Election Discussions with Graham Knight - Candidate for RTR President

[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

[catchacab]

Wow, Graham, I thought you were just blowing us off.  Here you were, just taking the time to think and compose an appropriate answer.

 

 

[catchacab]

Graham,

With Brian's  ten year Exec Board experience (AX, Membership, President), do you feel your two year E-Board experience has adequately prepared you to be a better President than your distinguished opponent?

(Almost sounds like McCain/Obama)

[pmajka]

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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

Some of these are very Juicy Promises or Valiant goals, but How will you fund these programs?

Where will the Money come from? 

also

do you also think Gov Sarah Palin would make a Hot VP?







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[catchacab]

I hope the candidates are more responsive to the needs of the membership than they are to the questions asked here!

[catchacab]

Any more nominations for President?  It looks like the current candidates are no longer running.

[bobt993]

Graham, 

The idea of giving instructors a break is a nice idea, but instead of making it about luck, make it about committment.  There are instructors that attend all the events and even go and not drive.  A points system for events attended along with a bonus for instructing, but not driving should add up to a free event.  

I would like to see someone look into the addition of a time trial slot at DE's as NNJR has somehow managed this during their Porschefest event.

[Graham]

bobt993 wrote:

Graham,

The idea of giving instructors a break is a nice idea, but instead of making it about luck, make it about committment. There are instructors that attend all the events and even go and not drive. A points system for events attended along with a bonus for instructing, but not driving should add up to a free event.

I would like to see someone look into the addition of a time trial slot at DE's as NNJR has somehow managed this during their Porschefest event.

Bob,

Thanks for the input, I like the idea for the instructors.

The thought behind my original 'idea' was to reward the instructors for their time and committment to the club. The Club is very proud of our instructors and I feel giving something back to them is important.

I am always asking; how can we improve as an organization? If anyone else has any creative ideas, feel free to share them with me in person, via email (vicepresident@rtr-pca.org) or on the forum.

Timeslot trials...I will follow up on that one.

Thanks again Bob - Graham

[Graham]

pmajka wrote:

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

Some of these are very Juicy Promises or Valiant goals, but How will you fund these programs?

Where will the Money come from?

also

do you also think Gov Sarah Palin would make a Hot VP?

Pete,

Thank you for your questions. As an IT project manager, my work can be very busy at times however, you can be assured, I am still thinking about our Clubs future.

Please my responses below. I am glad you asked these questions because money is very important to the continued longevity and success of this Club.

Responses:

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). Unfortunately, upon further investigation, this option is not a viable one, for legal reasons. However, other ideas are being considered. In addition to this one idea, because the track program plays such an important part in the Clubs income, as President, I would request to attend and listen to the Speed Council meetings and understand the Track selection process for 2009.


2. Increase profitability by reducing costs. This will allow for more money in the budget for social and other events. I feel that a questionnaire for the club members is essential. Because the Der Gasser costs the club an enormous amount of money, one question might be; does each member feel they must have a hard copy of the Der Gasser? I plan to follow this up with a comprehensive review of the Der Gasser publishing process and then an analysis of the advertising rates.


3. Increase the number of rallies and social events. As Vice President, I realize that we need to provide diverse activities that interest our members. Areas of interest would be to focus on increasing rallies and social events. Historically, rallies have been inexpensive to run while social events have required Club funding. However, not all social events would require subsidies. As President, I would like to explore these ideas further.

4. Increase the meeting attendance by another 25 people through speakers and interesting locations. Minimal increased cost to the club should we decide to continue to provide food at the monthly meetings.

5. Another great picnic similar to the 200 plus person one RTR hosted at America on Wheels in 2008. This event drew over 125 cars and again would have to be approved by the Executive committee and only if the 2009 budget is approved.

6. Organize and put forth a recurring membership feedback survey. This survey, for both existing and new members, WILL provide valuable feedback from the RTR members as to thoughts regarding social events, spending, track choices, Holiday banquets and so forth. This task will incur minimal cost to the club.


RTR members, as President, part of my initiative would be to conduct a thorough 2009 budget analysis. I feel that it is very important to determine the Clubs projected income for 2009 and secondly to make sure that all the expenses are approved and accounted for. This will allow us to project the spending before any expenses may be accumulated.

As President, I truly believe that through the RTR survey/questionnaire, we can find the interests the club and provide the programs that, you, the members enjoy most.

Thank you

Graham Knight

Vice President - RTR - 2008

[catchacab]

Welcome back Graham. Thank you for your input.