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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hi, any Houston FCA members on

Hi, any Houston FCA members on board?

I just went to the local region FCA site to get contact info of the officers and noticed there is NO contact info (that I could find). Even though it states "contact us to volunteer for events"!

The site HAS been updated since the elections as the board roster dropped since my last visit from 5 to 2.

Anyway, I need the contact info, as I have questions about how this regions financial accounting is handled and when the yearly report is published.

All help appreciated.

Regards, JRV
 
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Discussion Starter · #2 ·
I don't know anything abou

I don't know anything about this, but don't they publish their numbers (both contact and accounting) in their newsletter like the Porsche guys?

Cheers
 
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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Taek,

that's my questi


Taek,

that's my question, doesn't a chapter of a NATIONAL Club that collects some serious money have accounting measures in place, especially since this chapter had until recent elections a Treasurer. I think it is reasonable to expect that Money be accounted for in the FCA just like it is in every other real club. Otherwise the door is left open for abuse.

I have every intention of getting to the bottom of this closely held secret. And suggest changes if it's discovered that all the monies being collected are a cronnes group slush fund.

I think from the looks of things so far and the fact that my requests, as in multiples, have been ignored that this chapter may well be run like a mini Enron! Judging from the fact that 4 local chapter directors names have very recently disappeared from the local roster I think it's a good idea to see exactly how these people have been managing or mis-managing as the case may be, this chapter and it's finances.

I have requested the region chairmans em address from the local chapter president only to have my requests ignored. As a member in good standing with all dues paid in full I find my requests being ignored unacceptable and suspicious.

I never cared much about the inner workings of clubs until it came to my attention that the possibility of many abuses were taking place.

If those holding positions are abusing that priviledge then I think they should step down or be removed!

Regards, JRV
 
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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
In fairness I have recieved an

In fairness I have recieved an acknowledgement of my request of disclosures about how this chapter is being run. No info of course, but an acknowledgement is a start.

It's actually very embarrassing to relize one is a member of a club that treats it's members like second class citizens. I don't think to many people would be happy paying money to recieve such off color treatment of simple requests.

IMO Car Clubs should be fun for ALL and Fair to ALL. I'm not seeing this in the FCA chapters I follow. Hopefully the future will hold more promise for more people.


Regards, JRV
 
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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
I am an FCA member here now. M

I am an FCA member here now. Met Grady the Pres last weekend. Seems like a pretty cool guy. Newsletter was in the mailbox el pronto.
 
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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Cool guys don't break the

Cool guys don't break the club charter by installing a phony board and not keeping club books for years imo. Nor do cool guys use their position with the FCA to liable & slander people they don't know at FCA events. I was present at an event where certian people were highly intoxicated animated and beligerent and thought it wasn't cool at all.

People thought Mel Spillman, now in prison for stealing dead peoples estates was a cool guy, and people thought Jeffery Skilling of the Enron scandle fame was a cool guy and Paul Frame of the Sietel scandle fame was a cool guy. However, there are plenty of people that don't agree that lying, stealing and cheating is cool!

I'm afraid it takes more than a smile and a line of bullshit to convince me someone is a cool guy, worthy of my trust or friendship or qualified to be a leader of anything!

Did you know that other Texas region Presidents are so out of control that National Legal Dept has been monitering their web activity for some while now?

How cool is that?

And how cool is it for a local guy to try and extort $10,000 from the Texas Running of the Bulls!?!? He thought his scheme was real cool, the 3 actual & real founders of the event didn't think it was cool at all!

JRV
 
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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
What are you talking about? $1

What are you talking about? $10,000 bucks? I contacted the club and 24 hours later I was contacted. 72 hours later I had a newsletter. I haven't sent a dime to anyone locally. This is a club...where the heck is someone going to rip me off in a club? I have a Ferrari to have fun...not to meet new and interesting lawyers.

This is a very small community. Nasty comments make big waves in a small pond. Clearly you have vented on some past bitterness that I have not a clue about.
 
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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
>>I contacted the club

>>I contacted the club and 24 hours later I was contacted. 72 hours later I had a newsletter.<<

Mike, you have me and others to thank for the clubs fast response. This is a radical departure from the way things have been run for many years.


Personal agendas have been exposed, fake Boards of Directors have been exposed and the list goes on...until someone stood up and said "what's wrong with this picture", MANY owners were alienated by the present President. I don't think public outrage to finally to motivate actions that was supposed to have been done all along is a management style to be proud of or a leadership style to brag about. I will state that public outrage has forced positive changes that benifit YOU....

Your Welcome...


JRV
 
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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Thanks. I think.

I used to


Thanks. I think.

I used to be the president of a WWII preservation/history group and got dumped on by many unhappy members who assumed I was ignoring them or were in some way alienating them. Be aware that there are 24 hours in a day and 60 minutes in each of those hours. That time has to be spent in some order of priority or problems arise. My bet is that the following typifies the priorities of a typical volunteer club president:

1. Family comes first
2. Job comes next
3. Servicing the women (4 wheeled and two legged)
4. Club stuff
5. Members not calling them 4 letter words
6. Sleep
7. Members calling them 4 letter words
8. Members that threaten to sue them are ignored

I can't begin to tell you how many times morons threatened to sue me for some of the most hilarious reasons. Let's see...my favorite...I held a board meeting early so we could have some additional events later...ohhhh...break out the lawyers!!! My question was "Show me the damages".

