President – Bruce Hazard statement

BRUCE HAZARD
Candidacy Statement for President

I have been serving on the National Board of Directors for 3 years under the superb leadership of Scott Blazey. His leadership and vision has had a dramatic impact on how the Board and national operations function and he is going to be sorely missed. I am running for the position of President because I feel that it is important to continue the work that Scott and the current Board has started.

Some of these issues include: working with the new Executive Director to strengthen and improve the National operations and member services; continue to improve national events such as TechFest, Oktoberfest and the various congresses to insure that they are premier events and are a real value to the attendees; as the new website is implemented ensure that it continues to develop into the ultimate source for all things BMW and BMW CCA and that it becomes the primary resource and internet “home” for the Chapters and members; seek out dedicated chapter volunteers and encourage them to consider elected or appointed positions at the national level.

To accomplish these and other goals, I will continue to draw on my vast experience as a member since 1975 and my almost un-interrupted involvement at the chapter and national level since becoming a member. Also my professional experience in contracting, project management and application software administration will be helpful.

Thank you for your support in the past and I would sincerely appreciate your support and vote for President.

Executive Vice President – Mark Jon Calabrese statement

My name is Mark Jon Calabrese, I appreciate all the support you’ve given me in the past, and now I’d like your support in the upcoming Executive Vice President election. I believe that I have the background, knowledge, and passion necessary to help the Club make the transition into a new era.

In a few months the CCA will have a new executive director, a new Board president, and a new South Central Region vice president. While I’m confident that highly qualified people will fill these positions, I strongly believe my past experience can help shape the future of the Club.

Since joining the Club in the late 1970s, I’ve served in many different capacities. For the first few years I was happy just to read Roundel; then I started attending chapter events, and before long I found myself at my first Oktoberfest, where I was lucky enough to win a raffle car. Several years later I formed the River City Bimmers Chapter, and over the years I held the positions of chapter president and chief instructor. I also played a role in publishing the newsletter and balancing the checkbook.

After experiencing all the trials and tribulations of a chapter officer’s life, I ran for a seat on the National Board - Regional Vice President – and lost. A few years later, however, I succeeded – and I’ve served on the Board ever since, first as regional vice president, then as executive vice president, and even one year as president. I believe my years of service to the Club have been useful and productive, and I’d like to continue those efforts.

Executive Vice President – Len Mueller statement

The past four years has seen the club enjoy steady leadership under President Scott Blazey and Executive Director Wynne Smith. Unfortunately for us all, both are leaving; Scott after four years, Wynne after about 18. This huge change must be handled carefully.

The main thing I'd like to see for our club is continuity of management and operations, in this changing atmosphere a potentially sticky wicket. Our new ED will need the support and trust of the President and board, with sufficient time to acclimate. The National Board will follow the President's lead, so having someone with a steady demeanor and fresh ideas is critical.

My vision for CCA is simple. Follow the course we’ve set, but with some tweaking. Continue making our website world class; transition the new Executive Director, and build membership benefits and services.

The only additional item I'd like to see is that of term limits for the national board. Recent survey results agree, and indicate emphatically we need to begin mentoring members to find effective replacements, rather than the continuing option of seemingly endless terms. In September and October we conducted two separate surveys to gauge member's feelings about board service and national board term limits. 65% of you indicated term limits for the entire Board were necessary, over 85% thought for 6 years or less. Please read the minutes of the most recent meeting held in Greenville, SC October 27-28, 2007 to clearly see who voted for term limits and who did not accept the wishes of the membership.

If elected to EVP, I will serve only one two year term. If not elected, I will complete my second two year term as NC RVP while recruiting potential replacements during this last year. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.

South Central Region Vice President – Mark Doran statement

Mark Doran
Candidacy Statement for South Central Regional Vice President

I’ve been an active Rocky Mountain Chapter member since 1995, exercising my passion for BMW automobiles and high performance driving. I am extremely fortunate to have the support of my wife, Darlene, the RMC MotorSport Report Editor and amazing volunteer. Over the years I have assisted the chapter in “marketing” to local sponsors, supporters, BMW owners and enthusiasts and currently serve as Chapter Treasurer. Returns have been outstanding: chapter membership has grown three-fold; we’ve made sizable contributions to charity and now enjoy substantial financial stability.

