I just learned the current president of OCA has taken it upon himself to go outside of the OCA bylaws and appoint a club secretary. I had a feeling the club was going to be changed after the last election. There are rules for managing club organizations like this and it looks like he has overstepped his authority by going against the current bylaws that were established by the entire membership. Having been a member since 1989 (OCA number 017262) I feel I have a right to an explaination from him and any board member who supports his decision as to what he bases his authority to appoint a board member on. I am going to post this on other Olds forums for further comments.

 

100% for sure a Club Secretary?

Did you try to ask the president yourself? Kind of strange the website doesnt list officers and a way to contact them. Did i miss it or is that info really not there?

BTW, im a member too.

 

If they've ever been on the website, I don't remember it. Being as the website was created under the Childs regime, not surprising. Things were notoriously opaque in those years. I'm afraid some of that thought process has returned to the OCA Board.

I remember he told me once I'd better not bother the Head Judge with a Preservation Senior question one of my chapter guys had. I told him that as a sitting Zone director I would speak to whoever in OCA I damn well pleased, when I pleased.

 

I think edzolz is referring to a a story in the Feb. issue of "The Rocket", (North Texas Oldsmobile Club's newsletter). At our club's last meeting we voted to send a letter to the OCA pres., and all board members regarding the appointment of an individual to the position of OCA Secretary. Here is the link to the newsletter.
http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=ntexasoca
Take a look at the Feb. 2011 Newsletter.
Thanks EDZOLZ for the posting.

 

I would suggest that OCA take a step into the 21st century (yeah, what a concept). There are free conference call services available, so cost should be no issue. There are also on-line meeting services like WebEx available that cost little or nothing. Virtual meetings happen all the time in the business world and are not expensive to conduct.

 

There is a post on ROP with what seems like a reaonable explanation to this all.

If the information is correct i dont see how he went around the bylaws and i would expect a president to do what needs to be done for the better of the Org. In this case it appears he is taking care of an Org need. edz, am i seeing it incorrectly or are there more FACTS we are not aware of?

 

It is not up to the Pres. to interpret the OCA Bylaws,and then make a unilateral decision "for the better of the org" it is the job of the OCA Board.

 

After reading the NTOC letter, I have one comment-

See why I walked away from that Board in 2001 and never looked back? Shenanigans at that level are nothing new.

What's sad is that one fallout from me leaving the Board was the ASE Zone went almost completely dormant. Not saying I was what kept it going, but the appointed (there's that word again) director who replaced me did absolutely nothing the whole two years he held the office, and the Zone lost its momentum. The man lived in the same city where one chapter held its monthly meetings and never showed up for one.

Me, I'd done my time in that rodeo and had/have no desire to immerse myself in it again.

 

I agree, that's the main reason I did not submit my name for Pacific Northwest Zone Director this time around. I stood in when one director passed away and that was enough, besides I had my own club to run.

OCA presidents soon find out that part of the job is that people start to dislike you pretty quick. I'm sure that Steve, Greg and Pat can attest to that. It's a car club that's run like a country. Some like it like that, some don't. I prefer to enjoy my Oldsmobile experience by meeting fellow enthusiasts and going to shows. I'll leave the politics of running the big club to those that enjoy that part of it as well.

 

There are more FACTS (I don't know if they are in the official Board of Directors minutes). It seems like after the last election, things have gone to hell in a hand basket. The editor of JWO was almost forced out but the BOD overruled that, the chief judge was almost replaced by someone that had judged two OCA events in his life.

 

I did not state i thought it was okay to interpret the bylaws so please dont put words in my mouth. The president is elected to run an org. I dont believe any consitution is bullet proof. If and when there is a gray area that is where i would expect checks and balances to come into play and make sure the elected offical acted within the intent of the law. Did the checks and balance fail?

If - and I mean if - the president acted within the bylaws whats the issue?

If the bylaws are lacking some detailed guidelines than its seems the BOD should be working on an amendment.

 

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This is why I don't join clubs.

