The DOA has never wronged me (personally) but as I have always stated, it lacks to offer me anything, nor do I feel it needs to (for any price they may require). I DO see a value in having a national organization that can help retain and disburse information, be a central point of contact, focus general interest in the car and other inquiries to regional clubs physically located close to people who would contact the DOA for information. So should I put time into the DOA and support it? How about this instead as a first step in good faith: Why doesn't the DOA promote the DMA, Ohio Club, AZ-D, DML, DMCtalk.com and other clubs/forums and their events? In return I would be more open to promoting the DOA as an overall "Central contact point" for all things Delorean related which might help their membership and magazine sales. Kevin Abato Vin# 16680 www.grenexmedia.com -----Original Message----- From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Josh Haldeman Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 11:59 PM To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: [DML] DeLorean Owners Association?? Kevin, Yes, this is the same debate we seem doomed to continue until the end of time, unless we do something about it. Yes, I understand that your point is that you don't see the value in having a national organization for the DeLorean automobile anymore, because the internet forums provide the same thing one would get from these types of communities, but for free. My point is that if you put the same effort into the DOA as you put into the DMA, or even that we've been putting into this discussion, we would see the DOA produce things of TANGIBLE value to the community and yourself. But we can't do anything if the community continues to expend all its energy on what this organization has done wrong, and no one steps forward to help us realize the possibilities of what it can be. Here's an example of the reason why you don't see more tangible products being produced by the DOA today: I agree with part of your assessment of our website language. I personally think the part about being the "largest independent car organization in the world" is outright laughable. I don't know who wrote that crap, but it's not based in any kind of reality, and I would be all too glad to change it. In fact, I maintain the website.so why don't I change it? Well, as you know, every decision in an organization run by a Board of Directors has to be approved by the board. I'm even speaking out of turn by commenting on this thread at all, because I don't speak with prior Board consent. I have requested a Board meeting to discuss what our replies should be here, but unfortunately, with members spaced out from LA to Belfast, finding a time that everyone can do a conference call is a challenge. (not every Board member has access to e-mail) I don't in anyway condone what happened when Directors were required to attend a monthly meeting in person in LA, but I can CERTAINLY see the value in having such a meeting. I imagine in that day and age, things actually got done in a timely fashion. It's a shame that the direction at the time was not one most people were interested in seeing pursued, including me, as it could have really been something outstanding. So.how do we fix this? In my opinion, the conversation MUST move beyond, "what the DOA did to wrong me", and we should instead ask ourselves, "what could the DOA be for us?" Despite my best efforts to steer the conversation to the latter, it keeps coming back to the former. Maybe I'm being too ambitious. Maybe I need to first ask, how can the DOA redeem itself in your eyes, so that we may be allowed to move forward and start working for the good of the community again? I welcome your input! Josh Josh Haldeman - Vice-President DeLorean Owners Association [moderator snip] ------------------------------------ To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/