Vote for Me - 928 Owner's Club President (longish)
08-16-2010, 12:11 PM
#1
Supercharged
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Vote for Me - 928 Owner's Club President (longish)
If you are a member of the 928 Owner's Club, you should have received an email over the weekend stating that the election for the new officers has begun. My name is Andrew Olson and I am running for President of the 928 Owner's Club. Let me tell you why I'm running. It comes down to Value, Communication, and Clarity of Vision.
VALUE:
I own a 1991 928GT, and I've been a 928OC member for about 4 years. Each time my membership comes up for renewal I've asked myself this question,
"What value am I getting for my membership?
And frankly, my answer has been, "Not much!
Sure, I get the OC membership trinket and a t-shirt or two from various events I attend, but that's about it. Is that worth the $30 I pay each year? I don't think so.
If elected President, one of my top goals is to make sure YOU get more value than you pay for your membership. I have already spoken to a couple vendors and one plan is establishing a relationship with vendors that provide 928OC members with a special discount. It could be in the form of a discounted price, free shipping, etc. This way purchases stay with our most allied vendors, and most importantly, YOU get more value for your membership!
COMMUNICATION:
Also, if elected, another of my top goals is to improve the visibility and communication of the owner's club. I think there has been a void in this category over the past few years. I'm not talking about a huge publication, but maybe a regular listing of upcoming 928 OC sponsored regional events, a tech corner, and a listing of partner vendor specials. Short and simple.
I think the more people that see this, the more value it adds - especially to those people on the fence about joining the 928OC.
Did you know the 928 OC has had as many as 1,600 unique members, but that current membership is only at about 400 members? In my mind, that shows people are not getting value. But more alarming is that 400 members is not a sustainable membership. There needs to be a better marketing effort to increasing awareness of the 928OC and increase overall membership.
This is where regular communication comes into play. I think it might also be worth exploring advertising options. Rennlist, Pelican, Panorama, facebook, twitter, etc. I have never seen any effort to draw in new members except for the sponsoring of various events. If you want different results, something has to change!. Just this last week at the 5th Sharks in Hell event, we tried something new, and we signed up TEN NEW MEMBERS! So I know I can effectively increase membership with simple strategies.
CLARITY OF VISION:
I think the 928OC needs better clarity of vision on how it will carry out it's mission. In case you did not know, the mission of the 928 Owner's Club reads,
"Our sole purpose is to support owners' in their use and maintenance of the Porsche 928s throughout the world."
Frankly, I was amazed to learn how low the membership is. If the membership declines, at some point the club will no longer be able to serve its mission. Every member has a vested interest in the health and well being of the club. Every member has the right to know the health of the club they belong to. If the club is strong and growing, they are more likely to tell their 928 friends about it.
I think the leadership should provide a health report – kind of like a “State of the Club” address. Have you ever heard about the state of affairs of the club? How much revenue, how much spent, where the funds went to, etc? I never have. Have you ever heard about the direction/vision for the coming year of the club? If elected, I promise to give a “State of the Club” report every year so everyone can see how their dues are being spent. I will report on the success/failure of the efforts of the club's activities and I will also make clear the vision and focus for the coming year.
So as you look back on your 928OC membership, ask yourself if it has provided value to you? Then ask yourself if my plan looks like it would add more value?
VOTE FOR ANDREW OLSON
****************************************
If you are a current 928 OC member and would like to vote:
Go to http://www.928oc.org/election_form.htm
If you would like to become a member, go to http://www.928oc.org/signup_information.htm
****************************************
VALUE:
I own a 1991 928GT, and I've been a 928OC member for about 4 years. Each time my membership comes up for renewal I've asked myself this question,
"What value am I getting for my membership?
And frankly, my answer has been, "Not much!
Sure, I get the OC membership trinket and a t-shirt or two from various events I attend, but that's about it. Is that worth the $30 I pay each year? I don't think so.
If elected President, one of my top goals is to make sure YOU get more value than you pay for your membership. I have already spoken to a couple vendors and one plan is establishing a relationship with vendors that provide 928OC members with a special discount. It could be in the form of a discounted price, free shipping, etc. This way purchases stay with our most allied vendors, and most importantly, YOU get more value for your membership!
COMMUNICATION:
Also, if elected, another of my top goals is to improve the visibility and communication of the owner's club. I think there has been a void in this category over the past few years. I'm not talking about a huge publication, but maybe a regular listing of upcoming 928 OC sponsored regional events, a tech corner, and a listing of partner vendor specials. Short and simple.
I think the more people that see this, the more value it adds - especially to those people on the fence about joining the 928OC.
Did you know the 928 OC has had as many as 1,600 unique members, but that current membership is only at about 400 members? In my mind, that shows people are not getting value. But more alarming is that 400 members is not a sustainable membership. There needs to be a better marketing effort to increasing awareness of the 928OC and increase overall membership.
