The ongoing troubles within the OCA have been the subject of several threads on here in recent months.

I've been getting emails like the one below from time to time. Perhaps others of you have as well. They say to pass it on, so I thought I'd copy and paste it here.


------------------------------------------------

Dear Fellow OCA Members,

We are writing this letter as Oldsmobile lovers. We feel the OCA is our club, the members club. We elect a board and have zone representatives who are responsible for the running of our club according to our by-laws. We are distressed to hear of irregularities concerning the treasurers handling of our finances. We are APPALLED to hear of threatening, defamation letters being sent to fellow OCA members. None of us should be silent bystanders on this. We have a moral obligation to protest any of our members and their families being threatened for any reason. That is not how to handle issues within our club. We are signing our names to this letter and accept that some people will agree wholeheartedly, some partially, and some will disagree as each of us has an opinion and is entitled to that opinion.

We are ashamed that there are members of the club who would send anonymous, threatening letters. This only adds to the problem.

We have had the privilege of meeting past president Pat Yancy and present president Jerry Wilson. We have supported each president in the past and intend on supporting the future presidents whether we voted for them or not. We support them for the good of the club.

As members of a OCA chapter, we are extremely concerned about the future of OCA. We need a club that we can rely on and that will run according to the by-laws. We do not want division within the club. These issues are ruining what should be fun for all of us.

We understand the board will be voting on the issue of the treasurer after March 15th. We are voicing our opinion that we expect our board members to vote for what is right according to our by-laws so that the club can move on and put these problems behind us.

We ask that each of you who read this send it to your fellow local chapter members and any other OCA members that you know. Each of you reading this should contact your Zone representative and the OCA Board of Directors to let them know how you feel. Do not rely on every one else to speak up, speak up for yourself and your beliefs. This is your club and your money.

When or if the authors of the anonymous letters are identified they should be denied membership in the OCA or any club that values respect and integrity of each other and family members.

Respectfully,

Betty Ann and George Berejik OCA #001043

Co-signed by:

Steve Braidman #034326
Phil Cafarella #029451
Stephen Cochran #039890
Jim Crandall #038540
Steve Economou #030615
Don Ferrara #027782
Rob Fisette #041671
John Guestella #038407
Everett Horton # 001961
Paul Iantosca #029495
David Johnson #040932
Richard Knights #034352
Ted Loranz #029666
Fred Mandrick #034551 & Entire AZ Chapter
Alfred Maurer #022615
David Milkey #036484
Chris Mitchell #036624
Shaun Monaghan #037113
Glen Morris #006044
Sam Murray #026409
David Pelletier 035532
Ralph Perone #000316
Amy Rose #041626
Richard Sacchetti #024528
Jason Scheinbart #019667
Chuck Schiel #032233
Ernie Schreiter #030950
Douglas Sparrow #040514
Frank St Elmo #035382
Frank Sullivan #035401
Bruce Sweeter #014108
Chris Temme #040433
Doug Tyree #041534

Following is contact information for the OCA Board of Directors:

Jerry Wilson: jfwilson66@earthlink.net
Terry Olsen: n0acp@hotmail.com
Steve Mestad: stevemestad@earthlink.net
Dalene Delong: dalenedelong@gmail.com
Everett Horton: antiqolds@aol.com
Ed Konsmo: ekonsmo@msn.com
Brian McCallister: brian@mccallisterlawfirm.com
David Consoli: consoli442@comcast.net
Pat Higgins: pjhkrh@Verizon.net
Ken Williams: mypops88@yahoo.com
Ken Nicholas: mroldskcn@sbcglobal.net
Warren Hughes: warrendynamic88@gmail.com
Bonnie Fochi: bonniejf@optonline.net
Jamie ***: jamiecox2@shaw.ca
Erik Martinson: evmartinson@comcast.net
Joe Varley: rocket88man@***.net
Karl Sup: kjsup@***.net
Rick Winn: rick.winn@ttuhsc.edu
Stewart Stephenson: stewartsw30@gmail.com
Galen Kolesar: 330-792-3160

 

Well, at least someone was willing to put their name on the document. That is more than can be said for the upstart group!

