Tweet
This is a little long, but I hope at the end you find some things that make it worth your time to read.
I arrived in LA Negative, Cynical and untrusting. Yet hopeful. I had some things to present to the SORC that I believed would benefit not only Stock Outboard but would compliment efforts of other categories as well. My Father taught me, that if you’re not going to be part of the solution, then you are probably part of the problem. My focus was promotions. Something we have not done consistently. But, it was going to require money from SORC or some place. So, I came to talk, negotiate and to learn how others get things done. I also wanted to get a “1st hand look” at how things work. I lowered my guard and “Opened my mind.”
My investment in my cause:
How strongly did I feel about my beliefs?
3 Vacation days and $1,050 for room, food, flight, airport parking, APBA purchases, and donations to help racers who have suffered from some sort of life changing event.
(And no I am not rich by any means that you would like to measure me by)
Over 4 days I spent nearly 30 hours in meetings as early as 7 am and as late as 9:30 pm.
And so did most everyone else! By now you have recognized that I am an “Over Achieving Maniac.” You know who was at the meeting? My “Brothers and Sisters!” Everybody was an “Over Achieving Maniac! It lead to lively discussions. A lot was accomplished in a short period of time. All with a single focus “Is it good for Boat Racing?”
At every meeting I went to, participation from the floor was welcome.
OSY-400 at Stock Outboard sanctions. I spoke my opinion. And was heard.
Request for money for promotions. I spoke my opinion. And was heard.
C Class Hydro 102 / 302 parity issues. I spoke my opinion and was heard.
I spoke in favor of pulling the restrictor from the 25 SSH class. And I was heard.
I got a copy of the National Financial statement.
I asked my questions. They were answered.
Did I get all I wanted? Well, actually, pretty much, yes. In fact, I felt I helped a few other folks with what they wanted as well. Did I get mad and curse and storm out of the room and say nasty things about others because a couple of things did not go how I thought they should? Did I threaten to join other organizations because a couple of things did not go how I thought they should? No. But the cool part is that …. No one else did either!
You give it your best, The Commission listens and debates, makes a decision and moves on to the next 1000 items on the agenda. God, it seemed endless! The agenda was HUGE!
I spent nearly 7 hours learning about fuel alone! Man, we all walked out with headaches after that one. There was no easy practical solution. And the “Brains” and “Experience” colleted in that room was very, very impressive! There just is not a straight forward easy practical solution to it. Oh, well.
The grand finale was the Hall of Champions on Saturday night. I could never do it justice with words. Next year it will all be done again at Detroit! If you have never been I strongly urge you to make the effort. It is truly an emotional human experience.
So now what? I am going to race and have FUN! I am going to observe how it goes. And next year, I’ll do it again! If the 102 / 302 rule has a better solution than lowering the motor ¼” then it was not well represented at the meeting. I could not vote, but did not disagree either. Maybe it was the wrong way to go. I don't know. But the intentions were well meaning for what all felt was best for Stock Outboard.
In closing:
I believe the use of Internet forums to bring ideas and lively debate out in the open is beneficial. But it alone will not provoke change. And improper use or unwise use will do more harm than good. When you post on Internet forums, think about how you state your opinions. If you were thinking about being a new member, would the comments turn you on or turn you off?
I got what I wanted without posting on an Internet Forum. I wrote individual e-mails to specific people and made specific phone calls to specific people. I feel that it is much more effective than a posting alone would be.
I am going to list a bunch of things here.
If your work or family commitments won’t permit it? That’s cool. Your family ALWAYS comes first.
If you can, join committees and go to meetings.
Attend as many local meetings as you can.
Say good things about our sport to all you meet.
Always have something to hand them in you car, in your truck, grocery store, always have something to hand them about the sport.
Push your Commodore to communicate your concerns and suggestions to your Commissioners.
Write Commissioners directly and get to know them. Let them know you too.
Above all, have fun, give it a chance. And before you speak about our sport ask yourself this question:
“Is what I am about to say “GOOD FOR BOATRACING!”
