Any interest in forming local 914World Chapters?, One Lesson Learned from European 914 clubs |
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Any interest in forming local 914World Chapters?, One Lesson Learned from European 914 clubs |
JeffBowlsby |
Jul 3 2014, 09:55 PM
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#1
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914 Wiring Harnesses Group: Members Posts: 8,663 Joined: 7-January 03 From: San Ramon CA Member No.: 104 Region Association: None |
My recent visit to the 914 International meet in Italy opened my eyes to some interesting differences in the 914 communities here in the USA vs Europe. I had the great pleasure of meeting and spending a few days with our very own Gustl, Johannes, Peter and many others with the 914-passion and I think that common bond is an aspect of 914 ownership that most of us are interested in. 914s are not just about the cars – its about the people.
Europe is roughly ¼ the size of the USA, and they have multiple local 914-dedicated clubs mostly organized by country – 914 clubs exist in Germany, France, Italy, England, etc. These clubs meet from time to time locally to network, socialize and promote the 914 hobby in their regions (check out their individual websites). Once a year they all get together for a major high quality International 914 event somewhere in Europe. The International meet is always well attended (limited to 100 914s and their owners!), booked/paid a year in advance, and is hosted in a different country (by the local 914 club) each year on a rotating basis. It has official support from Porsche. The European approach is very supportive, and non-competitive in the negative sense. In the USA, we have no organized, local 914-dedicated clubs. We have no regularly (monthly-quarterly-ish) organized local 914 events. We have no annual USA National 914 event. Europe has nothing like our 914world.com forums…in a literal sense, 914world.com is THE international 914 Forum because we have many international members here. I would like to see if we can increase international participation on the forum in the future. The USA is much larger geographically than Europe which is a challenge for holding larger national events. PCA, SCCA, and similar groups are good events for some, and not that we want to withdraw from those, but they are not an ultimate 914 venue for most of us. Thanks to the camaraderie on this Forum, we do have a series of what I will characterize as fairly regular, regional, moderate-sized events that are always fun – Red Rocks, WCR, ECR, Okteenerfest, etc. Some locales have sporadic informal 914 breakfasts, drives etc. Only when someone volunteers to host an event does it happen – I think we as 914 Owners could all really benefit with better organization and regional leadership. New 914 owners need a venue to hang out face to face, and long-time owners can share their experiences. A real world, local, in person, ‘914 Garage’ experience is one of the great things about our community. My idea is that we form local/regional 914World Chapters to generally help better organize us and promote the 914 ownership experience on multiple levels. 914World.com will always be our playhouse. None of us wants a dues paying, card carrying, rules/regulations format and I don’t propose anything like that. The idea is intended only to be a way for 914 owners to connect locally and informally, and perhaps hold a national event in the future. I don’t see the concept as divisive, but rather as unifying us, prospering the 914 experience and being a supportive environment. What say you? Attached image(s) |
VaccaRabite |
Jul 7 2014, 09:42 PM
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#2
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En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,554 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I do not like the idea of local chapters.
Most locals pretty much know who their neighbors are. I am lucky to have several around me, and we manage to get together a few times a year. Folks tend to read mostly one or two forums. If we split things into the local areas, we will become too fractured. Besides, we already have an events forum. I don't know of anyone who actually uses it, but we do have one. If you want your event to be seen, post it up in the garage. Ask one of us mods to color it for you. As your event gets closer, find a reason to bump the thread daily. Put adds for your local event in your footer. Planning an event is a lot of work, and the guys who plan tend to burn out after a few years (I know I did). If we want events to thrive, we have to step up and make it happen. Splitting the forums won't help events. Stepping up and volunteering to help plan an event does. Zach |
blitZ |
Jul 8 2014, 06:20 AM
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#3
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Beer please... Group: Members Posts: 2,223 Joined: 31-August 05 From: Lawrenceville, GA Member No.: 4,719 Region Association: South East States |
I don't believe this topic has anything to do with the forums, just forming local clubs.
I do not like the idea of local chapters. Most locals pretty much know who their neighbors are. I am lucky to have several around me, and we manage to get together a few times a year. Folks tend to read mostly one or two forums. If we split things into the local areas, we will become too fractured. Besides, we already have an events forum. I don't know of anyone who actually uses it, but we do have one. If you want your event to be seen, post it up in the garage. Ask one of us mods to color it for you. As your event gets closer, find a reason to bump the thread daily. Put adds for your local event in your footer. Planning an event is a lot of work, and the guys who plan tend to burn out after a few years (I know I did). If we want events to thrive, we have to step up and make it happen. Splitting the forums won't help events. Stepping up and volunteering to help plan an event does. Zach |
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