New People !

[HAWK64]

quote:Originally posted by avantilover

What is this Studebaker Story brochure/booklet??? Perhaps an American secret?

In any case, what happens with the zones outside the USA? One of our members (Brenton Thomas) is the International Zone Coordinator, although the listed email address for him he no longer knows how to access (asked him sometime). Pretty Poor if this can happen, perhaps indicating the details are not updated, or that postal mail is used.
I doubt that many Aussies are in the SDC, as it's primarily an American organization. Must say I find it amusing that American meets are called "International" when they're only held in the states. Seems like the "World Series" of Baseball being primarily American only.

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

John,
Your comments suggest you are still in a learning curve with the SDC movement & perhaps Studebaker broadly. There is around 90 Aussies that enjoy membership of SDC & its excellent publication Turning Wheels. Thats probably 25% of our own National membership. The yearly SDC International Meet is so called recognising Studebaker members & enthusiasts throughout the world who somehow fulfill their dream to make one or more of these Meets. Just ask your fellow Adelaide members, the Crunhorns, Jones, Lammings,etc.
Re Brenton Thomas, as Skip says, the incumbent needs to apply himself to keep things updated. Frankly, I have'nt seen any activity out of Brenton as International Zone Coordinator. Phil Henderson seems to give us Aussies good mention in Turning Wheels.
Good luck with your recent Studebaker purchase & one day in the future "climb the mountain" & make one of those SDC Internationals.



"QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER"
MELBOURNE.

[avantilover]

I am one of those SDC Turning Wheels members Jim, I was referring to there not being a Chapter in Australia, perhaps there is? I thought that Studebaker Story would be good to have for folks who ask what Studebaker was when they see a car out there. As for my car, I can't drive it at present as the turn indicator doesn't work - we suspect the fellow who removed the LPG system disconnected it when removing the LPG/Petrol switch - I'm going to wait to save up money for an auto electrician.

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

[Skip Lackie]

quote:Originally posted by avantilover

I am one of those SDC Turning Wheels members Jim, I was referring to there not being a Chapter in Australia, perhaps there is? I thought that Studebaker Story would be good to have for folks who ask what Studebaker was when they see a car out there.
John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

John-
For sure, SDC has a North America-centric governing structure, and we sometimes use terminology that is inappropriate to members who live elsewhere. However, the club does try to support its members worldwide. You guys do have local/state Studebaker clubs, though not chartered SDC chapters. As noted by 41 Frank, if you want some brochures to pass out to other Studebaker owners, just ask. And if the Intl ZC isn't doing his job, then either complain to the SDC president, or run for the office yourself, or both. Although technically elected positions, the Intl Zone jobs are rarely contested and are usually appointed by the president. But they do require a fair amount of effort, given the (very) wide geography that they cover.
Skip Lackie
Board member, Atlantic Zone

[avantilover]

Well, let's see now - where to begin.

I just thought it unusual that an incorrect email address could appear in TW as the SDC would (presumably) use it to contact Brenton. In any event, I'm not criticizing him just noting the incorrect address and will mention it at aour next meeting.

As far as the SDC is concerned I have no idea of it's operations, and wasn't implying that I offer myself in that role (at least not until I get more knowledge). I did ask what it entailed at one of our meetings and was told "you need more experience" though I wasn't suggesting myself to fill it, just wanted to know what the role entailed and was never told.

As for the booklet, perhaps Jim Quigley could give Dave Pink (National Club) say 100 copies for distribution at the upcoming Ballarat meeting in 2009. Providing that they are able to be reprinted here should clubs want more copies, if not forget it.

Enough said

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

[bams50]

This has been an eye-opener for me... most of what has been said here I had zero knowledge of. I had no concept of what-all goes on behind the scenes[B)]

The core of my involvement is my absolute love of Studebakers. I admit to being a dummy about the operation of the structure(s) of the club. I've been thinking recently about putting together a synopsis of Studebaker history on my own for just the reason stated above- a handout. I'd love to have something tangible for the newly Stude-interested to walk away with. Knowing that used back issues of TW can be bought for $1 each at meets, I intend to load up on some at Lancaster just for that purpose.

It is my intention to increase my involvement in the future; for now I hit the Meets, and York and Reedsville.

