60% of the membership ratified the bylaws. As a member of the DCMM board you are expected to uphold the bylaws of the club. Your personal opinion is just that - personal opinion. It is not appropriate for you or Kurt to express any opinion that is not consistant with the Bylaws -again ratified by 60% of the membership. This is a matter for dicussion by the board at a meeting that is open to all members - again in the bylaws

FeedBack, you misunderstood me... the policy I was talking about for the board meeting is the title of this thread. It is a completely separate issue from the "should non-MINI owners be allowed to be in the club". Let's not confuse the two. Changing that rule would require a change in the by-laws, therefore also requiring members to vote on them. Establishing the criteria for what constitutes an "official" DCMM event though (and what that means), is something that can be handled through a board meeting (in my opinion).

And before someone tries to "meld" the two issues and say "are non-MINIs allowed on to drive in an official DCMM driving event", keep in mind that all members are welcome to participate in all events. Period. I've come close to bringing my Mustang in one or two driving events, and I may actually do so at some point, particularly when my MINI is in the shop.Actually his name is Mark, but you may have had it confused because his NAM username is mdsbrain. Not brian, brain. I disagree, Sam. I think that Jay and Kurt are perfectly entitled to express their opinion, even when it is in contrast with the bylaws... but it needs to be done in a respectful manner and clearly stated as "not an official position" when it isn't. I am an Administrator here on NAM, and sometimes I choose to express my own viewpoints which may not necessarily be the "official position" of NAM. And I do... but I make it clear that they are my own opinions.

Being in an authoritative position does not automatically mean you can't be yourself - you just need to make the distinction between the two, and maintain respect and politeness at the same time.

Although I seldom participate in drives - I now feel compelled to dust of my '81 Plymouth minivan

We should change our name from the DC Metro Mini's to the DC Metro Motorized Vehicle Enthusiasts club.

<dripping with sarcasm> Ha ha.

As I've stated before, the club is still about MINIs & Minis. It always will be... and through the natural process of common interest in that fact, the club will always contain a vast majority of MINIs. It doesn't need enforcement, it doesn't need rules. It will happen all by itself, even if we have the occasional anomaly here and there.

Serious or joking, changing the name of the club to "DC Metro Motorized Vehicle Enthusiasts club", or "DC Metro Car Club", or any of the other suggestions previously given are utterly ridiculous propositions and complete overreactions to what is actually happening here. Our club is not deteriorating!

I had a Metro as a rental car once - I'm pretty sure it was powered by hamsters and not motorized

I'm not overreacting. I could care less since I'm leaving TBH.

What I am doing however, is highlighting the sillyness of the whole argument.

enough..enough bickering, snarling, whatever. This is a waste of bandwidth.

Mark, you chose to sell your MINI. That's your perogative. You've paticipated in DCMM drives and the Dragon in your new car. Fine.

This subject has been flogged to a bloody pulp, with no resolution...and as long as people are going to be argumentative, it never will reach one.

Please lock this thread, someone! Please!!!

... If I lock it.. someone will complain, whine and then Edge will just start another thread.....

Couldn't of said it better myself.

It should.

Whatever the decision, it should be made upon high since thats the level it's at... And once it's decided, it shall be set in stone.

OK after a long inactivty break then a brief come back then back to inactivity again, I am thinking that I have my life all back in shape so I can DCMM again.... sorry for the Leave of Absents mates and cobbers.

We have covered this before in this lenghty thread but I would just like to put my 2 Aussie cents in cobber.

hello what does DCMM stand for ?? DC MINI Metro's from what I understand. Nothing against Mark (MDSBRAIN) but if he wants to go on DCMM runs organized events, then my take is "Find a MINI bloody buddy and tag along with them" I am happy to keep Mark as a member if he wants, but for RUNS It should be just MINI's. Now before you chuck a wobbly every one. Remember the Dragon Caravan is NOT a DCMM event, so I dont see any harm any car in the caravan, bring your soccer mum's dodge Caravan if you like I don't think we need to worry about that. But Serieously Mark, feel free to come on our runs if you like, but do it in a MINI (ie cobber up with another MINI driver) We are not planning to rename the club to DCMM and friends or some other name.

Now I hope I have not put any ones nose out of joint, as my post was not intended to do that. Just (in my opinion) keep it a MINI club, after all that is why we all joined in the first place....

Dave

I <3 Aussies.

WB Dave! Bye, I'm off to Guam!

I would have to strongly agree with this comment. It is BAD business when the President of the club is openly stating (even if it is personal opinion) that he would like to see no other vehicle types on drives in the club. That is a put off to any interested parties.

And personally, I fell dormant in the club for so long because I expected viewpoints just like this, for the fact that I was driving a Jeep Liberty. Nobody wants to be shunned or ribbed or given crap about their car, even if it is in jest. I agree with Katie that this thread should be removed. Some of the comments are going to sway members who might otherwise participate in drives with other vehicles.

I agree opinions should be expressed, but this is better left open for a club meeting of some sort. Bull30 hit the nail on the head when he said some of the Porsches vent this attitude. On the drive on the 6th, there were one or two Porsches that passed me and went opposite double yellow lines for the fact that I was a mini on their drive. Flat out, it's just rude - and board members shouldn't be openly displaying opinions that go against the bi-laws. For Navy personnel it's illegal to speak ill against the government; why should it be any different for a board member of DCMM. Very poor etiquette!

