POC question

[rlovette]

In getting back into the hobby, I joined the Plymouth Owners Club in May. So far, I've received one issue (March-April)..and a membership card. I'm sure there are other members on here. I know it's only 6 issues a year (versus monthly for WPC). Has anyone else received a more current issue?

[Furylee2]

I just received a new issue this week. Lee

[Don Coatney]

Did you ask the same question on the POC forum? What did they say about it?

[Plymouthy Adams]

Don..am not sure if you can ask a question..I have been to that site a number of times...cannot even get the registeration page to respond..has been this way for longest time. Even found on of the guy on another forum and posed the question..no answer there either..so much for trying to respond to an personal invite to join...

[Don Coatney]

  Tim Adams said:

Don..am not sure if you can ask a question..I have been to that site a number of times...cannot even get the registeration page to respond..has been this way for longest time. Even found on of the guy on another forum and posed the question..no answer there either..so much for trying to respond to an personal invite to join...

I have not visited the POC forum recently. Is it still active?

[Plymouthy Adams]

that should probably have been my question rather than state I could not register after the invite...

[greg g]

The site is up and on life support. both traffic wise and response time. they are still on a free beta website, and the servers is obvioulsly having problems. the site administrator said he thinks it may be time to start paying for service. YA THInk???

Has been like hand cranked dialup since end of june and his is with about 3 or 4 posts a day.

I have it tabbed as a favorite and hitting the button usually results is a time out and navigation cancelled response unless if early in the am of after midnight.

[Dennis Hemingway]

  Quote

Don and Tim. You guys would probably not do well when giving answers or questions. Remember the POC rule..........."NO MODIFICATIONS"!!

Or Norm, like they told us. "If it's not stock, we don't wan't you".

Dennis:eek:

[1940plymouth]

I went for a ride in my Plymouth this morning, posted some photos that I took on the POC site when I got home, at this point, only three people have checked it out. There is no where near the traffic on the POC as there is on this site, but then again I am sure eveyone is aware of that

[Plymouthy Adams]

I could be wrong but I do not see any more traffic than that on the AACA and by the number of GUESTS we have at any given time..I am sure there are a few of them lurking behind the scenes and monitoring this forum...we bite but usually leave the major limbs attached to the body..they would be welcome here as we have purist and full out car murdifiers..

[rlovette]

had to work late--but arrived home and found the May-June issue in the mailbox. I didn't ask on the other site--but have noticed there's not much traffic.

[greg g]

Bob, I just tried to look at your pics, the site loaded up ok but probably because of the pictures, timed out after 37% loaded. Why don't you post them here so we can actually ssee them????

[Captain Neon]

I know thatsome folks here do not like the POC, and I don't really blame ya. However, since I have no desire to attend any of their meets I am content to get their magazine. I think Lanny does a very good job, esp. since he is a volunteer. For the magazine to improve, they'd have to hire some one to edit and that would increase the cost without much improvement in quality.

As far as the website, again, volunteer. The guy does a decent job with the tools he has available. My experience with the POC has been that since most of the movers and shakers in the POC are older they don't see a benefit (and perhaps even a detriment) in a good website and active forum.

It does appear that they are checking in on us from time to time. They will be having officer "elections" soon, but they stated several times that to be National POC President one had to have been a Regional President or a member of the National Exec. Board at some time. I don't know if that is a new development to hinder Ed Juneau's bid to be POC President, or if it has always been the case.

[Captain Neon]

Well, there are requirements to run for any office. I get a little nervous about any organisation that could conceivably have some one go from new member one day to lead dog the next.

Were I to have my own way in choosing leaders and running elections in a club, I'd require one to be a member for at least one year before being allowed to vote. I've seen too many elections won in organisations that conferred membership by simply paying dues where friends showed up on election day with dues in hand to elect their buddy and then never seen again.

I also don't disagree with some sort of requirement before taking a leadership role. Maybe membership of at least two years before taking any leadership position, and at least completed one elected term on the leadership team before being allowed to run for President.

One must be 35 years old and a native-born citizen to run for President of these united States of America.

One must be 30 and a citizen to run for US Senate.

One must be 25 and a citizen to run for Congress.

We don't allow children to vote.

