify or delete

pascal

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: silver007shaw.ca
Cc: Gademer, Pascal
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 6:50 AM
Subject: Miesleading Post on JCNA Forum

Art (or Pascal),

In reference to your post on 2/3/2004 in the JCNA Issues Forum ôElection Participationö thread, I believe that your post is misleading. In it, you refer to a male NW director making a concours protest after attending a PJEG concours. Those not familiar with the timing or people involved (the vast majority of JCNA), would logically conclude that you were referring to myself rather than to the party whom we both know. IÆm sure that wasnÆt your intent and so I would appreciate a clarification or withdrawal of the post.

As you know, rather than avoid PJEG events, I grab cohorts and madly drive north to participate in them, and ESPECIALLY when they are held on that wickedly fast track by the airport. Unfortunately, thatÆs gotten a little more difficult now that IÆve moved to Texas.

-Steve Averill

Gentlemen,
This is the fourth year we have ( Pacific Jaguar ) been in operation. In our first year we held two slaloms and a JCNA Concour. We were graced with our Regional Directors presence at the Concour, unfortunately his car came in 2nd place , he then proceeded to try and have our event invalidated by JCNA.The Directors protest was not allowed and to this day he avoids us. The Regional Directors know whats happening , and if they do not ,they should not be doing the job.
A directors job is to help new groups, not to hinder them. What we need is Directors with a clean sheet of paper.
As for New York, how many million people live there, there must be lots of people to spread around there with a population of around eight million or so.

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\"""

Gary,
As Jim Carey said in the movie The "Mask", SMOKIN......... GARY.
Personally I enjoy straight shootin, . I was rearended the other day in the big Chev Van, bent the back door a bit, I just had the door straightened, the rest of it was great, just fixed the bent part.

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\"""

Pascal,

I'll bring this issue up as an item for discussion at the JCNA BOD
meeting again, as I think we should go ahead with development of the
process.

I realize that the jcna.com calendar lists all regional events, but what
I was referring to, was a specific invitation to the directors by the
clubs in their region, to attend their event, and for it to include some
small incentive.

Gary

Daniel,
It may be obvious to you that poor election turnout was due to "the current structure is not working", but one could just as easily conclude that our membership is completely satisfied!
We know that neither of the above is true, so our job is to work on POSITIVE steps that'll result in continuous improvement. I feel that we're doing that in a democratic fashion by asking the clubs to make suggestions that can be discussed at a convention. In an earlier email, you had referred to this process as "dictating", which my dictionary defines as "a command or decree". I think we need to keep things in the proper perspective.
As far as "scrapping the present system" goes, it ain't gonna happen, nor should it. Why not build and improve on what we have, especially sine we already HAVE the warchest to which you referred. Also, a quick review of the by-laws clearly states that when the JCNA is dissolved, the money will all go to CHARITY. That ain't gonna happen either!
So, that all leaves us back here having to face reality. If there are folks who wish to start another type of Jaguar club, around and dictated to by a central authority who produces a "world class magazine", then they should "go for it". After all, isn't this the "land of opportunity?
Personally, I prefer the current, decentralized setup controlled by local folks.
As always, I am stimulated by your comments.
Regards,
Gary

Gary,

Internet voting would be good also I feel.
Another possible voting low , lf there is only one person running in each area, why bother, that person will win anyhow.so no one bothers to vote, if there is no opposition perhaps these volounteers should be hired on the spot.
PS, you can have a meal at my home anytime,and if you bring your car all that way your Concour Entry will be free, as long as you pay for the slalom and the banquet,
President , Pacific Jaguar Enthusiasts Group 44
Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\"""

Gary,
those 6 items sound very good, one item to ammend though is the Free Meal to Directors, this kindly gesture may result in raising cost of banquet fees to the general mambership. I do not feel there is the need to dish up free meals as well as give an annual 1,000 dollars to each Director. Imagine if all JCNA Directors showed up at a local event and wanted a free meal. To put this cost onto local would be a mistake. I for one personally would not expect a totally free ride if I was ever elected to such a position. Free entry into local competitions also is another no for me also. Local clubs cannot be expected to bear such costs.
One item we are considering this year at Pacific Jaguar is to GRANT JCNA members who travel 1,000 miles or more with their car free entry into Concours, with the provision that paid entry into Slalom and the awards banquet are received,
Sincerely, Art Dickenson.President , Pacific Jaguar Enthusiasts Group
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\"""

Gary et al,

low vote count... litle competition... invalidated ballots... lack of director volunteers... free meals for directors and other enticements...

