Hosting
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When was the DC Region members told we were supposed to host the Mimi-Con this time? I know no one ever mentioned it in my hearing or through emails. Had I known ahead of time, I might have been able to help. I assume the BoD knew about it ahead of time? Why weren't the specialty chiefs told to pass the info to the workers, at least. Another instance of the Secret Car Club striking again.
I know that there are many workers who don't know what a Mini-Con is because it's never been mentioned to them as something they should know or be concerned about. It's like the National Convention, not something for us rank-and-file, just for the high mucky-mucks like the RE and other officers.
Dave Sterling
The Mini-Convention is held each November to wrap-up the season, deal with the proposed scheduling for the next racing season and to present Driver (this year none attended)awards along with other Division business. The Roundtable is held each spring (March) to provide a training forum for the various specialities in the club and kick off the new racing season. These have been annual events for as long a I have been around (17 yrs,) and before. The NESSCA website provides these dates and more about the goings on around the division. WDCR bid for the 2009 Mini-Con two years ago and backed out last fall ostensibly for monetary reasons and Steel Cities took up the slack on short notice and hosted the Mini-Con last weekend. Since the loss of a regular issuance of the Straightpipe, communication with the general membership in WDCR has been somewhat lacking. The board minutes are not published in a timely manner on this website and there is not a lot of proactive communication coming from the board of directors. To continue the rant, of the 2000 plus members in this region fewer than 600 voted in the recent elections and they didn't even have to go to a meeting, voting was available on line or by mail. About the National, who ever had the bright idea that the weather in New Hampshire would be any better for the first Division National race in the spring than the admittedly wet and cool weather we have had the last few years in April? There is a distinct advantage to being the first National of the season and this was allowed to go away, hence a serious decline in participation. Now, not only has the National gone away ( there will only be 6 National events in NEDIV next season versus 10 in 2009), the 12 Hour was effectively given the KISS of DEATH this past season by removing any night racing with the 9 to 9 format. Driver's who are interested in participating in long endurance events want to race in the DARK. NJMP now gets to host the only 12 hour event in the Northeast. I think I have wasted enough bandwidth for now.
Tom McLeod
Of the 2000 members apparently only 8 see this forum
or
silence is consent
note on national posted on main wdcr page.
just some suggestions on letters to boards and postings to internet forums if you want to increase your impact. i served on the scca itac for several years before the region bod and have seen lots of letters that go straight to the bit bucket after reading the first line. have seen others that really make me think and highlight alternatives. letters that don't consider the guidlines below reflect poorly on the author and the cause.
-be coherant.
-get your facts straight, don't use rumors as a basis for your point.
-don't be accusatory or insulting
-offer solutions, don't just whine.
-remember, this is a club. the club leadership are volunteers who were voted in and are trying to do the best for the entire club.
-be involved from the get go. as a club, we depend on members to make it work. if you are just firing volleys from the cheap seats you are part of the problem, not the solution.
Copy of letter sent this morning:
Mr. Salisbury,
Thank you for this communication.
I would respectfully request the BoD revisit the decision to not host a National race in 2010.
By all indications, the board made this decision without much of the information, or member input, that has been generated over the last week. Revisiting this decision would thus be warranted and prudent.
The importance of this event to our members (on so many levels), and the flawed process by which the decision came about, commands the board's attention. Lack of re-addressing this will only make matters worse. More of our members will become dis-enfranchised. Overall, our Club will suffer participation, and thus, additional economic loss.
The board is charged with representing the member's interests, and the good of the Club. Revisiting the decision about our 2010 National race is in the Club's and member's best interest, and therefore, the Board's.
Thank you,