The NEW SEC?

[rredalty]

The NEW SEC..? With new leadership in the SEC comes some needed changes. Lets hear some ideas and suggestions of what you want to see out of the new '09/'10 BOD. Personally, I have been a SEC member for over 3 years and although I have become more active wheeling and meeting more folks, it seems as though I am always wheeling with the same people. Now don't get me wrong, I love the people I get to see/ weel with on a regular basis and we have a great time, but I can also tell that chapter participation has dropped drastically and it just makes me wonder why. I have spoken with Ed about many things in the SEC and I think he has some GREAT ideas and although he is the new pres, this is still YOUR chapter and you need to be proud. If there is something you don't like, say it. If you have an idea of something to increase chapter participation, throw it out there. Lets all pull together and get this chapter fired up and excited. I know the upcoming years will be some of the best we have seen, so lets make it happen. Voice your opinion.

Personally I think a Tech Of The Month would be awsome and maybe a SEC senic wheeling thread to show others that you don't have to live in colorado or utah or the west coast to see some beautiful scenery.

[Cnickgo]

Why do we need new leadership for a scenic wheeling thread? Just start one. Or I will and you can give some input :).

How about some trail work days? We are often seen as the bad guy with land issues. Tellico is in some serious trouble. It would help the trails and our reputation. Ask the proper authorities what we can do to help and put forth some man-power.

[rredalty]

I was thinking something that could be sticky'd(hint hint mods). The work days are something I think is not only a great idea but something we are going to have to do. It appears that Tellico is going to be drug out a little longer according to the rangers and the FS. I'm not sure that they can do that though because these trails were to be closed for a time period "not to excede one year", but with new blood in D.C. they are going to have to rereview the proposals and make a new decision. Another idea could be a rig of the month. I know national does it but it also seems like they aren't too concerned with keeping it up.

[mbogosia]

I think those are some good ideas, but the bottom line is people need to get up and be willing to meet new people. Many don't want to go through the trouble with meeting up with guys they don't know to go wheeling, so they end up going out alone. We just need to make sure that every time someone is going wheeling somewhere they post up when and where. This way more people will get together and break the ice. Once some friendships are established it will be easier to get this rolling.

[PacificEd]

I believe that making this club successful takes everyone pitching in. NAXJA and the SEC are what the members make it.

I believe that there are many faces of NAXJA. Four wheeling, meet & greets, wrenchfests, etc. are all part of the SEC. I started with NAXJA just trying to see if the XJ I found was worth buying. Then I searched NAXJA to just get basic stuff fixed and learn about them. At that point, I attended several meet & greet events in middle TN. That's were the ideas began for doing a DD buildup.

Mark and I attended the Crawl and met a lot of the great people of NAXJA and the SEC. A few more wheeling trips came later. The Windrock Flog blew us out of the water. Way too much fun. Now, most of my wheeling has been as a tag-a-long, riding in Mark's rig. Mine is still stock. But hopefully that will change soon.

I guess the point I'm making is that I have been on many different levels regarding what NAXJA and the SEC. I have many levels to go. There is something here for everyone.

Like Matt said, let us know what you like and dislike. Feel free to PM me. I truely want to make the SEC a great place to hang out. With your help, it can happen.

[mclovin]

i would personally like to see more naxja sponsered wheeling trips. the only one that really gets any attention (in my opinion) is the fall flog. I noticed that alot of the guys that missed the fall flog for what ever reason (gas prices, broken rigs, or just previous engagements) missed out till next year. maybe a monthly or bi-monthly trip that way if you do have to miss it there will be another shortly after. plus it would let more people out to meet others, go to more riding areas and move things to different riding areas so some people wouldn't have to travel as much for certain rides. the only reason i say that is no one knows what gas prices will be like a month from now, could be lower clould be higher. having the fall flog at windrock this year was great for me, with a new baby i knew i wouldn't be able to get away and camp like everyone did(as much as i wanted to). In 09 i'm up for about anything.

[Imjosh]

Hopefully here soon I'll have my new project in wheeling order.

I can't wait to be able to get out wheel with new folks. This will be my second XJ and some of the nicest strangers I've ever met have been on wheeling trips.