 

Yes, quite a lot of someones.

 

Just an observation. I have been in to cars and drag racing my whole life. I have been a part of a few clubs and have been and am still a part of many message boards. I have never seen as much car guy to car guy problems as I do in the Oldsmobile community.

What is it about this brand that does this to people.

 

I wish I knew.

My inbox hasn't been this full of OCA mess since the Childs copier lease debacle several years ago.

As a past Zone director I can't say I'm happy with the way this thing has been handled, from either side.

The menacing letters are nothing new either. They flew hot and heavy from 1993-96, always with a New England postmark. I received my share of them because I was viewed as part of the DeNovi group that the senders wanted to oust.

 

I wonder if those people ever heard of these things called "elections." My former chapter, Mid-Ohio, receives these anonymous letters all the time. They're shown around mostly for the humor and then discarded. Without names to back them up, they're not taken seriously.

 

It's because it starts with a vowel.

 

I think the term you're searching for is "drama queens".

 

No Thank You, I don't drink "Kool-Aid"...

 

No thank you for what? What koolaid? In short, what are you talking about?

 

This is a primary reason of why I don't join national organizations. You get an example like this that shows all the wrong ways to run an organization. They all start with the right intentions but along the way personalities, politics, or for whatever other reasons they impload.

 

Isn't this a bit of an overreaction? There are PLENTY of national organizations that run just fine. If the fact that some organization is "national" causes you to not join it, you could be missing out.

 

Blah Blah Blah.

 

x2

 

I agree. I watched a grown man throw a fit at Homecoming one year, because he lost to a car, from IL!!! Come on, grow the f**k up!!

 

I think he is talking about joining the OCA club, or like a cult. referring to the kool aid as a drink they offer to have everyone commit suicide for the greater cause.

I honestly joined the OCA so i ca join the local chapter here in STOC, i have met many people that i like and some that i dont like. But that is how it is with every club i am guessing

 

Like putting a you know what in your Oldsmobile lol.

 

Sounds like a lot of drama, maybe we can start a reality TV series on TruTV.

 

No Tom I don't know what, tell me!

I'll tell you whats wrong with these clubs, people. They are narrow minded, locked up in tunnel vision, and don't understand change. Kinda the reasons why some brands are not in business anymore, they don't offer what younger people want and their old customer base dies off.

This is a warning to our whole hobby, look around at car shows. See who owns all these wonderful cars. Think about who is going to own them say 15-20 years from now. I'm 54 and my kid is not on that path, nor many young people here in my part of the world.

Just my .02

 

LOL i hear you, i turn 30 this year and i am one of the younger guys on this site... But alas i know EXACTLY what you mean.

 

This is a separate issue from what's currently plaguing the OCA. But it is an important problem down the road.

 

I don't think so, read the posts in the forums, check the attitudes. A lot of OCA members here. Now don't get me wrong there are many good people both here and associated with the OCA, but the OCA is stagnant and as it's members die so will it.

 

You can add me to that list...I emailed my name in the other day:

Frank J. Tupka OCA # 037778

National Adviser, 1982-96 Cutlass Ciera
Vice President, New England Oldsmobile Club
Member, Toronado & Aurora Chapter
Member, Toronado Owners Association
Member, Antique Automobile Club of America

 

thanks for posting this jaunty

 

It's funny you should mention the age thing, because in 2009 at Homecoming the Alero was one of the "featured" cars being that the model was 10 years old. Older people where saying our cars were POS's and they was even a guy made a video of the "Last real Oldsmobiles" and video'ed only the Aleros with the 2.4 Twin Cam motor in it. Mine was left out because it has the 3400 V6 engine which is a Chevy based engine. It's not like I put that engine in the car, it came from the factory like that

BTW, we had 29 cars there that year, and we all rolled in together, and rolled out together. I have yet to see another model do the same thing. This is one of the reasons that this will be our LAST Alero Show, ever.

