Porsche Club of America Meeting August 14, 2024 – Approved not unanimously on 9/26/2024
In attendance:
Bailey Bishop
Betty Mae Mosley
Glenn Champagne
Robert Jacobsen
Kristin Larson
Luis Rivera
Mark Shane
Stephen Hall
The meeting began at 6:40pm ET.
Glenn open
Bailey Treasurer’s report
Bailey reviewed the Balance sheet & Income Statement as of July. Both statements are strong and much approved from last year at this time. The financial investment and strategy into two CDs at NER’s bank have produced over a 1,000% return YTD as compared to last year. Based on last month’s discussion and concern about lowering interest rates, two additional 8-month CDs of equal value ($62,500 each) were purchased supporting a role-over strategy.
Bailey noted the income from the successful DE events has increased since last year.
Bailey pointed out that each CD earns ~ 160/month which can help fund numerous events like Porsches & Coffee, or other such events. Bailey further financial improvements due to DE success year to date. Note:
Motion to approve: All approved.
Kristin – Driving
DE
DE is doing very well and has exceeded expectations for this year thus far. Watkins Glen ended up with thirty more drivers than expected which resulted in additional revenue. It was a good event despite four inches of rain on Friday.
Charlie Dow Rally
Bill & Anker have opened registration for The Charlie Dow Rally, and they are concerned that no one has yet to register. Stephen confirmed that the event is listed on the top of the monthly email blast. Other options for event promotion such as FB and IG were discussed.
Autocross
AX registrations are down substantially, which is unusual. With new sound restrictions and fears of some GT3 drivers have stopped that their cars will exceed sound restrictions. The first two events of the season were held on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, which did not help.
Luis noted that AX info is shared on all messaging platforms. Luis asked if DE is seeing flat or more participants. Kristin shared DE is seeing more uptick and noted that the DE team has done more work on driver educational materials. For many years, the classroom session was light etc. The is feeling and they have taken the classroom to new levels.
Luis asked is there a general lack of AX education? Kristin wants to work with Chris and try to understand the drop in attendance. Some have “graduated,” some moved to DE, and some folks are concerned that the stock cars would not pass recently implemented noise restriction. Glenn asked Kristin if the successful DE education improvements could be an approach applicable to AX. Kristin said Dave (Berman) would be willing to help. In addition, Glenn asked if webpage refreshes add some operational changes could help. Kristin wants point,
Luis recommended applying for learning towards next year and nothing to do this year.
Robert offered a suggestion for one or two tech sessions focused on AX. Some members with zero experience may feel intimidated by AX. Robert noted new members may not understand what to expect and feel intimidated.
Conversely, more advanced AX drivers are interested in subjects such as car setup, bleeding brakes, treadwear, selecting brake pads etc.
Luis wants to simplify it further: Tires, a new owner may not understand the difference with treadwear and ratings. The worst thing you do is hit a cone. One or two sessions can address beginners and/or experienced drivers.
Kristin and Dave will work with Chris to brainstorm on possible improvements to increase participation as DE has recently implemented more education into their events.
Bailey shared a focus on advanced techniques/drivers/tech session and more advanced topics and can attract others who may want to hear about in the winter months. It will be held in the winter months. like a teaser and help prepare for the driver season. Try to work with others and who are instructors to help with advanced driving concepts. Tech sessions held at our service providers would be the best venues.
Glenn asked Kristin to introduce this idea of a tech session with Chris.
Luis – Communication
Has not been presented and things have been crazy, and I will say with my remaining time if you need support from comms and wants to hold himself accountable.
Comms – how are driving events doing and willing to be a part of the conversation with Chris to apply from DE to AutoX
Promotions: Update marketing collateral (Via sponsorship/Advertising) and 2 months ago got an opportunity to work with the restoration and auto shop and they tried and did something Shop Talk Volume I (Strengths, business and brought in 1K just shy) and if works another option to consider for next year.
Level of effort: person/zoom/via email/collect images etc. and build the article based off the one we created last yr. and have a full conversation and puts an hour to put together and working in total 2-3hrs and can make 800-1k for 5/6 hrs. of work and 90 day program and the first month, logo email, logo on web, 2nd editorial and we have steps to run 60-90 day period and can have another thing to offer via advertising and Stephen shared it was relatively easy and the time is in the editorial and we need to figure out the questions/structure and should not be more than 5hrs… we can simply work via Microsoft word doc and provides the necessary info the shop talk/story and can be done in a variety of ways and we can replicate it. 1K 3 months of advertising and 15-20K per year to put towards donuts/coffee.
Projects: chair role placed on role and priority and now we have analytics tracking and what are we going to do with the info and who will use actively and need to understand why this is a priority.
Robert shared which areas can deliver good sponsorship and the value/cost via an add standpoint and what we can sell via the website.
Centralizing login information – Freedcamp for social media handles and etc. and can work on via September.
Number of hits: 6K from 3,500 people visit from individuals and it is tracking properly Google analytics.
Glenn would like to see if we can breakdown and isolate 90 days/year to date. We can share our story and offer our members a substantial size project.
Website redesign and try to get a website assessment from Ryan (hold/pending/pay someone to support), Mark has a car guy and see if he will consider (use a proper website design tool) and see if we can have someone to review the Martha Dow page and a couple of photos do not come out correctly.
Stephen Membership
July we had 17 new members and one transfer in and five transfer out and 27 renewals and 14 lapsed membership and the numbers are a little down for July and June’s numbers were better for new members and can be on vacation etc. will wait for the august numbers, Glenn asked about the new price increase and Stephen stated he was not sure if it affected the July membership totals.
Glenn revisiting Board 3yr terms: Kristin disagrees can leave a better onboarding conversation, who would potentially not want to do a 3yr sting etc. it can lead someone to being on the board for 9yrs.
Luis’ perspective – Proper onboarding and training, efficiency should consider mutual onboarding plan and then extend the role, the more they want to do the work etc. others may want to do this, and it is a possibility to figure out the onboarding aspects.
Bailey’s perspective – we do not allow the successive terms and I am precluded from running again as treasurer and the terms can be done 2 consecutive and it works at Audi, and we can consider if people want to run in the same role IF they want to raise their hand to do that and can do ultimately 6 yrs. in some roles. Effective, enjoying themselves and the board can say no et. with some checks and balances.
Luis asked if we are not allowed via PCA laws and Kristin shared the intent is to have a check and balance.
Stephen agreed with Luis on terms of the onboarding.
Glenn the need to experience things happening and get up to speed and put together a transition and we must keep looking for others and if there are people who want to remain and that is one less person to train and to work in this process.
Mark shared could someone resign if they do not want to continue as a member of the board.
Mark VP Admin
Porsche and coffee is unable to attend and shared 50 ppl for the event and first and foremost the party the extra focus and what I learned, it took a while to find a new location and we did not push enough and we have folks registering and we have until Friday we have 60 ppl now and we are good in terms of the number and only 1 child registration and ask if dogs are allowed. Dan and Avril will volunteer, and we have lawn games as well.
Tech session at Justin’s and will inquire if in October.
Did we invoice Justin, the answer is yes by Bailey, and we can move that to a completion.
Motion to conclude was made and seconded. The meeting concluded at 7:55pm ET.