[Mr.Shrek]

Here are a few things I'd like to see either more of or us start doing:

Meet & Greets :wave1:
Trail work days (To help clean and maintain the trails we are lucky to use)
Wrenchfests to help each other out :repair: (I know I have benefited and would like to return the favor)
A monthly or seasonal :NAXJA: trail ride
Perhaps we could help pull together parts/xj to donate to a local high school shop class

Just a few ideas I thought I would bounce off the board.

Thanks
Glenn

[postalxj]

Here are a few things I'd like to see either more of or us start doing:

Meet & Greets :wave1:
Trail work days (To help clean and maintain the trails we are lucky to use)
Wrenchfests to help each other out :repair: (I know I have benefited and would like to return the favor)
A monthly or seasonal :NAXJA: trail ride
Perhaps we could help pull together parts/xj to donate to a local high school shop class

Just a few ideas I thought I would bounce off the board.

Thanks
Glenn


X2 I know I know i need to become RED.

[seanR]

Quite a bit of discussion here, what do the MEMBERS have to say?
Thanks guys for bringing up these suggestions.

[mbogosia]

We definitley need to get together and help eachother with work. I am dying to help out a new guy install a lift. I remember my first time and it was nerv wrecking. I also would love to have someone teach me about gears, and pinion bearings.

[JeepAddict85]

bi-monthly group runs would be cool. Give more a chance to get together and hang out/wheel. wrenchin parties would be cool, ive got an sye to install hint hint...

[Kudzu]

I need a motor installed;)

[High2by]

Once I get the lift for the Waggy, I'll need to put it in.

I think Ed will need a lift installed sometime also.

[JeepAddict85]

im always willin to help out, would be cool to know some other people around here who can help me.

[bgwyllys61]

i would love to see KY moved to the SEC, dont get me wrong, i have nothing against the midwest, but, since UK is in the SEc for sports, shouldnt we be includue in the SEC for NAXJA? :dunno:

[Kudzu]

Well you KY guys need to get together & petition the BOD

[shelbyluvv]

The only thing that truely is tough for the SEC is that it is such a large area. It is hard to find a central location for "us" all to meet up at. Maybe we should have regional Meet and Greets. Like we have done for the Atlanta meets. It is really unlikely someone will drive from South Carolina to Alabama for a 3 hour meeting.

[seanR]

i would love to see KY moved to the SEC, dont get me wrong, i have nothing against the midwest, but, since UK is in the SEc for sports, shouldnt we be includue in the SEC for NAXJA? :dunno:

KY was not in the original SEC we (the MWC) took it because it would have been left alone sandwiched between the two chapters.
I can not tell you why it was not included in the SEC originally.

Perhaps Heather can answer that.

[Ghost]

The only thing that truely is tough for the SEC is that it is such a large area. It is hard to find a central location for "us" all to meet up at. Maybe we should have regional Meet and Greets. Like we have done for the Atlanta meets. It is really unlikely someone will drive from South Carolina to Alabama for a 3 hour meeting.

Bingo! One of the biggest problems we face is the vast size of our chapter. When the SEC was formed we needed the states to form the chapter. I was the only one in SC there were a few in GA, and NC but not enough to form a chapter. The big event in the SE is the Crawl not the Flog. The flog is meerely a meet and greet and wheeling weekend IMHO. The best place IMHO for a meet up that is centrally located is Tellico. But like you said most will nto drive 3-5 hours for a meet. I hope that Tellico gets straight and some of the great trails that were closed get opened back up. I hear some people tell me why go there I have run everything there. I have run it all too but every time I go back it is different. IF you guys in black want to see more then you should step up and turn red and help in your area.

[Mr.Shrek]

IF you guys in black want to see more then you should step up and turn red and help in your area.

Wow this is the most bashing of not being red I've ever seen on here. I plan on getting pitching in the funds after the holidays, but i don't think you should knock people for not being red yet. That seems a little counter productive don't you think.

[Ghost]

Wow this is the most bashing of not being red I've ever seen on here. I plan on getting pitching in the funds after the holidays, but i don't think you should knock people for not being red yet. That seems a little counter productive don't you think.

