MAFCA Board of Directors Elections

[Jim/GA]

To all MAFCA members on the Ford Barn:

My application to run for one of the open MAFCA Board positions was recently accepted by the current Board. You will soon be receiving a ballot with your annual dues/renewal notice with my name on it. I am asking for your support. Please vote for me and mail it back.

I have been playing around with Model As, on and off over the years, since I was a teen. I remember being encouraged by my Dad and the other members of our local Model A club to read up on everything and to do tech sessions for the group. I learned a lot from those guys. I've always tried to "pass it on".

Working on the old cars probably sparked my interest in engineering, which has been a fun career. I have taken a lot of what I learned on the job about running an organization back into my local MAFCA region in Houston. I would like to continue to do that at the National level. I have no complaints about how things have been run; I just want to offer another perspective on things and help keep the club moving.

I also feel I represent the "next generation" of club members. These are the ones that use the Internet more than my Dad does, such as yourself, are on the Ford Barn, connect through FaceBook, etc. This group is the future of the Club. That's why I am posting this here. I need your help to get elected.

Please read the ballot instructions carefully and follow them exactly so that your ballot is not rejected. Don't delay. Your vote counts. Details here: http://www.mafca.com/

Thanks!

[1931 flamingo]

OKIEDOKIE ....................
Paul in CT

[spdway1]

What is the "Next Generation"?
I am 38 years old, owned many Model A over the years and currently drive my 29 Closed Cab Pick up 3-5 days a week. I am generally concerned because in my area, no one under 55 cares about Model A's. Our club is dying off, not much interest there anymore...Where do we go from here?

[BrianBurkert]

Originally Posted by spdway1

What is the "Next Generation"?
I am 38 years old, owned many Model A over the years and currently drive my 29 Closed Cab Pick up 3-5 days a week. I am generally concerned because in my area, no one under 55 cares about Model A's. Our club is dying off, not much interest there anymore...Where do we go from here?

The future of the hobby is very important. I'm 33. There have been several younger members joining our club (20's and 30's). They are very enthusiastic members, and actively participate as families. There is a challenge, though, with the economy and competition with so many other activities. Time and money can be in short supply with young folks.

[montanafordman]

Originally Posted by spdway1

What is the "Next Generation"?
I am 38 years old, owned many Model A over the years and currently drive my 29 Closed Cab Pick up 3-5 days a week. I am generally concerned because in my area, no one under 55 cares about Model A's. Our club is dying off, not much interest there anymore...Where do we go from here?

Originally Posted by BrianBurkert

The future of the hobby is very important. I'm 33. There have been several younger members joining our club (20's and 30's). They are very enthusiastic members, and actively participate as families. There is a challenge, though, with the economy and competition with so many other activities. Time and money can be in short supply with young folks.

Another younger guy checking in here. I hear what speedway and brian are saying. There are not too many young guys in my area either that are into model A's. I don't think the interest is there because most guys my age are into horsepower and muscle cars if anything. Most people gravitate toward what they remember growing up with and even though my childhood was in the 80s and 90's (I'm 31) muscle cars were far more prevalent. I never remember any classmates driving a model A to school but there were camaros, mustangs, V8 trucks with loud exhaust etc.

The other major factor is competition with other activities like brian said - many of my generation is caught up with video games, home theatre, and computer stuff outside of work if anything. Not only that but they don't have the background to tackle mechanical stuff. I was very fortunate to grow up on a farm and around more rural settings. I worked with my hands from an early age and my family members mentored me on the value of hard work and not being afraid of diving in and just doing something. You don't need a trained professional to teach you how to build a deck or replace a wheel bearing. You might need a manual but the right attitude and attention to detail will go far. Aside from growing up on a farm my high school also offered auto shop, metal shop, and wood shop classes. These are dissappearing from schools at an alarming rate due to budget cuts and almost a growing cultural perception that you need a B.S. degree or white collar job and trades are almost frowned upon. WIth this attitude people don't pursue the skill set needed to work on an old car, or just don't think they have it and end up avoiding the possiblity as a result. People (even my peers in their late 20's and early 30s) are increasingly plugged in and spend less time outside or working with their hands. Not only this but budgets are strained where there isn't enough disposable income or space for a fun car to play with.

How is this overcome? Get your families involved! The young people I see in the Model A hobby all had a family member or friend that got them into it. Either they grew up going to the regional meets and racing hubleys or they inherited one. I think training our kids to not shy away from getting their hands greasy even with a modern car and participating in other things away from a TV or computer screen goes a long way. Lobby your local schools to continue with trade and industry classes. I ended up going and getting a 4 year degree at a liberal arts minded college but my time on the farm and working at a tire shop, a farm implement dealer, and airport would land me a job in an instant if I were suddenly unemployed. It may not be the pay or job that I really want but someone with mechanical skills and the right attitude can find something much faster than an IT guy or furloughed pilot in this economy. Very few young people will just go buy a model A on a whim without thinking hot rod. Mentor them into appreciating the history and give them the respect and desire to contiue with it.

I'll throw in my vote for ya Jim. You seem to know the future lies in some online media and interaction also. Get the word out and good luck!