I'll sit back and watch the fun here, though...
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<::insert animated popcorn-eating emoticon::>
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Having served on the BOD 2006-2010, I still have my OCA Bylaws manual, available to any/and/all Members of the OCA. I will post, directly, from the Bylaws manual:

Bylaw 5-40:
The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected by the general Membership. Zone Directors shall be elected by the membership in the Zone they represent.

In other words, NOT APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT or the Board unless there is a vacancy caused by an elected officer leaving an office other than at the end of their elected term. Two people were nominated/volunteered for the position of Secretary but no mention was ever presented to the board.


Bylaw 4-61:
In the event of a vacancy on the BOD or of an Appointee, the President shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term, escept for the Presidency which shall be filled by the Vice-President. A Vice-President shall then be appointed by the new President. All appointments are subject to ratification by the BOD.

There was no "vacancy" for the secretary's position, the secretary did not resign. Her term of office expired and she did not seek re-election. The following quote from an internet forum on parliamentary procedure can be found at RONO FORUM NEW:
"For instance, if the bylaws provide that the Board may fill a vacancy in a board position, does this procedure apply to an incomplete election?"

That's precisely the point.

The original poster should not focus on any nuances between a vacancy and an unfilled positon (let's assume there is no difference) but, rather, on which body has the authority (and responsibility) to fill it.

If, as is usually the case, the general membership has the responsibility of electing officers when their terms expire, that authority can't be delegated to, or assumed by, the board. The general membership must complete the election.

Two people were nominated/volunteered their names for the position but no mention of this was ever presented to the board by the president.


Yes, this is a car club, a car hobby, and we are involved in it for the pleasure and enjoyment of our Oldsmobile's. I like the idea of some popcorn; think I'll have a Shiner beer, too!

 

Aron, thanks for providing some facts.

 

Wow you are a looootttttt older than I thought you were.

 

Wow...what a goat rodeo. I belong to the OCC for a few years in the 90's. It is way too hard to run a national club with different zones etc. I have been president of the Windsor Area Street Rods in Windsor Ontario for about four years now. It's a small club with about 35 members, and all types of cars from traditional old time street rods to muscle cars. Every one gets along and we have to answer only to ourselves. I hope this gets cleared up soon.

 

You're missing out. You don't have to get involved in the politics of it. Smaller local clubs don't have the same issues so it's a much easier, laid back gathering. You can meet some great people in a club.

 

Yep...you got that right. You do have a lot more fun!

 

With the Oldsmobile Club of Canada folding I have been thinking about starting a new club - focused more on Southern Ontario. Keeping it small and somewhat informal so that the above scenarios don't happen. A club should be focused on having fun with others, not on putting up roadblocks for members and abusing power.

Wayne

 

Aron is spot on about this.

Ed Konsmo is the Head Judge and is a member in the chapter I belong to. He has published his e-mail and home telephone number in the magazine and you can contact him at anytime, just be aware that he is on Pacific Standard time when calling, he also works during the day. Ed Martinson and Jamie *** are the zone directors for are area and are both accessible. The board needs to elect a qualified parliamentarian and this is being discussed at the board level to insure issues like this do not happen again.

It should be mandatory that all board members have a current copy of the bylaws and Roberts Rules on Order in a binder with them at all board meetings its the only way to get things done correctly. I sit and have sat on several boards in all positions over the years and this is the way its done to be successful.

 

Thanks for your post Aaron..

 

What's an OCA?

I started a car club when I was 18 and it was better organized, we had our bylaws and the club copy of the Roberts Rules on Order at every meeting and used them.
Our bylaws were no drinking then driving and no messing with other guys girfriends, otherwise you could do whatever you wanted to.

 

To be honest, we don't have by-laws. We did when we were a chapter, but dropped them afterwards. If a situation comes up that is serious, the board handle's it or it goes to a membership vote.

Last year our show had class judging. Some liked it some didn't. So I put it to a membership vote. The club is nothing without the membership. So I received the voting results and went with what the majority voted. None of this "must have a certain amount of people voting to be passed"...no, if you didn't vote, then we assume that you agree what what the majority says, even if only two people vote. If someone doesn't like that, then they should get involved and vote next time.