I dont see that as bashing. Sorry you feel that way. It was meant as some encouragement for those that are not members to become members. NAXJA is a jeep club.

[Mr.Shrek]

Yeah that's true, looking forward to adding in to the red and would like to see this thing grow even more.

[Ghost]

Yeah that's true, looking forward to adding in to the red and would like to see this thing grow even more.

THe SE has come a long way since I have been here. There are a lot of members spread out all over. It is up to us to get things organised in our area's but up the the BOD to organise the sponsored runs. We have had 2 officail runs in the past. I hope I have not offended anyone that was not my intention. It was more of a rib poke at matt. IIRC he was red once. :dunno: By the way where are you located?

[Mr.Shrek]

By the way where are you located?

Antioch, TN (Southeast Nashville)

[woody]

I dont see that as bashing. Sorry you feel that way. It was meant as some encouragement for those that are not members to become members. NAXJA is a jeep club.

That's the way I understood it too Glen (encouragement of folks to join...) The more committed members we have, the more we can do - in terms of supporting land use issues, putting on more chapter events M&Gs etc... Not that non-members can't and don't support these efforts (they certainly do) but the fact remains that NAXJA is a Jeep CLUB and much more than the website, although much of the public communication & group interaction is conducted online.

Back when the SEC was first formed, it was a smallish core group of folks - maybe a dozen- who were pretty much centered in GA. For a couple of seasons, The Crawl summer event (@ tellico) had a larger draw, from not just the SEC, but also from the bordering chapter areas. The chapter has since grown in numbers, and has a much wider inclusion of folks from all the states. Naturally, as the leaders change, the geographic "center" may tend to change some. And that's OK in my view.

One of the major challenges is the wide area the Chapter includes. Most of the wheeling areas seem to be along the Appalachian ridgeline & foothills, so that tends to 'include' folks closer to those, and 'excludes' folks less willing to travel. For me, it's 7-9 hours to Tellico, Windrock, Harlan, GWNF, & Rausch Creek. I haven't been to the other parks in SC, GA, AL, or TN... a few might be a little closer, others a bit farther in travel time & distance. The only ways to overcome the challenge of geography is to keep spreading the events out to be inclusive, and to keep making the events worthwhile to attract participation.

Here's one more little point... My recollection of KY (and WV/VA) was that around the time chapters were formed, there was but one motivated member - KYChris. He was from Louisville, and tended to participate in MWC goings on more than the SEC. Harlan as a destination wasn't around then. I don't recall anyone from WV, so there wasn't much interest in claiming it. Many No VA folks tended toward the NAC, but the SE-SWVA folks sort of fit in with the SEC. I assume it's still that way and probably should be. My recollection could be somewhat mistaken, it's been quite a few years back... and it's probably biassed a little: I'm a recovering Masshole, but after spending a little time in both, I wouldn't dream of including WV or KY as anything but southern states :dunno:

Anyhow I wish the best to the new Southeast Chapter leadership team, and I hope that those who desire more opportunity to participate in SEC things get that, and lots more: Wheeling, helping each other fixing/building stuff, GTGs and new friends along the way. I have been much less a "participant" in off-roading than I have been in the past. I have a lot more on my plate these days, a few different hobbies that I rotate ($$$ and focused time) my commitment to, and much less opportunity for 'vacation time' than I had in the past. Those add up to my being more of a stranger. It's not for dislike of the club/chapter though, just to make that clear. :cheers:

[PacificEd]

Very well said, Woody!

And thanks for the words of encouragement.

[rredalty]

WHAT NOW BITCHES??!??!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!???

[PacificEd]

Congratulations for joining up! You won't regret it.

[JeepAddict85]

I'm a recovering Masshole...

You used to live in mass? First 18 years of my life i was there, have since moved to Nashville. Bit of an adjustment at first, but im happy down here!

[Mr.Shrek]

Bit of an adjustment at first, but im happy down here!

Don't worry about it, it will wear off, or you can go see a doctor.

[JeepAddict85]

haha, naw im good, im a southerner now. 4 years of college in nashville converted me. Always been a redneck at heart anyways.

