posted 07-12-2000 02:00 AM                  

The most important thing that I want to stress is the smooth transition that needs to happen. As owners join us at the ProwlerOnline website and in our events we need to make sure that they know that "nothing has changed" in regards to the people involved. Many PPC members have become our friends and travel partners and we will continue to be friends whether or not they maintain their active membership status with the PPC. This is not about rivalry,,it's about friendship and co-operation for the betterment of the Prowler experience and that just means more fun for all concerned.

I have been contacted by some people with questions about whether or not they are welcome or even if they should be involved in the Western States Prowler Association because of their geographic location.
At the time of inception WSPA sounded like a good idea but I am now having second thoughts about the name. As more and more people are becomming interested in joining us, I feel that it would be a wise move to change the name to the Prowler Owners Association. (POA)
This name change would be more inviting to the owners in the other areas of North America and Canada while still maintainng our independence as individual owners. This is an association and not a club for a very good reason. An association is were you participate because you desire to join with others in a common interest only because you want to. Outback Steakhouse says "No Rules,,Just Right" and I completely agree with them.

I feel that many owners East of the Mississippi would like to join us but feel excluded by the WSPA name. I would post as the SoCal-POA and others would post as their geographic or state boundaries permit. We will still have separate but united sections in this manner. I would like to see each region have one large event per year that will draw from the surrounding regions and I am planning the fisrt regional event at the Grand Canyon on November 2-5, 2000.

At the present time, things are very loose and free wheeling but we will sometime in the future need to be more organized in order to keep all sections and owners focused and active.

I stress the need for teamwork in all areas if we are to make this thing work for everyone. Because of my time limitations I will need to sometimes ask many of you for help in planning events or taking care of some of the behind the scenes stuff that needs to be done. Motel and restaurant reservations, trip planning, taking and posting pictures, events articles or newsletters and sending out updates to the owners are some of the very important things that come to mind. A short article to be posted on the discussion forum or faxed to the owners is always welcome but takes time.

I would like to see each owner plan an event in their area once per year. By planning their own event once per year, no owner will ever be able to say that they didn't get the event type that they wanted to attend. This also gives others a chance to sometimes do things a little out of their own zone, giving them a chance to expand their surroundings and friendships.

At this time, I have 5 Prowlers going to Folsom to join the NoCal Owners for the Folsom Breakout. Any more care to join us?

I am trying to make it to the Woodward Cruise but I think that I will need to fly instead of drive. I just don't have the time but I feel that is very important that we show support for Carol's charity event. I would like to visit the CAAP plant on Thursday and then join the cruise on Friday and Saturday.

Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts. Comments and opinions are welcome not deleted!

Larry Lord
SoCal-POA
Larry@FMBbox.com

posted 07-12-2000 09:04 AM                  

Carol and I hope that you can make the cruise whichever mode of transportation. If you decide to fly, perhaps I might be able to find you a mode of transportation. Let me work on it! We also greatly appreciate your show of support.

Let's all unite and make this not only a great Prowler owner experience, but the biggest group of friends ever!!!

posted 07-12-2000 10:47 AM                  

Larry I am glad you brought this subject up. I have been a member of PPC since Feb. of this year I think, and the first event I ever attened I met you and a few others from the southern region of calif. along with all my norcal memebers. I cant tell you what a great time I had that day. Never thoght I could smile so wide for so long and still drive, lol.
But I must say I have some concerns, and I hope I can put them into proper words.

I feel this web site, club, or whatever it is finally named has very much to offer to everyone and I post here and in the PPC.

