BCA MEMBERSHIP MEETING
JULY 13, 2006
Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minn.
BCA President Paul Meyer called the meeting to order @ 7:00 pm.
Officers and Board of Directors members in attendance:
President, Paul Meyer
Vice President, Bill Darrow
Treasurer, Jerry Bodden
Acting Secretary, Deloryes Langdon (standing in for Jeff Brashares)
Dick Sweeney
Barney Eaton
Pat Brooks
Dick Gauchat
John Ball
Department Heads in attendance:
National Office Managers, Mike and Nancy Book
National Chief Judge, Rick Schick
National Tour Advisor, Bruce Kile
Paul Meyer introduced Pete Phillips, Editor of the Buick Bugle. Paul Clark, S.E. Michigan Chapter, commented on the favorable changes Pete has made on the Bugle. Bill Stoneberg also was impressed by the changes. Paul Meyer also introduced Chief Judge, Rick Schick.
Norm (last name unknown), South Bend Ind Chapter, wanted to know where trailers are to be located for the cars to be loaded up after the meet and why the Kahler Hotel did not have garage parking areas reserved. He also had a complaint about no directions, no one at the hotel for questions on what and where members should be, stating that BCA needs better information and more security for the cars, showing his concerns due to a broken windshield at a past meet.
Mike Book spoke in depth of the hardship of trying to put on a National meet. Members are volunteers, not paid, and try to do their best, but things can go wrong. There is only so much that can be accomplished with the members who choose to volunteer.
Bruce Kile stood, mentioned that he had been to every BCA National Meet since 1973, and asked members please do not turn your back on BCA meets because of problems that come up. There are always going to be problems somewhere and to try and work around them in a positive manner, not negative.
Discussion continued from a member also unhappy with no directions; receiving several negative responses from the floor.
Gene Sorenson, member in charge of the 2007 Seattle meet, commented that meets are never perfect, we are only human, and he will try to control any problem that come up as best as he can. He also challenged the board that meet locations and host hotels should be booked 3 years in advance so members can learn how these nationals are put on which may cause less problems.
Paul Meyer stated that hotels will not book 3 years in advance because of changes that may occur in between the time of the bookings and the meet date.
The co-chairman of the 2007 meet stated that meets will always have some problems.
Scott Mich commented that it would be easier to have maps to show where everything will be and better signs for directions. He suggested that maps be put in the Bugle. He also spoke on security and needing more volunteers. It was stated that to hire security would be a minimum of $45 per hour.
Mike Book recommended to write suggestions for national meet improvements and send them to the board members. He stated that in 2006 the board updated the guidelines for the National Meet procedures, hoping that additional information, such as better signs, maps, volunteers, will help improve the following meets.
Art Lostumo Jr., Chicago Chapter, spoke on the 400 point judging procedures, stating that in the BCA bylaws, the subject of no judging at national meets needs to be voted on by the board.
Denny Meyer spoke on the Flint 2008 meet not being judged, and with over 750 cars, who would judge them? He stated that we should just have a good time as was done in the 2003 100th Anniversary meet which had over 1700 cars and no judging. Any meet takes planning, planning, and more planning.
Another member stood and asked what about the preservation, restoration of our Buick’s, and wants to have his car judged at a meet, stating he doesn’t want to go if his car is not judged.
Denny Meyer responded that only one meet in Flint was ever judged, and that the meets are about the people, not just the cars. (Applause from the floor).
Several members spoke up agreeing that they still liked the meet, even without judging.
Mike Book brought up the topic of declining BCA membership, and asked for ideas on how we turn this around. What are the chapters doing to recruit new members?
Mike long suggested we have membership applications readily available for exposure to the club.
Terry Wiegand, from South Kansas stated that he is a member of several clubs, and BCA needs to address issues of members who pass away without mention in the publication. Paul Meyer suggested that there was no reason not to, but someone who knows about the individual needs to write up the information for publication.
It was suggested from the floor to embrace the modified car groups into the Buick Club events.
Alan Oldfield, newly designated Chief Judge agreed, stating that it would bring newer cars and younger people.
Terry Wiegand suggested increasing the number of pages in the Bugle. Paul Meyer led some discussion on the cost, postage, and layout of increased paging; also that Pete’s hard work, long hours, and dedication were a factor. Paul suggested that more discussion on this be held at the next board meeting.
Jerry (last name unknown), Winnipeg, stated that his only link to the club is the Bugle.
Keith Horsfall spoke on the cost of each magazine sent to Canada and Europe being higher.
Jerry Bodden made comment that on Saturday, kids ages 6-12 years could attend a “Buick and it’s Parts” program. Also, Jr judging ages 12-16 years would meet for judges training Friday noon on the show field.
It was announced that Denny Manner would be giving a talk on Buick engines @ 2:00pm Friday, and Terry Dunham would be giving a talk on Buick valve-in-head engine history @ 7:00pm Friday.
The meeting was adjourned @9:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Deloryes Langdon, acting secretary