Election Discussions with Graham Knight - Candidate for RTR President

[Graham]

[catchacab]

Is your campaign residing in the Rose Garden?  We want answers!

[Graham]

catchacab wrote:

Are you in favor of investigating the possibility of our region hosting a club race? Why or why not?

I am in favor of 'investigating' the possibility of hosting a club race. Hosting a club race takes a fair amount of man power, organization, volunteers and the like. Good idea.

Eric, what would you like to see more of in this particular club? I know you had an idea about a club directory, where people could look up other members of the club for services and/or merchanise (ie. Painting/Alarm systems/body work/etc).

-Graham

[catchacab]

Overall, the club IMHO is doing a good job.  It is not what I personally want to see the club do that matters, but how the members of the E-Board work together to take the club forward.  All of us general members must remember that all those who take leadership positions and the others who do the club's work are all unpaid volunteers (we have to check on Manko, and audit his books to make sure he isn't getting paid) and all do an excellent job.

One thing that the Board could do, is to improve communications with the general membership.  Ideas and proposed future plans can be presented to the membership to elicit response on interest.  A club survey can be done to evaluate our current calender of events and to see what other activities and services can be provided by the club.

Phone calls should be made by the membership COMMITTEE, to all new members to personally invite them to a RTR event.  

The DE mentor program that Mark and Carol attempted to initiate, could be attempted again.

AND BRING BACK OUR SECOND GLEN EVENT!!!  MAW at Pocono is like taking your prom date to the prom at the local fire hall in the back of your daddy's old pickup truck that he uses to haul manure.

[Wellardmac]

I asked 4 simple questions that any candidate should be able to answer, but have not received a response yet.

I've never been accused of giving anyone an Obama-esque easy ride, so here's round 2.

What will Graham do to ensure that all voices and interests are heard and represented within the club?

[Graham]

i) Why they should vote for you over other candidates?

The reason to vote Graham Knight for President is that I promise to bring integrity, honesty and a team-building attitude to this club.  Brian Minkin has, without a doubt, brought many ideas and enthusiasm to the club during his years on the Exec board.  Should I be elected President, I hope Brian will continue to be an active member.  

I feel that there is more that can be done with this club, further ideas to be promoted, greater achievements to be made, more to accomplish as a team!

My ideas include:

1.  Reduce the costs for instructors through a lottery system whereby each event 5-10 instructor get to drive for free (they would be selected at one event & be able to use the coupon/discount at the next event)
2.  Reducing costs, particularly in the area of the Der Gasser
3.  Increase the number of rallies and social events
4.  Increase the meeting attendance by another 25 people through speakers and interesting locations
5.  Another great picnic like the 200+ person one I had at America on Wheels in 2008 
6.  Organize and put forth a continuous membership feedback survey

ii) Why you think that you're qualified to be president? 

Qualifications: 

To be qualified for the President of this club, you must have the desire to volunteer as a Club Executive; you must love to be around cars, car people and car activities; and finally you must have the ability to stand as a honest and forthright person, representing the wants and desires of the members while ensuring the club remains financially viable and socially vibrant. As President, I promise to be open to positive criticism, receive suggestions from members and put forth ideas from all club members, both DE and non-DE.  I have all of these attributes and I offer a new perspective to move the club forward – see the list above for a summary of my ideas.

iii) What do you believe are your major contributions to the club to date?

I believe, as President, every Exec member should be recognized for his or her efforts. Every executive on this Board contributes to the program; each one has participated in the club in some way, giving to the club in some shape or form.  At first as AutoCross Chair and then as VP, I have worked behind the scenes with many of the Exec members on the following accomplishments:  Organized the 2008 Vendor night with over 200 attendees and 15 vendors; scheduled and marketed the monthly meetings with attendance up by 200%; organized the 2008 Club picnic at the American on Wheels Museum where over 225 people and 125 cars attended; supported and assisted in the 2009 by-law revisions; currently supporting a membership feedback questionnaire that is under way; pushed for RTR Club financial accountability; helped with getting the Der Gasser online; initiated and supported the AX Road show and am always trying to promote a dynamic social atmosphere for all the members!  Please be reminded that all these contributions are done with the help of the Executive board.

iv) What would you hope to achieve as President? i.e. what would you do differently and why?

Future achievements as President; First and foremost is to keep the club social, fun, car related and profitable.  We can do many of the club activities only if there is money available and our DE program is vital to the financial well being of this club.  Secondly, continue to promote a feedback questionnaire so as to understand what the club members are looking to get from the club.  

I feel Exec accountability needs further promotion.  Prior to being on the Exec board, I had little idea as to the work that went on behind the scenes.  I would like to see our Exec meeting minutes printed in each Der Gasser for the club to review.  As an Exec for your club, I feel some insight into the decisions being made would help the members see what is going on behind the scenes as well as promote membership inclusion. 

In 2009, I would also like to see a review of the Der Gasser advertising rates and to investigate our yearly Make A Wish event to be held at the NJMP track in Millville NJ.  The facility has brand new accommodations and would suit our club well.  Furthermore, the DE program is a great program and with the new NJMP tracks in Millville open (Lightening & Thunderbolt), I would like to review the DE program and decide which venues to promote and schedule for 2009.  

In closing, I was asked to run for Vice President in 2007 and then decided to run for President in 2008 when Brian originally decided to step down. After thinking about the hard work and commitment required to be the president, I loved being part of this club and I think I can make it even better.  Overall, I am standing for the 2009 RTR President because the people are a great group to be with, and we as a club can do more, continue to improve and strive further in our effort to succeed.  

Make your vote count!!!

Graham Knight

Vice President - RTR - 2008

[Wellardmac]

Thank you for your responses and insight Graham - good luck with the election and thank you outlining your platform.

[Graham]

Wellardmac wrote:

Thank you for your responses and insight Graham - good luck with the election and thank you outlining your platform.

You're welcome!! - Graham

[Wellardmac]

Graham wrote:

Wellardmac wrote:

Thank you for your responses and insight Graham - good luck with the election and thank you outlining your platform.

You're welcome!! - Graham

Hard for me to ask more questions when you outlined your platform so well.

[Graham]

  Thank you. - Graham