APBA members it is time to get answers!!

[bill van steenwyk]

Billie: YOU don't get it! I'm not the one who wants this stuff. If you want it, join APBA and get it yourself. It's funny, you complain about how much it costs to race, but you want an APBA office that is at your beck-and-call. It appears that you don't get that either.

BTW: I consider the bashing a badge of honor. Please keep it up.

Eddie:

I could care less PERSONALLY about "wanting this stuff", and I certainly do not want or need an APBA office at my beck-and-call. Also if what you get now for your money is what I see and don't see anymore, I think I will keep my check book closed.

What I do remember well was that you wrote an e-mail to Gloria at the APBA office during our disagreement regards the radio rule, and threatened me with expulsion from the organization because I disagreed with you about that rule and the way it was forced on the PRO category without a vote of the membership. You said I was going to get our insurance canceled, when what actually happened was the person responsible for the APBA policy with that company wrote an article for the next Propeller agreeing with my position. APBA then had a different carrier the next year. Cause and effect Eddie?

I mistakenly thought an attorney with an ounce of common sense could see the error of such a rule when radios were mandatory in other category's. A vote by the commission that Strang appointed to hear the appeal about it, also agreed the original rule was illegal, so you were on the wrong side of that issue twice.

Lots of folks still actively racing do not want to put up with your BS or harrasment if they disagree with you in a public forum, so they send me little tidbits sometimes pointing out some of your positions they think are wrong, and I am happy to help publicize them.

As I am not an active driver or owner of equipment anymore membership is not something I have to have or want based on the direction APBA has taken lately So whether I choose to agree or disagree with your take on things, to keep it simple I have chosen to act as not only a spokesperson for myself, but others who feel the same as I.

So its not just me Eddie, that thinks you are an idiot and misguided, but many others, and consequently you will have me to kick around for awhile longer. Most of the members of my family have lived well into their 90's, so if you consider bashing an "honor", prepare yourself for scrutiny well into my old age.

All the personal attacks on myself and others that desire some openness and transparency about these matters, says much more about you than it does me. If you and the BOD had spent as much time doing that (hiding the facts about the Crowne contract) when it first came up, we would be a year past this by now. As some one else said, " but it is what it is".

[Waterson Racing Team]

I think it is simple.....without major sponsorship the cost will kill or continue to dwindle the already shrinking membership base. Less races = less racers = less revenue. It is a very simple problem. Therefore, major work and revamping or APBA digital presence and "yes" the Propeller were needed to be able to "sell" ABPA outside of the existing membership. So I am in favor of the moves that were made.

However, the implementation has been questionable, and communication terrible. Our elected BOD seems to be content letting this process progress like this. That has been disappointing. Furthermore, APBA new hires have had very little effect that can be seen or felt by the membership. I have heard several times that the goal is for $100K in sponsorship dollars for 2013. How are we tracking against that? I have no idea, and that is not acceptable. I am a sales person and have a quota, if I miss it consistently than I am fired. APBA needs that attitude. If you cant produce sponsorship revenue in 12 months than we need to find someone that can. Another extremely disappointing piece is the lack of promotion. I thought that the "new" APBA hires would do more to cover our "big" races and events. Maybe it is coming, but I have not seen enough yet. It is not enough just to attend the race as the Director of APBA, you should be covering it and working with the media to expose it.

If I were in charge: the top five things I would focus on would be:

1. Secure an APBA Title Sponsor and use the revenue gained to try and reduce race insurance cost. Hire a quota carrying salesperson in lieu of a Director who sole focus is driving sponsor revenue.

2. Better promotion though affordable means - streaming video - Facebook - Linked In - You Tube -Twitter - ScoopIt - Rebel Mouse. Hire Dan Lawrence as a consultant (full time would be my goal once we could afford him) to guide and drive social media promotion and web presence. Dan would also guide Crown on website layout and general appearance and user friendliness.

3. Re-assessment of where we technically are with our digital upgrade. I believe the website is getting better every month, but some focus needs to be given to certain areas. I believe some redesign is necessary. As it sits now it is neither sponsor sexy or membership friendly. I believe a "revamped" statement of work is necessary with more targeted deliverables that are agreed and tested prior to roll out.

4. Hire Tana back with the goal of a "printed Propeller" magazine - for an additional membership subscription cost. If you want it in print you should be able to have it, but on your dime. Same holds true with the rulebook. APBA just does not have the budget to subsidize it, but the membership should have the option to purchase it if they do not reside in the digital world.

5. Force categories to have "new member" programs and classes geared towards "new name" members. This is the harder part of the re-build, the product. Our categories and classes need to be viewed as APBA products. The products have to appeal to customers and consumers. The BOD needs to play a part in insuring that the categories produce products that consumers want to buy.