Again I say, so much to learn........

Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311

"Do they all not, by mere virtue of having survived as relics of a bygone era, amass a level of respect perhaps not accorded to them when they were new?"

[Skip Lackie]

quote:Originally posted by avantilover

Well, let's see now - where to begin.

I just thought it unusual that an incorrect email address could appear in TW as the SDC would (presumably) use it to contact Brenton. In any event, I'm not criticizing him just noting the incorrect address and will mention it at aour next meeting.

As far as the SDC is concerned I have no idea of it's operations, and wasn't implying that I offer myself in that role (at least not until I get more knowledge). I did ask what it entailed at one of our meetings and was told "you need more experience" though I wasn't suggesting myself to fill it, just wanted to know what the role entailed and was never told.

As for the booklet, perhaps Jim Quigley could give Dave Pink (National Club) say 100 copies for distribution at the upcoming Ballarat meeting in 2009. Providing that they are able to be reprinted here should clubs want more copies, if not forget it.

Enough said

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

Most SDC correspondence these days is handled by email in a "shotgun" fashion -- a message goes out from the president or VP to all officers and board members, or all ZCs, or some other combination. Most responses and inputs also are sent to the same list. Unless a message bounces back, there is no way to know that one of the addresses is no longer active. Each individual is responsible for informing his correspondents that he has changed ISPs. The situation in the Intl Zone is further complicated by the fact that the board member lives in the Netherlands, but the ZC lives in Australia -- not exactly conducive to a daily phone call.

WRT to your comment about experience, I would suggest that this is not rocket science, and that enthusiasm and willingness are vastly more important than experience. Experience counts for a lot when it comes to restoring a Studebaker, but it counts for very little if your job is coordinating local meet schedules or making sure that lists of expired members get into the hands of local clubs.

I don't wish to bore you with administrivia, but to repeat: SDC's stucture was created with North America in mind. While the club tries mightily to support its overseas members, the structure is not designed to accommodate the fact that the local clubs are independent operations, and not legally chartered chapters of SDC Inc. (Our corporate charter and insurance policy assume that our chapters are legal subsidiaries of SDC Inc.) As a result, the board member, ZC, and any RMs are really there to provide support to SDC members, and do not have any official responsibility to deal with local clubs. Again, SDC's structure may not be a good fit to Australia, but that doesn't mean that the club won't try to address the needs of its members who live there.

The brochure, like all SDC products, is copyrighted, so permission would have to be formally granted to reprint it. I can't imagine the club saying no, unless there was some legal complication. Larry Swanson is the chair of the Publications Committee, and is the one who administers the process. I'll bring it up with him.



Skip Lackie
Washington DC

[BShaw]

It is my understanding that all Australian clubs are chapters and are SDC chartered under "Studebaker Car Clubs of Australia". That is how it is presented on our SDC worldwide webpage, http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/lc_worldwide.asp

If that is not the case, then I need to have correct wording so the webpage is accurate.

Chapters can request a supply of "The Studebaker Story" brochure from SDC VP Richard Dormois. A link to his email is here:

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/sdccontacts.asp

We use this 8-panel brochure at chapter events and it is a nice recruiting tool to accompany a chapter membership application. In addition to Studebaker and SDC history it includes a listing of standard judging classes and, of course, an SDC membership app.



Also pertinent to this discussion is the following paragraph from the brochure:

The Studebaker Drivers Club has more than 100 chapters around
the world with substantial memberships in Australia, New
Zealand, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Most of the chapters sponsor local meets, publish newsletters
and provide assistance in obtaining parts, service and technical
assistance in the local area.

BShaw,Webmaster

webmaster@studebakerdriversclub.com
60 Hawk. 49 2R5, 39 Champion
Woodbury, Minnesota

[avantilover]

Thanks Skip and Bob, I'll have to do some research. The booklet would be good info for those who have never heard of Studebaker and I feel sure someone will come up to me in mine and ask "What's that - who made it etc."

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

[Skip Lackie]

quote:Originally posted by avantilover

Thanks Skip and Bob, I'll have to do some research. The booklet would be good info for those who have never heard of Studebaker and I feel sure someone will come up to me in mine and ask "What's that - who made it etc."

