Ed the Head
03-25-2005, 05:27 PM
I did not vote in the Dave stay or go poll. As of this morning Dave has decided to go. Suffice it to say that there are two sides to every issue, otherwise there wouldn't be an issue. Stuff happens, life goes on. It is apparent to me that the folks who use this forum were polarized by the logo discussion, the one issue that made the state coordinator's position visible, and vulnerable. May the logo issue rest in peace. Some larger questions that surfaced during the logo discussion still remain in my mind however. Let me state what I think I know.
Honda Direct Line sponsors the forum we are now using, the VTXOA.
Having a handle/user name on the VTXOA does not mean you are a member of the VTXRiders. Membership in the VTXRiders is established by going to http://www.vtxriders.com/join.htm and signing up. Furthermore VTXRiders is the brainchild/creation of Wilbur aka KingCobra and therefore falls under his jurisdiction. So when we talk about a state coordinator, we are talking about the coordinator of the FL Chapter of the VTXRiders.
From Wilbur's website:
" Become a part of a special group. VXTRiders.com is made up of people just like you who enjoy riding with and sharing the good company of other Honda VTX owners.
Some of the member benefits include: Group outings, Dinners Rides, Fund Raiser Events and more not to mention it's just plain fun. We also invite all our friends that enjoy riding to our events no matter what they ride. It is all about having a great time with family and friends.
Contact us today for details on how you can join. "
In my mind the statement above pretty well defines the reasons for becoming a member as well as the "job description" of the coordinator. Group rides, fund raising as a group, and fun.
If my assumptions above are incorrect, please chime in. I am open to correction.
So here they are:
Question #1) Is it up to Wilbur to appoint a new FL State Coordinator of VTXRiders? I think it is, but I'll have to ask him.
Q#2) Is it in fact necessary to have a State Coordinator in FL when we have four newly appointed regional coordinators? I'm thinking that if our goal is to organize group rides, fund raise, and have fun, then that is much easier to do on a more local (regional) basis than it is on a statewide basis. I think it would be great to have a statewide identity- but that could be symbolized by a state-wide ride in or rally once a year to pull the whole state together. Maybe each region could take turns hosting such an event?
Q#3) Should a coordinator have a term of service? If the person is doing a good job according to the members after a year or two, they stay on. If not, or the person needs a change, they leave. Simple enough I think, but not my call.
Q#4) Should coordinators be responsible for pins, patches, stickers, posters, teeshirts etc. Or should that be left up to anyone serving a group who wants to take on the task and let the market decide who or what is worthy of some $$. See the part above regarding fun.
I know that with a no dues/anybody can join club it is difficult to establish an identity. I'm proud to ride my VTX and I'd like to ride with other VTX's once in a while. I can honestly say up until now, that hasn't happened much. I'll take responsibility for my own apathy, but there also have been few if any organized VTX rides, at least in the South FL area. The closest thing we have to a rally or statewide ride is at Hal's store once a year, and that is mostly because Hal is benevolent enough to host/sponsor the gathering. I think we need to organize VTX based rides that Hal can ride his bike to, just like everyone else - not be the sponsor of. Not to mention the fact that most VTXRiders cannot attend that function anyway as it is not centrally located in our 500 mile long state.
I'll get off the box now. I'll post this in all the Florida forums and copy Wilbur. All comments, responses are welcome.
Ed Holland
Lake Worth, FL
Honda Direct Line sponsors the forum we are now using, the VTXOA.
Having a handle/user name on the VTXOA does not mean you are a member of the VTXRiders. Membership in the VTXRiders is established by going to http://www.vtxriders.com/join.htm and signing up. Furthermore VTXRiders is the brainchild/creation of Wilbur aka KingCobra and therefore falls under his jurisdiction. So when we talk about a state coordinator, we are talking about the coordinator of the FL Chapter of the VTXRiders.
From Wilbur's website:
" Become a part of a special group. VXTRiders.com is made up of people just like you who enjoy riding with and sharing the good company of other Honda VTX owners.
Some of the member benefits include: Group outings, Dinners Rides, Fund Raiser Events and more not to mention it's just plain fun. We also invite all our friends that enjoy riding to our events no matter what they ride. It is all about having a great time with family and friends.
Contact us today for details on how you can join. "
In my mind the statement above pretty well defines the reasons for becoming a member as well as the "job description" of the coordinator. Group rides, fund raising as a group, and fun.
If my assumptions above are incorrect, please chime in. I am open to correction.
So here they are:
Question #1) Is it up to Wilbur to appoint a new FL State Coordinator of VTXRiders? I think it is, but I'll have to ask him.
Q#2) Is it in fact necessary to have a State Coordinator in FL when we have four newly appointed regional coordinators? I'm thinking that if our goal is to organize group rides, fund raise, and have fun, then that is much easier to do on a more local (regional) basis than it is on a statewide basis. I think it would be great to have a statewide identity- but that could be symbolized by a state-wide ride in or rally once a year to pull the whole state together. Maybe each region could take turns hosting such an event?
Q#3) Should a coordinator have a term of service? If the person is doing a good job according to the members after a year or two, they stay on. If not, or the person needs a change, they leave. Simple enough I think, but not my call.
Q#4) Should coordinators be responsible for pins, patches, stickers, posters, teeshirts etc. Or should that be left up to anyone serving a group who wants to take on the task and let the market decide who or what is worthy of some $$. See the part above regarding fun.
I know that with a no dues/anybody can join club it is difficult to establish an identity. I'm proud to ride my VTX and I'd like to ride with other VTX's once in a while. I can honestly say up until now, that hasn't happened much. I'll take responsibility for my own apathy, but there also have been few if any organized VTX rides, at least in the South FL area. The closest thing we have to a rally or statewide ride is at Hal's store once a year, and that is mostly because Hal is benevolent enough to host/sponsor the gathering. I think we need to organize VTX based rides that Hal can ride his bike to, just like everyone else - not be the sponsor of. Not to mention the fact that most VTXRiders cannot attend that function anyway as it is not centrally located in our 500 mile long state.
I'll get off the box now. I'll post this in all the Florida forums and copy Wilbur. All comments, responses are welcome.
Ed Holland
Lake Worth, FL