APBA members it is time to get answers!!

[bill boyes]

Questions:
1. Why don't the membership get a rule book?
Oh I know that it is on line. So what my wife does is
down load it into a memory stick and take the stick to Staples who make into an 8 by 10 binder. Cost us about 10 bucks. However, now that there are pages with color the cost was about 30 bucks.
what was the cost to APBA to print a rule book?
2. The Propeller mag stinks. I cannot read it. many pages are written with white print with a black background. i really do not bother reading it or even trying anymore. My son helped me print it out last month. 40 some pages black and color print. used up a lot of printer ink. Do any one realize what the ink costs are for your printer. The printed paper curled up so it was not a keeper item and so I tossed it.
Our Region 11 entries have fallen so low that the clubs cannot afford to hold an event. now with the increase in Insurance the nails are being collected for the coffin. Some members are wanting to go NBRA.

We are paying the OPC insurance rate for Sport C !!! Last race (Sparks) no 45's showed up. Series races have killed the 45's in Region 11.
Have the APBA BOD offered to help us. HECK NO !!!!!

[hshawwpba]

I agree with what Big Don says.

Howard, I think what we're looking for is more than just a two-sentence 'this-has-got-to-change' stance. I am in agreement with that, but we need to know what your thoughts/position is to change it. By just saying by not investing on 0% ROI's and such doesn't really give us an idea of what the platform is.

You might not have it all hammered out currently but I believe what we are looking for is a more detailed statement of what you would plan to do as a member of the BOD to change things. I think you've struck peoples' interest enough to at least consider it - as long as there are solid details and explanations involved.

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. I believe first before I or anyone can expect change we need to get facts. If we need to get the answers and do research to find the true issues then make good business dissions. With enough "other board memebers" that truly want to dig in and truly find out what has happened or is happening only then can I or anyone tell you what are the facts and search for answers if it is not already to late! That is my concern on this that maybe the ship has sailed and the current efforts are only going to be to toss the rope away from the dock!
Probably not what you want to have from me but I have found that beofre you state how to change anything, you better do some fact finding and surround yourself with experianced people who really care. If that is you then please jump in and get on the write in band wagon there is room for 1 more name as we can vote for 4.
I beleive the first thing needed is a independent audit of the books for the past 10 years!
From this there will be paths to explore and truths exposed on many issues in question.

Have a great day, Howard

[Big Don]

If I’m wrong someone please correct me as I’m not as connected as some seem to think.
Aren’t our books audited by a CPA each year?

And as far as running for the BOD, it’s pretty simple per our bylaws…all it takes is 1 person on the BOD or a Category Chair to nominate someone, seems pretty simple if you ask me. Hopefully we all have at least someone on there that would nominate us, if not that might be telling...

ARTICLE IX - ELECTIONS.
Section 9.1. Nominations.
9.1.1. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Board of Directors of the Association and the Category Chairmen.
Members of the Nominating Committee may nominate candidates for elective offices but must do so prior to July 1 of the year of the election.

[bill van steenwyk]

[QUOTE=Big Don;207739]If I’m wrong someone please correct me as I’m not as connected as some seem to think.
Aren’t our books audited by a CPA each year?

And as far as running for the BOD, it’s pretty simple per our bylaws…all it takes is 1 person on the BOD or a Category Chair to nominate someone, seems pretty simple if you ask me. Hopefully we all have at least someone on there that would nominate us, if not that might be telling...

ARTICLE IX - ELECTIONS.
Section 9.1. Nominations.
9.1.1. Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Board of Directors of the Association and the Category Chairmen.
Members of the Nominating Committee may nominate candidates for elective offices but must do so prior to July 1 of the year of the election.[/QUOTE



If I am still able to read and comprehend, it would seem the Election process precludes anyone running for election in the same year the election is held unless they are nominated by JULY 1st of that SAME YEAR. That part of the by-laws makes perfect sense to me as to why a write in vote is being requested.

If that is NOT what it says or means, I am sure Chairman Eddie will correct me.

I find it difficult to realize why anyone, whether a member of the BOD of APBA or not would want to or be altruistic enough to want to nominate someone who, rightly or wrongly, has been or is critical of the way the organization is being run by those very folks.