[Arlen]

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I voted for you today. Got to support my fellow texans. Also voted for Chuck Cheshire. He was the president of my local club last year and would do a great job on the mafca board. He is huge on getting younger people involved with the hobby.

[Domino]

You got it!

[newshirt]

I'm "new" to the hobby, within the last two years, so everything I'm about to say is probably wrong. It's just my opinion. And probably uninformed at that. Hope I don't offend...

The national MAFCA club is virtually irrelevant in our local chapter in Colorado Springs. That's probably our fault, but I'm just telling what I've observed over the last few years. Very few members belong to the national club, or at least don't talk about it on a regular basis. There are no MAFCA programs that we take part in. They have never spoken at a club meeting in the last two years I've been there. They don't offer assistance for tours, or website, or newsletter, or membership, or anything that I can think of. Nothing. MAFCA is a non-player. Maybe they're not supposed to do any of those things. I'm not sure. I'm sorry if this sounds dumb, but I'm just not sure what the national MAFCA club should do for local chapters. Anything? So from a "next generation" perspective, I see no reason to join MAFCA. I don't even know exactly what MAFCA offers. So why would I join? To get a monthly magazine? Maybe... I suppose that's enough reason. But maybe not...

Also, from a newbie standpoint, I don't know why MAFCA and MARC are separate clubs. Do they offer different things? (I doubt it.) I get the feeling that its just petty politics that keeps them apart. I've read threads on fordbarn, and there's no consensus on the issue.

Here's what I wish MAFCA would do (from an uninformed newbie standpoint):
1. Send our local club articles for the newsletter from time to time
2. Offer improvement ideas for our website (I built ours: http://www.pikespeakmodelaclub.com)
3. Send out era fashions info, and encourage dressing for the period
4. Speak at our club once a year
5. Organize and promote a BIG tour for our region once a year
6. Organize and promote a local judging contest for our region once a year
7. Produce and promote a touring class judging standard like MARC
8. Join with MARC

[Tom Wesenberg]

Ray, Have you attended a national meet? I feel that is a big part of the national club, and try to attend whenever possible.

[Roadster62]

newshirt made some interesting points, at 61 I'll add a few of my own for what they may be worth. I got into the hobby in 1961 when Dad got his '31 Roadster, we went to the local HCCA show in town every year, but never joined a National Model A club, got real envolved in AACA, but got totally burned out on that. I like Model A's, will always have one to work on but never found the need to join MARC or MAFCA. I know members of both clubs, enjoy seeing them and their cars, there just isn't a "Got to Join!" reason. Whoever figures that out will see membershio grow. Bob

[CarlG]

Our group is quite unique in that while it is recognized by MAFCA, it is an informal group at best. The "organized" group is an AACA affiliate, the Model A group is sort of a subset of the local AACA chapter and operates within the charter of that group. As others have stated, MAFCA has never had a rep in our area, while AACA typically has a rep here at least once a year. Most of the Model A owners (and there are close to 200 of them in Alaska) belong to AACA, not as many to MAFCA or MARC. I personally belong to all of them, just so I can get the golssy magazine.

[Arlen]

The biggest thing mafca offers its members is insurance. Every time your club goes out for a drive today, your covered by mafca. Every member of your local clubs board of directors is required to be mafca members, the mafca logo has to appear in your clubs monthly newsletter, and your clubs president is expected to make regular suggestions that membership join mafca. The same is true for marc. If you love the model A, I don't know why you wouldn't want to join both national clubs.

[Brian SATX]

Am I the only one that has not received the ballots?

[Bob-A]

I'll vote for you Jim. And I sure wish the two national clubs would join together permantely too, newshirt. It just would make so much more sense. In these days of dwindling interest in all old antique cars.
Just my .02 worth.

Bob-A

[Bruce,Upstate NY]

Two clubs join? Would that mean two national meets and two tours a year - one east and one west? That would be nice.

[Dick M]

Newshirt brings up some interesting points. It seems to me the main function of MAFCA is to provide an ogranization which enables its members to meet other Model Aers on a local, regional, and national level. I love nothing more than to be on a tour with Model A Fords. The fact is that all organizations have politics as it is the nature of the beast. Therefore, it is important to have leadership which truly loves the hobby and works towards the best interest of all. I have been a member of two MAFCA chapters and MAFCA during the last ten years. I always enjoy the Restorer as I find it educational and interesting. I have attended many MAFCA Northern California Regional Group events where I have met many fellow Model Aers that I would never have come into contact with. I have not always agreed with MAFCA Board decisions but that is human nature. I suppose you can continue just fine without MAFCA, however, I think is a bargain for $40 a year to associate with so many Model Aers. If Newshirt attends a future regional or national meet, I would hope he would agree it is worth the $40. JMO

[Roadster62]

INSURANCE??? That is a reason to join a car club? You lost me on that one. Bob

[Arlen]

I'm the organizer of mafca's 13 national tour so I know what the point of joining a car club is. Thanks though.

[Duffy1]

I thought you had to be a member of one of the national clubs before you could be a member of one of the local clubs .

[Duffy1]

I am a member of GHMARC where Jim/Tx . did a great job as President last year . He will bring a lot of enthusiasm,energy and fresh ideas to the National Level . Jim you have my vote .