Rootes Review from Voting Forum

10-22-17
Steve Towle


I think there is a serious issue with the Rootes Review we should start addressing. We received a monthly combined issue for July, August and September quite late. we have as yet seen October’s issue as now it is the 21st of the month. Now, having seen this happen before in the 40+ years Jan and I have been members of TE/AE, we know only too well what are the results when members do not receive their newsletter in a timely manner. We lose members big time! We put so much emphasis on our Uniteds where less than 25 percent participate leaving, the rest membership only attending a few local/regional if and when they happen. Now being a member of CAT as well, I cannot overlook the fact their membership is increasing monthly and ours stays the same or lessens. As a former Membership Chairperson I remember similar situations explaining why a member should stay with TE/AE when they looked forward to receiving their Newsletter each month. We, as Board Members as well as Officers should address this issue ASAP!


10-23-17
tiger tom

Gee, do I ever agree! It’s a sad situation. Appreciate your poking at this unhealthy situation. There are incidents of items sent to Jennifer that have not seen print. Joe P. has a plan that was discussed at the United Bd mtg to help with this problem and push the RR to more frequent printing. I am not sure where Joe is with his plan. Essentially, we send or cc info to Joe P and he will oversee content. Joe may clarify. This just reminded me that I was supposed to send in some info, which I will do shortly. In any case, the problem is much bigger than missing content. It is one of commitment. And we have none.

I believe we are at the point where we need to ask Jennifer if she is up to the monthly task or if she would like to relinquish. I’d suspect she’d relinquish. We need to have a back up plan to produce a monthly newsletter. Our options are to;

  1. Have the next RR make a passionate appeal for a editor.
  2. Send out an appeal to all members via an email blast.
  3. Network from all our contacts for potential candidates.

We need to thank and respect Jennifer’s contributions as an Ed and work on digitizing in searchable forms all the past printed newsletters.

TT

10-23
anonymous

I’ve got to agree with Tom. Once it is determined that Jen wants to step down I’ll send out an email appeal and post something on the website.

According to Dan (our printer) he spoke with Jen and the next newsletter will get to him by the 24th. At this point it’s probably too late for an appeal in this issue.

Updating club mailing address

Moved seconded and approved

1. Dave Lawler should be informed to close P.O. Box 1260, Kulpsville, PA  19443.

2. Dave Lawler should be granted another 5 years of free membership.

3. Change the Club’s address on the Newsletter, Website and Members Only Page to:  820 Fishing Creek Valley Rd, Harrisburg, PA  17112 (Kerch & Joe        McConlogues address) for as long as they remain Webmaster and Membership Chairman.

   4.  Grant Kerch & Joe McConlogue free membership for as long as the remain Webmaster and Membership Chairman.

5.  If there is any Official Correspondence, use the same club address as in item 3 above and the club will reimburse the McConlogues for any expenses necessary to forward to the correct person.

General Membership Meeting: September 2016

Norcross, GA
September 10, 2016

Opening Matters

President Pam Jeffers called the annual General Membership Meeting of Tigers East/Alpines East (TEAE) to order at 2:50 p.m. President Jeffers then introduced the Board of Directors (BoD), club officers, and regional representatives present.

Secretary James Lindner read the minutes from the 2015 General Membership Meeting. No changes to the minutes were made and the minutes were accepted as read.

Treasurer Report: Treasurer Barb Geshke reported financial reports are published in the Rootes Review quarterly. At the end of 2015 the club had a balance of $22,715.16. At the end of August the club’s balance was $38,244.94. This amount is higher than normal because of United XXXIV funds deposited and expenses yet to be paid. Overall, the club is very solvent and this year’s United should at least break even.

Membership Report: Chairperson Joe McConlogue provided the following membership information: Total Membership is about 500.  All new and current members were urged to submit current email addresses. Chairman McConlogue briefly discussed current efforts to improve the Member’s Section of the website by creating pages for individual members, which the member could customize. He is hoping to achieve this goal late this year.

Webmaster Report: Chairperson Kerch McConlogue reminded the members about the calendar available on the website. If a member wants to list an event on the website, they just need to fill out the form on the website and the event will be listed on the website and newsletter. Chairperson McConlogue also discussed the RSS feed link on the website. If you sign up you will receive an email notifying you of new content. Simply go to TEAE/getnews and click on the link to Get Updates. When you receive the confirmation email you must respond to it as directed.  

