At this point, I haven't even read the other candidates' campaign statements because the latest Vintage Views hasn't arrived to my home in Los Angeles yet. I can take for granted the fact that the other trustee candidates are fine individuals and great guys. They're vintage racers- of course they're good guys. Of course they care deeply about our sport. I recognize the contributions that these trustees have made to AHRMA [I also admire anyone who has served our country in the military- I remember them every time I use my USAA credit card]. To those of you who DO take the time to vote for trustee, even if you're not inclined to vote for me, I hope that I can communicate some concerns that I have with the direction that AHRMA's current leadership is taking us.
AHRMA has an immediate need for some vision, some leadership, and some organizational talent to get us past a number of potentially treacherous issues. Here in the early 21st century, we face a number of challenges, including:
*$2-3 per gallon gasoline.
*Declining roadracing grids, especially in the west coast.
*Stiff market competition from other regional clubs.
*Negligible national marketing and promotion of AHRMA to the print, internet and television press.
There are some things that AHRMA does well. There are also many things that AHRMA can do better! This is a critical time for AHRMA. AHRMA vintage Roadracing, and especially West Coast Vintage Roadracing is in DECLINE. Vintage MX could be affected in the same way in short order. AHRMA needs to address some of these issues NOW to ensure that the organization survives, prospers and grows! This is not about MX vs. Roadrace. This is about addressing serious AHRMA economic concerns. A rising tide carries all boats!
Hopefully, the members can look beyond this trustee election as see it as a campaign for the future of AHRMA and not just a popularity contest. If I saw that AHRMA was being led in the right direction financially and otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered running for trustee. I think I have something to offer our organization, though. I wish my other candidates the best, and if I manage to communicate the importance of some of these ideas to the AHRMA membership, then I will consider this campaign a success, no matter what the vote outcome is.
Thanks to Mark Hatten for the kind words that he wrote above. Hatten is already filling in a big gap in AHRMA services by offering this message board- we wouldn't be discussing any of this if it weren't for his contribution. Message boards, of course, have some negative aspects, which can easily be handled by an even-handed moderator, but they are an extremely effective tool for communication within the organization. My first order of business as a trustee would be to make this an OFFICIAL AHRMA discussion board. AHRMA needs to make use of 21st century organizational, communication and marketing tools such as message boards, email lists, online member services, including online race entries, and so on. That's a big part of the puzzle.
We need leadership. We need business sponsorship. We need contingency sponsorship. We need promotion. We need Internet and business infrastructure. We need member services. We need to foster economic growth within our organization. These are other big pieces of the puzzle!
Promote. Involve. Encourage. Prosper. These are my goals. I ask only that you take the time to inform yourself before you cast your vote. YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
Ed Milich