Operations Overview

By Ray Zimmerman, Executive Director

The mission of the BMW MOA is "To foster communication and a sense of family among BMW motorcycle enthusiasts." One might ask how that is accomplished. The simple answer is through a variety of communication media. That media includes the BMW Owners News, the BMW MOA Website, the BMW MOA Forum and the BMW MOA International Rally. Each of these provides essential communication to establish and maintain the unique sense of camaraderie that BMW riders enjoy. Often members ask me about the business aspects of the association. You know those hundreds of tasks that occur at the BMW MOA Headquarters in Ellisville, MO. But what about the hundreds of tasks that occur in Webster Groves, MO, or Birmingham, AL, or even Denver, CO?

This article is the first in a series to describe the myriad of activities that support the business aspects of the BMW MOA so that you, the members, can enjoy those things that you participate in throughout the year.

Organizational structure: This chart identifies the basic relationships that exist between the Board of Directors, the Staff, and the Volunteers.

The nine person Board of Directors establishes policy and overseas the overall operations of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. The Board holds the Executive Director responsible for the execution of the policies and daily operation of the club. Those responsibilities include oversight for Contracts Management, Facilities Utilization, Human Resource Management, Financial Controls, Supervision of Staff and Contractors, and provide an information conduit to the Volunteers. Our Executive Assistant primarily provides support to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. Our Office Manager is responsible for employee benefits, care of the facilities, computer operations and supervision of our Country Store Clerk, our Membership Manager, and our Receptionist. Our Accountant handles all accounting activities to include budgeting and accounts management. Each of these positions is a BMW MOA employee. They work in the BMW MOA Headquarters in Ellisville, MO. Although not shown on the chart there is also a "dotted line" relationship between some of the staff members and the different members of the Board. For example, our Treasurer and the Accountant work hand-in-hand on a number of projects related to financial reporting. The Executive Assistant works with our Secretary and Vice President relative to meeting planning and with all the Standing Board Committees in relation to finances, events, awards and clubs.. The Executive Director works with the various members of the Board while directly supporting our President in the accomplishments of his responsibilities.

The Managing Editor, the Advertising Director and the Art Director support the BMW MOA through contractual relationships. Each contractor is hired based upon ability and experience. Our Managing Editor, whose office is in Webster Groves, MO, is responsible for the timely preparation, editing and production of the BMW Owners News, the BMW Owners Anonymous and the annual BMW MOA Rally Program. Our Advertising Director, with an office in Birmingham, AL, is responsible for the sale of advertising in the three publications mentioned above. The Advertising Director establishes and maintains effective communication with the vendors, the Managing Editor, the Art Director and the Accountant. Our Art Director is responsible for the layout of the BMW Owners News and other publications as contracted for. The Art Director resides in Denver, CO.

The BMW MOA enjoys a tremendous level of support from our volunteers. There are hundreds of Volunteers who donate their time and energy to support the association in many, many ways. Whether it be at the annual Rally, a local club activity or at one of the International Motorcycle shows, the BMW MOA simply would not be as effective as it is without the Volunteer spirit. Of course there are a number of Volunteers that take on unique challenges such as serving as our Rally Chairperson, Chartered Club Liaison, Consumer Liaison or Mileage Contest Coordinator, to name a few. The Executive Director is responsible for providing support, communication, and recommendations to our wonderful Volunteer Staff.

Next month we’ll begin addressing some of the details associated with key activities such as Accounting, Editorial, and Membership. This series of articles are meant to provide the membership a glimpse of all of those activities that keep the BMW MOA operational. If you have a specific question that you would like to see addressed please contact me at 636-394-7277 or email at RayZ@bmwmoa.org.