These would be the five core things I would drive and build my business plan on.

The key to the success and adoption or change of any business is COMMUNICATION. APBA is not going to become healthy in one year or with one website or with Facebook. It is a process that will take several years, and good communication is critical to keeping the existing members engaged and excited about where the organization is headed.

This would be my agenda, if I were running for a BOD.

2 cents...

Dean
12M

Three ballotts just left our house with Dean Sutherland written in.
Good luck Dean!

[Ron Hill]

12m's Point #5

5. Force categories to have "new member" programs and classes geared towards "new name" members. This is the harder part of the re-build, the product. Our categories and classes need to be viewed as APBA products. The products have to appeal to customers and consumers. The BOD needs to play a part in insuring that the categories produce products that consumers want to buy.

Bill Muncie was the one that decided "WE" (APBA) needed to own heir own building. Bill set up a "Building Fund" and within about 5 years, "WE" (MEMBERS) paid for the HQ office building.

Bill Muncie was in the process of hiring me when he was killed. His vision of "TURBINE POWER" was gold. Bill figured he could run a second boat, with turbine power for the price of one piston engine.

Bill LOVED "MOD VP" as he raced a stock Evinrude 235 on a stock Glastron Carlson.

Bill saw "GRASS ROOT" as our future.

GOLF has Pro-Am, boat racing, not just APBA needs at least one "PRO-AM" class per division, with consumer friendly equipment, Boat Racing needs a Pro-Am Division.

People want to race, trust me. (I sold 65 props in the las two months to boaters with motors less than 70 HP.) I attended a Solar Power boat race here in California with 72 TEAMS entered. Trust me, they came to race...17 MPH could win it.

72 TEAMS!!!!! (I'm the Chad Kanuas of Solar Boat Racing, just an FYI!!!)

I won't be labor the point, but solar boats run some cool rules........of course no one in APBA would wonder what these 72 high school teams are thinking.....I mean..."WE ARE APBA"...

12M you have some good ideas and good points.

I may have missed it, but where is the BOD of APBA's POST THEIR GOALS?????

[Ron Hill]

Big Don..

Fact, You are the only person in my 44 years of doing this that has sent me props without asking for them or having a conversation about them. I have always thought that was pretty awesome of you to do so. And I know if I called you and told you I had a new person that we were trying to get started you would send them props at no cost to help them.

Truth is, I have not been in touch with kneeldown props for a long time. I worked with Tammy Dawe for about the last 7 years. Ernie and i have been friends since 1955.

With Tammy's passing I bought all of Tammy's "A" equipment....I now own 7 15A OMC's and one Merc. Marlee Hill is the SoCal "SPARK PLUG" for boat racing. All these motors I own will be on the race course in 2013. I'm the "BANK of HILL" as I carry the paper for new racer's purchases. Where else can you finance a race boat???

I'll just add" If the BOD of APBA has a "PLAN" I've missed it....

[hshawwpba]

Perhaps a little birdy told him he needed to hang up the phone because he was going to be indoctrinated if he listened to an explanation. We can speculate all day long about what we don't know about, Bill. I don't find that to be very productive.

Interesting, I have not hung up on anyone?? when did he call me I have my cell on 24/7 and it will only go to voice mail if I am in a meeting.
Could it be whom ever called had a "private Phone" message that comes up becuase they blocked their phone #?/ If that's the case your correct I probably did not answer and allowed call to go to voice mail. I check voice mail hourly and have never had a message from the "beer garden king" as I hear it that is his new nick name, from those who attended the nationals.

[hshawwpba]

I'm not going to say why I think Rex Hall was right, but I'd like to say that number one here by Dean 12M IS A FINE IDEA..

Why not approach O'Boy Oberto??? Lucas Oil? Geigo Insurance??? Gary Garbrecht had Las Vegas on all PROP TOUR BOATS back in 1996-97.

The problem I see with this THREAD is Crown Partner's brother is trying to shout the rest of the world down with personal attacks. I'm 68....I sponsor three girls in ASH, I put 12 A Hydros on thw ater last year, I'm really no stumble bum I OPENLY DO NOT support APBA.

14-H maybe the greatest Hall of Champions driver in the entire world, but it appears to me he's about as good of business man as Obama and is just as arrogant.

Somebody from APBA email me and asked if I'd start writing for the Propeller, again!!!!! I said, "NO."

APBA deserves to fail, and it will. And I predict, with Crown Partners having a contract, once APBA files BK, guess which Hearn Family will own APBA????


ADD: Bring Tana back! (Yes, I'm almost as old as Bill Giles)...But I am also computer semi literate, BRF has 7,000 members. An association needs a monthly newsletter.

