I'm on several yahoo groups and I hate them - free but klunky. A dedicated web site all of our very own would be best. MidOhioMotoring.com (NOT NAM - this site) is owned by Aaron and is seldom used (there's nothing there but some generic words about the club and a map to the Mini Mornin' location). other clubs however, like Sunshine Minis, are VERY complete, with dedicated forums, regularly scheduled events and whatnot.

Hopefully Aaron will agree to hand over the domain name and such to us when he leaves, but even if he does not, the site won't go away immediately, and we'll just have to rely on him (as we currently do) to send out announcements to the mailing list and crerate the newsletter.

Eventually though, we really should control these items, if we are to call ourselves a "club". Some clubs are so active that they can count on 150+ members showing up for monthly events and have a sufficient budget to do things like host events at NAM. That would be an awesome place to get to, but up till now we've had little of any interest from the members to take this step.

PS - Here's the Pittsburg club's site - they seldom post on NAM because they have such an active page and group. Their local MINI dealership pays the first year's dues for all people that buy a new or used MINI, which I'm told adds value in the minds of the members - they know it's a club with dues, and seem to take it more seriously than we do as a :free" club. I'm told that they have more than 400 members, with 150+ active (meaning, they routinely show up for events). They do group drives, dinners, BBQs, charity events and sponsor the Casino Night at MOTD.

http://pittstopmini.org/


Can you imagone 150+ people showing up at QSL or Mini Mornin'? That would be AWESOME.

 

This is all beyond my comprehension. In fact it's starting to give me a headache.


Now in simple terms. How many bananas will it cost??

 

Nothing, if everyone's OK with the way things are now.

We can still post on NAM here - that is unaffected by anything Aaron does. Of course, Mark's selling NAM, so that might change later on - who knows?

Worst case - we might lose the MidOhioMotoring.com site and monthly newsletter of Aaron decides to not do it any more after he moves, but I can get his mailing address list, I'm sure.

It will only cost $ if we decide to do things ourselves or expand the club at all. Up till now, every time Kara or I have raised the question of expanding the club, the response seems to be "we like things the way they are", so I didn't explore further.

I see Aaron moving on as an opportunity to address this idea of possibly expanding, but I'm not going to force that opinion on anyone - it's EVERYONE'S club.

 

Tony Burgess was the last person to do it before Aaron took over. Tony STILL lives in the Columbus area and does MINI/Mini events as well as MME.

I do not understand all the hullaballoo about MidOhioMotoring Club. When Aaron leaves Ohio, it doesn't sound logical to me that he would even care about keeping that title, but would be more inclined to rename it "Mid[whatever state he has moved to's name]MotoringClub".

 

That sounds logical, but I've not asked him what his plans are - I planned to ask him on Saturday.

 

Well, I hope that "logic" will come into play tomorrow and that the "Club" will be just handed over unceremoniously so we can all get on with our lives.

 

Um. OK. I wasn't aware that any of this was putting a crimp in anyone's life... I'm just trying to keep things (such as they are) running smoothly BEFORE problems occur.

 

I'm sorry, but I don't see the need for a dedicated website & that domain name. Or a club other than our loose laid back band of friends that currently exists.

Matt if you & Kara want your club, you should start it. You will have some people join & love it. But some people will not join & continue to enjoy their friends & MINI's in a different kind of club way. This doen't mean they aren't your friends. They still are.

IMO a club with all the stuff that entails isn't needed. I love what we have. A bunch of MINI enthusiasts & friends that show up & talk cars once a month. When I come up with an idea I share it on NAM with all my friends. Some people come along & others don't. Seems like that works well for me & most others.

I'm already seeing the darkside of clubs here. You posted your idea about being in a parade. A few people went & a some others did what they wanted to do that day instead.

You've posted that idea again this year. It's a good idea for those that want to do that. Others will do what is more important to them on that day again.

One year after the first parade we are still hearing about not supporting you guys by being there. I'm very sorry some have taken our lack of parade interest as a personal affront to them. It wasn't meant to be. This is what I mean about the darkside of clubs. You didn't come to my event, so you don't like me. I've seen that in every club I've ever been in. Sad, but true.



Motor on......

 

Hey look... I'm just trying to figure out if I'm all on my own with the idea of keeping the club going or not.

Obviously momentum has carried us this far, but I don't think anyone is really doing anything to grow the group besides me and Kara (if I'm wrong on that, apologies) - we pass out spotter cards and I'm working with MAG to create a Welcome Packet for all new and used MINI sales, but that's it. We have no calendar... no web site... nothing besides here.

All I'm saying is that if anyone has interest in taking control of the MidOhioMotoring site (assuming Aaron will want to give it up) I'll help as I can - nothing more.

As for Mini Mornin' breakfast - I throw that out to everyone here. Should we keep doing it?

If so: we met historically on the far east side to be close to Aaron, but if a better location can be found, we can move - whatever.

We don't need to decide anything now, of course... I assume Aaron's move will take a while.

 

WOW I will bring a bowl and some milk tomorrow.