It is quite obvious to me that the current structure is not working. Scrap it and replace with new.

Daniel Thompson

Gary

on line voting could be easily implemented but as you know, the last time it was discussed it was shot down. I agree there is nothign to loose especially of we keep paper voting for a while and it might increase participation. although if members don't bother pulling a ballot from the journal and mailing it, I wonder if they'll bother looking up an electornic password and vote on line...

Directors do receive notifications of events in their regions. it's not personalized but they receive it as soon as an event is added to the JCNA online calendar (as well as editors and webmasters for clubs in the same region).

Pascal Gademer
South Florida Jaguar Club

I have read the postings regarding the poor election participation. Lots of interesting stuff there. Here are some of my comments:

1. This was the lowest vote count that I can remember.

2. It's hard to get folks to vote when there is so little competition.

3. As someone else previously stated, it seems a shame to invalidate a ballot just because of more than one box was checked.

4. We need to develop a way to allow voting over the internet as well as by paper ballot. Cancel that. FORGET the paper ballot! Everyone can gain access to the net if they wish, and considering that currently, fewer than 5% of the membership voted, we wouldn't be losing many potential voters anyway.

5. Some JCNA expense money might help get more folks to volunteer as Director candidates.

6. Directors should receive written (emailed) invitation to events in their region, and as has already been suggested, be allowed "no fee" competition entry and/or possibly a free banquet meal where applicable. AFFILIATES TAKE NOTICE!

No-- project stalled with the two key players gone--one was Karen.

George Camp

Some interesting conversation here but I think the whole angle on member apathy is wrong. I don't think anything is "broken" at JCNA or anything needs to be "sold" differently. In fact, I think JCNA is a great outfit and what I've seen of various clubs is top-drawer. I just think that not enough consideration is being given to the widely varied levels of enthusiasm of the membership.

Those involved with running the clubs and JCNA itself are the enthusiastic, dedicated minority (my hat's off to all of you) and it's only natural, I suppose, to wonder why the entire membership does not share your level of intensity....and perhaps even be a tad resentful as well. But, really, these differences should come as no surprise.

When I joined my club, nobody told me that I had to vote, or that I had to maintain a certain level of enthusiasm, or attend so many events, or that I had to do *anything* ..... except pay my dues. It so happens I've been able to contribute a little here and there and am glad to do so. Others may not care to do so, or perhaps lack the time and resources, or may just be happy reading a nice magazine every couple of months. For some of us, "all things Jaguar" is a major part of our lives. For others, the cars and the clubs are simply a pleasant, occasional diversion. I have little doubt that some actually find the voting ("politics"....an ugly thing sometimes, even in car clubs) disagreeable....one of those things they were specifically seeking diversion *from* when they joined. Little wonder they avoid it: they don't like it !

If the clubs and JCNA, and the key players who keep things running, want only active, gung-ho, "live, breathe, sleep JCNA" members, then that should be made clear up front. As it stands, the clubs solicit for *any* new members with *any* level of enthusiasm, and *any* level of commitment. More is better, more is better. No fair, then, being "amazed" if the masses are not as serious about things as some of us, perhaps, hope they would be. And I don't think means there is anything intrinsically wrong with the organization.....except perhaps a slight failure to understand that it's very hard to keep 5000 hobbyists equally motivated.

Cheers to all

Doug Dwyer
JDRC/NWA

Personally, I am surprised that JCNA is able to provide all the services it does for just $20.00 per year per member. Even allowing for the fact that most, if not all of the labor is free it takes a substantial amount of money to run a national organization. My hat is off the JCNA for keeping the cost down.

