January 2000 BIMMER Behind the Wheel

National Elections This Month

by Fred Beck

The Boston Chapter Elections are over and our year 2000 Board is in place. Many thanks to the candidates who ran and to the chapter members that voted. Sixty-four ballots were received, which is approximately a 2.6% turnout of the 2436 Boston Chapter members we had as of December, 1999. While low turnout is somewhat understandable as very few positions were contested, this year's election continued a trend of very low member input in Chapter elections (64 votes for 2000, 53 votes for 1999, 48 votes for 1998.)

Fred Beck

Elections for the BMW CCA National Board take place this month. These elections give you, the membership, a chance to influence what happens at the National level through your choice of candidates.

Of the four open positions this year, the office of Executive Vice President is the only position that is contested. According to the National Operations Manual, the Executive VP helps develop and implement projects and policies, is responsible for overseeing organizational functions (e.g. Oktoberfest), and is responsible for and corresponds with the National Service Advisors and other service officers.

I am proud to say that 2 of the 5 candidates for Executive VP are highly valued Boston Chapter members. These two candidates are John Sullivan and Michel Potheau. Both have outstanding records and have been deeply involved with both the Boston Chapter and the National level of the BMW CCA for many years.

We feel it would be great to have a Boston Chapter member on the National Board, both because we would have more direct information on what is happening at the national level, and because either Michel or John will do a great job. All Candidates Statements and the Ballot are in the January Roundel. If you haven't read them yet, do it now. Then tear out the ballot, mark the candidates of your choice, and drop the ballot in the mail. The postage is pre-paid, so it won't cost you a cent. Be involved - vote today!

In local news, the Boston Chapter Board has adopted the National Mission Statement as part of its Bylaws. This statement is on the masthead page of the Roundel, and reads "The mission of the BMW Car Club of America is to enhance the BMW experience for our members by providing services, support, information, and activities that promote camaraderie and encourage social awareness and responsibility." In the coming year the Board will work to enhance services and activities for our members in the furtherance of this mission. If you have ideas on how best to do this, and/or want to be involved, please contact me or one of the Chapter Board or Staff members.

Finally, a tidbit for those 2002 owners out there: BMW AG is planning a series of electronic workshop manuals on CD-ROM for vintage BMW's. The first is now available for the 02 series, from BMW 1502 to the 2002 turbo. According to my sources, the part number is 01.56.0.004.532.

Happy hunting, and happy New Year to all!



January 2000 BIMMER
Behind the Wheel: National Elections This Month by Fred Beck
Under the Hood: I Didn't Go Blind by Greg Scott
January 2000 New Members by Barry Tarr
Turns To Take: Stronger And Bigger! by Maria Anggraeni
Fourth Quarter General Meeting: An Awarding Experience by Justin Hughes
1999 Fourth Quarter General Meeting: An Awarding Experience Photo Gallery by Dan Mull and Ron Sisco
Sixth Annual Leaf Peeping Fun Rally: Therapy Behind The Wheel by John Sullivan
Sixth Annual Leaf Peeping Fun Rally: Therapy Behind The Wheel Photo Gallery by Dan Mull
Driving School at New Hampshire International Speedway: One's Passion For School by Richard M. Shrier
Driving School at Lime Rock Park: I'm Addicted To School by Justin Hughes
Driving School at ime Rock Park: I'm Addicted To School Photo Gallery by Ron Sisco
Charitable Contributions: Bucks for Bristol by Stan Jackson Jr.
Boston Chapter Autocross Series: It's All About Kicking Cones! by Fred Beck and Justin Hughes
Boston Chapter Autocross Series: Autocross 8 Photo Gallery by Allison Feldhusen
1999 Boston Chapter Autocross Series: Autocross Shootout by Fred Beck
November 1999 Boston Chapter Board Meeting Minutes by Will Farnsworth
More Boston Bimmer articles by Fred Beck
President's Page: Mr. Beck Goes To Washington November/December 2000 Bimmer
President's Page: Calling All Members October 2000 Bimmer
President's Page: Bonjour, Chapitre de Boston! September 2000 Bimmer
President's Page July/August 2000 Bimmer
President's Page June 2000 Bimmer
There are 51 more Boston Bimmer articles by Fred Beck