Internet POC Region, Why not ?

[Chester Brzostowski]

I have toyed with this idea for a number of years. I would like to create a POC region of disconnected POC members who for geographical reasons are unable to participate in POC structured meetings. Basically what I believe to be the silent majority. This region would serve those POC members who have yet to establish a voice within the formal mainstream of this long standing and respected organization. Within the chaos of the internet this forum has brought together many POC members because of a lack of attention from the POC forum for those of us who do not have the luxury of having an organized group within our hometowns. I think it is time to unleash this voice and move from the back burner to a place that is recognized and respected by the POC leadership. We are Plymouth owners and if any club is going to carry the monogram of representing Plymouth owners then our voice must be heard…, must be offered…, and must be reckoned with. Please don’t get me wrong I believe in the basic principles of the POC but I also believe in Plymouth owners. Those of us who keep these old cars on the road and enjoy the camaraderie of others who may modify there vehicles but this doesn’t make them any less then Plymouth owners. If you are a POC member and have any interest in this crazy endeavor please vote yes to this poll. I have been told by the membership that you need three members to create a region. I believe there are enough members out there to create a difference.

Thanks & best regards, Chet…

[TodFitch]

Interesting concept and with the self-selecting group of people already used to communicating via computers it might work...

The Golden State Region has basically been an Internet based organization from day 1 because the geographical distances are so large. A good 550 miles between the south most active member and the north most one. Since we are a geographical region so we have a pretty fare number of members who aren't computer savvy it complicates things a little.

[Captain Neon]

I was a marginal member of a POC region a couple of years ago before moving to Missouri. The region President appreciated that I had made them a website, but it did little good as the website was never mentioned in the newsletter, and not adopted by the region. Many of the region's most active members, I think, didn't want new people in the region and the rest still believed the telephone a passing fad much less this whole interweb thing.

Have given thought to putting my self out there as an occassional visitor to my nearest region's meetings (100 mi. one way), but as Norm's Coupe often pointed out, it is bothers my conscience to be just a member in name only and only show up for the fun and not shoulder my share of the burden too. Feel it better just to stay away than impose my self.

[Chester Brzostowski]

  Captain Neon said:

I was a marginal member of a POC region a couple of years ago before moving to Missouri. The region President appreciated that I had made them a website, but it did little good as the website was never mentioned in the newsletter, and not adopted by the region. Many of the region's most active members, I think, didn't want new people in the region and the rest still believed the telephone a passing fad much less this whole interweb thing.

Have given thought to putting my self out there as an occassional visitor to my nearest region's meetings (100 mi. one way), but as Norm's Coupe often pointed out, it is bothers my conscience to be just a member in name only and only show up for the fun and not shoulder my share of the burden too. Feel it better just to stay away than impose my self.

Benjamin,

I had the same experience with the Mid-Atlantic Region. Created a web site and after a year no one was interested. But that’s OK.., the point is there are people like you and I that have much to offer. All we need is a voice. I don’t know exactly how this would work yet but there are web casts and pod casts and a number of ways to bring people together in this 2010 electronic world.

I sponsor a web forum for 4 cyl Plymouth and have over 75 members in less then two years that span three continents. There are a lot of us out there we just need to find our voice.

Chet…

[Chester Brzostowski]

  TodFitch said:

Interesting concept and with the self-selecting group of people already used to communicating via computers it might work...

The Golden State Region has basically been an Internet based organization from day 1 because the geographical distances are so large. A good 550 miles between the south most active member and the north most one. Since we are a geographical region so we have a pretty fare number of members who aren't computer savvy it complicates things a little.

Tod,

I appreciate your support. Your website has been a beacon of information for Plymouth owners and potential owners for many years. As an aside I have also posted a similar post to the POC forum. So far response in this short period has been 100% positive.

Thanks, Chet…

[RobertKB]

I am not a POC member but would become one to join in your POC "region". Good idea and a good way to make our voices heard. Time to nudge the POC toward the 21st century.

[BobT-47P15]

Chet, that might be a workable idea.

I believe the nearest POC chapter to me is in St. Louis, or

that area.

That's a 4 hour drive on the interstate - even longer in an old Plymouth -

therefore I've never really gotten interested in joining.

[Captain Neon]

  BobT-47P15 said:

Chet, that might be a workable idea.

I believe the nearest POC chapter to me is in St. Louis, or

that area.

That's a 4 hour drive on the interstate - even longer in an old Plymouth -

therefore I've never really gotten interested in joining.

Actually Springfield.

[BobT-47P15]

I know they have an antique car club in Springfield, but have never

heard about a POC group. But, I don't know much that goes on

there as we are an hour away.

edit

Wellll, now.........I just went to google and up came this.......

PLYMOUTH OWNERS CLUB REGIONAL GROUPS

MISSOURI "Show Me” REGION

Tommy G. Pike

1602 East Dale

Springfield, MO 65803

furyon66@earthlink.net

groshong@socket.net (Loyd Groshong)

Maybe I will email them and inquire about events.

Edited October 26, 2010 by BobT-47P15

[Captain Neon]

MISSOURI "Show Me” REGION

Tommy G. Pike

1602 East Dale

Springfield, MO 65803

furyon66@earthlink.net

groshong@socket.net (Loyd Groshong)

My nearest is in Kearney. About 2.25 hrs. one way in a P15. I think their regular meetings are even further south.

Edited October 26, 2010 by Captain Neon

[BobT-47P15]

Ben, I sent him a note asking if they have any events and any other

info he'd care to share.

[Don Coatney]

Good idea Chet but as I am not a POC member I did not vote.

