Has PCA lost it's way?

[pwd72s]

I received the following from a long time friend, Mick Michelsen...he doesn't post here. He has asked me to post the following, a trail of emails between he and a PCA parade official...since I don't have this official's permission, any personal info relating to who he is will be deleted. Parade volunteer workers are being asked to PAY for the honor? Hmmmm. I think Mick has a point. It's sure not the way it was done in the PCA of a few decades ago. So, other than some name & email deletes, here you go. Then please answer...Has PCA lost it's way as Mick thinks?

3/17/05

***-- Actually you communicated quite well. We are reasonably cognizant with Parade costs having chaired Security and Communications and Dawn having chaired Meals and Entertainment at Parade.

I am quite willing to pay the 30 bucks apiece to help **** with the welcome tent. However, I will not be paying 42 bucks for my 34th year of membership in PCA come 2006.

What your comparison in volunteering to the Professional Golfing Association, a for profit corporation who gives multimillion dollar prizes, has to do with PCA escapes me. I'm sorry, it was fun, but this PCA is clearly no longer the organization I joined.

Best Regards from the Blue Ridge

Mick and Dawn Michelsen
Sec. Blue Ridge Region PCA
225 N Maple
Vinton, VA
540-981-0356 (cute number, eh?)
cell 540-354-6165


In a message dated 03/17/2005 8:00:28 AM Eastern Standard Time, **************** writes:
I think I did not communicate well our requirement for
the $30 fee for volunteers. For that, I apologize.
We DID make this decision (NOT PCA National, although
it was approved by them), and I will attempt to
justify it:

Attending this Parade is a privilege. We have 650
people on the waiting list, and many, many people are
disappointed- as you yourself have pointed out.
Attending Parade venues- Hospitality, Goodie Store,
Museum- is also a privilege paid for by registrants.

The $30 fee covers our costs for your attendance at
this event- if only as a volunteer. You will be able
to access the above venues, which have TREMENDOUS
costs associated with them. The budget for the museum
alone is $22,000. If you want to drill down into the
details, drinks/beverages at the Blue Ridge Welcome
Tent are not free (Just ask ****, who is costing ethem
now.); neither is the food in hospitality. Bottom
line: There are costs associated with running Parade
that go beyond just straight line items like trophies
and banquets, and these are only some of them.

We are asking you to pay this as a means of enjoying
venues that others have paid much, much more for. As
comparison, the cost to work PGA events is $350 for a
weekend, and these volunteers do not get any benefits
other than a breakfast and a shirt.

You asked if you could help. This is our policy. I
hope you understand. It's unfortunate you think PCA
has lost its way. I think we've captured the essence
of it in this Parade.

***
--- ChathamMS@aol.com wrote:
>
> 3/17/05
>
> Thank you so much for your prompt response. I will
> be pleased to volunteer
> and help **** with the Parade welcome tent in anyway
> I am needed. Please
> note: I am doing this due to my personal
> relationship with **** ***** and not
> PCA. This is NOT the PCA I joined 33 years ago.
>
> I would never have joined an organization, (let
> alone served as an active
> Regional officer, chaired multi-regional events,
> major Parade functions, and
> volunteered ANY time someone was needed) that
> expected me to pay 30 bucks to
> volunteer after driving 5 hours one way and paying
> for my own eats and sleeps.
>
> We have clearly lost our way and our purpose of
> being. This is not a
> complaint toward you. I know you did not make this
> decision. I simply have to
> question continuing my relationship with PCA.
>
> I, and I imagine you, would question the sanity of
> maintaining a
> relationship with a friend who demanded 30 bucks to
> help him move his furniture IN your
> truck!
>
> Best Regards from the Blue Ridge,
>
>
> Mick and Dawn Michelsen
> Region Secretary, Social Committee, Drivers
> Education Committee #
> 1972059327
> 225 N Maple
> Vinton, VA
> 540-981-0356 (cute number, eh?)
> cell 540-354-6165
>
>
>
> Mick, et. al.....
>
> **** and I are finalizing the Volunteer Registrant
> Sign-up. For the $30
> registration fee, you will get a Volunteer name
> tag, volunteer shirt and be
> able to work to you are content. As Bob mentioned,
> this name badge will get
> you into the Goodie Store, Museum and Hospitality.
> You just won't be able
> to enter a car in any of the events. Accomodations
> will be on your own as
> well.
>
>
>
>
> On a related note, **** was looking for someone with
> an SUV to help shop for
> water/soda/etc. and deliver them to the tent.
> Perhaps if you are coming
> with an SUV, you could help **** out.

