APBA members it is time to get answers!!

[Joe J]

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

communication is a REAL JOKE.................maybe the Pres should write a monthly newsletter and send it out to ALL APBA members informing us on what is going on on a monthly basis...............

[mercguy]

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

not surprised at all............not much more was said at the Stock Nats.........

PS: between the 3 new hires at APBA, I think Jamie is the only one that has a clue what to do............how about promoting her!!

[mercguy]

And I am the arrogant one!

yep!!

[ram95]

A stitch in time & the bottom line

This Thread is extremely important. I just want to compliment everyone who takes the time to post their thoughts, ideas, and historical knowledge here.

There is no way this amount of discussion could take place at some annual meeting. Getting it aired out here can only make the national meeting in DFW more productive. Take notes.

Upon reflection: The APBA Crown Royal deal was spawned because some members were complaining that all that appeared on HR was a bunch of whiners.

Well..., the writing was 'on-the-wall' soda speak. So they tore down the wall. But, "the wall" isn't the problem.

COST IS!!! Simply put, the cost of putting on a race (SO/MO/PRO) is too much money in APBA.
Our membership fee in APBA is too much money.
The obscure justifications for some of the recent safety rules are just that - obscure!

Dispense with the personal attacks, let's keep lining up the facts here. Maybe... just maybe... the meeting in DFW will produce some changes.... and I'm not referring to "repairs to the APBA website" or other such mundane crap. I'm talking about the bo$$om-line!!

Keep posting

Alex

[hshawwpba]

Howard: This is totally out of line. The subject of APBA's financials is gone over EVERY year at the APBA Annual Meeting. To suggest that anyone at APBA in the recent past has not been up-front about where the money goes and how it is spent is totally disengeuous and you know this, having attended many APBA Annual Meetings yourself. A budget is produced and distributed to APBA member at each Annual Meeting and has been so every year since the APBA corporate dispute began nearly a decade ago.

If you don't like the direction of the Organization, that is fair. Some don't agree with the recent changes the BOD have made. The overwhelming majority of members do, however. But to suggest to others that there has been some "hide-the-ball" going on with regard to the APBA financials is just plain false and you know it!

I found it interesting that a member of APBA sent me this:

"you will notice fast eddy never gives answers or solutions just critizes so no one can ever look at what he has really done
we call it management by keeping everyone off center-keep changing the subject and don't stay on focus
keep it up
maybe some real facts will come out
like we said it is just a mid west outboard club"

I think he hit the nail right on the head with this statement.

[csh12M]

I think it is simple

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

[Big Don]

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 CEO 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 CEO 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 "nrevamped" 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

WOW…could not agree more.

If our ballots were not already mailed they would have Dean’s name written on them. If you have not mailed yours yet…write Dean’s name down…I’m willing to be if he were to get elected he would accept.

[DiGia54D]

Dean,

Line #4... Propeller is sent to current members and not the public (never seen in a store). So other then advertising, there is no money to gain. Just a lose. So say for instance... Cant APBA during the race season send a case of them ( current month) to the races that have a bigger attendances. Then the general public can BUY a issue and they can have something to look at and APBA would have a gain towards the cost of printing. Races like Lock-Haven, All 3 nationals st/mod/pro and most title series races have numerous people.
I dont think its a hard thing to do.. It just PROMOTING our sport. I have gone to the go-kart races in my town numerous times and they are always selling to the puplic to help pay for there events.

[HRTV]

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

Bravo Dean I believe that you and me have been preaching this for years now.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/hydro...51159064910932

[HRTV]

I would also add Dave Holley's name to top of Deans list. Dave is the current CEO of Peters and May Global Transport and a man with a clear vision when it comes to powerboat racing around the globe.


<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35647765?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;c olor=005baf" width="450" height="322" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/35647765">AN INTERVIEW WITH UIM PRESIDENT RAFFAELE CHIULLI</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user7915862">Planet Powerboat</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

http://www.petersandmay.com/

https://www.facebook.com/PetersandMay

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter...13173265413344

[ram95]

TOOdynamic

Dean,

Line #4... Propeller is sent to current members and not the public (never seen in a store). So other then advertising, there is no money to gain. Just a lose. So say for instance... Cant APBA during the race season send a case of them ( current month) to the races that have a bigger attendances. Then the general public can BUY a issue and they can have something to look at and APBA would have a gain towards the cost of printing. Races like Lock-Haven, All 3 nationals st/mod/pro and most title series races have numerous people.
I dont think its a hard thing to do.. It just PROMOTING our sport. I have gone to the go-kart races in my town numerous times and they are always selling to the puplic to help pay for there events.