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

John- I have resurrected this topic to let you know that we discussed your request at the board meeting last week in Lancaster. If you send me your postal address, I'll get some copies of What's It All About sent to you. As for reprinting the brochure for local use, the answer is "maybe". You would have to request permission from Larry Swanson, and I think the answer would be yes as long as you were just printing more copies without changes. If you wanted to change it in any way, the answer would probably be no. However, there would be no reason you couldn't print your own local club insert and stick it inside each SDC brochure.

Skip Lackie
Washington DC

[Avantidon]

Skip, I am sure that you are aware that we had approximately 2,000 copies of the Studebaker Story Brochure available in Lancaster. I carry this with me all of the time in the glove boxes of my vehicles as I also do with the AOAI "Avanti Story" Brochure. I hand them out when there is the least bit interest shown. I also carry outdated AOAI calendars and give them to kids for the pictures. We also have a Keystone Region Brochure that we use to promote the Keystone Region. As we travel we all must "Walk and Talk and Tell Out Story" to keep the organization growing and infusing new young blodd. Of course these are just my own thoughts and perspectives on growing a successful organization.

[rockne10]

quote:Must say I find it amusing that American meets are called "International" when they're only held in the states.

You can bet, if it was feasible for 2000 of us to transport ourselves and 500 vehicles to Melbourne or Stockholm for a week we would do it!

We were fortunate at Lancaster to have members in attendance from Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hawaii, England, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and South Africa.

I know some of our State-side members who have traveled to attend meets in Oz, NZ, England and Scandinavia. I wish we could all afford to do so.

One thing we can all afford to do is continue to enjoy our vehicles and our fellowship, make our ride obvious to the public and inform interested parties that, through the auspices of a GREAT club, we strive to make maintaining our vehicles as painless and affordable as possible.

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight

[avantilover]

Indeed Brad, I hope to return to the US sometime, accommodation is expensive, last trip I was put up by a friend for a month and paid for her gas as thanks. I'll send skip my address and I have no intention of altering anything, it just seems more sensible that we reprint them here if clubs are interested to save possibly expensive postage.

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

[avantilover]

Message just sent to Skip via the forum email, let me know if nothing arrives.

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Secretary Studebaker Car Club of SA (as of 3/19/08)
Lockleys South Australia

[bams50]

quote:Originally posted by Avantidon

Skip, I am sure that you are aware that we had approximately 2,000 copies of the Studebaker Story Brochure available in Lancaster.

Dang, I wish I had known you had these. I'd gladly buy some just for the reason you state- to have them in the car to hand out. I promote Studebakers everywhere! Just last night I spent most of an hour at our weekly cruise night disspelling myths- like who made Studes, what models were made, and the biggie- the excellent availability of parts for them! This started by looking puzzled at my Lark wagon, and my willingness to be friendly and educate. The result was I got some new people thinking; but it would have been great to have these brochures with my contact info added to send them away with...

If these come available for sale, count me in.

Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311

"Do they all not, by mere virtue of having survived as relics of a bygone era, amass a level of respect perhaps not accorded to them when they were new?"

[bridgegaurd]

It doesn't suprise me at all, i owned quite a number of studebakers before i even knew the SDC existed. And even after i knew it took me a few years to join.

I went to a car show that had a group of studebakers grouped together and tried to engage them in converstaion about my interest in buying a hawk. I was about as welcome as a snake. So it took awhile for me ot sign up

And to tell the truth i find the same thing happening at times even now. The only time i've felt real comfortable was at the Tucson Stude gathering. I got a hint for ya. When someone shows up thats new, go over and talk to them. Invite them around, engage them. Don't make them feel like they have to worm thier way into the in crowd.

If your at a show and someone stops to ask about your car (i've had many ask whats a studebaker? who makes it). Educate them don't act like they are ignorant.

How many of the SDCs go to a high school, to the drags, or attempt to get the young interested. Set up a mini-show at a parts store. Or attended the local cruise nights as a group.

I work all over the world so i don't get to attend or participate much. But when i do i sure would like to feel like i belonged. Instead of the outsider at a high school prom. But no matter where i go, i go out of my way to find studes, be it in Kazakhstan or Pelilu (i've found some in both places) or in the states.

Nothing worse than going to a stude show and feeling like an outsider at a high school prom.