PCA Membership - Did you renew or not?

[id10t]

Never been a member, never will be. Its those 356 comments.... Dad was a member, back when the 356 was the only Porsche... but once those fancy 6 cylinder cars came out he dropped...

[cairns]

BTW I checked. Betty Jo Turner has been editing Panorama for 38 years. Unbelievable and long time past her sell by IMO. That mag needs fresh blood and a fresh perspective. Please PCA officers- thank her for her service, show her the door and take some active steps to improve our magazine!! Why on earth would we keep one person in this position for this long?

[Jeff Higgins]

I have been a member since I first bought my car. The PNW region holds half a dozen DE's every year and has what has got to be one of the best driver training programs in the nation. My oldest son joined (at my insistance) three years ago when he bought his SC, and went through the whole program. My youngest son will join when we finish his car later this winter ('68 912 to 911 conversion, with a 2.4 MFI motor). He will go through the whole drivers' training program as well.

My wife really enjoys their tours, so that is one way we spend some "Porsche time" together. She likes the fact that there are a lot of women who show up, both driving and riding with their husbands or boyfriends. She is also comfortable with the pace they like to drive. It really is as much social (and not purely car centered social) as it is driving, which suits her well.

My other club, on the other hand, is far more serious about the driving. She does not appreciate the pace, nor the fact that any socializing is pretty much purely centered about "car talk". A lot of women only show up to drive/ride with us once and then graciously bow out. She doesn't want to be the only woman there, so that is "my time" with the cars and like minded guys. The PCA serves to balance that by including her. That's goodness...

[JTO]

Jeff points to the fact that the local PCA chapter has more to do with one's PCA experience than anything else. I spent some time with the Redwood region an had a great time.
Troy

[azasadny]

Yep, I renew every year!

[MT930]

This area has some great people and good events, almost all car people The DE's 2 of them are outstanding, the group is largly DIY ers For what you get it's a great value.

I'm not a club kinda of guy either, Certainly not a wine and cheesier.

Pano, well it could have less advertising.

[911boost]

I am a member, RMR, I haven't ever done anything with them, and really need to. To be honest, with two kids under 6, I just don't have the time for all the activities I'd like to do. As a Porsche owner though, I support the PCA.

Not to mention, Denver, northern colorado has a very active Pelican community, we have the monthly breakfasts, and then go on a couple of drives a year.

I have met some great Pelicans over the years...

Bill

[kslizzy]

Yes, I'm a second year member. I've attended all the auto x's offered even in neighboring regions. I haven't committed to DE's yet because I know it's all over, that down hill slippery slope. We do have a new track to look forward to though, High Plains Raceway in eastern Colorado.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by cairns

BTW I checked. Betty Jo Turner has been editing Panorama for 38 years. Unbelievable and long time past her sell by IMO. That mag needs fresh blood and a fresh perspective. Please PCA officers- thank her for her service, show her the door and take some active steps to improve our magazine!! Why on earth would we keep one person in this position for this long?

Damn fine question.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by cairns

Yes I re-upped. Been a member for fifteen years now and think PCA is the best (by far) car club in the world unfortunately represented by the worst (also by far) club magazine. Great people, superior DE program, interesting local events and did I mention the great people?

But as long as you're asking why someone wouldn't reup please allow me a rant about Panorama.....as I think the magazine has a major impact on membership retention. A lot of people may not have time to attend events or volunteer- but want to know what's going on and appreciate reading about their cars and the events, people and history associated therewith.

I'm also a member of BMWCCA and receive their magazine (Roundel) and can contrast that with Panorama every month. Roundel simply blows away Panorama in every respect- superior choice of stories (the 3rd Army capture of Nurburgring during WW2 is a good example), excellent writing and commentary, technical advice columns that fill pages- not a half page, Satch Carlsen, wonderful photography, honest advice and, what I appreciate most, an editorial attitude that isn't afraid to critique the cars or the company when warranted. This month even included a funny (but serious) editorial on "why I want a Porsche". Can you imagine ever reading a humorous "why I want a BMW" editorial in Panorama?

So does anyone know if any changes are in the works for Panorama or is PCA going to continue to churn out the same tired company propaganda? I almost vomited this month when I saw the usual Porsche press photos and read how "sexy" the Panamera is (no byline of course).

What are the President or officers of PCA doing to improve our magazine? Are we doomed to more decades of this drivel? How long have Betty Jo and those folks been there anyway?