As far as the Crowne contract, there have been conversation regards this on both HR and BRF. In fact the conversation on BRF got so heated that the complete thread was taken down. I thought at the time and still do, very good arguments were being made and questions being asked as to the management of APBA recently. At no time that I ever saw was the dollar amount of this contract or reasoning behind the contract and who it was given to, given in any kind of manner that made any sense.

To ask members to go all the way to Detroit is asinine in its content and thinking, so as to view the "books", but that is what I would expect from the poster based on some of the other comments he has made over the years.

[Big Don]

Bill, I’m a simple man and in no way try to come off as intelligent or I have all the answers. I’m a just give me the facts person and don’t need a lot of fluff.

Your post lost me a little though…

I understand what precludes means but where do you get that out of the bylaw? I read it to say that if a BOD member or a category chair nominates you before July 1st you are on the ballot as long as you accept the nomination.

I agree and find it difficult to understand why anyone would prevent someone from running. All it takes is one nomination.

As for Crowne…numbers were posted so hopefully someone can find them on here.

I, in no way was suggesting anyone drive to Detroit. If that is what you got out of my question, I apologize. I was simply asking if that is correct that we have a CPA audit our books. Meaning if we do I’m guessing things are on the up and up with the books. Unless we are paying them off under the table or something.

And was this comment directed at me? “that is what I would expect from the poster based on some of the other comments he has made over the years” or were you referring to the Ex- Chairman Eddie. Or both?

[bill van steenwyk]

Bill, I’m a simple man and in no way try to come off as intelligent or I have all the answers. I’m a just give me the facts person and don’t need a lot of fluff.

Your post lost me a little though…

I understand what precludes means but where do you get that out of the bylaw? I read it to say that if a BOD member or a category chair nominates you before July 1st you are on the ballot as long as you accept the nomination.

I agree and find it difficult to understand why anyone would prevent someone from running. All it takes is one nomination.

As for Crowne…numbers were posted so hopefully someone can find them on here.

I, in no way was suggesting anyone drive to Detroit. If that is what you got out of my question, I apologize. I was simply asking if that is correct that we have a CPA audit our books. Meaning if we do I’m guessing things are on the up and up with the books. Unless we are paying them off under the table or something.

And was this comment directed at me? “that is what I would expect from the poster based on some of the other comments he has made over the years” or were you referring to the Ex- Chairman Eddie. Or both?

Don:T
The comment about the "asinine comment" regards the statement he (Chairman Eddie) made in an earlier post on this thread about "going to Detroit and inspecting the books" was what I was referring to. Perhaps you missed it, but it is what I would expect from him. Who has that kind of time or money.

Regards the costs of the Crowne Contract:

I HAVE NEVER SEEN these costs published anywhere. Not on HR, nor on BRF, nor on the APBA site, where I have seen repeated requests for them from many people. If you know where they are, I would be grateful if you would point them out to me. As I stated, there was a thread on BRF a few months ago (last summer I believe it started) that finally got so heated it was taken down by the site operator. This question was among many that was asked by different people, and never got an answer. APBA seems to operate on the old saying, "Never complain, Never explain". I made the comment on BRF when this thread first appeared that the BOD was in for a lot of criticism because of who it was awarded to, the rumors going around about the amount ($250,000.00+) and that no information was being given out about whether this was a sole bid, a competitive bid, what was expected from Crowne, and what if any penalties were to be assessed if the expectation were not met. Just you same old stuff that is any contract signed between parties when a large amount of money is involved. NEVER SAW A REPLY FROM ANY BOD MEMBER OR ANY OTHER INVOLVED PARTY EXCEPT RICHARD HEARN ON THE APBA SITE, WHICH ANSWERED NONE OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.

What I meant by "precludes" was the way I read the By-Laws you posted pertaining to elections is the BOD member or Category Chairman if choosing to nominate someone to a position in APBA, has to do it before 7-1 of the year of the elections. It is now 8-23-12 so I understand from those bylaws that nominations are CLOSED, and therefore the only way for someone to run for office (if not already nominated according to the bylaws you posted) is as a write in. As I said, if wrong, I am sure Eddie will correct me, but that is what I get out of what you posted.

Again, I apologize for putting you in the same status as the Chairman ONLY. Nobody deserves that.

[Big Don]

Don:T

What I meant by "precludes" was the way I read the By-Laws you posted pertaining to elections is the BOD member or Category Chairman if choosing to nominate someone to a position in APBA, has to do it before 7-1 of the year of the elections. It is now 8-23-12 so I understand from those bylaws that nominations are CLOSED, and therefore the only way for someone to run for office is as a write in. As I said, if wrong, I am sure Eddie will correct me, but that is what I get out of what you posted.