Forum Report: No report—Chairperson Eric Smyder was not present.

Rootes Review Editor Report: No report—Editor Tod Brown was not present. President Jeffers advised that the club is seeking a new editor and asked that anybody interested in becoming editor should contact her.

Publicity: Chairperson Robert Jaarsma had nothing significant to report. President Jeffers reported that Brad Phillips will assume the duties as Publicity Chairperson.

Regalia: Eric Gibeaut reported that all products available online through the site www.fourth-gear-ltd.com are posted on the forum and online at TEAE.org/regalia. Currently, the club is working a deal for fleece jackets that will be available in time for Christmas.

Old Business

Sunbeam Survivor Manual is now scanned and online on the TE/AE website in searchable format.

Rootes Archive Center (RAC): The BOD has approved to continue an annual donation to this worthwhile effort.  Last year the club donated $250.00. This year the BOD will review our budget and possibly increase the donation to $500.00. In January 2016 the club donated an additional $750.00 to the RAC Building Fund. President Jeffers advised that individual donations to the RAC are also possible and members should see the RAC website for additional information.

Future Uniteds:

United XXXVI: Jim Lindner reported next year’s United will be in Staunton, VA and tentatively scheduled for 21-24 September 2017. The Holiday inn in Staunton is being strongly considered as the host hotel. The concours will likely be held in one of the many local parks and the autocross event will run as part of an event conducted by the SCCS Blue Ridge Region. A formal proposal was submitted to the BOD and this plan had been approved.

At this time the members were asked if they prefer t-shirts or golf shirts for next year’s United. Golf shirts were preferred by a small margin. After some additional discussion it was announced both t-shirts and golf shirts will be available next year.

The members were also asked if they would prefer future Uniteds to be a midweek event. The majority of members present prefer a weekend event.

United XXXVII: The North: Initial planning efforts are focused in the New England area

United XXXVIII: The Midwest or possibly SUNI VII.

Club Roster: The new roster has been published and is available on the website in the members section. Twenty-five members received hard-copy and were include in the United Registration packet. If members have any questions about the roster please let the club know.

New Business:

Adoption of Revised Bylaws: President Jeffers announced that the BOD had approved to revise the club’s bylaws and that such a revision required a vote by the membership on two issues: separate the Bylaws from the AOI; and approve the amended Bylaws. A copy of the changes was provided to each member in advance as part of their Registration packet. Kerch McConlogue explained to the membership the reason for the change and the key provisions of the change. Kerch explained that originally the Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation (AOI) had been written as a single document, requiring a change to the AOI and notification to the State of Virginia whenever the Bylaws were changed—something that has not been done. This revision separates the two documents in addition to four other key changes.

  1. Authorizes the Board of Directors to set and collect dues.
  2. Authorizes the Newsletter editor to produce and distribute a newsletter.
  3. Identifies the role of the treasurer in the production and distribution of the newsletter.
  4. Changes the voting process whereby the Membership Chairman (vice the Secretary) collects and tallies the votes and ensures the results are published in the newsletter.

At this point President Jeffers asked if there was a motion to separate the club’s Bylaws from the AOI. Gary Holman so moved and Robert Jaarsma seconded the motion. The motion to separate the AOI from the Bylaws was approved.

President Jeffers asked if there was a motion to approve the amended bylaws. Sy Block so moved and Gary Holman seconded the motion. The motion to accept the amended bylaws passed.

2016 Officer and Board of Director Nominations

  • President: Joe Parlanti
  • Vice-President: James Lindner
  • Secretary: Jackie Parlanti
  • Treasurer: Barb Geschke (4th and final year)

Board of Directors: Dave Reina and Judy Sharkey have agreed to run again. Sy Block and Bill Bullpit are new nominations that have also agreed to run.  In the election we will vote in three of these four.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Jean Webb and seconded by Rainey Dohogne. The meeting was adjourned at 3:28 PM.

Jim Lindner, Secretary

Date posted here does not necessarily match the date minutes were submitted.

