Changing with the Times
To promote growth and stay viable, organizations must embrace new ideas and stay open to change. What has worked in the past will not necessarily work forever. Many times we become comfortable with the way things are and are resistant new ideas.
I speak from experience as I grumble, moan and complain about yet another new operating systems which forces me to change the way I use my computer. I buy a new car and the controls don't work the same way. I end up flashing my high beams when I really wanted to set the wipers to intermittent. The new GPS interface is different than the old and I sometimes find myself trying to have a conversation with the GPS voice, much to the amusement of my wife.
So it is with BMW MOA and its Chartered Clubs. We will continue to change and grow or we will become just a faded memory in the next 20 years. Thankfully, my contact with Chartered Club members has been overwhelmingly positive. Our members are active, involved, growing their clubs and making a difference for BMW MOA and the communities in which they operate. The members of Chartered Clubs have unlimited talents, experience and energy. They are looking for ways to provide the kind of events and experience their member's desire while also looking for ways to attract new members.
It is my belief that strong, healthy, active, growing Chartered Clubs are vital to the continued success of BMW MOA. I also feel that Chartered Clubs provide the majority of volunteers that make BMW MOA events possible. If you look at the names of the volunteers who make the International Rally and the Regional Events happen, an overwhelming majority of them are Chartered Club members. This is no coincidence. Their experience in being a key volunteer in a Chartered Club gives them provide the skills necessary to successfully volunteer at a higher level.
In the December issue, my column talked about a new method of communicating with Chartered Clubs. While I thought the scheme was a well reasoned solution to improving communication between BMW MOA and Chartered Clubs, I was wrong. In fact, there was some valid resistance from Chartered Clubs. The main objection was having another e-mail inbox to check on a regular basis in case BMW MOA sent something that day. I quickly learned the difference between "push" and "pull" methods of e-mail. Interestingly, from the more than 200 letters which were sent to Chartered Clubs, I received only a few inquiries about the lack instructions provided.
By the time you receive this issue of the BMW ON, further efforts will have been made to contact each Chartered Club to verify the contact person and e-mail address. Maintaining and updating this information will continue to be critical to successful e-mail communication with each Chartered Club. Communication by e-mail will become our method of choice as it provides the benefits of being timely, efficient and cost effective.
Another change you will also see is to the Chartered Club page on the BMW MOA Web site. For years, this page has been static and provided only the ability to search for a Chartered Club by location or name. With the implementation of new Content Management Software, the page will be redesigned and have the look and feel of the home page. The Chartered Club Liaison will be responsible for obtaining content. I hope that Chartered Clubs will be sending me pictures, stories and announcements of their events to post and share with other members. There will also be links to electronic Chartered Club publications and prior magazine articles, including the Ace of Clubs. I am excited about the possibility of promoting Chartered Club growth with this page. I will also, from time to time, post some random thought. I encourage you to go look at the page and, if you so desire, give feedback on what you think works, doesn't work or should be included.
At the November MOA BOD meeting, the Board approved the creation of a Chartered Club Leadership Council which will be comprised of the Chartered Club Coordinator and six members representing different geographical areas. As I have become more active in the role of Chartered Club Coordinator, I have found that I need assistance, advice and guidance. The obvious source for additional help is from the Chartered Club membership. Look at the new Chartered Club Web page for further information about the Leadership Council.
It is not too early to start planning to attend the Second Annual Chartered Club Leadership Summit which will be held on July, 14th in Redmond, Oregon at the International Rally. We had a great turn out for the Summit held in Johnson City and look forward to increased attendance in 2010. When planning is completed, the event will be announced in the BMW ON, on the Chartered Club Web page, in an e-mail to Chartered Clubs and on the BMW MOA forum in the Rally section and the President's section. Hopefully, with multiple channels of communication, each Chartered Club will be aware of this opportunity.
Another change is to the annual, free display ad in the BMW ON. This ad will now be available in color at no additional cost. This ad is separate from and in addition to any event announcement in the When and Where section of this magazine. Using this ad will provide your club with an additional space to publicize its event. At no charge, is a screaming bargain.
There is still the opportunity for you to prepare a submission to the Ace of Clubs column. Look at prior issues to get an idea of what to include. It is another no cost way to promote your club and reach out to potential new members. My experience has been that Chartered Clubs that are providing a variety of opportunities for their members seem to the ones which are growing. Perhaps prior Ace of Club articles will give you some ideas that you could incorporate into your club.
I want to thank all the Chartered Club members who have taken the time to let me know how things are going and provided constructive criticism. Being new in the job, I will continue to make some mistakes, but I'm not hesitant to admit them and change.
As always, you may contact me at .