As for the $300,000, that is not really a substantial amount for a contingency fund given the scope of the organization.

Regards, John Walker

Gentlemen,
As I understand it , the 300,000 or whatever the amount is, is being kept as high as possible to maintain JCNA functions and keep membership fees down, at about 20 US Dollars a year membership . I think it is a fair deal for what we receive, about 14 dollars goes to the Jag Jrnl , we also recieve National Trophies, if we compete adequately, other items listed by Steve Weinstein also are provided by JCNA. Every organization has its weaknesses and makes the odd boo boo. Overall JCNA is in our groups mind (Pacific Jaguar)doing a RESPECTABLE job.
Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\"""

To all that are inrested,

I think that I should clairify what I ment by "what they are selling", "customer" and "they should get a new supplier".

1) "Wwat they are selling", refers to JCNA.

2) "the customer", the general membership.

3) "a new supplier" your elected representives.

To put it a bit more blunty, if JCNA is not responsive your needs, then the membership, should elect a new set of repesentives that are responsive.

Don Wright

Ladies and Gentlemen,
This item is causing a great deal of interest, such a large amount of items are being discussed here it is hard to figure out where to start. here goes,
Regarding elections, some people I am sure do not care who is voted in, the organization will keep going regardless. Their belief may be that our clubs are made up of mainly good people with just a love and respect for the name "Jaguar", These people recieve their Jaguar Journal every two months . The magazine is getting bigger and has more content so this is a good thing. JCNA is lucky that manp people are happy just to recieve the magazine, we live in busy times and till you retire our work and our families take a toll on our participation in car events.
Something I was not aware of is apparently the fact that if you mark down another Region other than your own to vote for the ballot is invalid, surely all that has to be done with that ballot is to invalidate the vote for the invalid Region, not the whole thing . Surely we all know people who are inexperienced in anything make mistakes, how hard is this to figure out for people counting the votes. I imagine this item is a JCNA bylaw or something that needs FIXING. I IMAGINE THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS NEEDLESS....................................

STEVE,
Unfortunately I fit in the same category as you, your positive pointers on JCNA I totally agree with.

Daniel,
I do not understand why your club does not get its insurance through JCNA, unless of course you are somehow or other amalgamated with a different car club marque who do not wish to pay the JCNA Affiliate fee. Our club Pacific Jaguar Enthusiasts Group are covered by JCNA Insurance, we pay the full affiliate membership fee per member, the cost savings if you do not wish to receive JCNA Insurance is only about TWO DOLLARS, and who cares whether it is in US or Canadian funds it is a great deal. I do not understand this at all, although it is written somewhere that " Canadian Clubs are notcovered by JCNA Insurance" that statement is incorrect and I have asked it be removed from wherever it is at least twice....................

The idea about JCNA Directors receiving a maximum grant of perhaps 1,000 dollars per season, for attending all required meetings came originally from me in an E Mail to Daniel, reason being some of us do not have the disposble income many board members do have and that aspect can cause considerable pressures on the home front.Attending JCNA AGM,s Board meetings sometimes over a thousand miles away can be somewhat costly. Personally I would not mind paying an extra two dollars membership per year to help ensure we have people on the BOD who will represent their Region with heart and soul.

My view again on club members who do not attend events is that at least they are "supporting " the local and National club with their membership fees. Attendance of more than thirty percent of any organization seems to be exceptional, voting is no different.

We are all different in our ways and our situations, and we can only do as much as our confines will allow. JCNA members have been fortunate in having leadership the last few years, headed up by Gary Hagopian . As Gary is retired he has the ability to travel around the country promoting JCNA and Jaguar Cars. We also have Pascal the Web Master........another great asset to JCNA. Mike Cook as usual is heading the Jaguar Journal, and makes thousands of people happy when they receive the latest edition. Our magazine has been compared to the British, Jaguar Enthusiasts Club Magazine, I am a member of that organization also, their magazine is so big I have never been able to read the whole thing before the next one arrives, but thats okay I guess.The British club has four times the membership of JCNA, that's the reason for the size..............