 

I am glad I dropped out of the OCA years ago. My schedule at the time was the reason I dropped out of NTOC and OCA. Politics or control has taken over the national organization. It is just a matter of time until it goes the way of our beloved nameplate. I wonder what will happen to that $250,000 CD. There is a lot of truth in what oldscutlass said about the aging of Olds owners. At 66, I am probably one of the older members on here. The unfortunate part is there is not really a lot we can do about it. Go look at the Model A's. At one time, those were hot because they were our Dad's and uncles cars.

 

wow! i'm glad i never joined.

bill

 

Which one? The Financial Compilation issued in 2012 shows there are 2.

If the CD or CDs are not placed in the control of current elected officers i will not renew my OCA membership.

I will instead send that money to the RE Olds museum every year. They seem to care more about presevering the marque than some officers of the OCA.

If there is only 1 CD, i expect a retraction to be placed in JWO regarding the error in the statemet and also hope that a different accounting firm will perform an audit.

 

[QUOTE=Boldsmobile;520427]Which one? The Financial Compilation issued in 2012 shows there are 2.

If the CD or CDs are not placed in the control of current elected officers i will not renew my OCA membership.

I will instead send that money to the RE Olds museum every year. They seem to care more about presevering the marque than some officers of the OCA.

During the Historic cars of Lansing show a.k.a the 2002 nationals I pulled up to the R.E. Olds museum and Deborah Horstik (Executive director) was standing outside, after speaking with her she said nice looking SUV what is it? My reply was It's an Oldsmobile Bravada!

Pat

 

People do it to the brand.

 

I agree, it's not the brand. Not wanting to start a riot or get off topic but its kind of like saying guns kill people. Guns don't kill people, the people that aim and pull the trigger towards other people, kill people. My membership of the OCA runs out this time next year and the outcome of this very issue will be the reason of my renewal or not.

 

I'm a 30 year OCA member,#10596 and I wouldn't take anything for the friends and memories I've made because of it. There's nothing wrong with the basic premise of the OCA,just a bump in the road right now that will work it's self out one way or the other. If you are an OCA member or decided you don't want to be,that doesn't change the fact that we all love Oldsmobiles and that will carry on for a while. There will come a time when the OCA will cease to exist simply because the support will die,not because of bickering or politics but because future generations do not or will not care about the cars we all know and love. It's just the facts of life,how many kids do you see driving 55-57 Chevy's,probably the most popular cars ever built. That my friends is the future of all muscle/classic cars,the young do not care about them. When I was growing up,cars were the way of life and everybody was in to them. Now,X-Box and texting has taken over the young. My own grandson is a prime example,he waited a full year after turning 15 to get his learners permit when he turned 16. He then had to wait 6 months to get his drivers license after getting his learners permit. Me,I was there the day I turned 15 to get my learners permit and got my license the day I turned 16. Those were the good Olds days but as with most things,they die off just as the old cars will.

 

X2...... I've been an OCA member for more then 20 years.... and the enthusiasm for Classic/Antique American Vehicles with the younger generation(s) just isn't there..... More often then not, when I do here younger people talking about cars in general, the only thing they are hipped up with is "THE FAST AND FURIOUS" (If you get my point)....

 

 

Well said
I hope the problems OCA are having can be worked out. OCA has done a lot for the Olds fans.

 

Well said X3

 

In a nutshell it is the V-8 generation VS. the 4-G generation.
I was chatting with a fellow OCA Advisor last Fall, and we were saying how you do not see as many 1920's thru 1950's vintage cars and trucks at car shows.

 

I did my part I have a son that I brainwashed as a kid,bought him a 69 442 project when he was 12. now at 25 he still has the 69 and drag races a mid 12 second 77 olds that he purchased, we part out 64-72 cutlass as a partnership, so there is still some hope out there. we need to our best to get to some of these young kids and get them brainwashed before its to late, I have 2 young grandsons that are next on the list

 

The real problem here with the Oca is that if ( and certain individuals
Within the Oca .. ) have not followed the club bylaws in Handeling
The finances and if and when the Oca goes under
The officers in charge inherit the Capitol funds from IE
The 250.000 cd . No money was ill appropriated from
The OCA ( I am no longer a member)

 

I'm 50 and I'm one of the YOUNGEST members of our local Olds Club. I feel like a kid when I show up to meetings.