[woody]

I grew up maybe 15-20 miles west of Boston, (Sherborn & Norfolk) and bailed @ 18 also, via the service. I spent some months of school time in both KY and GA, was stationed in KS, landed in NC, and grew roots.

"Bit of an adjustment" is right...


You used to live in mass? First 18 years of my life i was there, have since moved to Nashville. Bit of an adjustment at first, but im happy down here!

[rredalty]

One of the major challenges is the wide area the Chapter includes. Most of the wheeling areas seem to be along the Appalachian ridgeline & foothills, so that tends to 'include' folks closer to those, and 'excludes' folks less willing to travel. For me, it's 7-9 hours to Tellico, Windrock, Harlan, GWNF, & Rausch Creek. I haven't been to the other parks in SC, GA, AL, or TN... a few might be a little closer, others a bit farther in travel time & distance. The only ways to overcome the challenge of geography is to keep spreading the events out to be inclusive, and to keep making the events worthwhile to attract participation.


:cheers:
I agree and disagree. It seems to me that the Appalachian ridgeline is a chapter divider more than an attraction. The fact that we had 2 flogs instead of one centrally located one is a prime example.

[Spawn 93]

I have to agree with Matt. congrats by the way. IMHO, without pissin off anybody cause I think EVERYBODY in the SEC is cool, we should split along the Appalachian Mountains. I know that my near future will be at Ft. Campbell, which is still SEC for the TN part of it, and driving or hauling to East TN will be a stretch for me. Not to mention crossing the Mountains to hit other wheeling spots.

Another bit of input from me as a member>> We should have "regional" or "area" reps within the Chapter, especially if there is no split in the near future. This would help with new member recruitment so that they can talk to someone "local" rather than over the net. I know some people can be shy or just not people oriented, but if they have someone local, they can see them on a more regular basis. I will admit, I felt dumb and still feel dumb asking questions about my XJ, being a mechanic and all, but I had some great locals to fall back on ( Joe early on and currently and Matt has been more recently involved ). Now I have met Ed and done some wheelin and dealin with Mark who are now newly part of the BOD and will be more local for me in the future. Just my opinion though.

:soapbox:hasta:NAXJA:

[PacificEd]

Brian,

You are onto something here regarding area contacts. This has been under discussion.

When are you moving to Ft. Campbell? Land between the Lakes would be pretty close and a place I would like to go. We have several other people in the Clarksville/Ft. Campbell area already.

No one should ever feel discouraged about their skills whether it be wheeling, wrenching, etc. That is the reason the SEC exsists. To help and educate XJ owners in all aspects of owning an XJ. Where I might be weak in a certain area, you might be strong and vice-versa.

[MELKORsXJ]

...i like what i read... :read:

[Shorty]

You are onto something here regarding area contacts. This has been under discussion.


Excellent idea! I've been trying to figure out how to bring the outer reaches closer to the center and this might be a good start.

more than anything else, I wanted to comment so this could be brought back to the top for expanded discussion, but IMHO it's a great idea:clap:

I'm not a big "get out and meet people" kind person, and couldn't even guess who else is within two-three hours drive time from here, but if we had a more "local" contact/ representative "pushing & pulling" a little, we might get a little more activity.

[Spawn 93]

btt. Just wondering if anyone had given thought to the Calendar of Events for 2009???????? (hint hint BOD)

As far as "local reps", how would we go about this???

Another thought, does Kudzu still have the SEC Swag for sale??? I saw the sticky, but it hasn't been updated.....


BRIAN :thumbup::party:

[Ghost]

btt. Just wondering if anyone had given thought to the Calendar of Events for 2009???????? (hint hint BOD)

As far as "local reps", how would we go about this???

Another thought, does Kudzu still have the SEC Swag for sale??? I saw the sticky, but it hasn't been updated.....


BRIAN :thumbup::party:

2009 stuff Being discussed. As for local reps, we will get to it. I think it will probably be voluntary. Kudzu has the swag and will keep it I hope!

[Spawn 93]

Thanks, not tryin to rub anyone raw, just tryin to be proactive.

:gee: