Mvcco

[chris vickery]

Greetings to All MLU patrons!

Rumour abounds of a New group for fellow enthusiasts of military vehicles, militaria, history etc. A loose knit organization of persons who share an interest
in all things green, rusty or otherwise.

No politics, minimalist comittments by members and very low yearly dues.
No executive. No business endorsements. No BS. Everyone welcome.

A large spring and fall Swap Meet and Greet- no "shows" per se, but a private gathering of friends, for friends. No public interest or involvement.
Maybe a couple newsletters.
Just good old fashioned fun.

Military Vehicle Collectors Ontario
-
more to follow

Ideas, thoughts???

[Jon Skagfeld]

Chris: Why dilute what we already have?

[chris vickery]

Jon, do you remember the CC events on your back door step, the West End Meet etc?
How much fun were they???

[Bob Carriere]

......wonder if it is inevitable.......

All gathering start small ....... with honest intentions..... grow rapidly than gradualy falls apart. Can't explain it..... and I am not against it.... I just can't explain it.

I have personaly experienced it several times... with 1812 re-enactors, woodturners association, parish recreational association, 4x4 clubs, CMP publications, MLU's brush with financial problems, etc...even the American MV association had some trying time a few years ago.

It seems that it almost requires a cyclical forest fire to revitalize the vegetation..... from the ashes comes forth new life. It still remains that while the forest is burning down, which is an awful sight...... some plants (members) will disappear and new varieties will grow.

Is this the early sign of a new (O) MV (A) forest fire.....??? would it not be more advantagous to have a control burn so as not to loose everything...?

Can't we identify what made certain events fun, see if we can isolate it, and strive to replicate those elements..... or identify what is not desirable, such as different opinions, egos, different interest, egos, doing it for business purposes versus just a hobby ( both of which has its place as I buy stuff), egos, oddly enough dues have never been a reason for breaking up..... every one wants to show up for the fun but no one wants to take charge to organize it.....

I wish I could offer a quick solution ....... all I know is "deja vu" ...... and sadly we may see it again.



Bob C.

[Robin Craig]

I agree with Bob.

Very cyclical occurrence in any group I have been part of.

Same for scale model making and Land Rovers and military vehicles

R

[chris vickery]

Bob and Robin, you both make some very valid points.
Bob, I really like your "forest fire" analogy as it seems fitting.
Sadly, politics always rears its ugly head in most organizations-left unchecked they self destruct.

[Robin Craig]

Chris,

honestly, if you stick around long enough the politics drop off or at least the political people drop away.

Rise above any perceived politics and be in the hobby for what it is supposed to be for.

My other comments are that if you criticise then you should be prepared with solutions and the time to execute those solutions, if not then hold back and let what is working, no matter how rough it is and let the organisation continue.

As a past prez of a group I always invited those who objected to the way things were run to step up and participate, when they declined I left things as they were. It was the only sane way to run an interest group staffed by 100% volunteers. It was a kind of beneficial dictatorship by the elected volunteers.

Sadly, as with most organisations the elected volunteers run things the way they see fit and can manage which is often interpreted by the masses as being political, that is for the most part NOT was intended. Perception and reality are two different things.

This is a huge touchy feely subject and not meant to offend anyone.

I am a member of OMVA ( i think) and a number of other groups, quite happy to follow around behind the elected exec and accept their running of the organisation and suck up anything I dont like, as life is way too short and I do not want to run OMVA.

Hats off to the OMVA exec.

Regards

Pragmatic Robin

[chris vickery]

Robin, two points-

Where in my post do you perceive "criticism" which you have so eloquently pointed out in your reply, and

Where is there any mention of OMVA, other than by those responding to my post?

I have also been and am involved in other organizations, both in a capacity as a member and as an Executive Member. The truth of the matter in my experience is that very seldom do people speak up whenever an issue(s) needs resolution but choose to complain in absentia from any meetings, discussions etc.
For the most part, people will grumble and never confront problems but rather run around and stab each other in the back- its easier that way.

[Robin Craig]

Chris,

I perceive "criticism" from the comment "No politics, No executive. No business endorsements. No BS. Everyone welcome."

If it wasn't a criticism then so be it.

As far as OMVA it would be very hard for the connection not to be made Chris even though you didnt mention it.

You live in Ontario, you talk of spring and fall swap meets, so I'm making the connection that you were suggesting in Ontario and not in New Mexico.

You talk of "No executive and no dues", so that clearly is reference to a formalised group, the only one that comes to mind in Ontario is OMVA.

It is only fair to read between the lines Chris and connect the dots.

You, as anyone else is, are free to do what you want, after all isn't that what was fought for by our ancestors, our freedom.

Love to hear more of any MV events formal or informal and would attend if convenient.


Hope that clears things up.


R