LAST ADD: Fire away 14-H and Big Don.....You are the only two who keep defending APBA's lack of leadership, lack of planning, lack of progress, lack of vision!

There is an open write in line, I am going to also write in Dean 12M let's all get on the band wagon of change!

[hshawwpba]

Ron and anyone else that feels the same way…as for the statement of “You are the only two who keep defending APBA's lack of leadership, lack of planning, lack of progress, lack of vision!”

We have leadership, some just don’t agree with them.
They have a plan, some just don’t agree with it.
The progress may be happening a little slower than some of US would like. But I understand with what we are trying to do and know it never goes as planned and as fast as planned.
They have a vision, time will tell if it will come to fruition.

All I can tell you is MY opinion is, if we didn’t change the way we were doing things we would not have an organization, so I support the change hoping that it works out.

So….When did I in the last year or so defend APBA’s lack of leadership, lack of planning, lack of progress, lack of vision?

Here are some Facts…

Fact, I did ask Howard if the Mike Jones he was asking us to write in for was the same Mike Jones that caused us (the Members of APBA) ton’s of money in legal fees to stop him and Mike Alweiss from taking control of our money and our organization.

Fact, I have defended our new technology initiative because I believe it was way over due for our organization and the right thing for OUR organization. We were not marketable the way we were. Where we are heading with this technology is where we need to be to get the major sponsors interested and other goals of the organization.

Fact, I did tell individuals that I was sick of their negativity towards APBA.

Fact, I have defend the money being spent on the entire initiative because we needed to do it. (which BTW was a great deal, Crowne is NOT getting rich off of us, it’s probably costing them money)

Fact, I have defend the BOD for approving the technology.

Fact, I believe we should have bought HR as our web forum instead of trying to start from scratch. (I think Dan did an AWSOME job of building HR).

Fact, I don’t think our APBA forum is very attractive, and hope that when it’s all done it is.

Fact, I have never bashed any other organization.

Fact, I liked what Dean posted on how to keep improving on our initiative.

Fact, I have challenged you and others on what is posted because I don’t always feel they are the truths. With that said, I understand that 5 people could witness the same thing and you can get 5 different versions. Let me say it right now in front of everyone reading this I am sorry for my personal attacks of you in the past. Does not mean I won’t challenge you again though.

Fact, I appreciate what you do and how you help others. Does not mean all of Ron Hills ideas are the right ones, nor are mine or anyone else.

Fact, You are the only person in my 44 years of doing this that has sent me props without asking for them or having a conversation about them. I have always thought that was pretty awesome of you to do so. And I know if I called you and told you I had a new person that we were trying to get started you would send them props at no cost to help them.

Fact, I MISS MY PROPELLER MAGIZINE COMING IN THE MAIL. I would be willing to pay for it also, charge me for it and a rule book. But I also understand having it digital is also important.

Fact, insurance is costing us too much money. Something needs to be done. There has been talk in our region that if something does not change we may have to look at other avenues.

Fact, I did tell individuals that I was sick of their negativity towards APBA.
Here is something for all of us to consider….
Criticism by its very nature is always destructive.
In a seminar I attended recently, they told us that there is no such thing as “constructive criticism”. Constructive means positive, helpful, useful, etc. The intent of criticism means to tear down, disapproval, condemnation, etc. Therefore they told us these two words should not be used together. It was pretty eye awaking.
They also told us that, some people put others down to feel better themselves. Some even live in a false reality of what it would take to fix the issues at hand.
Complaining, condemning, or criticizing, are placing the blame on other people, and not doing anything to further the goals of the issues at hand.

Unfortunitly BIG DON, you drank the INSIDER koolaid at a young age and based on current fiancal status under your " current leaders" the Mike Jones plan may have been a better path to success, after all that plan was developed by real business people that have gone on to be very successful in many busines ventures. Looking at current leaders I find it hard to find anyone that could hold a candel to Mike or Jake and the other "young Terks" that saved APBA the last time it was in this same position. I wonder where the APBA would be today if we took the other path? After all the APBA had 1 million is assets when your team of white knights rode in and spent the money you claim to bring it back under the current control of the leaders you speak of only to arrive at poverty row! One thing history offers is the oppertunity to not make the same mistake twice! And here APBA is again in finacal stress, decreasing sanctions, decressing membership, unable to afford printing of the propeller magazine, and high cost deals/contracts draining the bank account! LET'S SPEND ON AS YOU SUGGEST AND SEE WHEN THE DOORS WILL BE LOCKED!
Anyone want to start the OVER/UNDER POOL???

[hshawwpba]

Daren:

At the drivers meeting Friday morning of Depue Dan and his communication's director were introduced. When the comm. director was asked if he had anything to say, he looked around and said "no".