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT \"Silver\"""

but the best way to improve the magazine is to do it thru the existing club... same with other ideas... isn't Jaguar building a museum in the near future?

Pascal

No doubt about it, I am a dreamer! But at least I dream!

You are advancing the "chicken and egg" argument again: "we can never have a great magazine, we only have 5000 members..." But guess what, if you make a great magazine, maybe you'll get another 10,000 members!

A museum or archive doesn't take a lot or money, the displays don't belong to the museum, they are loaned or donated. With what money?! How about the $300,000 sitting in the bank. Wait till someone tries to come up with ideas on how to spend that; you ain't seen ARGUING until you see that one!

I gotta do some "real" work now. Steve, I'm not "heading for the hills". I'll be back to you!

Daniel

Daniel...

you're a dreamer... :-) do you think you could produce a 150 color page magazine with a circulation of 10k or less??? create a museum? with what money...

a lot of what you suggest can be done with the exsiting structure... tours, parties, improved magazine, seminars, etc... what's missing is the lack of ideas and people to make them work.

And what makes you think that owners / subscribers will show up? 120 cars showed up in Phoenix for a first class event.

Pascal Gademer
South Florida Jaguar Club

Daniel,

I, for one, think your criticism of JCNA is rather harsh, and driven by your parocial bent that as a Canadian club, you don't enjoy insurance benefits under JCNA's policy. This is not England. The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club and Jaguar Drivers Club, both British organizations, each have magnificent magazines and run their affairs on a more or less centralized basis. But it's easier there. All of merry ol' England would fit into one corner of the US. Add Canada, and England looks like a veritible speck on the map. With a large number of Jaguar owners and enthusiasts in a small, concentrated area, they can effectively run things with a centralized club. On this continent, the shear size makes such a venture almost impossible.

From my perspective, JCNA works as a conglomeration of separate clubs. Could certain aspects of that organizational structure be improved? Sure. But I don't agree with you that the answer is to scrap the whole organization. Let's focus on the issues that are causing problems and see if we can find a way to fix them.

So, Daniel, what are your REAL issues with JCNA? You don't like that JCNA does not provide insurance for Canadian club sanctioned events. Is it possible for JCNA to get an umbrella policy in Canada that is similar to the one here in the States? Perhaps that would solve one of the problems. What other problems to you see, and how would you fix them?

Daniel, you were a significant contributor to JCNA in your short-lived tenure on the Board. Let's not throw it all away. Please let us know what you'd like to see JCNA do better and tell us how that can be done. At least that provides a positive basis for seeking change. Alternatively, you say we should "change suppliers." Tell us, what would you have the new supplier look like, what would it do, and how would it function?

Personally, I am sorry that you feel so strongly and that you apparently want Montreal (and other Canadian clubs, I assume) to disaffiliate from JCNA. That would be unfortunate. You've been a good friend, fellow racer, and an inspiration that helped encourage me to become active in JCNA. Please, before you simply head for the hills, tell us what you perceive is broken and how we can go about fixing it to keep you in the fold.

Regards,

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC

Pascal,

As you can see, I'm not debating the need for a national club. I'm simply debating the need for THIS national club.

My club doesn't need JCNA for driving events and get togethers, we do that ourselves. And we don't get our insurance thru JCNA either. We get the magazine, that's it.

My point is: we can do better, a LOT better. But not under the present structure.