I'm a 5 year member of PCA and a 5 year owner of a BMW. I finally got a BMWCCA membership last year. The Roundel magazine BLOWS Panorama away by leaps and bounds. I commute on the train and carry it around until the next one comes. The only thing I can recall reading in Panorama of interest lately was the article on the two woman that restored the old car. The rest is boring as hell or old out of date race news. They don't really even cover club racing do they?

[cairns]

They cover it but sporadically. When I've asked locally about it everyone agrees Pano is pretty bad that we should change etc. but evidently Betty Jo is sacrosanct. Why I don't know and you're evidently not going to hear a club officer comment on the situation (some are on here I'm sure).

I'm sure she's a great person and has no doubt done a lot for the club but it's kind of ridiculous in my view. Pano does some good things (the relation of Cayman experiences by owners in the current issue is great) but it's generally old and boring recantations of Porsche glory days and blind adoration for anyone within the company and anything the company does. I hate to think my dues are paying for propaganda and her trips to the old country to spout more of the same.

The sad part is it could be a GREAT magazine and really generate enthusiasm for the club and the cars.

[berettafan]

in this one thread you've heard from the VP and the Executive Director of PCA.

[berettafan]

just to be clear (as if it isn't clear enough) if i'm on the throne and there is a pile of pano and a pile of family circle in front of me i'm picking up the family circle.


Perhaps Betty Jo (and i really don't care for naming one person like this; i mean it is someone's livelihood) is given the direction and doesn't actually call the shots on how the mag looks. Perhaps the feedback isn't given to her. Perhaps when it comes down to it the guys in the office just don't have the stones to say 'betty jo we need to change this thing up and turn it into something more than a church newsletter'.

[cairns]

...that is one sad (but painfully true) commentary on the mag that purportedly represents the best car club in the world. OK officers if you're on here speak up...it's not like we can print a letter to the editor that's going to be published....and you guys know darn well the current Pano is not helping retaining members.

[carolinatrophy]

What, more specifically, would you guys like to see changed about Panorama. That is, if you were in charge, what changes would you make? (I have no connection or loyalty to anyone at the magazine, but I am starting to write more content for the book, and would love to know what you'd like to see more or less of. Particularly since I just got the new issue in the mail and it's the worst ever. A third of it is an ad for the "new" Cayman, a third of it is letters from people about their current Caymans, and a third of it is an ad for the 2009 Parade in Keystone. I glanced through it and wham - right in the circular file.)

Specifically:

1) How would you change the subject of the content. More articles about older cars? More racing coverage? More modified cars? More technical and "how to" articles? Maybe articles about great driving routes? Articles about influential or interesting Porsche-related people? What would YOU like to se when you open the next issue?

2) What do you think of the "tone" of the writing? (I have heard some people say it is not critical enough - too fawning - so they don't really "learn" anything about the subject. Everything reads like an advertisement.) Is the text too corporate and dry? Or do you like the writing, but just don't like the subjects?

3) A number of people mentioned how great the BMWCCA's Roundel magazine is by comparison. Why, exactly, is it better?

Any other suggestions? If everyone in the country thinks the magazine stinks, then maybe with everyone's input we can slowly start to make some changes, no matter whop is in charge.

[Manny Alban]

IF you could have the chance to give Panorama a facelift, what would you like to see?

More Tech? Questions and Answers or a DIY with photos?
More or less pro racing?
More or less coverage of regional events?
Do you want to read a play by play of a club race or a 'behind the scenes/human interest' story in that club race?
Do you read the Michael Cotton and/or Bill Oursler columns?

While I enjoy reading comments about the club on forums, if I have members and their names I can bring to the table, it's so much better

I would enjoy reading your thoughts, suggestions, concerns and complaints about OUR club's magazine. YOUR the members, this club is for YOU, so let's hear from you.

Here's the email addresses for the Panorama Editor and the Executive Council. Send an email to them. I can assure you it will be read and discussed.


Betty Jo Turner, Panorama Editor-porpan@mindspring.com
Executive Council
President, Kurt Gibson kurtg@pca.org
Vice President, Manny Alban (that's me) carrerados@aol.com
Secretary, Caren Cooper carencooper@austin.rr.com
Treasurer, Ruben Ledesma pcatreas@pca.org
Past President, Prescott Kelly kellyct@optonline.com
Executive Director, Vu Nguyen, admin@pca.org

[cairns]

Good questions.

