Good Day
I was approached regarding this proposal during the recent HECA show, I was spoken to as to their concerns, and how they proposed to act. I replied multiple times that I would need to see the "letter" and would also like to see what the plan forward was. At this point I had no idea whom the other endorsees were. The next I heard about this was when a current board member contacted me last Saturday about the content, my reply was yes, I knew that something was being thought of, but no I had not seen the action proposed, or any plan to move forward or the planned business model.
I do not agree with the letter, and I can tell you why
1. Moving the magazine to 4 issues was a major issue during my final year as President, and I was the person that signed the contract to do just that, I obviously support that decision
2. Cancelling shows, the last member event was at the Snow Ghost ranch in Montana, 2019, Oregon for 2020 was basically cancelled by the government, 2021 in Elkader was a hugh success, 2022 was cancelled I think due to an agreement between the sponsor and the club. Shows are a large expense to the club if we have nothing to offer as far as an income stream, currently the income stream is limited, and expenses must be controlled. We did eliminate travel expense reimbursement several years ago. Many member events tend to have more of a local attendance and could just be handled as a local action in conjunction with other local chapters, but advertised via BB for example for the wider audience
3.Chapters, I will admit that I probably don't have the understanding of this issue that I should have had. I do know that there were several chapters that were only formed to take advantage of the insurance protections offered, otherwise they would not have formed. The issue is cost, perhaps there is a hybrid of a cost sharing model between the chapters and the main organization that would help to defray this cost to a degree across the organization. From a purely technical point of view by my understanding, Chapters own nothing, all of their assets, whether they be monetary or physical are the property of the organization, they report yearly to the parent, both the membership and the fiscal. Most chapters don't do this and never have. Subsidiaries get to use the name, they can receive direction from the organization, but can do with that as they please.
4. Merchandise, I think that this is hard to define the proper course, I had written of models in a previous set of minutes form 2018 I think, the model program is neede to support the model program. I like the models, but they are expensive to produce, that's a fact. In order to make a profit on the model you should be selling them at 2.5 times the cost to make them, 1 times to pay for the original, 1 time to development the new one and .5 time to make a profit, but by then they are so expensive you cut back on the profit so you can sell what you have, IF we could partner with a manufacturer, it would be an enormous help, but then their market studies would guide your path. Selling merchandise from other mass market vendors has shown to be a spotty success, Flashlights, high success, Boots low success, shipping costs on top of that kill you. If drop shipping could be figured out that might help.
I think I have made the point that I do not approve of the action as proposed, did not authorize the use of my name and would not be commenting at this time if I had seen the advance action as I had requested.
I do have a couple of questions for the Board while on this subject
1. Where are the minutes for the year 2022, I only see those from the last 2 months posted, they had been available previously
2. Mention was made earlier about a consultation with a lawyer regarding the legality of the action, what was the opinion?
3. How did the mailing list become available for this; this was always a closely held list with Board approval to share with others.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this, I apologize for the length, I guess I thought I was writing Presidents letters again.
Andrew Haberle, President 2018/2019

Thank you for the clarification Mr. Haberle. I also wish to thank current BOD ( and a new one at that) Kurt Bangert for spending the time to read over each individuals concerns and comments, and responding to all. I think he displays what is expected of a board member; he seems genuinely concerned and does not sit back morphing into his chair as others exercise their thoughts. Much more responsive than any that some of us have noticed!
Well now, who else would like to chime in, or explain their "Concern"? JM

Hi, haberaj.
Thank you for clarifying your position regarding this so-called "Letter from Concerned Members of ACMOC", which, it seems to me. is a VERY thinly veiled attempt atta HOSTILE takeover of the club.

Thank you also for clarifying your views on the various issues raised by these self-styled 'concerned members'.

Funny thing - I was at the HCEA show for all of the first 2 days plus the dinner and for about 1 /12 hours on the Sunday after the rain on the Saturday night and nobody approached me about any of this. Guess maybe they might have had an inkling of where I stood on the matter.

There are 'right' and 'wrong' ways of addressing concerns within a club or organization. In my humble opinion, the approach that these people are trying to adopt is WRONG simply 'coz it is assuming that the 'concerns' of a VERY small group of members are the concerns of a the whole membership and tries to speak for ALL the members when the group as listed is not even ONE PERCENT of the members - - - AND seems to be shrinking almost daily..

Wottz moor, I am not even convinced that the stated concerns in this letter are the REAL reason behind this attempted coup. There are several people named on that list whom I would not trust as far as I could throw a bull uphill by the tail into a head wind. One also should had oughta wonder about the 2 currently sitting BoD members named in that list, if they have consented to be on said list and, if so, their apparent lack of respect for their fellow BoD members by engaging in this FARCE.

Just my 0.02.

I have complete faith in our BOD (-2) in handling not only this situation but the overall future of the club.

We live in an area where we co-exist with the not so friendly rattlesnake, and we have anywhere from 30 to 50 encounters each year. Sometimes those pesky creatures cozy right up alongside our beloved yellow iron and seem to blend in and are very difficult to spot.   If the rattler gives us a buzz or warning, we know he is there, and we can deal with it.  However, sometimes the unnoticed rattlers strike without any warning, and they can do irrevocable harm.
Just a sayin’.  

Sounds like those that did not steer the ship the right direction the first time are wanting to head our organization by hostile takeover instead of openly volunteering to aid the current board to calmer waters. Member input is always the best form of direction, but it must be supported by positive action. I hope that the current board acts on the positive input ! Thank you to all that have served on our boards and supporting commitees. Steeltracs

Mr. Kurt Bangert and "ACTING RESPONSIBLY" Board of Directors -- THANK YOU - Each and All - your concern, dedication and efforts are noticed and appreciated.
You have a lot of support, some very good thoughts and experience out there - use it to the fullest possible.

I agree with your sentiments - get your "ducks in a row" before you end up doing more harm and hurting more feelings than absolutely necessary. There will come a time when the broken bolts and loose bearings can be attended to, all in the order required to keep the machine (club) running.

Once the "fire" is knocked down a bit, the Board can work on the details and keep the membership appraised.

There are lots of issues to be handled, and I would venture that the intrusion and misuse of the Database is probably very high on that list. Security Issue at minimum.
I am sure the members would like to know what has been compromised, the damage to them personally and then the who is responsible along with the resolution.

The comment about the Rattlesnakes is so appropriate - a great analogy.
Another that might be quite fitting - beware of that hornet nest - when the alarm has been sounded, there is but one result - I believe "The colony has been awakened!"

"keep 'em crawlin"
CTS