April - GGC BMW CCA

Inside Your Chapter
Can you believe it? It’s April already—tax month!—
one third of the year has already gone. The chapter board
has been making great progress on the initiatives we’ve
set for the year, and we continue to learn each day. Over
the coming months you will begin to see the results of
our progress. Keep watching for the Bombe and reading
the board meeting minutes for details.
Speaking of tax time, at the time of writing this, we
are still reconciling the financial statement so we can accurately
state our condition. The preliminary numbers
appear to reflect the economy; we did not do well last
year. Like many businesses, our chapter had a negative
cash flow. Event expenses either stayed even or increased
while participation decreased, which created a deficit. If
the participation for the March Infineon Raceway driving
school is indicative of the rest of the year, 2004 should be a
much beer year for the chapter. We are also taking a hard
look at the expense side to insure that we have not become
complacent. Expect to see a financial statement here in the
Bombe in the coming months.
The Infineon driving school during the spectacular
first weekend of March was nearly completely sold out,
it was a great weekend with a lot of old and new faces. I
had the opportunity to be quite involved in the preparations
for this driving school, and was reminded of the
magnitude of work that goes on behind the scenes. The
volunteers who make events like this happen are truly
dedicated individuals. While there are several volunteers
who have dedicated years to these events, several are new
to the tasks and are learning as they go. In order to ensure
that the participants are processed through registration
as quickly as possible, before the event the volunteers
meet during the evening at homes, stuffing envelopes
for the student drivers and instructors. Their process is
a refinement of years of development by the many other
volunteers who preceded them. It’s a process of continual
refinement, all to the benefit of their fellow members.
I had forgoen how much work organizing these events
is: arranging for the track, corner workers, safety workers,
insurance, lunches, dinners, water and ice, coordinating the
truck and trailer arrangements, scheduling the instructors,
reserving the accommodations, geing the car numbers,
announcing the event, publishing the entry forms and associated
materials, and still more! It was a wake up—these
club events do not just happen. It takes many hours donated
by a handful of members dedicated to creating a valuable
experience for our multitude of members. This volunteerism
and desire to make a beer experience for everyone is
the core of our club. Thanks to those who are making these
events happen!
Here’s another reminder that our annual national
celebration, Oktoberfest 2004, is happening in our backyard!
In July, the host chapter Los Angeles, kicks off this
granddaddy of all CCA events in Pasadena. Here, you’ll
have an opportunity to spend quality time with club
members from chapters all over the country and compare
notes on just about everything BMW. The last time
we had an O’fest in California was 1993, don’t miss out
on your chance to experience why this event has become
so popular.
And don’t forget, on a monthly basis you can join us at
a board meeting. It’s your opportunity to see what we do,
as well as tell us what you would like from the chapter.
We are trying to schedule the meetings around the Bay
Area to make it easier for you to join us. If you can not
make a meeting or have something that you really want,
please send an email to anyone on the board.
Keep checking the calendar on the web site (www.
ggc-bmw-cca.org), as our printed calendar can be
quickly outdated due to the publishing lead time.
Until May, Cheers.
President’s Page
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