Daniel

biggest turn out at our local events is the annual concours... turnouts at other events incl non judged shows is smaller. Same with most other clubs... 40... 50 ... 60 ... 70 cars a their concours.

also, the rules only "govern yor behavior" should you decide to enter competition programs... otherwise, it doesn't. enjoy your driving events, get togethers, the magazine and the insurance coverage your club receives thru JCNA... >>

Let's get something straight here: I'm not out to attack JCNA. This is not a personal attack. JCNA, in and of itself, does not exist. Jaguar "CLUBS" of North America. Emphasis on "CLUBS". JCNA is the clubs, simple as that. It does not exist without the clubs. This is the fundamental difference between us and every other car club I've ever seen. Whoever thought that you could dictate to 50 individual clubs what they can and cannot do was WRONG. It may have been a good idea 50 years ago when there were only 4 or 5 clubs and the world was a simpler place, but as a structure today it is outdated and unworkable. Scrap it, plain and simple. It should have been scrapped when Jaguar Cars Inc. pulled out, instead we layer it with more and more bylaws and rules. No more president, no more board of directors, no more rule books, no more bylaws, no more concours program etc. Then take the $300,000 of member's money that is sitting in a term deposit gathering dust and send it back to the local clubs. This would have no effect on the local clubs other than to give them back $50 a head.

Then start it all over again. Rename it "Jaguar Club of North America". Base it around a magazine with a monthly subscription, 150 color pages of restoration, repair and events and a team of 15 or 20 dedicated people. And yes, pay the people for their contribution. Fire the ones who don't contribute or pull their weight. Offer the magazine on a stand alone basis. When you subscribe, you become a member of the "Jaguar Club of North America". If you don't want to subscribe, then don't. Hire experts on originality, write articles. Organize national concours, create judging standards exclusive to the new club. Create an archive. Buy an office. Create a museum. Associate with repair experts and pay them for their advice. Run the events as for-profit. Run the magazine as for-profit. Plough the money back into a better product. Emphasize the new models as much as the old. Do not rely on Jaguar corporate (if you build it, they will come). Organize parties (E-type 40th anniversary). Organize seminars. Organize tours. Organize a trip to England. Make them all for-profit. The local clubs continue to operate. If you want to join the local club, then you pay $x. If you want to join the local club and get the national magazine then that's $x+y. If you just want the national magazine, then that's $y. It's your choice. Make the editor of the magazine the president of the club. Pay him a salary. Hold him accountable. Lease him a car. Encourage him to travel and visit.

Will this happen tomorrow? No it won't.

Change suppliers.

Daniel

Daniel

something is missing from your theory... the fact that a significant number of active members enter national competitions and that we need rules to make it work... adn the other way to do that is thru a national club.

biggest turn out at our local events is the annual concours... turnouts at other events incl non judged shows is smaller. Same with most other clubs... 40... 50 ... 60 ... 70 cars a their concours.

also, the rules only "govern yor behavior" should you decide to enter competition programs... otherwise, it doesn't. enjoy your driving events, get togethers, the magazine and the insurance coverage your club receives thru JCNA...

Pascal Gademer
South Florida Jaguar Club
72 E-type 2+2
00 XKR Coupe
99 XJR

Don et al,

I agree with everything you wrote, and sorry for the misunderstandings.

If you "only" had 87 total votes cast in the SC regional director elections, you should still consider yourself lucky as this is still much higher than what has been the tradition. Look at Steve's situation: 3.6% voter turnout.

When I said you were running "against" the other canditate, it was simply a statement of fact: there was a "race". It was not intended to imply that there was any sort of mud slinging going on. I also know Lisa, and she a fine and hard working person.

Do the regional directors make the effort to "get out there" and make themselves a known commodity in their regions? No, they don't. But my point is this: why should they? Why do we even have regional directors in the first place? Who asked for them? Why bother? And why should members "become more active and make the effort to know who their regional directors are"? Why bother? This is a CAR CLUB! It is supposed to be FUN and PLEASURABLE. People join a car club for the ENJOYMENT. They don't actually HAVE to do anything, that's why they joined a car club in the first place. Imagine their surprise when they find that "JCNA" wants to dictate to them how to behave, how to act, what is "right" and what is "wrong". We've got a motion on the table for the next AGM whereby the bylaws should be amended: no longer will you be able to form a car club unless "JCNA" and any other local club says you can. Maybe, just maybe... these people would like to get together and have fun. WITHOUT rules, politics, commitees, directors and without being told what they can and cannot do.

