POLL: Annual "membership" meeting and awards party

[Loren]

I love Ron, and we've had some casual good times at his place, but I would support an idea like this.

However, bear in mind that the club has a little bit of money to fund this shindig. Rather than cooking, we'd not be opposed to having it catered.

And if we're gonna go to that expense, why not just have it at a restaurant and go ahead and have service (not to mention clean-up) along with it?

We all bust our butts to put on autocross events 11 times every year. We deserve to sit back, relax and not have to worry about stuff once a year, don't we?

[nc4me]

Maybe it's just me, but I think FAST shouldn't fund the annual meeting, especially if it's at a restaurant. We don't pay a membership fee, so why should anyone expect FAST to lose money on an annual meeting of non paying members. We already take a hit on the novice school as is. If someone doesn't want to pay 5-20 bucks for a meal at a place for the meeting, after FAST puts on the best auto-x's all year including lunch and drinks, that's a little unappreciative (unappreciative is not the exact word I'm looking for, but my uber small vocab has me unable to find something more suitable for the exact point I'm trying to make, I'm not trying to offend anyone) of what FAST does. Even if we have it at Ron's. I think people should at least consider making a "donation" of 5 bucks or more, if they want to, to help cover expenses.

I seriously think FAST is the best auto-x club in the bay area period. I know Steven has money budgeted for the annual meeting, but maybe that money could be better spent elsewhere. I know Kenny said he was going to remake the timing cables, the trailer needs some TLC, the screen perch broke. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to say that anyone has to do anything. I'm just saying, if people want to do a little something in terms of donation for the club, they should.

Writing online sucks, no matter how you mean something to sound, it always sounds bad.

[shakedown067]

I totally get you Chris. I'm certainly down for at least paying my own meal if we go out. Should we keep it automotive themed and have it at Quaker Steak?

[Loren]

Chris (and everyone who agrees), I appreciate the sentiment, but you need to have a little faith in your leadership.

Here's the deal in a nutshell:
We've seen good times and we've seen bad times. We know what our minimum budget is to put on our autocross events, and we set our break-even point to where we'd have to be in "bad times" for many consecutive events before we actually started losing money overall. I guess you'd say we're shrewd businessmen who aren't really trying to make money. (our goal is to break even at the end of the year) Which brings me to the second part...

Because we budget for about 45-50 entries per event, and we've had 60-70 at most events in recent history, WE HAVE SOME MONEY.

Back to the first line of this post: have a little faith. We've already talked about ways to spend some of our current surplus. Maintenance and upgrades to equipment are in the works. And if we tell you we can afford to spend a little money on an annual dinner to give some back to our members... we can.

Regarding membership and whether you pay dues or not... we all pay dues as a part of our entry fees. If you look at most autox clubs that collect dues, they give discounted entry fees in return for the dues. We charge everyone the same... so effectively, the bottom line is the same as if we charged an annual member fee and gave an entry discount. (but the registration and accounting process is a heckuva lot simpler!)

We now return you to your regularly scheduled discussion on where to hold the annual meeting, already in progress. 8)

[nc4me]

I get you Loren. I don't think anyone should pay dues. I just think you give back enough to the members through the events. It's a pain to go to another auto-x clubs events and have to bring food and keep drinks cold. I think FAST gives enough. I do have faith in the powers that be. I already asked Steven about donations to FAST and he said they're more than welcome. I'll take care of that with him privately.

Believe me, I know what the break even points are in terms of attendance verse covering cost at events at both locations. I know FAST should have money based on those factors. I just want to make sure the heads of the club know how much they're appreciated and that the members of this club are willing to do things both monetarily and time wise to help out. I want to make sure that none of you get to proud to ask for help when needed or are to proud to accept things when offered. Although, I know that's not the case.

Now hurry up and give us a time and date, so I can block off my work schedule, so I can attend the meeting.

[Loren]

I just want to make sure the heads of the club know how much they're appreciated and that the members of this club are willing to do things both monetarily and time wise to help out.

When the day comes that we need more money, we'll simply raise the entry fees. (we're far from needing to do that, thankfully) To those members who want to show their appreciation to/for the club, all we ask is that you stay active. Jump in and chair an event every now and then, help out when things need to be done, that sort of thing. At present, the club needs that more than it needs money.

[Jamie]

...help out when things need to be done, that sort of thing. At present, the club needs that more than it needs money.

Folks who stay and help reset the SPC police course and pack up the trailer in the heat or rain are better than money. Also those generous people who've been towing the trailer. Thank you all.

[miazda man]

Also those generous people who've been towing the trailer. Thank you all.

Your welcome just sorry I couldn't do it more.
Bob

[Native]

Thanks, and you're welcome, for all the above. 8)

As for the poll about the annual meeting, there were only 3 definite "change up" votes, and 6 for "tradition." So, the democratically chosen location is Ron's.

I'll send him an email and get a date lickety-split. And I'm sure he'll come up with something to put on his grill that'll make any caterer look pretty sad...

Ron, you reading this?

[AScoda]

Let's stay away from those gastronomic "delicacies":

[snookwheel]

If I might make a suggestion??


Or perhaps...


Happy to supply either! Usually have Possum.. but we have a family reunion next coming up and need to save it..

Scott

[Loren]

Somehow roadkill seems appropriate for a car club.

[AScoda]

MMMMM, love me some Manatee, tastes just like penguin.

[aparke]

So we'll be soliciting Wolverine to cook for us? I didn't know he was such a manatee lover...

[puncturina]

Been following the discussion. So when the bleep is the event?

[Native]

heehee.

the bleeping event is when Ron bleeping gets back to me with his bleeping availability. He's aware and is checking his schedule. It will be either a Sat. or Sun. probably toward the end of August. It'll get posted as soon as possible.


By the way, everyone is invited to this shindig - not just class Champs. Ron puts on one heckuva BBQ, and even though it's warm there's plenty cold to drink and good company.

We will be needing a head count though, so we know how much grub to get, so please plan to RSVP!

[nc4me]

It's august, says mr. obvious. When is this going down?

[Native]

Saturday the 21st.
3 pm
Ron's place.

DETAILS

8)