Oh.. c'mon Wayne... that's just too dynamic an idea. I've mentioned the idea of putting the Propeller on newsstands at the Nat mtg just for the fact that "advertisers' who sell to the general public.... might just get interested. Tana Moore & the others really had some great photos and with a bit more staff (and some publishing expense) I don't see why it wouldn't have flown. APBA is a national organization after all... And, "advertisers" could have footed the entire bill if done right. Crown Royal could still do something like that.... with the right folks directing traffic ( I think).
Alex

[mrlou40]

Bill: I agree with you about the Propeller. But you know what? I don't care. If I were in charge, I would eliminate it. I don't read it but occassionally & I don't like it. But to bring back the old format just to appease the geritol boat racers would be a huge waste of money and would be catering to the wrong crowd.

I agree the insurance rates are too expensive. So, if Mr. Shaw is going to run for the Board of Directors, maybe he can stop his ranting and raving and tell us how he would fix that. So far, this thread has done nothing but spread a bunch of innuendo and serve as a public gripe session with Shaw claiming, at first, that he doesn't know what he will do and, now I see, claiming he does know what he would do but he won't say what it is.

Ed, since I started racing in 1969 I guess I am a geritol racer, that being said every month and I mean every month I would look forward to getting the propeller in the mail,back in the day there were no pictures but it was great to read the articles and the region reports and see the names of my heros.

a few years later they added the cover picture and a few others it was something to look forward to every month to see who made the cover.

When Tana was in charge it was the best publication period. I would read it before National Geographic which I have subscribed for over 40 years.

I understand that it is costly to print and send to the membership but it still needs to be an option to the members.

I spoke with Bill Giles this past weekend and us geritol group agrees 100% that it is crap. I dont give a rats poop about some chef's recipes or some name the caption to mention a few things, it is not the Newyorker or sunset, it is PROPELLER period. and belive me it is not just Bill and myself it is many of the membership, we speak about this quite a bit.

I am sorry you do not read it but I understand that you might not have the time but dont wipe our asses with it. some of us still like to read about our family and friends...

It is a sad day when Jean Mackay schwartz calls me and asked if I had read the Propeller and I say gee Jean I totally forgot about it because it is not something I really care to try and read on my computer and is a royal pain to read in the format that it is in now... but then again I guess I'm just a geritol kind of guy... funny how there are more geritol people putting on races, officiating, ect guess we are to old and no one wants to listen to us any more. time for Shady Acres !!!

Carl Lewis # 14065

[Rocky Peterson]

Propeller

It's almost funny.....the new ones go in the garbage,not with the old ones from the last 10 years. Were saving space. Rocky

[14-H]

Let me review the facts:
When Mike Jones left office after his terms in office APBA had 1 miilion in assets, then the great leadership of the present took over and they were going to change the course and give APBA control back to the memebership, but first they made some changes to the election of the President where he would be elected by the BOD not the membership. HUMMM why would that be??? Where is the check and balance in this process??
***!!!!

Howard: I don't know if you are just plain ignorant or if you are intentionally misleading people. This is flat out wrong on multiple counts.

When Mike Jones left office, he had just gotten finished conducting an election that a New York Judge had declared to be illegal. Several months before that, he held a meeting at the Sea-Tac airport and convinced the Board of Directors, along with his political ally, Mike Alweiss, to re-organize the APBA so that Allweiss' company could effectively control the APBA (and its purse strings). As a consequence of all of this, APBA was embroiled in two different lawsuits, one in New York and one in Florida, that left the whole organization in turmoil. Additionally, contrary to what you have stated (on at least two grounds), it was the Jones administration that changed the election of the officers (including President) to be by the BOD rather than the members. The By Laws were then subsequently adopted by order of the NY Court after Jones left office and Don Allen had been apointed President by the NY Judge!

As for the million dollars in assets, I can only assume you are referencing the value of the APBA office since that is the only substantial asset the APBA has ever had. But, it is the guy in the White House that wrecked the value of that asset, not anyone on the APBA Board.

I could have a full-time job just correcting your inaccuracies.

[14-H]

I think it is simple.....

****

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

2 cents...

Dean
12M

I am writing your name in on the ballot!