>

4) I do take umbridge with you that "it has nothing to do with responsible membership". It is the membership responsibility to make their wishes, needs and constructive critisims known (loudly and clearly) to their regional directors. It then becomes the regional directiors responsibility to convey these wishes, needs and constructive critisims to the full BoD's. Then if what "they are selling" is not what the "customer" wants, they should get a new supplier.

>

Here I will agree with you 100%: get a new supplier, because this one isn't giving the client what he wants. Let's start at the beginning here: I like cars; I like classic cars; I like pretty cars; I like British cars; I like Jaguars; I like driving my Jaguar; I like tinkering with my Jaguar; I like looking at other Jaguars; I like taking with other people like me who like the same things I do; oh, look... there's a club in my city where people who like the same things I do get together to have some fun and share experiences... I think I'll join; how much? $50 per year? OK, here's my check; but wait, you have to vote for your "regional director", so he/she can go to a "board meeting" and decide on a bunch of rules that govern your behavior; but wait a minute, I don't want a "regional director" and I really don't think I need any rules, thank you very much; I just want to have fun; I like the magazine, even if it is a little skimpy; I like the local newsletter; I like going on drives and having fun with my fellow members; I don't want to have anything to do with "committees" or "directors" or "bylaws" or "rule books". Here, I'll tell you what: just send me the magazine and don't bother me with the rest of it.

You're right, people should change supplier, or better still: the supplier should change.

Daniel

some good points have been made.

I agree with Lisa, when someone doens't know the candidates then voting is a hit or miss thing... why vote for someone you don't know anything about... when I go voting on election day, I vote blank for some offices for that same reason. IF don't know where a candidate for school board or county commission stand, I can't vote for him...

Some members are indeed just subscribers to the Journal and the club newsletter. Out of 100/110 members in our club, I know less than half and I've attended every meeting, every event, in the past 4 or 5 years... but if that's what they want out of their membership... well.. that's fine.

It is the regional director's responsibility to act as liaison between JCNA and the affiliate clubs. Do they? I don't think so. I don't recall any communication from our directors in the past year... nothing addressing issues, concerns, rule changes, AGM proposals, etc... same the years before. What about having a regular column in club newsletters... on the websites...

3 or 4 years ago, our then club president, Russel Glace, was regional director for 2 years and made it a point to attend as many regional concours as possible in our region. Each time during the award banquet, he addressed the members on JCNA happenings. Not easy... but there should be some coordination between directors so that one attends each Concours and use that opportunity to meet local club officers and address their concerns. For most clubs the concours is the event where the largest number of members are present.

some guidance is needed to help new regional directors about what they should do as directors. I don't think it's just about attending one or 2 BOD meetings a year.

Lack of volunteers is always mentioend but what is JCNA doing to encourage its members to run for office? is there a job description, something telling them what to do if they are elected? If so, it's a well hidden secret...

Pascal Gademer

Don,

Thanks for the acknowledgement. And you raise a good point, one that Daniel actually put forth at last year's AGM. Regional Directors should be encouraged to get around and visit as many of the club in their region as possible. To facilitate that, Daniel proposed that each Regional Director receive a stipend -- I think Daniel suggested $1000 per year -- to help with the cost of doing that. Maybe this is a proposal that should be revisited and put on the agenda for the AGM.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC

Steve,

Here, here.

Don Wright

Well, here I go, jumping into the middle of the fray. Common sense tells me to keep my mouth shut, but I'm not very good at that. So here goes.

I frankly think you're all wrong. I do think that the low result comes from apathy, but not for the reasons you all state. It is one of the sad facts of modern life that people just don't give a damn about participating in things like mail ballot elections. Most of our lives are so busy with other things that when the magazine comes in the mail, they take a quick glance at it and ignore the ballot.

In this year's election, only one of the positions was contested. I'd venture to say that many of our members don't even know what region their in. In my case, I received 55 votes. But 12 were invalid because they voted for more than one region. As I ran unopposed, I needed only one vote to win. I think that when people see things like this in a magazine, it's just too easy for them to ignore it.