Thank You,
Chicago Paul
I arrived in LA Negative, Cynical and untrusting. Yet hopeful. I had some things to present to the SORC that I believed would benefit not only Stock Outboard but would compliment efforts of other categories as well. My Father taught me, that if you’re not going to be part of the solution, then you are probably part of the problem. My focus was promotions. Something we have not done consistently. But, it was going to require money from SORC or some place. So, I came to talk, negotiate and to learn how others get things done. I also wanted to get a “1st hand look” at how things work. I lowered my guard and “Opened my mind.”
My investment in my cause:
How strongly did I feel about my beliefs?
3 Vacation days and $1,050 for room, food, flight, airport parking, APBA purchases, and donations to help racers who have suffered from some sort of life changing event.
(And no I am not rich by any means that you would like to measure me by)
Over 4 days I spent nearly 30 hours in meetings as early as 7 am and as late as 9:30 pm.
And so did most everyone else! By now you have recognized that I am an “Over Achieving Maniac.” You know who was at the meeting? My “Brothers and Sisters!” Everybody was an “Over Achieving Maniac! It lead to lively discussions. A lot was accomplished in a short period of time. All with a single focus “Is it good for Boat Racing?”
At every meeting I went to, participation from the floor was welcome.
OSY-400 at Stock Outboard sanctions. I spoke my opinion. And was heard.
Request for money for promotions. I spoke my opinion. And was heard.
C Class Hydro 102 / 302 parity issues. I spoke my opinion and was heard.
I spoke in favor of pulling the restrictor from the 25 SSH class. And I was heard.
I got a copy of the National Financial statement.
I asked my questions. They were answered.
Did I get all I wanted? Well, actually, pretty much, yes. In fact, I felt I helped a few other folks with what they wanted as well. Did I get mad and curse and storm out of the room and say nasty things about others because a couple of things did not go how I thought they should? Did I threaten to join other organizations because a couple of things did not go how I thought they should? No. But the cool part is that …. No one else did either!
You give it your best, The Commission listens and debates, makes a decision and moves on to the next 1000 items on the agenda. God, it seemed endless! The agenda was HUGE!
I spent nearly 7 hours learning about fuel alone! Man, we all walked out with headaches after that one. There was no easy practical solution. And the “Brains” and “Experience” colleted in that room was very, very impressive! There just is not a straight forward easy practical solution to it. Oh, well.
The grand finale was the Hall of Champions on Saturday night. I could never do it justice with words. Next year it will all be done again at Detroit! If you have never been I strongly urge you to make the effort. It is truly an emotional human experience.
So now what? I am going to race and have FUN! I am going to observe how it goes. And next year, I’ll do it again! If the 102 / 302 rule has a better solution than lowering the motor ¼” then it was not well represented at the meeting. I could not vote, but did not disagree either. Maybe it was the wrong way to go. I don't know. But the intentions were well meaning for what all felt was best for Stock Outboard.
In closing:
I believe the use of Internet forums to bring ideas and lively debate out in the open is beneficial. But it alone will not provoke change. And improper use or unwise use will do more harm than good. When you post on Internet forums, think about how you state your opinions. If you were thinking about being a new member, would the comments turn you on or turn you off?
I got what I wanted without posting on an Internet Forum. I wrote individual e-mails to specific people and made specific phone calls to specific people. I feel that it is much more effective than a posting alone would be.
I am going to list a bunch of things here.
If your work or family commitments won’t permit it? That’s cool. Your family ALWAYS comes first.
If you can, join committees and go to meetings.
Attend as many local meetings as you can.
Say good things about our sport to all you meet.
Always have something to hand them in you car, in your truck, grocery store, always have something to hand them about the sport.
Push your Commodore to communicate your concerns and suggestions to your Commissioners.
Write Commissioners directly and get to know them. Let them know you too.
Above all, have fun, give it a chance. And before you speak about our sport ask yourself this question:
“Is what I am about to say “GOOD FOR BOATRACING!”
Thank You,
Chicago Paul
Comment