[RD31]

If anyone would like to setup a get together or local event, the officers can communicate the details to local members. Unfortunately we do have jobs and may not be able to attend all events. Our current policy restricts us by not allowing members to have access to the personal information of other members. Sometime in the future the club hopes to be able to offer members the option of sharing their information with other members in their area. If the club is able to afford the development of this option for the website it will be considered. Only members who have selected this option will have their info accessible (i.e. email address). It is hoped that features such as this will assist members in holding local events and get togethers.

It may seem as though we have only track events. In the Tampa area we get together approximately once each month, especially during good weather months. In fact there is a get together planned next Saturday night. We tried to contact many in this area, but if anyone in the Tampa area wishes to join us, please send one of the officers an email (before April 4, please). We have tried to organize numerous non-track events over the years that get very limited attendance. Also these events do not bring in any funds to the club. We had one member organize a cross country charity event this last year. I believe there were 2 or 3 members joining him with that experience. Let me assure you that contributions to the DSCC go to running the club, not in sponsoring track events or activities. The owners attending track events are currently (and the entire history of the club) financing not only these events but the entire running of the club at the present time. If it were not for the track events the DSCC would have no funds available for organizing the Roundup event - now the largest Cobra replica gathering in the Southeast. At the last annual dinner our members were in fact requesting more large track events. We are attempting to make these a possibility for our members through co-ordination with other clubs and track events. Since, for safety reasons, track events require facilitators, officers must be present to manage the event. It is one of the responsibilities as an officer to provide this service to the club. The offices have gone to a number of track events with little, or no track time in order to make sure the event runs smooth and safe.

The DSCC has been hindered by website issues over the last 8 to 12 months. We are actively working at fixing this. We have hired a professional web designer (yes we have paid a considerable sum to get this work done) and spent many hours of our time to help our club run better. The designer we have contracted is providing a great service at a competitive price. All this stuff costs. Once we get the new website running communication will be much better and our members will be able to sign up for events through the website. We are hopeful that the website will be up and running within 2 weeks.

Hopefully this helps to understand more about our club and how it functions. We are continuing to grow and will be glad to listen to ideas from our members. In fact, the annual dinner during the Roundup has a session specifically for that purpose. If there is a better way for the club to assist in helping local members setup an event please let us know. We have tried radio advertisement in the past at a significant expense with very little response. If an members have access to media advertising (magazine, radio, or video) for any of our events this could help encourage attendance.

Robert Donehoo
Vice President, DSCC