This is where regular communication comes into play. I think it might also be worth exploring advertising options. Rennlist, Pelican, Panorama, facebook, twitter, etc. I have never seen any effort to draw in new members except for the sponsoring of various events. If you want different results, something has to change!. Just this last week at the 5th Sharks in Hell event, we tried something new, and we signed up TEN NEW MEMBERS! So I know I can effectively increase membership with simple strategies.
CLARITY OF VISION:
I think the 928OC needs better clarity of vision on how it will carry out it's mission. In case you did not know, the mission of the 928 Owner's Club reads,
"Our sole purpose is to support owners' in their use and maintenance of the Porsche 928s throughout the world."
Frankly, I was amazed to learn how low the membership is. If the membership declines, at some point the club will no longer be able to serve its mission. Every member has a vested interest in the health and well being of the club. Every member has the right to know the health of the club they belong to. If the club is strong and growing, they are more likely to tell their 928 friends about it.
I think the leadership should provide a health report – kind of like a “State of the Club” address. Have you ever heard about the state of affairs of the club? How much revenue, how much spent, where the funds went to, etc? I never have. Have you ever heard about the direction/vision for the coming year of the club? If elected, I promise to give a “State of the Club” report every year so everyone can see how their dues are being spent. I will report on the success/failure of the efforts of the club's activities and I will also make clear the vision and focus for the coming year.
So as you look back on your 928OC membership, ask yourself if it has provided value to you? Then ask yourself if my plan looks like it would add more value?
VOTE FOR ANDREW OLSON
****************************************
If you are a current 928 OC member and would like to vote:
Go to http://www.928oc.org/election_form.htm
If you would like to become a member, go to http://www.928oc.org/signup_information.htm
****************************************
08-16-2010, 12:41 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
All your dreams will come true.
Our local PCA club is only 150 members and it is sustainable due to revenue from our autocross events. Actually, there are only about 30 active members.
Our local PCA club is only 150 members and it is sustainable due to revenue from our autocross events. Actually, there are only about 30 active members.
08-16-2010, 12:48 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
I visited 928 OC page back when I bought 928 and even signed up on the forum, but decided not to join. Face of the club, it's website, has not only amateurish look to it, but has been neglected and not been updated for a while. Not much activity on forums either...
If you do get elected, please spend some time or find people who can redesign the website. That alone should help getting more new people coming in. Pricing - I know $30 is not much, but I compare that to $42 for PCA and $18 of rennlist. PCA, while probably not too helpful with 928, does provide a printed magazine (in fact, my local chapter publishes its own magazine as well, so above price includes 2 magazines for me) and a lot of events in MY area. Rennlist is purely online, but is tons of technical data. Where does 928OC fall - as it stands now, unfortunately it is hard to justify even $18 for 928OC; I'd rather send them to people who mantain this board or buy a small thing or two from forum sponsors.
P.S. And yes, big thanks to OBehave who is 928OC member and actually took time to organize the event back in May. This so far has been the one and only reminder for me that 928OC is still alive...
Just $0.02 from another 928 owner
If you do get elected, please spend some time or find people who can redesign the website. That alone should help getting more new people coming in. Pricing - I know $30 is not much, but I compare that to $42 for PCA and $18 of rennlist. PCA, while probably not too helpful with 928, does provide a printed magazine (in fact, my local chapter publishes its own magazine as well, so above price includes 2 magazines for me) and a lot of events in MY area. Rennlist is purely online, but is tons of technical data. Where does 928OC fall - as it stands now, unfortunately it is hard to justify even $18 for 928OC; I'd rather send them to people who mantain this board or buy a small thing or two from forum sponsors.
P.S. And yes, big thanks to OBehave who is 928OC member and actually took time to organize the event back in May. This so far has been the one and only reminder for me that 928OC is still alive...
Just $0.02 from another 928 owner
08-16-2010, 01:07 PM
#6
Supercharged
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I visited 928 OC page back when I bought 928 and even signed up on the forum, but decided not to join. Face of the club, it's website, has not only amateurish look to it, but has been neglected and not been updated for a while. Not much activity on forums either...
If you do get elected, please spend some time or find people who can redesign the website. That alone should help getting more new people coming in. Pricing - I know $30 is not much, but I compare that to $42 for PCA and $18 of rennlist. PCA, while probably not too helpful with 928, does provide a printed magazine (in fact, my local chapter publishes its own magazine as well, so above price includes 2 magazines for me) and a lot of events in MY area. Rennlist is purely online, but is tons of technical data. Where does 928OC fall - as it stands now, unfortunately it is hard to justify even $18 for 928OC; I'd rather send them to people who mantain this board or buy a small thing or two from forum sponsors.
