The future of SAAC
After reading the posts on "The Future of SAAC" I feel compelled to express a variety of my thoughts.
I am a Shelby/Cobra enthusiast and I care about the legacy and future of SAAC and the cars. Other than being a SAAC member, I have no affiliation with SAAC.
For me personally, the most important issue is keep SAAC and the hobby alive. Do we want to have a legacy, do we want to SAAC to continue, do we care about attracting future generations to the hobby?
My personal views are:
First, it is not important to me whether SAAC is a business or a club. If someone makes a profit, fine. A service is being provided and I choose to pay for that service. The forum provides a considerable amount of information which I find beneficial and allows me to receive news, which I would not otherwise know, regarding what is happening in the world of Shelby's and Cobras. Is there another venue that provides this much information? If it is a business, principals should not use SAAC for personal gain other than compensation.
Second, I understand that to some of us the "cars" are a hobby and to others the "cars" are a business. Fine, we can co-exist. In my "perfect world" we all are car enthusiasts with a particular affection for Shelby's and Cobras. Everyone should work together as group to promote the hobby and appreciate other hobbyist's enthusiasm for the cars. We should welcome and encourage new enthusiasts and be tolerant of their inexperience with the cars. No one, experienced or inexperienced, should be embarrassed. There will always be differences of opinion. What is important is how we respond to those differences of opinion.
I also understand the increasing value of the cars has influenced people's views.
Third, there should one document clarifying SAAC, not the bits and pieces, and assumptions we see on the forum. Mystery feeds skepticism and creates rumors.
As I understand the history of SAAC, it was started by Rick Kopec. It is also my understanding Rick is still active with SAAC. If he is still the "CEO" he along with other principals should post a clarification of SAAC so members have a clear understanding of how it functions.
For example:
1. SAAC structure. How are they connected, SAAC, SAAC Forum, SAAC member lodge and other affiliations?
2. Who are the SAAC Principals/directors?
3. Is it a Club or business?
4. Who is responsible for publications?
5. Registrars, who are they, contact information (permanent post on the forum), are they compensated?
6. Is a succession plan in place for all of the above? A Will is written before the event not after the event.
7. Who pays for the Forum?
8. Are moderators volunteers?
9. Affiliation with Shelby American?
If there is a clear understanding of the SAAC structure it will make the club stronger and members would be more willing to help and provide input.
Fourth, I have no affiliation with the Mid America Shelby Meet. I have been advised Mid America is not a SAAC sanctioned event and there is contention between the two. These differences should be mended and Mid America and SAAC should work together. Many members and judges who attend SAAC sanctioned events also attend Mid America. Again, we should focus on promoting the hobby not individual agendas. If the hobby disappears will the differences matter? We should think long term not short term.
Please forgive any grammatical errors.
After reading the posts on "The Future of SAAC" I feel compelled to express a variety of my thoughts.
I am a Shelby/Cobra enthusiast and I care about the legacy and future of SAAC and the cars. Other than being a SAAC member, I have no affiliation with SAAC.
For me personally, the most important issue is keep SAAC and the hobby alive. Do we want to have a legacy, do we want to SAAC to continue, do we care about attracting future generations to the hobby?
My personal views are:
First, it is not important to me whether SAAC is a business or a club. If someone makes a profit, fine. A service is being provided and I choose to pay for that service. The forum provides a considerable amount of information which I find beneficial and allows me to receive news, which I would not otherwise know, regarding what is happening in the world of Shelby's and Cobras. Is there another venue that provides this much information? If it is a business, principals should not use SAAC for personal gain other than compensation.
Second, I understand that to some of us the "cars" are a hobby and to others the "cars" are a business. Fine, we can co-exist. In my "perfect world" we all are car enthusiasts with a particular affection for Shelby's and Cobras. Everyone should work together as group to promote the hobby and appreciate other hobbyist's enthusiasm for the cars. We should welcome and encourage new enthusiasts and be tolerant of their inexperience with the cars. No one, experienced or inexperienced, should be embarrassed. There will always be differences of opinion. What is important is how we respond to those differences of opinion.
I also understand the increasing value of the cars has influenced people's views.
Third, there should one document clarifying SAAC, not the bits and pieces, and assumptions we see on the forum. Mystery feeds skepticism and creates rumors.
As I understand the history of SAAC, it was started by Rick Kopec. It is also my understanding Rick is still active with SAAC. If he is still the "CEO" he along with other principals should post a clarification of SAAC so members have a clear understanding of how it functions.
For example:
1. SAAC structure. How are they connected, SAAC, SAAC Forum, SAAC member lodge and other affiliations?
2. Who are the SAAC Principals/directors?
3. Is it a Club or business?
4. Who is responsible for publications?
5. Registrars, who are they, contact information (permanent post on the forum), are they compensated?
6. Is a succession plan in place for all of the above? A Will is written before the event not after the event.
7. Who pays for the Forum?
8. Are moderators volunteers?
9. Affiliation with Shelby American?
If there is a clear understanding of the SAAC structure it will make the club stronger and members would be more willing to help and provide input.
Fourth, I have no affiliation with the Mid America Shelby Meet. I have been advised Mid America is not a SAAC sanctioned event and there is contention between the two. These differences should be mended and Mid America and SAAC should work together. Many members and judges who attend SAAC sanctioned events also attend Mid America. Again, we should focus on promoting the hobby not individual agendas. If the hobby disappears will the differences matter? We should think long term not short term.
Please forgive any grammatical errors.