Treasurer’s report in RR

Seems to me that the bylaws require a posting of the Treasurer’s Report be accomplished at least twice per year. The report was accepted by the BOD at their last meeting but I have not seen a copy available to the general membership in quite some time.

Could we please have this placed into the Rootes Review like we used to have? Or, have it available on the web site for members only?

Thanks in advance.

Fred Baum

Minutes: Board Meeting Feb 24, 2016

On January 24, 2016 the officers, board of directors and regional representatives held the club’s semi-annual meeting, via conference call. The minutes from that meeting follow.

Tigers East/Alpines East
Semi-Annual Board of Director’s Meeting
January 24, 2016

Opening Matters

President Jeffers called the meeting to order at 2:07 PM EST.

Roll Call: Participants in the meeting, conducted via conference call, included Tom Earhart, Joe Parlanti, Steve Towle, John Logan Jr, Joe McConlogue, Kerch McConlogue, Tod Brown, Bill Bulpitt, Tom Hillmann, Eric Gibeaut, Judy Sharkey, Pam Jeffers, Barb Geschke, Robert Jaarsma, Curt Bowland, David Reina, and Mike Schreiner.

Secretary’s Report: Minutes from the last meeting were emailed to everyone in advance. Tom Earhart made a motion to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded by Curt Bowland and was passed.

Treasurer’s Report was emailed to all participants in advance. Tom Earhart made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by David Reina and was passed.

Membership Report was emailed to all participants in advance. Curt Bowland made a motion to accept the Membership Report. The motion was seconded by Eric Gibeaut and was passed. Membership Chairperson Joe McConlogue asked that the complimentary memberships we send out be reviewed and updated. That item will be put on the agenda for the United.

Website Report was emailed to all participants in advance. Tom Earhart made a motion to accept the report. The motion was seconded by Curt Bowland and was passed.

Forum Report: No report received.

Editor’s Report: If enough information is received, the February edition of the Rootes Review will be out mid February. Otherwise February and March will be a combined edition.

Publicity Report: Robert Jaarsma sent out United information to most of the addresses he had. The possibility of placing an ad for the United in Classic Motorsports magazine was discussed. While everyone likes to support that magazine all felt it was not cost effective.

Regalia Report: Eric reported that he owes Tod Brown an article on how to use the regalia web site http://www.fourth-gear-ltd.com/
Old Business:

Rootes Review article to thank Jennifer & Kenneth Arters. President Jeffers asked for the current status of this action. Tom Earhart reported that Fred Baum will be writing an article for the Rootes Review. It has been delayed due to Fred’s health and trying to contact the Arters for information. Tom said he will birddog this item.

Sunbeam Survivor Manual – is this project complete?
This project is still ongoing. Tom Earhart, Joe McConlogue and 10 – 15 volunteers have put much work into this effort. There were 136 tech tips in the original manual. The manual now has 273 and more coming. Tod Brown stated it is valuable work and he would like a description of the work being done for a newsletter article. Tod also suggested that he would like someone to create a tech tip of the month article for the Rootes Review. Kerch mentioned that if you sign up for the “RSS feed” of TE/AE.org you will be notified when a new tech tip has been added.

Future Uniteds

• 2016 South- United XXXIV in Atlanta – Bill Bulpitt gave a detailed update for the plans on the upcoming United. Rooms at the Hilton Atlanta NE will be $89 per night. Car show will be in Old Norcross Square. The Autocross will be at Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center and set up by the Jag Club. A tour of the Panoz Factory is also scheduled. The budget is still being finalized. The Registration form will be published once the budget is finalized. Joe Parlanti asked about a speaker and a discussion followed. Key points included limiting the speaker to 20 minutes and keeping the topic Rootes related rather than just Tiger related.

• 2017 Mid Atlantic – Will the Virginias Region host? John Logan Jr reported that Russ Eshelman is looking at possible location in the Virginia area.

• 2018 North – Recommendations were solicited.

• 2019 Midwest – SUNI VII – Recommendations were solicited.

It was recommended that President Jeffers request the membership to consider possible locations and hosts for future Uniteds in her monthly President’s letter.

