Oh carp!!! I thought it was the trail of Tim Bits I'd left for you. What a waste of donut holes.

I am gld you found us. But being Googled on the interwed makes me feel all cyber icky.

A machine like thing isn't good. They always turn on their creators & have to be destroyed in the end. So sad poor little machine.

 

I like the way you think!

I don't know any of you... but from my first impressions, Saturday... which were very positive, I stepped up to the plate this week and offered up the web-site. That experience and simply the fact that the previous week, when I was looking for a Columbus based MINI Club... I did not, could not, FIND YOU! AND obviously I'm fairly web savvy!

I've been very pleased with the feedback and input I've received during this process... and if WE decide to go forward the site can morph into many things for everyone and anyone in the club... I hope I have proven to be flexible, I've attempted to be VERY open... every thought I've had in regards to the site's development is in the thread I started on this forum... there are no hidden agendas.

Obviously there are histories, opinions and feelings within the confines of this group which, as the new guy, I am not privy... as I explained from the get-go I have NO dog in this fight... it's not my place or intention to make decisions in regards to this club's future unless, of course, I am asked as one of its future (perhaps current, I'm not sure of my status) members.

My fear is that I may have appeared at a time when things were already a bit dicey... I hope that my actions, as legitimate and positive as I meant them to be, have not added fuel to the fire... I'm simply trying to plug the [web based] holes that may be exposed as your founder moves on...

As far as the cost goes... were talking $56 or $140 with mailing systems, a year... next to nothing... no big deal... I'll pay it.... to perhaps give this club enough flexibility to continue in whatever form the members decide...

I just want to make it perfectly clear that in my opinion the Site and the Structure of the Club are really two different issues... The site will promote whatever you decide you want the Club to be. If you decide to remain like you are... the site will be a place to promote events, show off our pictures and tell the world about us and our cars... If you decide to get more organized we'll put up an Officers' Page, a Membership form, Mission Statement, Rules & Regulations, Constitution, Bylaws... and all the other stuff that comes with a club like that...

Just my $.02,
Thanks,
Terry

 

Terry we do not need that stuff, just take the $$ you were going to spend on the web and hook me up with a Whalen Shift **** for a 5 speed and the group will go on into purpituity no problems

 

You better catch me quick.... my MINI is on the dock waiting for a ride... once it gets here there will only be bucks for her... it is a girl isn't it?

 

I've heard this from several other people, hence my interest in a more complete web site.

Honestly, I'm not quite sure why some people think this IS a fight. I thought that it was clear that all are welcome to EVERY event we do, scheduled, impromptu or otherwise. All I want to do is get MORE people involved, not less. I can't imagine why that would be bad (shrug).

Dude... that's SO nice, but it's not fair. You've already donated your expertise and time. Worst case *I* will put up MY money - I know lots of this only happened because *I* raised the issue. I'll pass a hat at a 50/50 raffle at a MINI Mornin' or something - if the community sees value in the site then they'll pay me back, and if not, it will run for a year and then quietly submit to the forces of entropy. Either way though, I'll put up the cash - I don't want your work to go to waste. Let me know how I can get funds to you.

PS - but WAIT on securing us server space - we need to check with Aaron first and see what he wants to do with the current MidOhioMotoring site (if anything).

 

Terry I really do appreciate your hard work you've put into this. While not a complete Luddite I do not always embrace what is new. Especially if it seems to me to complicate things. I keep saying why reinvent the wheel, but that is how I feel about this. A cave man point of view, sure, but that's me. I didn't know there was such a thing as a personal confuser until the millennium hit us. As you know the world as we know it came crashing down & now we live in man caves with our women.

I hope you don't take my views of things as a personal affront to you. They are not & they were never meant to be. If you have I publicly apologize to you.

I do not fling poo as one person has said. Asking tough questions is something entirly different. Yep I'm asking, but haven't heard much back. It's full speed ahead & damn the torpedo's.

I liked you from the moment I met you Terry. You remind me of my brother. Do you have that $1000 I lent you in 1970?

That amount of money isn't much, but you certainly shouldn't have to bare the financial burden. If this is something the majority of folks want to do I'll chimp in some money too, but only for the old style of wheel we current have.

As far as stepping into something, I didn't realize that we had any histories here until very recently. I have felt that everyone here is my friend. You see I delete mine every couple of weeks or so. Others have a more complete recollection of perceived wrongs done to them. My advise to them is to hit delete & motor on. Life is too short not to have good friends & enjoy the whine of the superchargers as they blast out of turn 13 on a sunny day. Or a parade if they'd rather. Point is be happy & do what you like.

Yes the site & club structure should be two different issues. But it has been rolled into one issue by someone who is using the Aaron is moving issue into an opportunity to reinvent our club into what he deems is the correct way to have a club. Simply put, reinventing the wheel.

Thank you to all have voiced their opinions. That is the way things should be done. Finding out what is wanted before doing something that affects everyone is the way to go.

 

Oh brother... NOW you remind me of my BROTHER!

 

What you do not like the sound of us Cooper drivers blasting out of the corners? The only whining I hear is you about parades

 

I'm sorry if I came off as a 15% boosted supercharger elitist.

You Cooper drives add a lot of comic relief to a track day.

Disclaimer..... ****Remember your insurance may not cover you at a track day.****

 

When I was walking up to you guys last weekend at MAG, I actually was thinking "Is that Chuck's brother with him"!