[porschenut]

Wow, first Porsche AG (watercooled 911? SUV? 4-door? NO RACING?!?!?) and now PCA. Every Porsche-related organization seems to be evolving into something less than it used to be. Sad, sad, sad.

[dweymer]

So going to a parade to celebrate/lookyloo at 50 years worth of Porsches is a privilege? Ok, I will sometimes pay to go to an auto show; I understand there are costs involved in bringing these vehicles together for my pleasure, but pay to be tommy-ticket-taker is a joke. This is why many view p-cars, and their owners as eliteist. Maybe they should just charge parade entrants 2k for the PRIVILEGE of traveling accross the country to show off their cars to a couple of hundred paying volunteers. I'm sure that will take care of the cost of hosting a parade; as there would be none.

[nostatic]

POC doesn't suck.

[CarreraCab]

pwd72s, wow, have you ever hit it on the head. I have been a member since 1975, and although there always was an elitist core, there have always been a main group of regular people who enjoy working on their own cars, and those of their friends as well. Sadly, over the years a lot has changed, someone should inform them that they have a large contingent that sadly, do not make 1/2 million a year, and have to act somewhat responsibly by budgeting our activities. By being asked to pay to be a volunteer, and not being able to enter our own vehicle, these jokers better wake up and realize that our love of the marque does not mean that it is the center of our universe, and not all are willing to pay to help them out. Doug

[Grady Clay]

Paul,

Thanks for posting this.

On one hand, I have never been asked to pay to volunteer but I was always an entrant also. On the other, I have sat in on the meetings and can assure you and Mick that it is a scary thing to put on a Parade. Porsche Parades are put on by Porsche enthusiasts that put their own time and money into the project. These are amateurs who may have organized a professional conference once. These are not the pros who take the PGA or NASCAR on the road. The biggest fear is that they will ruin the Region’s finances or participation in spite of all the National support. The entire event is staffed by volunteers. Yes, you get a T-shirt and a bottle of water – and willingly pay for the privilege. I don’t think there has been a Region or Zone that hasn’t been exhausted by the process but it is worth it.

The Parade is a unique Porsche experience. Every Porsche enthusiast should attend. If you are on the 650 waiting list, figure out how to be first in line next year.

As you know I have been asked to help with the ’06 Tech Quiz. There will be many hours and $hundreds not reimbursed as a volunteer. I won’t complain. If I go, I will be a paid entrant and still volunteer - even if I pay more.

I will volunteer to pay Mick's $30.

Best,
Grady
Joined PCA in 1968, POC in '70

[island911]

When a "club" becomes a racket. . .

OR, were 650 people just trying to scam on the entry fee by saying they were "volunteering" only to disapear in the crowd once *in* ?

Either way, there's some piss-poor leadership there.

[david914]

I must say that I am NOT fond of the direction that Porsche as a company has been going in recent years. The focus (like many companies) has shifted from satisfying the customer, to satisfying the shareholders, et al.

What is happening to PCA is merely following Porsche's lead. They are more focused on the bottom dollar, than on what made the dollar to begin with.

I have always firmly believed that, for a lack of a better analogy, "if you build it they will come". That's an over-simplification, and there's obviously alot more involved than that, but the idea is to provide a product or service that meets/exceeds the customer's expectations for a reasonable amount of money.

I'm sure that PCA has always been a marketing outlet of sorts for Porsche, but it seems that in recent years it has become more so at the expense of, shall we say, its "enthusiast" members.

[Grady Clay]

You have to remember that PCA is a Membership Club, not a for profit corporation. The members run the club, with all the difficulty and politics that brings. It would run much better with a dictator at the helm but that isn’t the case. We put up with the imperfections of OUR membership run club. Yes, there is some necessary sucking up to PCNA and mother PAG but we get hind teat.

PCA’s function is to provide the Regions with structure and affordable insurance, publish Panorama, and assist a Region or Zone Parade organization in putting on an annual Porsche parade. It is run by volunteers. As I understand it, only BJT (Pano Editor) and some secretarial staff are paid a salary. Everything else is provided by us Porsche nuts as volunteers and willing to chip in for the privilege. Yes, the Club pays expenses for meetings and such. That is so everyone can afford to participate – not just the self financed.

How many here have put on events, served on committees, been on the Regional Boards, and more? It takes a lot of work to make all the DEs and more happen. You couldn’t afford to attend a DE without all the volunteers and the collaborative access to event insurance. The fact that we have these membership clubs like SCCA, NASA, PRC, POC, PCA, and more is what allows us to have all these wonderful events.

Yes there are some successful commercial events; RRII, Ventura, and more. Look at the benefit Pelican Parts gets from supporting this Form (thanks Wayne.)