Regional Representatives

All Regions are now represented:
New England – Rande Bellman
New Jersey – Tom Hillmann has replaced Jim Sauer

Tom Hillmann, Mike Schreiber and Curt Bowland all reported on events they hope to promote in their regions. Curt commented that the boundaries of his region are vague. He is only able to promote the greater Chicago area.

Rootes America

Project status update on the follow up letter to other Rootes clubs and contact with Tigers United about future of their website (See items 2 & 3 from the July 2015 BOD Meeting minutes?) Dave Reina reported that there was no response to the initial emails and nothing new has been done since the United.

Tom Ehrhart made the motion to discontinue pursuing the Rootes America initiative until the board decides to revisit it at some future date; but retain branding on the Web site and Club banners. Joe Parlanti seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Rootes Archive Center Trust – http://www.rootesarchivecentre.org/

The club received a thank you letter for last year’s donation of $250. At each United the BOD will review and vote to make an annual donation.

Possible New Award:

Judy Sharkey had previously brought up the possibility of a new award for those who have not restored their cars. What is the status of this initiative? Judy said she still would like to keep this as an option. But it has gone beyond her original intent. She will put something together and get it to the BOD in the next few months.

Roster

Tom Ehrhart provided the following update: Feb 29th is the deadline for members to request a paper copy of the roster in the January Rootes Review. So far seven have requested one. Tom Calvert commented that he had not seen the roster notice in the newsletter on page 7. Several others commented that they had not seen it either. Much discussion followed. In was discussed that the roster should include emails and be printable in booklet form. It was decided to desktop publish enough rosters for those requesting a paper copy and those for new members. If he can, Tom will put them in booklet form. A printable pdf version of the roster will be worked on so it is available on the members’ only web page.

Bylaws Update

Kerch McConlogue reported that the Articles of Incorporation should be separate from the bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation need to be updated. This should be completed by the United so the membership can vote to approve the update. Jim Morrison set up the bylaws. Tom Ehrhart will contact Jim for his advice.

Elections

President Jeffers thanked Kerch McConlogue for setting up the online voting for this year’s elections and noted voter participation was the best she could remember.

A discussion of potential nominees for the 2016 officer/BOD elections ensued.

President – Joe Parlanti (He would accept)
Vice-President – James Lindner (Joe Parlanti will ask Jim)
Secretary – (Joe Parlanti will ask Jackie Parlanti)
Treasurer – Barb Geschke (She would accept)

Board of Directors – terms ending this year
Joe Parlanti (Not eligible if elected president)
Dave Reina (He would accept)
Judy Sharkey (She would accept)

New Business:

Eric Gibeaut emailed to all a request from the Rootes Archive Trust Building Fund. They want to build a permanent building to house the Rootes Archives. They are looking for a one time pledge of $750. Eric made a motion for a onetime payment to the Rootes Archive Trust Building Fund in the amount of $750. John Logan Jr. seconded the motion and the board approved it unanimously. It was discussed that the BOD might consider the possibility of making an additional donation at some future time if funds permit.

Judy stated that only one (1) set of Lord Rootes Badges are left. Two (2) badges are given to each Lord Rootes recipient and more are needed. Judy stated that in the past 10 badges cost $1000. Joe Parlanti suggested shopping around. He will look at vendors the Clustered Spires club used in the past and get back to Judy. Tom Earhart made the motion to spend $1000 for at least 10 badges. Joe Parlanti seconded the motion and the board approved it unanimously.

Robert brought up the idea of creating a list of vendors and repair shops that cater to British cars where members have had good experiences. It was discussed that the vendors list on our web page needs updating. It may be possible to create a repair shop list of shops that are recommended by TE/AE members. Nothing was decided at this time. This item will stay on the agenda.

Barb Geschke requested the BOD’s opinion on the build-up of excess funds. Since excess funds are not a tax problem nothing will be done.

Robert Jaarsma brought up the idea of encouraging members, if they so chose, to donate in their estate, cars or car parts for the clubs benefit. It was brought up that our incorporation status would not allow any donations to be tax deductible by the donor. Nothing was decided at this time.

A motion to adjourn was made by David Reina at 4:20 EST. Tom Calvert seconded the motion. The motion to adjourn passed.

Thanks,

Jim