I guess I feel confused. I was one who questioned Larry concerning the continueing friendship between the memebers of the two organizations, and I feel comfortable it hasn't changed. But Im not sure what led to all of this and NO ONE other than one or two have even slightly explained what events led to this. Other than the money situation, and a post in the PPC by a JT I think, I haven't read any other reasons.
I believe if Nowell is taking money for profit it is wrong. I also know it takes money to run a club. If no money is sent to the state directors for help in organizing events, stamps, ect. that is huge failure in the organization.
Here is what I see. I see post on the forum and statements in the chat room that resemble a elemetry school yard with a group of kids talking about who they like and dont like. Not very appealing. Why would anyone want to be assoiciated with that?
I hope this is coming accross ok, I am not a great one for words in print. But I guess it is my hope the slamming goes away and this organization AND the PPC can move on the true purpose they were designed.
I like to think I can get enjoyment from both areas.
I do like to belong to a club. I also beleive in working toward changes if needed, not leaving, but that is my opinoin. I like to wear colors as they are called. If this venue ever sold items I would buy them, its the people who make the group fun or not.
And I must say people, what I see is not fun as of yet.
If anyone can enlighten me as to what as happened with the PPC other than what I mentioned ealier I would GREATLY appreciate it. But I would like facts to make my own decision, not verbal cuts or jokes please.

As I said, one mans thoughts.
John,
Please forgive my spelling and grammar.
jgencon@pacbell.net

posted 07-12-2000 12:48 PM                  

Right on the nail head!

How about Midwest POA!

I like the idea. Good thing your head was not in the hat when Hat Killer run over it!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

FOR A MID WEST EVENT HOW ABOUT A CRUISE TO KOKOMO TRANSMISSION PLANT ON AUG. 27TH

LET'S SEE HOW MANY CATS WE CAN GET TOGETHER

posted 07-12-2000 01:29 PM                  

I see no reason why there couldn't be regional directors or even state directors. The most important issue is to keep the POA an easy going , no pressure, fun loving format to keep the love of our cars going.

A yearly event is a must, something centrally located. Denver, Dallas, somewhere.
Maybe a biyearly event in Hawaii, Bahamas or Canada. Just a fun vacation with or without the cars, just a thought.

I will offer my services to one or all.

The only issue left is for the directors to be reimbursed for postage, paper or any expenses that they occur.

This needs to be addressed quickly.

What other ideas have I missed?

Why doesn't DC have a yearly event for their PT Cruisers, Vipers and Prowlers?

VW does and each event is fun, I went on the VW event last year and had a blast. Over 200 VW's attended this event at Morro Bay.

Just one mans opinion.

posted 07-12-2000 03:05 PM                  

As for why any of us have chosen to form a new organization I beleive it is because we believe the members come first. Friendships is the most important thing. I have yet to host an event where the participants didn't have a great time.

With that said, let the good times roll. POA is a reality. Regional activities makes the whole thing work for everyone. Maybe in the near future we can find a for a "national" group gathering.

Prowl on friends.

posted 07-12-2000 09:41 PM                  

Why doesn't DC have a yearly event for their PT Cruisers, Vipers and Prowlers?

posted 07-12-2000 10:38 PM                  

Please call on me (and Bob) at any time for whatever help you might need. We have in the past and will continue to do so.

This is exciting, refreshing and I think everyone is looking forward to being involved. Thanks for all your work, ideas and commitment. I hope all of us can and will follow your lead!

I live, therefore I Prowl!

posted 07-13-2000 10:27 AM                  

I have cut and pasted my resignation letter below. I don't feel that there is a great need to open the subject up again as this only opens old wounds. Suffice to say that I and many other state directors were not happy with quite a few things. The overruling of the discussion forum committee was the last straw for me. I am in agreement with your statement about making changes instead of leaving but things that were supposed to change mostly never happened. I tried my best, I was very patient, I was very diplomatic, and I waited,,,,waited,,,,and waited some more.
There comes a time when you finally see the need to make a change for yourself. I did not feel that the PPC management was giving myself or the PPC members the follow through and support that was required to maintain a healthy relationship with the members that I represented. No hard feelings on my part at all. I think Nowell is a great guy but we have MAJOR differences in our management styles. It's as simple as that! I did not resign my position with the PPC in anger,,,I resigned my position due the frustration of waiting for changes and not seeing them happen or having them happen only to be overruled if they were not what Nowell felt was HIS best interest. To me it was all about the Prowler owners and the enjoyment of the Prowler experience, not about the money.

There's a copy of JTs post on page two of this forum if you care to read it listed as "JTs post, I haven't changed a word". It really struck a chord with me and I changed the channel. Not just because of the post but because of the reality that the PPC would allow a person in his positon to make such a post and then lock the discussion to any further rebuttal. JT is now gone but the management that let him post is still in place. My feelings on this are that Nowell must be in agreement with JTs post since it was reviewed by Nowell and then put before the discussion forum committee for a vote before being posted.
Not the kind of club that I feel good about defending.

