How to contact PCA to show support for 914SIG, PCA Disbanding 914 Special Interest Group Options

[bahnzai]

Bob, @naro914
Can you remind us again or give some more details on what & how to approach PCA to show support for the 914 specialty group to help keep Okteenerfest alive? Maybe this need to be a separate thread, but I thought participants might look here first?

Thanks again for a spectacular event! It is one of the most enjoyable outings of the year.

[mathfuzzy]

Hi All,

JD here. PCA Special Interest Registries Coordinator. Clearly a passionate group as I've had correspondence with a number of you and scan through this content. Thanks to a number of you for being positive in your communications, not assuming the usual "NARP" sentiment, and for volunteering to take the advocate role for the PCA 914 special interest registry. I'll work to make sure that the PCA Executive Council understand the passion of PCA members who on 914s, the interest in reviving the registry, and, ideally, an advocate who is willing to take on the role and responsibilities associated with it.

Just wanted to ring in and make a couple of things clear. First and foremost, decommissioning the registry had nothing to do with a lack of interest in, passion or respect for the 914. I think it's safe to say that it's the opposite. With the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 914 model year in 2020, you'll see significant coverage and attention devoted to the 914 from PCA.

Decommissioning did have to do with an advocate who, understandably, indicated he didn't have the time and attention to spend on the role. The advocate role, like mine, is predicated on someone being willing to volunteer their time and effort. I'm guessing my volunteer involvement in PCA involves a few hundred hours a year and at least a few thousand un-reimbursed dollars. I, like so many others, do it because I have a passion for the marque and so many of the models it has produced over the years, including the 914.

When I took over responsibilities for the PCA special interest registries a couple years ago, the program had been around for roughly 21 years and had evolved over time. Working with the PCA EC (just to be clear, none of the actions were done in a vacuum or unilaterally) I took a step back to figure out the purpose of the program and how it did and should exist as a benefit to PCA members. What I found was a wide spectrum of size, activity, engagement and purpose among the existing registries. At best, I found a handful of vibrant and active registries with websites or Facebook groups that showed daily activity and moderation, periodic newsletter, and annual gatherings. At worst, no web presence, no social media presence, and no response from the named advocate after several attempts.

In early 2018, after clarifying the advocate role, I reached out to all existing advocates to communicate the new role and responsibilities. At a minimum, it meant that each registry needed either a website or Facebook group...ideally both...to foster member interaction. Several were already doing what I was asking, several pledged and have since met minimum requirements, some tapped out, some did not respond. Bob responded and said he'd try to find another volunteer to take over as advocate. As of the end of 2018, when it was time to take action, nobody had stepped up to take the role so the registry was decommissioned along with several other changes and consolidations.

Having said all of that, my bad for not completing the loop with Bob, and for not connecting the dots to the Octeenerfest subsidy. That was, I can promise, an unintended consequence. Having triple checked with Vu, that event can still be insured through a PCA Region, so hopefully the continued viability of the event doesn't hinge on the lack or presence of a $400 subsidy. And if PCA reinstates the registry it needs to serve a purpose beyond providing a subsidy for a couple of events. Ideally it means there's an active and engaged community of PCA members who own 914s in the form of a Facebook group.

As I said, it's great that there are a handful of people who have raised their hand to volunteer for the advocate position. It's a great start and I'll be working on making sure at least one is up for the role and then with the EC to reinstate the registry. In the meantime, I get it, I don't need more letters. Special thanks to those who have reached out with a civil tone. For the rest, I'm not the enemy. PCA isn't about the money (or if it is, nobody is cutting me in). It's about providing a benefit to members and supporting the passion of a vast number of members.

Thanks again to those who have taken the time to reach out. Again, I get it and I'm on it.

All the best,

JD