P.S. And yes, big thanks to OBehave who is 928OC member and actually took time to organize the event back in May. This so far has been the one and only reminder for me that 928OC is still alive...
Just $0.02 from another 928 owner
If you do get elected, please spend some time or find people who can redesign the website. That alone should help getting more new people coming in. Pricing - I know $30 is not much, but I compare that to $42 for PCA and $18 of rennlist. PCA, while probably not too helpful with 928, does provide a printed magazine (in fact, my local chapter publishes its own magazine as well, so above price includes 2 magazines for me) and a lot of events in MY area. Rennlist is purely online, but is tons of technical data. Where does 928OC fall - as it stands now, unfortunately it is hard to justify even $18 for 928OC; I'd rather send them to people who mantain this board or buy a small thing or two from forum sponsors.
P.S. And yes, big thanks to OBehave who is 928OC member and actually took time to organize the event back in May. This so far has been the one and only reminder for me that 928OC is still alive...
Just $0.02 from another 928 owner
You're also right that Rennlist has the lion's share of technical information. I don't know if that can be augmented much.
So that's why the 928OC leadership needs to focus on other ways to add value. In my opionion the current leadership is not doing this. That's why I'm running. I want every member to feel they are getting their money's worth.
08-16-2010, 01:25 PM
#7
Drifting
As a new 928 member and a recently elected moderator, I wish you all the best Andrew, and I agree that anything we can do to improve the boards activity and membership is a must.
I here you also MX22 (Alexei) but I have never measured the cost of membership compared to other sites.
I search all the other forums for tech data and bring it to our members at 928 OC. I leave links to tech data when it belongs to Rennlist or others in respect to those that prefer to post there.
I belong to 928 OC because I am proud to own one.
I would stand behind anyone that wants to improve our membership and tech data, and activity to 928 OC because then I would not have to search other forums for tech data, and I really do enjoy the interactive ness of the topics and enjoy adding my 2 cents worth.
I have seen support for 928 OC on Rennlist and consider it to be one of our valued supporters which is why I also enjoy adding to and supporting Rennlist, when I can. It is also an awesome site.
We have old discontinued cars and it is important that we all support each other to increase our continued enjoyment which is to drive and in some cases work on.
I here you also MX22 (Alexei) but I have never measured the cost of membership compared to other sites.
I search all the other forums for tech data and bring it to our members at 928 OC. I leave links to tech data when it belongs to Rennlist or others in respect to those that prefer to post there.
I belong to 928 OC because I am proud to own one.
I would stand behind anyone that wants to improve our membership and tech data, and activity to 928 OC because then I would not have to search other forums for tech data, and I really do enjoy the interactive ness of the topics and enjoy adding my 2 cents worth.
I have seen support for 928 OC on Rennlist and consider it to be one of our valued supporters which is why I also enjoy adding to and supporting Rennlist, when I can. It is also an awesome site.
We have old discontinued cars and it is important that we all support each other to increase our continued enjoyment which is to drive and in some cases work on.
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08-16-2010, 01:26 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Andrew,
As my sig indicates... I am one of those that have been 'on the fence' about joining 928OC.
I have seen & been a part of clubs that on the surface appear to be a club united in focus and purpose -to find they really amount to no more than having a bunch of friends over to watch a game. Sure, they have 'meetings' & such... but they are chock full of cliques, drama & inuendo -enough to hold their own against some soap operas. The FL club mentioned in my sig fell victim to the same drama and is now only a mere shadow of its former "Largest Chrysler club in the Southeast" self.
The 928OC has the same potential to succeed or degrade into 'splinter groups'. I am not referring to regional OC events but rather to cohesive inner groups that have chosen to 'boycott' or 'belittle' other owners or events for personal reasons. Not pointing fingers, just an observation.
The value of a club like 928OC is greater in terms of the sum of its parts, rather than as a whole... and for component 'parts' to withdraw themselves or to exclude others -it will damage the whole to the point of being irreparable. With only 400 members left from a high of 1,600 (75% gone), it is close to being just that.
While the 928OC could never hope to have the presence or prestige of say, the PCA -there are things that will add value, focus & cohesiveness that current and future members can benefit from. Printing is expensive, but e-newsletters with tech articles & such are not (not sure if already in place). Links (both in mutual relationship & electronic form) to other 928-based clubs around the world will provide additional resources and help fulfill the OC's mission statement. Discounts are good, but the really good ones will only come with higher membership totals.
As for the purpose of your thread... if I were a member, I'd vote for you... you've got a daunting task ahead, but have a clear plan of action to follow.
For now, I am content being a member of PCA. The occasional compliment about my "ahead of its' time pinnacle of automotive engineering" far outweighs any negativity about Porsche's red-headed stepchild. Of course, having a car that doesn't look like it has the 356 or the VW Beetle in it's lineage helps too.