Nothing wrong with requirements and standards. In fact, they are often necessary. I've seen too many organisations that were killed when a new leader takes the helm that just likes to be in charge, but has no real interest in sustaining or improving a group. Having to have done more than paid dues should be a requirement of leadership.

In the past, I have had many instances where I have not held an elected position, but have had significant influence with a membership just by virtue of hardwork, dedication, and displays of wisdom. I always get nervous when some one promises lots of hardwork and dedication in the future in exchange for a leadership position when none was displayed in the past.

[greg g]

The POC constitution states that nominations for any elected office can be made by any director, elected officers or any member in good. There are no qualifications other than being a member of the national club. However the nomination deadline for election past 6 days ago. So Ed's next chance in 2011, which leaves plenty of time for political action committees, fundraising, lobbying, jerrymandering, and ballot rigging.

Section 4. Election of officers shall be by vote of the Active Members. The total votes cast In any election shall be considered a quorum. A plurality of one (1) vote shall be requisite for election. In the event of a tie, the Board of

Directors shall vote to break the tie.

Section 5. Nominations for National office will be received from the current National Officers, Board of Directors, Regional Officers, and any Active Member. All nominations must be received by the President by August 15th of each odd numbered year. All ballots must be mailed by October 15th of each odd numbered year and must be returned postmarked no later than midnight November 15th of the same year.

Section 6. Voting shall be only by secret official ballot, on ballot forms provided by the Club.

Duties of the president are a piece of cake

The duties of the President shall be to preside over all regularly slated meetings of the Plymouth Owners Club, Inc., and over all regular meetings of the Officers and all joint meetings of the Officers and Board of Directors; wlth advice and counsel of the Officers and Board of Directors to appoint an editor for the "Plymouth Bulletin"; to take such actions, with the advice and consent of the Officers and Board of Directors, as may be deem necessary and proper for the alms of the Club, as stated In Article 1, and for the protection of its welfare.

[Don Jordan]

Just thought I'd jump in here. I was a member of the POC years ago. The magazine always came so late that by the time I called on the ads whatever I wanted was gone.

Since I found this forum there didn't seem any need to spend money on the POC. I still belong to the Vintage Chevrolet Club (since 1969) but the Plymouts have pushed the Chevy to a back burner.

[Captain Neon]

I'm not talking about any sort of inherent leadership skill or training. I'm talking about dedication and drive. It is obvious that your cousin has drive and ambition, and at the very least wanted some thing done. Too many people take over car clubs because they think it might be fun (find that it isn't) or just has an axe to grind w/ the current leadership.

While I've seen lots of organisations that desperately need a good shaking up. I've seen just as many that were killed because some lazy do-nothing just wanted a title to brag to their friends and family about so that they don't think him as much of a lazy do-nothing.

I see nothing wrong with some time for new members to get their feet wet before they start getting involved in making decisions. My own opinion is that much of what goes wrong with any sort of leadership situation is that too many uninformed people are allowed to make important decisions or take on roles without understanding or really wanting the responsibility.

The following quote is a favourite of mine. "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

I honestly do not believe that the restrictions on elected office prescribed into the Constitution are the reasons for our failing republic, but rather to look at who we allow to vote nowadays. I read a book a couple of years ago entitled, Why Not Freedom?. In that book, the authours give very convincing evidence of how our republic has declined as we have moved ever closer to universal suffrage and the willfully uninformed voter. As long as people without a direct stake in the consequences of a decision are allowed to make them, things will not be good. I often hear the argument that if Congress had to abide by the same laws as the rest of us they'd never pass so many of the laws they make. It is easier to be free with money when it isn't your own. Those that don't pay taxes are always more inclined to vote for those more willing to spend tax dollars as they may even find themselves ahead rather than the rest of us who have top pay in.

Edited August 21, 2009 by Captain Neon

[Frank Elder]

  greg g said:

The POC constitution states that nominations for any elected office can be made by any director, elected officers or any member in good. There are no qualifications other than being a member of the national club. However the nomination deadline for election past 6 days ago. So Ed's next chance in 2011, which leaves plenty of time for political action committees, fundraising, lobbying, jerrymandering, and ballot rigging.

Section 4. Election of officers shall be by vote of the Active Members. The total votes cast In any election shall be considered a quorum. A plurality of one (1) vote shall be required

Thanks a lot Greg! I had to look up jerrymander! It's always nice to be able to add to ones vocabulary.