.

We agree on this.

[Dr. Thunder]

It has been my understanding that APBA changed corporate status from not for profit to for profit some years back ... Could be wrong on that and not really important at this point.

Re the issue of an independent audit ... Ten year independent audit (performed by other than the current auditor) would probably incur costs somewhere north of 100K due to the obviously extensive forensic work that would need to be done to answer questions Howard is asking. Does APBA have sufficient funds to get this done? Not suggesting that it shouldn't be done but just asking about the practicality of actually making it happen.

Why is this Crowne issue still an issue ... just publish the contract ... Someone must have a copy.

[fbref5269]

audits are not cheap

dr thunder,

you are correct in the estimate of 'north of 100k' for a 10 year audit. audits are done by cpa's and not all of them do them. i am an accountant , not a cpa, and one of my new clients just paid $14,000 for a one year audit of their non profit. i am surprised the books are not being reviewed yearly by someone.

there is a saying in the business community.... the one who writes the checks should never do the bank reconciliations. always have another set of eyes look at things. this in no way implies that anything underhanded is going on, but just putting in my 2 cents.

frank novotny

[Big Don]

Just a follow up on this. I was told that our books are audited every year by a CPA. The person who told me this does not come on HR for their own personal reasons. If you need to know more, call Dan at the APBA office and I’m sure he will talk to any of us.

[Team 12R]

answers? anyone?

i don't know mike jones but howard and rick are about as straight-forward no-nonsense as they come. my ballot is waiting for the mailman with both of them as a write-ins. i ask anyone who knows these guys to do the same. i know first hand they are both bitterly honest. anyone who's been on a the receiving end of a rick's "please come to the barge", knows what i'm talking about. at this point who knows if there is a "fix". i believe however if we put one (or both) of theses guys on the BOD we will get honest open representation.

[Big Don]

Just wanted to also point out this was in the June propeller plus it’s in our by-laws.

Notice of Elections
This year we are electing four board
members for a two year term. There are
no council at large members up reelection
this year.
1. Anyone wishing to be nominated
should send a letter of intent and
brief personal profile to the
Nominating Committee, c/o APBA
Headquarters, prior to June 15. This
will place your name on the nomination
ballot that will be sent to the
Nominating Committee

2. The nominating Committee, which
is made up of the board of directors
and category chairmen, will nominate
candidates prior to July 15.

3. APBA Headquarters shall notify the
nominees prior to July 15.

4. Candidates shall submit to APBA
Headquarters, an acceptance letter by
August 1st.

5. Proxies will be mailed to each member
entitled to vote on or before
August 20th

So while maybe some chose not to do this in time or decided last minute to run we all have the opportunity to run for office.

Most Regions are getting close to the time of your when we elect our region officers and our racing commissions, don’t hesitate to run for office or a position to make sure your input is heard and in some cases you are able to have a direct impact on the outcome by having a vote. Or sit back and complain…your choice. If you feel this is directed at any one of you/us…it probably is. LOL.

[ram95]

Moving toward NBRA

Simple folks.. APBA drops my racing membership to $80 bucks and reduces the insurance cost for our club to put on a race to $1000 bucks.

That's about what it runs in NBRA. I'm an NBRA member now, and guess what.... they sent me a rulebook! The Full Throttle is their newspaper (quarterly). They seem to have a better grasp on reality and the evolving sport of outboard racing. And, I can tell you this... I'm doing my best to inform our members of the NBRA class structure. Here in Region One, I believe SSOA will be looking to the possibility of joint-sanctions... APBA members invited.

See-yuh in Ft Worth, podner!! Lock-N-Load

Alex Poliakoff PNG
Commissioner, Stocks
Region One

[joejohn44]

Nbra!!!!

Alex, Welcome aboard!! If you do not yet belong to an NBRA affiliated club, I would like to personally invite you to join the Lone Star Outboard Racing Assoc. In fact, I would be happy to pay the $20 annual dues for 2013...

NBRA: "Grass roots racing with YOU in mind"

Joe John Schulte

[blueskyracer]

Yes Alex welcome aboard..You will not be sorry..We just held our first NBRA race and had a great time..Great people