I like this better than breaking out the robes, wigs and gavel and paying a lawyer to decide what we can and can't do. Then again, we are not a 6,500 member club with excess of $100,000 dollars to our name. To each his own, but this is our way. It works for us.

 

I remember that episode, 10 years ago. What a mess! I just stick being an OCA advisor, on my favortive make.

 

x2!

 

Not to hijack the thread here but since you brought up the OCC, I wondered why I had not received any newsletters via email since the fall, nor did I get any renewal information in the mail. I went to the website and it's gone (or being re-constructed by some new company, hard to tell). I just emailed Dave J to see if he could tell me what is going on..

 

Disregard my post above. I just found the discussion that the OCC is dead..

 

+1

 

Man, what a mess -- I was THINKING of renewing my OCA membership this year too....HATE these bogus club politics and personalities --- Nepotism seems to thrive in the OCA over the past several years...it's become like a Regime! "MY way or the Highway..." unilateral decisions galore and "Too bad you feel that way" was what I saw at a Gen. Membership MTG in Detroit back in '08! I couldn't believe it; wanted to tell him his head had gotten too big for his 10-Gallon Hat! BUT I didn't have the beef; but some older Veteran Members sure did and dissed them like they were homeless bums who were trying to crash the party...MAYBE they'll be an overthrow; go "Eygpyt" on him! LOL! I wonder if the membership is shrinking lately or staying the same? (I'd be shocked if it's growing! )

 

The person you mention is no longer President of the Club. Regardless, the president is not THE club and not a reason to join or not join. If you dislike the politics, work to change the situation from within the club. You won't get anywhere from outside. I have been a member for over 34 years and it is better now by far than it was during the "dark times". A lot of progress has been made in getting all owners treated fairly and in making all Oldsmobiles welcome. I don't like politics either, and would welcome more members who want it to be a car club not a power base. I have no political position in the OCA and never have had one. I have one vote like everyone else. It is a darn shame so few voted in the last election. Either most of the members didn't care, or were too busy saving the world.

 

OK, thanks. All sounds good and fair enough. I'll renew one of these days I'm sure -- I DO Miss the JWO Magazines and Club Fellowship! (You and I will just have to continuing staying OUT of those 'Political Positions' within it! LOL! Yes, I find frequently many of the big marque clubs have poor voter turn-out/participation....many just feel they're in the club for the Cars/Fellowship and Fun so they stay out of all the rest...BUT I hear you on this point too.

 

I to was disappointed in the voter turn out not only at the national level but at our club level as well. But I sure hear complaints from those who don't vote.

 

Here is a complaint from someone didnt vote. Not a complaint about who was elected but a complaint about the election.

The election process did a diservice to the candidates. I dont recall the exact length but believe JWO had like 4-6 sentences on why that person felt they should be elected. When i asked why there wasnt more info i was told the information was edited down.

How am i supposed to know what the candidates agenda are? I didnt know a single candidate. First, second or third hand.

Why not a full bio page on the OCA site? Why not a youtube video of each candidate expressing their views?

I dont know if there is an election committee or if the BOD runs the election but how is a guy like me who just pays his dues and knows absolutely no one running or on the board supposed to make an educated decision?

Before the members are blamed for low turn out, i would like to see the BOD or election committee first look at the election process. Is anyone doing post election research to know why the turnout was low?

Im happy to cast my vote but wont make my vote a guess.

I'll continue to pay my dues and support the Org and ALL the officials that are elected.

 

Pete (Boldsmobile):
Excellent suggestions, all, as are Joe's (Run to Rund). With your permission am copying your thread response(s) and forwarding to my Zone Directors, asking them to insert for discussion and action on the part of the BOD. Rules clearly state only 100 words per candidate published in the JWO prior to the elections; same rule applied to all candidates. Love the thought of YouTube videos for viewing on OCA website, but that's another story of "catching up with technology"; there are some very talented folks in OCA willing/offering to donate their time and efforts to serve on a committee to come up with ways to enhance the whole experience of "logging on" to the OCA website, evidently falling on deaf ears. Hopefully, the politics can be weeded out, and real progress made in the future. Constructive criticism, I hope.

 

Thanks Aron. I would be thrilled if my comments were shared amongst those who can impact the election process.