[Johnny S]

Don brings up an interesting point here. There are POC members who might comment (and vote) on this concept and that certainly is important but maybe an even more important point would be the potential growth in POC membership from such an effort. Chet, you might comment on that ... did you intend to have only POC members "vote" on your idea or is your question cast more broadly to forum members who may not presently be members of POC but who might join the new "region" if it in fact came to pass?

[Johnny S]

Another question ... is it "ok" to be a member of multiple regions if one chose to be? I would assume that it is. Anyone here on the forum a member of more than one region already?

[Young Ed]

Yes you can belong to more then one. One guy in our region goes to AZ for the winter and belongs to theirs too. I didn't vote as I already belong to the MN region.

[Plymouthy Adams]

My only association with the POC is the online forum..nothing local to me..and I will not lie or jerk one's chain, finding the time to attend any monthly event at this time would be a stretch..I could not see next week if I had a booster rocket on my butt ignitied last year...am that far behind and being just one person..not sure when I can get anywhere close to caught up..

[RobertKB]

  Quote

Tim, it's called retirement. LOL Mailbox money. Do what you want when you want. A week is six Saturdays and a Sunday. Don't leave it too long.

[Plymouthy Adams]

not quite ready for that..age and time I could have been gone two years ago...while I admit I may get caught up on a few things..the things I am doing are quite costly and if I farmed it out (thus being one person so far behind) I could not afford to do the things about the house that I am doing much less think of retirement. I plan to make ti two more years at work..then I leave with a big pay raise...unless or course somthing happens and or I get mad and just come home anyway..

[RobertKB]

  Tim Adams said:

not quite ready for that..age and time I could have been gone two years ago...while I admit I may get caught up on a few things..the things I am doing are quite costly and if I farmed it out (thus being one person so far behind) I could not afford to do the things about the house that I am doing much less think of retirement. I plan to make ti two more years at work..then I leave with a big pay raise...unless or course somthing happens and or I get mad and just come home anyway..

Sounds like you have a plan. Good luck whatever route you go!

[Chester Brzostowski]

  Johnny S said:

Don brings up an interesting point here. There are POC members who might comment (and vote) on this concept and that certainly is important but maybe an even more important point would be the potential growth in POC membership from such an effort. Chet, you might comment on that ... did you intend to have only POC members "vote" on your idea or is your question cast more broadly to forum members who may not presently be members of POC but who might join the new "region" if it in fact came to pass?

I am not trying to increase the POC membership with this post it is just that a lot of POC members frequent this board. So I thought I would pose the question. There is a similar post on the POC board also. Not to exclude anybody but the poll would be more accurate with just POC members voting.

Tks, Chet...

[RobertKB]

  Chester Brzostowski said:

I am not trying to increase the POC membership with this post it is just that a lot of POC members frequent this board. So I thought I would pose the question. There is a similar post on the POC board also. Not to exclude anybody but the poll would be more accurate with just POC members voting.

Tks, Chet...

As mentioned though, some like me would join the POC if there was an internet region. Not likely to join the POC otherwise although I personally like the fact they promote originality.

[Chester Brzostowski]

  RobertKB said:

As mentioned though, some like me would join the POC if there was an internet region. Not likely to join the POC otherwise although I personally like the fact they promote originality.

I would think that you are not alone on this subject.

Chet...

[greg g]

I would be very suspicious of any club which would favorably entertain my membership.

As a party opposed to the POC's stance against including "modified vehicles" I shall not include myself in the voting.

But should I consider membership again, and the closest region is more than 150 miles away, a geographically undefined region might be of interest, should the club embrace modified vehicles that interest would likely grow.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have been on the POC forum for a bit now..the chatter there is basically nonexistant, questions go totally unanswered for months on end..if they even get answered at all..not sure of the real problem. Is it that the most of the member do meet witin the individual regions and not communicate online, granted we all know some of the older folks who have no use for a computer. This lack of computer skill/usage would again skew the poll you are taking as they flat out will not respond here. The polling here on this site is good, we have a few POC members here, but it has been expressed here so many times that the POC is dying off due to their not wanting to embrace the Plymouth mark in "all" forms of its driving condition. Limiting a club to original example (and I question even their cars) surely limits your blood line, ideas, work force and cash flow. IF I am areading this Internet POC correct, it is an all inclusive geographic area..pretty much like the forum we have now..but with officers and club dues...but again it will have to follow the creed of the POC to be given any status within the parent organization..so again, shot in the foot. Personaliztion of your car, creature conforts, and modification to drivetrain push you back to the misfit side of the POC..For the POC to exist into the future, and I hate to say things like the old guard is slowly passing on, they are, admit it, but to get the new blood one must be able to enterain the areas those folks's interest lies. Modified cars will always be here..and as much as the others hate to admit it, they serve the hobby well as the original parts go on to keep the originals original. I cannot speak for others but it is so hard to retain your own idenity if you are parking your car right next to 15 other just like yours...cookie cutter even if original..seen one seen them all concept. I in no manner want my car to be like the next guy..so that automatically puts me in the misfit class..I changed the paint color and cut lines (scheme) on my car..therefore by my own admision I am not stock, don't make claim otherwise..but is it any less a Plymouth? Maybe I am missing something here but if iwere to poll an opinion..status quo if you keep the current creed

[pflaming]

Tim, your explanation was interesting to me. I like the forum because (1) it is basically old school, yet (2) its members appreciate the talents, skills, and creativity of those who 'tinker' with the old school, yet are not 'rat rods'. I have learned alot about basic mechanical work and workings from this forum, and I have seen how to 'improve' the truck or 'modify' or 'personalize' it. All three interest me. I do not need another source of truck information or entertainment, this one fully fullfills my needs.