This is a VERY small community and one time or another I am sure I will eventually probably talk to every Ferrari owner in Houston. I know Jeremey is very happy to know you and I know of others that get a blank look on their faces when they hear your name. That just plain SUCKS. I have not asked for details from them. One of the ricers told me "The running of the bulls" kind of left a bad taste in some mouthes...oh well...some guy got a ride in Ralphs 88 CT and probably still has wood. REMEMBER THE GOOD STUFF and screw the politics.

I have met nobody in the Ferrari community so far that did not seem like good people. It is my belief that most Ferrari owners are managers or better and are managers or better because they can make character judgements of people quickly and accurately. My judgement of Grady is based on the fact that he looked me in the eye 100% of the time I talked to him and the fact that he has a firm shake. It also seemed like I had known him for years as he is extremely easy to talk to. Wishy washy piss ants rarely pass my check. Grady is also supported by his wife as SHE CALLED HIM about my email so he would know to look out for me.

If your efforts toward straightening things out are the reason for this improvement then I applaud you. I believe your comments imply the problem is SOLVED. That said, this should make you very happy and bring on ye old warm fuzzy feeling. Now drop it and read the techincal forums. I have Royal Purple sitting in my oil pan right now because of your comments and subsequent supporting research I did. The stuff rocks.

You have a good thing going JR...take it from a business man...focus on the positive, avoid the uglies like a plague.

One last thing...THIS WEATHER SUCKS THIS WEEKEND!!! WAAAAAH!!!! On a positive note - my wipers work quite well and there are no leaks in my glass. People stare at wet Ferraris as much as dry ones. Note to self...hide the good towel after drying off the car...wife did not appreciate that.
 
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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
Mike,

Honestly it all start


Mike,

Honestly it all started when I found out from another FCA member that I was being Libled & Slandered by the Good Ole Boys Club...funny thing was they didn't even know me...funny if you like being Liabled & Slandered that is...
...realizing that people who persue such low endeavors with such zest probably lack morals, values and character and have other skeletons in their closets, low and behold when I started looking I found quite a few. Not a good thing imo when a car club is used as a pulpit and mechanism for personal agendas. Especially mean spirited and ugly self serving agendas. Heck...your sudden appearance here to take up issues you have a week or two's experience with or knowledge about smacks of agenda when looked at from a distance, of course we know it's merely coincidence.



Is the problem solved? I doubt it, but the solutions have been started and for that I'm very happy. One of the benifits you have already recieved..which should make you happy...since you've been around a couple a weeks now and you've never met me either, and know absolutely nothing about me, a word of advice from a guy that's been in the Ferrari biz for over 30 yrs now and in business in Houston working exclusively on exotics for 20 yrs...keep using Royal Purple...
 
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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
>> I have not asked fo

>> I have not asked for details from them. One of the ricers told me "The running of the bulls" kind of left a bad taste in some mouthes...oh well...<<

you forgot to mention Ferrari-Talk & Lamborghini-Talk left a bad taste in their mouths also......time for somebody to brush their teeth


Life is like a library...you'll never find the good books if you keep looking on the wrong shelves
!!


The only people unhappy with the ROTB's were the poor saps that mssed it or weren't invited! Didn't you hear, 04 planning is already in the works.


Look around in the only place that matters for opinions of the ROTB's 03 and I think you will realize it was a huge success. The only failures were the ones trying to tear it down. Honestly you should open both ears if you truly want to hear.

www.Lamborghini-Talk.com

look around...success and happiness stories abound about TROTB's 03 and plenty more.
 
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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
TROTB 03 was a blast!!! Can&#3

TROTB 03 was a blast!!! Can't wait for 04. Not sure why some have a bad taste in their mouths. Maybe they didn't get any BBQ? Hell, some ate for free!!

 
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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
Mike,

JR's qualificatio


Mike,

JR's qualifications are without question. You should really do a little more research before you open your mouth (or touch the keypad).

I found him through acquaintances in Tokyo Japan. The man has an impeccable record of quality and mechanical aptitude and is the only technitian I trust to get near any of my cars (past, present, future).

The Running of the Bulls saw the largest gathering of Lamborghinis for one event in Texas. I had a blast and thought it was easily worth the flight from California. Other Lamborghini owners I've spoken to also had a great time and are looking forward for the next one. Porsche owners and Ferrari owners as well. I know I'll be there for sure.

I don't care for politics and have never even met Grady, although a friend has suggested I should next time I'm in town because he is a nice guy. But to tell arguably the most credible person on this board and others to drop it and read the technical forums is completely unnecessary and a motion that I would like to shoot down. I find it downright rude, and given your fledgeling exposure to all these issues, a stupid remark at best. So why don't you drop it and leave. To most here JR is not just a source of information but a friend.

Moderators, please feel free to delete my post, given it's abrasive nature but I just felt I had to get this out. Apologies in advance.

Cheers
 
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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
Good Lord! This must really be

Good Lord! This must really be a political issue of magnamic proportions. My first experience with FCA was in Indy when the first F1 race was run there. The club was staying at Residence Inn downtown (while working out at Eli Lilly on their SAP project). Class act. When I bought my Ferrari I joined the club. There's my basis!

I think I will take my own advice and stick to the technical forums. Shove this political garbage.

Oh yea...Royal Purple Rocks!
 
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Discussion Starter · #15 ·
Mike,

This has absolutely n


Mike,

This has absolutely nothing to do with the FCA..in and of itself it's a great orginazation of which I'm a proud card carrying member. We have highly regarded FCA members posting here and sharing with us like Bill Bardurski FCA National Tech Chairman...he is a great resource of info and a valued member here and someone I personally hold in high regard as I do of the vast majority of the FCA members I've met over the last 20 yrs.

JRV
 
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