Dan, I know you don't see much value in JCNA these days, but I believe there is much more to the organization that you give it credit for. To name just a few, JCNA provides:

-- National standards for competitive programs
-- Insurance coverage for sanctioned events
-- A national forum for sharing information (jcna.com, JJ)
-- Sponsorship of a major biennial convention
-- Coordination of events among clubs regionally and nationally
-- Awards programs for competitive events
-- National recognition of contributions by members and clubs

These are just a few things off the top of my head. I'm sure we could list many more.

Are these enough to justify JCNA membership? Perhaps. Could JCNA do more? I'm sure it can. That's why I've opted to get involved and take Dan's place on the Board as the new Northeast Regional Director. Hopefully, rather than throwing stones, we can come up with constructive ideas how we can make JCNA a better organization and add more value for all of our members.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
JCNA Northeast Regional Director
JCNA National Slalom Chairman
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC

Daniel,

1) I was not "RUNNING AGAINST" anyone, my candidacy was for the OFFICE. There was a request made at the JCNA Challenge, in Pheonix, that JCNA was looking for BoD candidates. At that place and time, I was not aware of the name of the candidate that was up for re-election.

2) I am sorry I did not make it clear, there were only 87 votes TOTAL cast, and of these 87 votes cast, 9 were ruled "invalid". A much lower turnout than your assumptions.

3) Why aren't there more members voting ? I feel that there are two underlyng reasons, a) the regional directors are not making the rounds of all of the clubs within their respective regions and getting to know the membership and being responsive to their needs and wants, b) the weak excuse that "I do not know the canidiate", perhaps this the fault of the membership for not being more active and making a bit more effort to know who their BoD's are.

4) I do take umbridge with you that "it has nothing to do with responsible membership". It is the membership responsibility to make their wishes, needs and constructive critisims known (loudly and clearly) to their regional directors. It then becomes the regional directiors responsibility to convey these wishes, needs and constructive critisims to the full BoD's. Then if what "they are selling" is not what the "customer" wants, they should get a new supplier.

Don Wright

I think you both need to tkae a minute and consider the facts. Since I read the Jaguar Journal, I know that Don wright was running against Lisa Hendrix for regional director in the South Central region (the only region that actually had a "race"). I also know that the SC region has a total of about 1000 members (all clubs combined). I have not seen the election results but Don informs us that Lisa won the election with 87 votes, so I assume he received less. If we assume he got 50 votes, for example, then the total number of votes cast is 137 out of 1000 possible, or a 13.7% voter turnout. Since I know that traditionally regional director voter turnout is 3-5%, this is actually a relatively high number.

Apathy? Yes, but one needs to dig deeper to find the reasons. Berating Jaguar enthusiasts and local club members because they "failed" to vote for a regional director is counterproductive. If anything, it will convince them they were right not to vote in the first place. If anything, they should be given a good knock upside the head and asked why they bother paying $20 per year of their hard earned money for the "priviledge" of being JCNA members. Perhaps because their local club doesn't give them a choice?

The second point has to deal with familiarity: apparently well-intentioned members won't vote for a director "because they don't know them". Well, last time I checked, the Jaguar Club of St. Louis was one of the largest in the country with 300+ members. So why couldn't Lisa muster more than 87 votes or 25% of her own club's membership? Can it be that 75% of her own club's members "don't know her"? And assuming Don received 50 votes, the Jaguar Club of Tulsa has over 100 members. So why couldn't he get more to vote for him? When I "won" the NE regional director election in 2001 I did so coming from a club with only 60 members and where the other two candidates came from clubs with 350 and 200 members respectively. The message is clear and it has nothing to do with "responsible membership". It has to do with apathy and the average member saying "we're not interested in what you are selling". Remember the classic saying "the customer is always right".

The comment about "magazine subscribers" is an interesting one. If the membership is trying to tell us something... maybe we should listen.

Daniel