In all fairness to the PPC, I must say that there have been some positive changes brought on since my resignation. I feel that many more still need to be made before it will be a club that I would feel comfortable spending my money with.

""""""""""""""""""As a member of the PPC discussion forum committee I feel that I need to make an informational post that I'm sure will not be deleted.
The following (at the bottom of this post) is a cut and paste copy of a note that I sent to Nowell Herman and the Entire Discussion Forum Committee Members on Saturday 7-01-00 after seeing posts deleted that had been on the PPC discussion forum the night of 6-30-00. I have spoken to Tom Kalski, the discussion forum
committe leader, three times today and have also received an E-mail from Bill Campbell about this matter.

Ray Szull, after all of the work that I did to get your posting rights reinstated, I am very angry that you would even dare to think, question or insinuate that I have not been standing up for the Prowler owner rights to speak their feelings. The PPC discussion forum committee was my idea and my way of trying to eliminate the deletions that had been common while JT the VP and Nowell had full control over it. I have invested endless hours into trying to make it work for everyone concerned. It worked for a while and I thought that things were going well. As evidenced by the fact that CJs post and Gary Cs Carlini Advertisment in his signature are still there even though they were the subject of deletion discussions. Problem is, we (discussion forum committee) now find ourselves in the position of being overruled or not having our decisions considered. I will no longer be involved with the PPC as I feel that Nowell has directly betrayed me, as a member of the discussion forum committee, by allowing the deletion of posts and locking the post replies without consulting with the FULL discussion forum committee. He and I had an agreement and he has not kept his word to me. I've had it! I quit! I'm through! and I'M CHANGING THE CHANNEL.

"Mind if I ask just what the Discussion Forum Committee purpose is?
I have recently seen posts locked and deleted without a vote or any say from the committee and am very upset about this." """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
--
Larry Lord
Larry@FMBbox.com
Fleet Metal Box Corporation

------------------
Larry (King of the Miles) Lord
Prowler Owners Association
Southern California Area
Larry@FMBbox.com

[This message has been edited by Larry Lord (edited 07-13-2000).]

posted 07-13-2000 12:12 PM                  

As I said I have heard from members of both organizations and I want to thank them all. As a outsider,I would think both sides could have handled it differntly but hey,, we all could say that in many issues of our life, at least I know I can.

What started me on this was the talk in the forum and the chat room. The constant knock on the PPC, the inuendos. It seemed to be the primary subject. That is not something appealing to me or others I would think. And it is MY opinion some remarks were comeing from way out of left field with no basis.

But that is what free speech is all about I think, it even lets me express my feelings.
It is truely my hope things smooth out, and both organiztions thive.

Larry, I think of the short time we talked personally, and via email, you could tell I am not some jerk or xxxx disturber. I would like to think we are friends and will remain so.

I have had my difficulties with PPC management also, certainly not on the scale you, and other members have experienced. If it did come down to that, then I would have to make some decisions also.

I enjoy this club (right word?). Being I am in northern california I feel somewhat closer still as I have met some of you personally. You all have made your decissions to form this organization and I repect that, more than respect it I would defend if needed. I look foward to cruising the roads with you all.

But I am still a member of the PPC, and unless somethings happens that would change my mind, I will remain a member. And I will defend it needed also. It is upsetting to me to read the remarks in this forum at times, and in chat.

With all this said, I think you are right about reopening old wounds. I really appreciate all who have responded, from both parties. I enjoy both venues very much, both have great people and like others Im sure, I havent had as much fun like I do with my Prowler, and Prowler friends, in I dont know how long. I want to keep that going.

Whew,,,, I'm done.
I think because Paxton has my car I have too much time on my hands?? lol

Very Respectfully,
John Davies

posted 01-08-2001 11:17 PM                  

You went WAY back into the archives to find that one!

posted 01-08-2001 11:33 PM                  

I was then and am now proud of that work.

Thanks for bringing it back up 1badcat!

(formerly PhxSuncat)