Lone Star TDR Membership Drive

[MDW]

Thanks Steve



If that doesn't answer everybodys questions I don't know what will.



Are we going to continue to expect Curtis (Gitchesum) to brunt the cost and labor so that we may have great events like Kerrville?



Okie: There is NO perfect solution, its not fair to expect people that live out of town to drive to the meetings either.

It seems that most people have access to the web, so its logical for the meetings to be held online.



We are not trying to reinvent the wheel here guys, GLTDR is a good start to pattern after.



I have to admit I had no idea that this thing would be this hard to get off the ground and that we would have this many people concerned about ten whole dollars, its not going to line someones pocket or be spent without paid members approval, so I just don't get it. I'm confused and dismayed by the responses that I am reading on here.



Let me also make this PERFECTLY clear, I have NO interest in being an officer of any kind for this club, I am just trying to help Curtis get the help and support so that we all can enjoy future events like the one we just had.



I will turn down any nominations of any kind, so don't even go there.



But I will do the best I can to assist organization of future events and I will try to make myself and my shop available to anyone who wants to bomb his or her truck (as long as he or she appreciates the help, thats all I ask), NO MONEY.

 

[Deezul1]

Here is a little different point of view from someone who wont be able to make meetings in Houston. Whoever is running this thing whether it was Belton last year or Kerrville this has my thanks for doing a bunch of work so we could play. If I dont get anything ever from a $10. 00 membership fee except continued efforts on these Rallys it will be money well spent. I believe I heard that there was a fairly large expense for the building rental at Kerrville and as far as I know no one has asked for money to cover that. Someone has been generous with their money on our behalf, Thank you whoever that someone is. I have my $10. 00 check ready to mail as soon as ya'll get this ironed out. Both of you groups that made the two different Rallys possible are ok with me to run this thing so I hope you folks can work it out together.

As far as you guys that wonder if we need dues just ask yourself who paid for all the stuff at these rallys and is it worth $10. 00 to do it again

 

[MDW]

Deezul: You have NO idea how much that post just lifted my spirits, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

 

[GotDiesel]

You guys are amazing! Someone goes out and tries to make things a little bit better, and puts out the effort to do it not to mention the money, and all you can do is gripe, whine and complain!!

What we are trying to accomplish, no wait what we DID accomplish was this;

A statewide duly recognized chapter. In order to recieve benefits from the TDR. Like the writup of our event in an upcoming magazine. I have been in contact with them from the start of this idea that we had to get this club off the ground. Look at the name of the contact person listed in the TDR if you don't believe it. We have even enlisted the help of one of its moderators, at great sacrifice of his time, Steve St. Larent in order to stay within the guidelines. Thanks again!!The GLTDR is the most sucessfull club out there. They have a hundred plus members! So why not fashion ourselves after a sucessful club.

We have already STARTED this club, the LSTDR. It started way back when Curtis started the website, and you all voted on the logo and how it should look. He has all the E-mails that were sent in and not one of them was a negative, not a one. They were positive with a "great job" and "good idea" feelings, not one mention of the need to change the name or that a name/club already existed. That should of been the time to take care of it then, not now!!

And a lot of you are fussing about the money. My GOD! you spend more than that on meal out or a movie!! Not to mention our trucks(if only our wives knew)Its not like we were asking for the keys to your safe deposit box! Just ten lousy dollars. It's not gonna line anybodys pockets or benefit them in any way. Its gonna go to help pay for expenses incurred by us for all of you, the members. Its gonna pay for the wesite host of the LSTDR. Its gonna pay for the events that you enjoy so much! Did you all know that between myself, Curtis and Mike we put out of our own pockets over a $1000. 00!! for the event in Kerrville to happen? Did I ever once hear about anyone else that offered to help out with the expenses? NO not a one of ya. But I'm not faulting anyone on that, cause we didn't ask, we did it because we cared about you guys and so we all could have fun. It took a lot of talking to get Piers and Kondolay to come back down here so soon. Do you think that they really wanted to drive 44 plus hours again that soon? Thanks again for them coming and helping out. BTW there was a few negative comments about the Rally, something about being too soon after a camping expedition, sorry but I'm glad we didn't listen to ya. And ya know next year we may not have the funds to do it, wouldn't that be sad?!

I'm just trying to make a point here, that these things we like cost money. Just like the old adadage " You gotta spend money to make money" so do we. If we want for this club to grow and become the best it can be then we are gonna have to support it!!