Not funny.

This discussion needs to be had, and people need an opportunity to voice their input. Not all of the active members may have even seen it yet.

If the thread bothers someone, ignore it!

Other than that, I don't think it should be closed until after we have final resolution on what constitutes a DCMM event.

However, I am tempted to go back and separate all posts that went off-topic. Discussion of Mark and his Lexus was not part of the intended topic. Yes, some of my posts went there too (in response), but I need to remind everyone...

This thread is about defining an official DCMM event, -NOT- whether we should allow people without MINIs to be members.

And, I might add, that we don't have the right to tell an active member that they can't participate in a club event. Mark's a member, he's welcome to participate in any DCMM event. Period. As long as our by-laws state that only an interest in MINIs is required to be a member, the issue is moot.

Save the "should he be allowed to be a member" question for another thread.

There was never anything said whether or not someone should be allowed to be a member that doesn't have a Mini. I never got that perception until someone misunderstood what was trying to be conveyed.

The only thing that was being hammered was the use of non-Minis in an event. That's the only point I thought Krut, myself and others said.

ARTICLE X

DISPUTE RESOLUTION


Membership in the Club and participation in Club events, are privileges, not rights

Disputes (“Internal Disputes”) concerning Club matters occur on occasion between and among Club members and the Club. The disputes would not exist but for the fact that an individual voluntarily chose to join the Club or participate in Club events.

Whenever possible, Internal Disputes should be resolved exclusively through the organizational structure of the Club and not in the public court, irrespective of whether a member claims to have sustained an injury, damage or loss.

ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP


Section One: Membership criteria Membership is open to all persons regardless of race, religion, creed, age, national origin or orientation. Members must be at least 18 years of age. Payment of annual dues is required for membership. Dues shall be paid no less than annually by all members in order to continue rights of membership.

Active members shall be those paying annual dues and be limited to those with interest in MINI and Mini Cooper automobiles.

Application for membership shall include information as needed by the club and its officers for the purpose of club communications. This shall include name, address, phone and e-mail addresses, NAM screen name (if used).

Dues will be paid annually to the Financial Officer, notification may be sent via e-mail or United States Postal Mail.
***************************************

The above are excerpts from the new bylaws ratified at the last board meeting by the membership

I would like to remind Kurt and Jay that by accepting positions as board members they are obligated to adhere to the the above stipulations.

Any deviation from the above is contrary to what the membership ratified by an accepted margin above 60%

There is a perceived impression that a member of DCMM posting with the position of officer of the club below his/her name is speaking for the club.

To all reading this thread - this is not the position of other board members - myself being one of them.

When someone joins DCMM, they (the person) joins DCMM. Not their car.

If someone is a DCMM member, regardless of who they are, then they have every right to participate in any club event.

We don't grow and expand as a club by being snobby and exclusionary (there are many people out there who may be thinking of getting a MINI but haven't decided yet - do we exclude them too?). However, setting some basic guidelines for driving events, such as requiring non-MINIs to drive at the back of the group (as previously suggested) is a reasonable compromise.

+1

One mans opinions follows. These feel like common sense to me, but that's just from within my frame of mind I guess.

Yes, anyone with a Interest in MINI or Mini should be able to join.

Some events by their nature are or should be MINI & Mini specific. I.E. The group photo at the dam. I would not want anything but MINI's in that, nor did I consider parking my counterfeit MINI van in it last year when my car was out of commision, even though suggested by some there. Get there however you have to, but the actual function should only be MINI and Mini.

To me part of the fun of runs is that it's a long line of MINI's. If someone's car is in the shop, or for logistical reasons I need to drive my van that day I'd expect to bring up the rear, just meet the gang at the destination, or beg a ride at the starting point.

This is a public thread and it should not be locked .. I feel that any DCMM member has the right to express his/her opion in a civil manner - which I should say it very well done here..
If someone is not interested in what is discuss in this or another thread DO NOT READ it .. simple.

The Bylaws were just recently approved by -as Sam said - and as I stated before the current Board should stand behind the Bylaws of the Club.
If any of you feel very strongly about it then follow the proper course and ask to ammend the article(s) of the bylwas that bothers you.

Membership allowes to participate to events (runs included) and the position of the car in a run is decided by personal choice not BY CAR.
No Board Member has the rights to impose the position of the car in a run as he/she has no rights to decide where a member sits during a lunch/dinner or any get together.

Now I do have a question for you all: When we are going to a Parade
(I am working on the 4th of July ones) the organizers are expecting MINIs to show up... so what do we do if Lexus, Element, BMW, or Plymouth Van and Kia - are coming as well?


Proud Owner of 2 Little Ones

Since the Fourth of July events historically have been a MINIs only event because the nature of the event (the cars are actually the participants in the parade - not <<insert any manufacturer except MINI or Mini) the people. In this case the spotlight is on the cars and the joy they bring to children and parents watching us cruise by on the parade route. So correct me if I'm wrong but it's pretty obvious that it's a MINI only event for you to partcipate in the parade.

Actually, we are always participating as DCMM group. In fact, this was the primary reason why we begun 4 yrs ago.. to recruit new members ..

BTW this was the ONLY time where cars' position where established - because of the colour of your new one you won't be leading this year... unless you buy a new MINI before the 4th.. (we know it could happen !!)

Gee thanks marina...i had no idea that was an option