Now I owe Terry a public apology!

 

If you see my brother again, get the money he owes me. I'll give you a finders fee.

 

If you really want to make amens you'll get me a set of snow-tires like my new brother has on his car... how cool are those!!! I can see right now this new hobby could get expensive!!

 

Oh yes you need wheels & tires, lots of em.

 

I have been checking this thread every other day or so and have been PM'ing and emailing a few people about how this may evolve so I thought I would chime in...

1- I do own and host the current site and am totally open to transferring to anyone that wants to manage and *** I also don't mind continuing to host and pay for the hosting, etc if someone else wants the FTP info for the site.....I am most likely not going to be able to dedicate the time needed to manage photo libraries, calendars, etc...i am happy to share the email list (with the 'new' club newsletter manager) for the "ohio MINI event club" as long as all of those on the list approve doing so....

2- I like the idea of making a club website with a calendar, mailing list, "member" list, and images....I also like the idea of keeping the forum on NAM as the major exchange location (as I think it has been proposed)..I think a Mid Ohio "for sale" section would also be cool....

3- I think the club is best suited as a casual group rather than one with dues, presidents, etc. as that kind of stuff makes it not as fun. The word I have used in the past is "organic" and I think it makes the club so much fun and easy to be a part of. Having said that I like the idea of continuing a monthly breakfast that is easy to remember and is always at the same location (at least until we move??)...having the club calendar would be great for those other activities that come up...

 

Cultivating friendship through motoring.

Thanks for chiming in Aaron. I was thinking you were being left in the dark. Glad I was wrong about that.

You have some great ideas here. I especially like your idea of a local "for sale" section.

Organic, man that's us.

Aaron when you get ready to move we could come over & help box things up for you. Mark & Allen will buy your remaining carbon fiber stock.

Let us know when to come over.

 

I'm coming over every third Saturday for at least a year...I hope

 

Thank you Aaron, I assumed from your previous posts that you were in the loop... and for that I'm grateful... I would never move forward without your total buy-in!

It's become obvious to me, over the last several days, that you are very well respected and certainly the "Head Motorer." The announcement of your pending move did send shock-waves. As such, I'm just trying to soften the blow a bit by using my skills to do some good while meeting and interfacing with a totally new circle of friends. I had a blast last Saturday!

Also, and perhaps a bit selfishly, I hope to use the site as a place to keep, display and improve my web development skills. In today's IT world one never has a certain future... you don't want to lose any skills. So, this could be considered a win for everyone concerned.

As one who has been very involved with a formal club, it had to be since it was affiliated with a pro team and had to maintain insurance for events etc... I'll be the first to say that that scenario can be difficult and stressful. I, for one, am all for the "organic" approach! I like that!

You haven't really had much to say about the work completed on the prototype site to date. And of course, I think we would all like to get your critique... I like the way it came about, the comments, suggestions etc... it was an organic effort. I think, if you are happy with it, understanding that as it stands it's just a begining, I have no problem with FTPing it to the real Domain and signing on to maintain it for the immediate future...

I really liked the idea of a "For Sale" Page(s)... perhaps those ads could even pay for the site? Also, I think if you continue to pay the bill that as a courtesy that should be denoted on the site as advertisment for your company, you need to get something for that expense.

I'm pleased that you'll be around for the time-being and I look very forward to meeting you, seeing your store and becoming a loyal customer!
Again, Thank you,
Terry

 

^ + 200%

In fact I feel that Outmotoring should have a presence on the site. Whether he pays or not. He is the head motorer & head spark plug of our group of organic friends. He deserves our support. Yep Outmotoring should be on our site.

What do you other folks think?

 

I"ve been relatively quiet for all of this, since I only met a few of you back in Jan and while I've posted, I havn't been able to make a meeting since

I think a minor website with event calendar (breakfasts & extra), gallery, link to Outmotoring and a "local" club 4 sale section would all be nice.

That being said, if we start having the website AND Nam to check for updates...we're likely to miss something along the way. Also, by posting info on NAM, it allows for NEW NAM-ers to find us.

So basically, a website with minor info about us and such would allow people who google us to find out about us...and then a link to NAM would allow those people to further dive into the LAME-ness that is our club... I just think that if we branch out too far from NAM, that we might loose some of the "distant" members...those that duck in every now and then, but may not be able to attend many meetings, events, etc.

 

O, by the way...reagardless of how this all pans out...someone with a little more knowledge of the club should fill us out for the NAM club page...found HERE~>https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lub.php?do=reg

I'm thinking maybe Aaron could help us out here.. or some other 'Silverbacks'.

 

This all sounds good to me...I think the new site graphics are easy enough to ftp up and get cooking and with the link back to nam for the forum should not pull us too far from where we are, but give the 'club site' a little shot in the arm. The current was MADE IN 30 MINUTES. I am not kidding. I just whipped something up a few years ago and left it....so the graphic prototype looks like great improvement.

Lets leave it at that and let the rest bake itself out...once it is up we will be able to see how the calendar and photo book is going and make adjustments as needed....

I will work with Terry to get this working in the next week or so...

 

Thanks Aaron & Terry.

 

This defaults to making me the contact when I went to sign up which I don't mind but it may be better if someone like terry handle this if he is so inclined....?

 

Thank you... I'll give you call this week Aaron.