Here is my .02 from Mountain Biking, in Central Ohio there are two groups that are biking related. The Spokejunkies no dues just a bunch of people who ride open to all skill levels and started by a guy who really loved playing with the internet. The leader recently moved to Colorado and the group goes on like nothing ever happened, the leader still runs the site and stays in touch. Then there is COMBO who have dues and build trail and have meetings and such. Both groupes get along today, but from time to time they hate eachother and think the other one is detrimental the the greater mountain biking community.

In the end it all comes down to each individual making a decision, do they just want to have fun or do they feel the need to organize and improve things. I have been on the board of COMBO and a Spokejunkie's member and enjoy both aspects of group dynamics. What I enjoy more is having a nice frienldy group who understand that we are all trying to better things and can take a little ribbing from the other group from time to time.

Now can we plan a Spring Cleaning Day and a SE Ohio Group Drive before I become a father and have to spend all my free time changing diapers and raising a child?

 

What problems? We don't pay dues, and the name is not really owned by anyone...it has been used for years by interested MINI/Mini people. We are merely a bunch of mostly local mid-Ohioans who enjoy doing stuff...no commitments, no dues...just a happy group.

 

I can only speak for myself, but of course the club as it is should keep going. Why shouldn't it?

Nothing wrong with momentum. If someone new comes to breakfast that we don't know. We make a new friend & the club grows. That seems to be happening already & that kind of growth is OK by me. Thanks to you & Kara for passing out spotter cards. Thanks for working with MAG too. IMO it is them who will gain the most by you doing this for them. I hope to be proved wrong.

Darkside of clubs #2. We do all the work.

Thanks for that, but I see no need for a website that basically isn't used. It seems to me everyone comes here to NAM. Yep NAM's been sold, time will tell if & how it changes things.

Of course we should. That has been the core of this group. I believe many really like our get togethers. It seems to me they have been getting larger too. Maybe the club is growing.

Aaron's shop has been the cornerstone anchoring the breakfast meetings. For the time being it should be kept as is where is. Aaron has a lot of parts left for us to buy before he moves south.

 

This sounds like a good idea. When this spring will you be cleaning my MINI Allen? It's real dirty & I'm guessing you might need to use 40 grit.

As for a SE drive. Come one come all or stay home if you'd rather. Circle May 24, 2008 on your LAME calender. That is the date for River Run this year. Stay tuned for more details.

 

I have started a bucket, I will spit shine your car. Mucus is the new speedshine

 

If you think that's something......

Wait until you try my new clay bar.

 

I "do-do" not know what you are talking about

 

I think this thread has taken a somewhat crappy turn for the worse.

Have you put the drive date in your LAME calender?

 

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!!! I've had a stressful day, and a stressful week at work dealing with upset customers, upset employees, and general bantering in every area of the business. Tomorrow at breakfast can we eat what we want, laugh, talk about cars and any other FUN stuff? Then, can we look at the Clubman, enjoy the new car smell, travel back to Aaron's (for those who want to) without heated discussions about the "Club"? The only club I'm interested in talking about tomorrow at breakfast is the CLUBman

Like Chuck, us Silverbacks have a hard time making too many commitments...when you're old enough to see the end of the tunnel in sight, it's a great thing to do only what you want, only when you want to Being too organized is not on my list.

I have a lot of good friends here....let's just keep it that way

 

Looking forward to giving you the secret silverback handshake. Chill out Mark & feel the love. If you want to enjoy the new car smell..... Better be first in the Clubman.

 

If Aaron is willing to transfer the domain to another entity we should take him up on it. In the short term we can move the website to another hosting provider. In the longer term we can look at providing news, photos, and forums on an updated website. The cost will be minimal dollar wise, but will require manhours. As an aside, MiniUSA just recently started pointing queries about Ohio Clubs to Midohiomotoring.com. Maybe we can get MAG to participate in some way?

As far as the structure of our club, I am torn. I like the open nature but I can see the need for more structure. I wonder if we can come up with a hybrid?

/2cents.

 

I came from a car club and it was a no rules/no officers affair and although it sounds good eventually SOMEONE has to step up and make decisions ....

 

I JUST found out about your Club... from another post on the beginners page... Thanks Brian!

I certainly don't want to step on any toes here folks... I don't know you yet... nor do you know me ... I have no dog in this fight nor do I even have a MINI just yet, it gets built on the 19th... But I am very interested in joining your club and I am a fairly accomplished web developer who lives in Columbus/Worthington, I work at Cardinal in the IT arena.... I just upgraded all my Adobe, Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks web development tools and really don't have anything to do with them here at home... I'm looking for a project... it keeps this old guy [I'm 56] current! I would be more than happy to develop and put a site up for you [us, if you'll have me] and even maintain it if you like... for free... call it my dues to the club.

This is a friendly offer... if you feel I've stepped over the line... just tell me to get lost... I'll understand!
Thanks,
Terry

 

Wow Terry, a future MINI owner, an IT guy & an old fart. I salute you.

I'm sure all the folks here would gladly except your very generous & kind offer of help.

Are you coming to breakfast & Clubman testing tomorrow at MAG?

 

Terry, I just replied back to your other thread and was going to add the link to this thread to answer your question about a club website

 

Sure! the wife works in the morning... so I'm looking to get out of the house... I'm trying to get the logistic figured out... so do you eat in New Albany then go to MAG... or are you meeting over in the Dublin Area?