If someone feels PCA is mis-directed, get involved and help change it. It is OUR club.

Best,
Grady

[LeeH]

For some reason a funny picture popped into my head as I read this: I show up at the blood bank to make a donation... and the person behind the counter says, "That will be $20 please - it covers the cost of drawing the blood."

[Grady Clay]

Every time I donate blood, I’m asked to donate financially and willingly do so. When the kids’ soccer, baseball, basketball, school, or kart racing needs help, I step in.

I think we all have become a little jaundiced. Thanks to Wayne’s generosity we tend to expect to get something for nothing. Wayne pays for the bandwidth and equipment through our purchases from his very great business. I suspect his labor is gratis, certainly in the middle of the night to keep the Forum up and running. Thanks again Wayne.

On the other hand PCA has no income other than dues (part paid back to the Member’s Region) and sales of a few publications (Up-Fixen) and decals. Most years it stashes money away (read invests) to cover lean years. Yes, it has a substantial balance but that insures our long term survival and it is the members’ money – there are no stockholders to pay dividends to. It is a volunteer run organization.

PAG is a for-profit company. They need to pay a return on investment to their investors. Feel free to purchase some Porsche stock and get a check from them every quarter. That is how the world works. I suspect Porsche GMBH didn’t pay much to Ferry Porsche and family. The good news is it appears that Porsche AG will remain an independent company and not end up a step-division of VW.

Best,
Grady

[LeeH]

I think donations should be voluntary. Organizations risk losing their supporters when they ask too much of those who already choose to give.

[mede8er]

I have been a scorer for the PGA tour for 5 years...never paid a cent except to buy shirt and pants which I continued to use throughout the year anyway......

That being said, I understand the PCA's logic and would gladly pay the $30.00........

[84porsche]

My thoughts on the situation are if you are getting something for your $30 then you pay it. If you are voluntering your time and time can be expensive then you shouldn't have to pay because you are voluntering. I understand that these events are expensive and expensive to put on but if someone is going to change their schedule and their time then they should at least be given a t-shirt and a bottle of water.

If the list of volunteers is quite long then you have a lottery to see who will volunteer. If you need money for an event or for food then you fundraise but come on charging people for the honor to volunteer is ridiculous in my opinion.

[Mike O'Meara]

I agree, Grady. The effort involved in running something as simple as a DE event or concours on the local level can be extraordinary and often unseen. I have been a PCA member for 10 years, attended many events and volunteered at enough to know there are some very dedicated, down to earth people in PCA. That said, since I've been redoing my car and can't drive it, I haven't been to a PCA event in a year and a half. In that same year and a half I don't think I've missed more than a day or two of logging on to this website. (Thank you, Wayne.) Each serves it's purpose, and I appreciate both.

[911SCfanatic]

I think everyone is missing each other on this one. The way I'd frame the issue is: Should you charge voluteers, or should you increase the cost in some other way such as by raising the ticket prices? IMO, it's more appropriate to pass the cost onto those who are not volunteering. Charge $0.25 more for a candy bar or $5 more for a car entry fee, but don't charge to be a volunteer. Just my opinion--there's no real reason to charge volunteers.

[randywebb]

Does PCA have Directors or Officers who are paid a salary?

There are a lot of "abuses" of not for profit status... I have no knowledge of PCA tho. But just being a non-profit doesn't make an entity a "good guy." The most recent national scandal was the highly paid Ex. Dir. of the United Way...

[Grady Clay]

Randy,

No, it is all volunteer. Yes, the Club reimburses direct expenses so that everyone can participate not dependent on their fanatical status. Many (most?) decline reimbursement.

I think there is good oversight. I would hope something like United Way couldn’t happen. There are enough attorney/members looking over everyone’s shoulder. These are subjects I remember being of concern almost 40 years ago. I think the Club keeps ratcheting up the caution. There is real money involved and it belongs to the members.

Another good feature is the people change regularly. Each year there are potential new whistleblowers – a good thing for any organization.

Best,
Grady

[randywebb]

OK... now if they'll just do more old car articles, and technical stuff...

[sundaypunch]

Originally posted by 911SCfanatic
I think everyone is missing each other on this one. The way I'd frame the issue is: Should you charge voluteers, or should you increase the cost in some other way such as by raising the ticket prices? IMO, it's more appropriate to pass the cost onto those who are not volunteering. Charge $0.25 more for a candy bar or $5 more for a car entry fee, but don't charge to be a volunteer. Just my opinion--there's no real reason to charge volunteers.

Exactly.

While some people wont mind paying to volunteer it is sure to turn others off. There are many ways to raise a similar amount of money without forcing volunteers to pay.