In my mind that sumed up the entire problem with APBA at the moment. I am not for or against Howard at the moment, but am seriously considering him as a write-in, as things cannot get worse, ( no offense Howard).

Joe

No problem Joe, this is not about being for or aginst anyone, it is about trying to bring common sense to the table, there are allot of good business heads out there who can make a differance, unfortunitly they are not currently on the BOD or in office!

[HydroKyle93R]

Carl: Do your grandkids ever put down their smartphones and read it? Because, with all due respect (and I mean it- my father thinks of the Propeller just like you do), that is all I care about.

Hey Ed-
Your implication that my old man is, well, an 'old dude' is correct. However, you implied that either my brother, myself, or both have children of our own. You most certainly are incorrect. Thank you and goodnight. By the way, nice story about the J motor. I think your story shed some light on the 'other side' of the Crowne Partners' story.

[Big Don]

Howard, this is what I struggle with along with the people that have emailed or called me.

You have yet to tell any of us on here what you really plan to do. Other than you think something is going on in the books. WTH does that mean?????? What does the other two that you are telling us to write in plan to do? You preach open communications but are not willing to share what you would do? Oh wait you did say, “ The point is not that I have any or all the anwers, due to the hidden agendas and lack of information nobody can tell what needs to be done at this point.” Come right out and say what you are implying. Are you saying that members of our past BOD and current BOD are profiting off the organization? Are you implying that money was taken? What hidden agenda??? Oh yea I guess the entire BOD is in on this and are all on the take. Has some of the other endeavors gone bad? Sure, they have. And I’m not referring to the Crowne contract we are all aware that’s out there. What are you implying is going on at our office? I’m not sure because you hide behind implications that stuff is going on…so what do you think is going on…be a man and say it.

I still don’t get why you and others are upset at what WE (the organization) are doing. The BOD did realize that membership/sanctions were decreasing, that insurance is out of control, you and others want them to do something, but when they do, your upset. I don’t get it. Has some of it not been what we all wanted. Sure, but that’s how things go. You should know that they are not all going to be popular decisions. I applaud our current BOD members for finally being forward thinking to know it’s the direction we needed to go to try and stop the declining membership, to improve efficiencies, to update our antiquated computer system, etc. How is this initiative not a good thing???? I realize it may be late and we should have done some of this years ago but that does not mean you don’t do it now because you didn’t do it in the past. Will I be mad if all we get is what we see on the APBA web site. Hell yea I will, but I have to trust what Crowne and the BOD are telling us we are going to get when they are done.

As for making the same mistake twice…be careful what you wish for…I’m positive you don’t know everything that went down during our organizations law suit in the past. Just like I don’t… But I do know that a judge didn’t like some of it either.

[Matt Dagostino]

Very Cool.............

Ernie and i have been friends since 1955.
With Tammy's passing I bought all of Tammy's "A" equipment....I now own 7 15A OMC's and one Merc. Marlee Hill is the SoCal "SPARK PLUG" for boat racing. All these motors I own will be on the race course in 2013. I'm the "BANK of HILL" as I carry the paper for new racer's purchases. Where else can you finance a race boat???

As much as you talk you sure do back it up!!!........I spent a lot of time with Bunker, Marlee and several other members of your family at Grass Lake. With you and Ernie's experience and Marlee's enthusiasim boat racing has a bright future in Southern Cali.

In line with Big Don's prop stories.......my dad's best DSH prop in the mid 70's was your 2 blade L-72 i believe!!!! My dad won many races in New England with it against the likes of Satan, Glasses, Armstrong and many others!

Ok..........off to Lock Haven!

Matt

[Dave M]

One Thing Is For Certain

The next two or three years are going to be very important, and most likely determine the final outcome of the organizations future. It saddens me to think it has come to this. To bad the so called loud mouths were not taken seriously five to ten years ago.........

[14-H]

Eddie:
***I remember well that you wrote an e-mail to Gloria at the APBA office during our disagreement regards the radio rule, ***

So its not just me Eddie, that thinks you are an idiot ***".

Bill: See, I knew that was what you were still upset about. As I told you, I stay mad for 5 minutes. For you, it appears to be more like 5 years.

Oh, & I have never called you a name because you disagree with me.

[14-H]

*** Looking at current leaders I find it hard to find anyone that could hold a candel to Mike or Jake and the other "young Terks" that saved APBA the last time it was in this same position. I wonder where the APBA would be today if we took the other path? After ****

Finally, we see what Howard's plan is: Sea-Tac!

NO THANK-YOU, SIR.

[14-H]

Howard, ***You have yet to tell any of us on here what you really plan to do. ***.

Yes he did, Don. You and 95% of the membership won't like it. See above.