Just do me a favor (& it will make the OC more appealing to join)... PLEASE don't put "Bubbles" on any of your official cards, IDs or stationery! Having a pronstar stage name isn't a bad thing -unless it suggests some sort of prison-themed sausage fest...
Sincerely... best of luck with the vote & your vision of the OC's future greatness!
As my sig indicates... I am one of those that have been 'on the fence' about joining 928OC.
I have seen & been a part of clubs that on the surface appear to be a club united in focus and purpose -to find they really amount to no more than having a bunch of friends over to watch a game. Sure, they have 'meetings' & such... but they are chock full of cliques, drama & inuendo -enough to hold their own against some soap operas. The FL club mentioned in my sig fell victim to the same drama and is now only a mere shadow of its former "Largest Chrysler club in the Southeast" self.
The 928OC has the same potential to succeed or degrade into 'splinter groups'. I am not referring to regional OC events but rather to cohesive inner groups that have chosen to 'boycott' or 'belittle' other owners or events for personal reasons. Not pointing fingers, just an observation.
The value of a club like 928OC is greater in terms of the sum of its parts, rather than as a whole... and for component 'parts' to withdraw themselves or to exclude others -it will damage the whole to the point of being irreparable. With only 400 members left from a high of 1,600 (75% gone), it is close to being just that.
While the 928OC could never hope to have the presence or prestige of say, the PCA -there are things that will add value, focus & cohesiveness that current and future members can benefit from. Printing is expensive, but e-newsletters with tech articles & such are not (not sure if already in place). Links (both in mutual relationship & electronic form) to other 928-based clubs around the world will provide additional resources and help fulfill the OC's mission statement. Discounts are good, but the really good ones will only come with higher membership totals.
As for the purpose of your thread... if I were a member, I'd vote for you... you've got a daunting task ahead, but have a clear plan of action to follow.
For now, I am content being a member of PCA. The occasional compliment about my "ahead of its' time pinnacle of automotive engineering" far outweighs any negativity about Porsche's red-headed stepchild. Of course, having a car that doesn't look like it has the 356 or the VW Beetle in it's lineage helps too.
Just do me a favor (& it will make the OC more appealing to join)... PLEASE don't put "Bubbles" on any of your official cards, IDs or stationery! Having a pronstar stage name isn't a bad thing -unless it suggests some sort of prison-themed sausage fest...
Sincerely... best of luck with the vote & your vision of the OC's future greatness!
08-16-2010, 01:27 PM
#10
Drifting
Like all clubs and volunteer organizations… you get out what you put in… simple as that. Sure the leaders have some influence, but it’s the members that make them tick. That’s why Rennlist is so popular… there are a ton on members participating on it.
I can’t bitch since I haven’t been involved, but I’d think encouraging more member participation should be on the list of ‘things to do’. Sure they have helped sponsor events by providing T shirts, but they really could do so much more. Personally, I’d really like to see more honest to goodness tech sessions with lots of “Show & Tell”
That’s my two cents, but I would also like to thank those that have and those that are planning on volunteering to keep this organization going. Your services are much appreciated!
I can’t bitch since I haven’t been involved, but I’d think encouraging more member participation should be on the list of ‘things to do’. Sure they have helped sponsor events by providing T shirts, but they really could do so much more. Personally, I’d really like to see more honest to goodness tech sessions with lots of “Show & Tell”
That’s my two cents, but I would also like to thank those that have and those that are planning on volunteering to keep this organization going. Your services are much appreciated!
08-16-2010, 02:03 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I here you also MX22 (Alexei) but I have never measured the cost of membership compared to other sites.
I search all the other forums for tech data and bring it to our members at 928 OC. I leave links to tech data when it belongs to Rennlist or others in respect to those that prefer to post there.
I search all the other forums for tech data and bring it to our members at 928 OC. I leave links to tech data when it belongs to Rennlist or others in respect to those that prefer to post there.
08-16-2010, 02:13 PM
#13
Andrew, what vendors have you had talks with on discounting? Of the two I've talked with today, neither have had any communication about this.
08-16-2010, 03:21 PM
#14
Supercharged
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Nothing is cemented as I'm not OC president, so I don't want to name names but you can probably figure out who I'm closest to. When talking about it, I was talking conceptually, and both vendors had favorable input on how it could be a win/win and work for them and the OC members.
My background is business development. So if elected, I will approach every 928 vendor to work out some type of benefit (maybe not just a discount) for the OC members - my goal would be to get as many vendors on board as possible. The more choices for the members, the better. Some vendors might choose to not participate, and that's fine too. In the end I want most 928OC members to be able to say they got more than $30 back by being a 928 Owner's Club member. And that's a good thing in my book.