I will work with the Regions chapters, sharing lessons learned on getting and keeping members involved and increasing community awareness and support. I believe National is in a position to support volunteers at the chapter level; I would work for implementation of programs for the local chapters, including “marketing” support for new members and local sponsors, newsletter template and production aid, bookkeeping and tax return preparation assistance, and organizational expertise to foster additional driving and social events.

On a national level I have enjoyed numerous Oktoberfest and TechFest events over the years. I believe national event planning and management needs attention. I would raise the expectations at the national level and work to implement effective marketing necessary to make these events something we can be proud of. We can appeal to a larger percentage of membership and expect our events can rival PCA’s Porsche Parade 2,000+ member turnout.

Personally, I currently drive an E46 M3 and 330xi; enjoy track driving, DE instructing and concours. I am self-employed with over 24 years of real world small business experience marketing, finance, accounting, and management.

“Mark has served diligently for more than a decade, his approach is always pragmatic and practical, and his straightforward attitude will bring his many skills to bear in positive ways at the local, regional, and national levels. I wholeheartedly support Mark’s candidacy for South-Central Regional VP and ask you to do the same.” -- Dave Walker, Past President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter

South Central Region Vice President –J.R. Schneider statement

JRS SCRVP Candidacy Statement – 10/31/07

For members with whom I have not become acquainted during 20 years working with Oktoberfest and serving as National Oktoberfest Coordinator, I offer a brief introduction. I joined our club in 1975 as member #6827. I have served in the various Sunbelt Chapter leadership roles, including Oktoberfest 1987 Chairman. When called by the Board, I also served as the Executive Vice-President, simultaneous with my Oktoberfest duties. I have been honored with a Lifetime Membership in the BMW CCA.

Oktoberfest planning requirements grew to merit full-time staff, removing need for the volunteer Coordinator’s position. I seek election as your RVP to continue serving our Region. Former SCRVP and National President Harmon Fischer has honored me with his nomination for this position.

Representation requires being present with the South Central Region chapters. Attendance at one event with each Regional chapter during the term of office is my goal, as is improvement of two-way communications, while providing services to our chapters and your leaders.

National Board members are the Stewards of the member’s resources. We are obligated to utilize those resources efficiently and economically. Conducting club business requires quarterly Board meetings, which should be conducted in the meeting space of our National Office, rather than traveling around the country, absent any specific business travel need.

As we move forward into a new era of club leadership and change in our National Office, it is incumbent that we work towards maintaining relevancy of the club for both our membership and our commercial supporters. By helping our chapters operate more efficiently, we can enhance the Joy of Membership, while we continue to enjoy the pleasure of driving.

I welcome your support and invite you to visit my website, www.nurbmw.com, for more of my thoughts about growing our club.

North Atlantic Region Vice President – John Sullivan Jr.

As the incumbent for the North Atlantic Region Vice President position, I would like to outline some of the programs that I have been involved with during my two years in the position.

This year the Chapter Congress in Pennsylvania, one of the largest Congresses that the Club has hosted, had 166 chapter representatives including 8 from the North Atlantic Region. At the Congress, I was requested by Wynne Smith, the Executive Director of BMW CCA, to give a lecture, to the membership chairs, on the Dealer Drives Program that National offers rebates for. I facilitated a break out session with the NA Region Chapter representatives addressing specific problems that Chapters were having as well as suggestions to help Chapters increase their revenue stream.

In my NA Regional quarterly newsletters, I addressed the Susan G. Komen "Drive for the Cure" event and outlined how Chapters can get more actively involved with this outstanding social event. I mentioned how Chapters can obtain multiple rebates from the National Club at certain times of the year. I also helped Chapters by defining early on the requirements for forms to be filed with the National office in a timely manner.

I achieved an original goal of mine as RVP of getting the word out about the BMW Foundation's Street Survival Schools. This year the Foundation should reach fifty Schools for teen drivers. I have assisted the BMW Foundation in their goal of increasing the number of Street Survival Schools completed.

Remaining as the NA RVP would allow me to continue assisting the local chapters with membership growth, enhanced social events and technical sessions.

I have attended all BMW CCA Board of Director meetings during my tenure on the National Board.

Please vote for John Sullivan as your North Atlantic Region Vice President.