1. Here's what I'd like to see, just as examples:

Far more interactive content- letters to the editor and honest answers- whether it be problems with the dealer, the company or just a congratulations to someone locally that did something special.

A MUCH bigger technical section. How to's are wonderful (see excellence).

Restoration articles- with pictures- there are some fantastic examples out there but they only seem to show up in Excellence.

A DE/Auto X feature every month. Developing skill levels, nationalizing standards, analysis of incidents, instructor improvement etc.

Historical articles that are just that- Porsche has a great history and some skeletons. It's all interesting- but tell it in a way that is so and includes the bad. Kill the fawning over the genius of Mssrs. Wendelin, Peter and the late Dr. and don't ever print one of their speeches again (what a waste of paper!).

An honest to God car test. Compare the 911 to the new M3, the Cayenne to the X5 or ML and do so HONESTLY. BMW does it- why can't we?

A larger format- see Roundel, Star and other club magazines. Are we that broke?

2. The current issues are basically Porsche press releases. With pictures furnished by the masters.

3. See 1 above.

And please note- I don't mean to single out Betty Jo. As I said I'm sure she's a wonderful person who has done great things for the club. But we elect new officers (national and local) every year and regularly change local editors, chief instructors etc. 38 years is simply too long and the magazine reflects that. So I'll ask again- why we would keep a person in that position for so long??? That is not a good thing- for her or the club.

[berettafan]

see if conrpanzer would be willing to do some consulting. guy writes a damn fine article.


in general though:
-make it a rule that absolutely ZERO stock photography is allowed.
-no more than 10% content devoted to currently available models.
-more and bigger pictures
-historical stuff like old factory pics, old race pics, 'where is this famous car now and who owns it' type stuff.
-ask Wayne to chronicle his 959 experiences.
-tell us about pca racers who kick butt in other series (SCCA, etc)
-do an 'i remember the time....' section where people like Grady Clay, Weldon Scrogham, Chad McQueen and other characters share pics and stories about specific events/races/etc.
-more features on bastard cars.
-tell us a story about joe schmoe for hoboken deciding to race his beater 912 in a hillclimb and put some darned soul into the writing (and pics!) and tell us how he went about fixing it up, etc. etc.
-tell us when Elephant Racing comes out with a new product for front suspension bushings.
-how about a story on track camera setups? has this been done?
-how about calling b.s. on the panamera and asking if the people who designed the interior of the Cayanne have ever even been inside a MB ML series.
-how about a 'what can i do to lighten my car' series of articles?
-how about story on the iterations of black beauty?
-how about calling Jim Richards and asking him to share his story/pics on his cross country drive?


Perhaps the folks at Pano should be given subscriptions to Excellence, 911 & Porsche World, etc.

[cairns]

Manny I would ask that you refer the editors to this board (which they should reading already) and the others (6 speed/Rennlist etc.) and have them do a search on Panorama. I'm certain suggestions like those above (and many others better than mine) have been made- probably many times- before. I'm pretty sure they've been seen, read and discussed. But I don't think they've been acted upon or will be in this case. And while I don't know how much control the officers or members have over the content of the magazine it doesn't appear to be much if any. If I've been doing my job for 38 years without question or interference why would I care what you think?

There seems to be an attitude about the magazine that is highly resistant to change and I frankly fear (yes I'm gonna say it but I don't like doing so) that there's an incestuous relationship between the editors and the company- don't criticize us and we'll fly you over to drive the new models, meet with former drivers, feed you photos etc.

I hope there isn't a conflict of interest- but the way Panorama reads there sure appears to be one. Roundel will criticize BMW the company and critique particular cars all day long- pretty vehemently. But I can't recall ever reading a critical word from the editors at Panorama- in fact it's just the opposite and way over the top. The current months press releases on the new Cayman and Panamera (let's face it that's all those articles are) are just more examples. The magazine should be the voice of the club- not the company.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Remember, by the way, that PCA gets two for the price of one, which they probably feel is a pretty good deal. Leonard Turner, who takes virtually all the photos (including covers) for the magazine that aren't stock shots or blurry member snapshots, is Betty Jo's husband. I know Leonard and he's a delightful guy and an excellent shooter, but I've never asked him if he gets paid for what he does for Pano. I suspect not, since his day job is that of a neurosurgeon.

I suspect he does it simply for the fun of going on press trips--I stopped considering them fun about halfway through my stint at Car and Driver--and being a Porsche insider.