Another thing we (the LSTDR) already has 30 members. The members are from all over the state and some are even out of state. So we are a strong organization already. I have spoken with one of the other clubs that has been around long before we even thought of this in this state and you know what type of response that I got from them?? Well I can tell you that it was not a negative one but a supportive one. They too wanted to join up and reap the benefits,and if they do, that will be another 20 or so members, bringing us up to 50, and we're just getting started!!

Since we are asking for the guidance of Steve in keeping this thing going, I for one and I think I speak for the others involved that we should adhere to his advice of starting to use our website for our meetings. We are not going to have an election of officers until a much later time, time for things to simmer down and for these and other issues to be addressed.

Oakie, TXRam and for you other folks that don't agree, I'm sorry. As the acting President of this organization, in an effort to keep some sort of order this is the path that we are going down.

I have great visions for this club, we could become the biggest and the best. But first we have to unite and strive together towards a single goal.

I personally want to thank all of the members that decided to take a chance with us and signup at the rally, I promise that we won't let you down. This club is gonna grow and become that vision.

Won't it be cool to be able to host our own truck pulls in the Astrodome? It could happen... . and the skys the limit.



Thank You for your time and hope to see all of you soon on the LSTDR site. Come on over and chat with us!



Joe Pazdera

President(acting) of the LSTDR www.lstdr.f2s.com



PS I personally want to thank Deezul1 for his positive words, they almost brought tears to my eyes. Thanks there pardner.

 

[TxDieselKid]

keep it in the family...

Ok... . idea... .



Lock this thread completly, and lock up the LSTDR thread so only us (Texans [possible members]) can see it. Delete this thread also. No more bickering in the public's eye, think what we look like to anybody else reading these theads.



HUGE THANK YOU TO JOE, Curtis and Mike. Had no idea it cost so much, good job guys.



Just my $. 07,

AJB

 

[BFC]

Membership fees debate

Guys this is just silly, 10$, it's 0. 0000333333% of the average price of our trucks! They can put mine in their pockets for all care! Thanks for the innitiative guys and let me know where to send the pesos.



I like the online idea 'cause I work weekends but whatever happens I'll be glad to be part of it and do what I can to help, money or otherwise. This could be the start of a good thing. Texas is sure a lot bigger than Michigan though, hope I don't have to drive to Houston to get a discount on parts



It's all good guys, let's not be so uptight. They're are bigger issues that are worth fighting about but not this one.



Glenn

 

[RustyJC]

OK, I'm back to my confused state again.



If you refer back to my previous posts, I asked if this LSTDR was the same Houston-area organization whose meetings I have been attending. I was told that it was.



Now I'm getting the impression that LSTDR is an umbrella organization whose boundaries reach throughout and even outside the state of Texas. As such, face-to-face local meetings are not logistically feasible.



The $10 investment that I made in Kerrville to join the LSTDR is insignificant, but I do believe it entitles me to ask the question - which (if either) of the above describes the charter and mission statement of the LSTDR?



By the way, this question is asked in good faith. I trust it will not be construed as "... griping, whining or complaining".



Rusty

 

[Deezul1]

Joe

Thanks for the overall view of what is going on. That has helped me to see what you guys are trying to do. The check for membership leaves here today. The only reason I wont be at your meetings is its to dang far. Thanks for your efforts.

John

 

[TXRam]

Edited to be more PC

As a 3 year officer of a different type of social group (a retriever club, I know, sounds silly to some of you, but to them truck clubs sound silly), my recommendations were made based on my experience. I even held the Treasurer position for a year – the bank account was over $10K and the events we put on would compare to the biggest TDR events – field trials with some of the most well know retriever trainers in the US and Canada in attendance competing and judging. So I know what kind of work goes into setting up a large event - I never questioned that.



My posts WERE very rational, sorry if that upsets you. Next time, if you don’t like what I say or do, talk to me. There’s better ways to handle our differences in opinion than *****ing out in the open.

 

[Bill Lins]

A little history

Originally posted by RustyJC

OK, I'm back to my confused state again.



If you refer back to my previous posts, I asked if this LSTDR was the same Houston-area organization whose meetings I have been attending. I was told that it was.



Now I'm getting the impression that LSTDR is an umbrella organization whose boundaries reach throughout and even outside the state of Texas.

Rusty

Rusty, I'll try to recount the history of the club to explain what happened.



Originally 243, TxRam, and some others met in north Houston and started an extremely informal club. The rules were no dues, no chats, and no Fords.



At about the same time or earlier Jeff Clark, Lance (Southbound) and others got a club started in Dallas. Jeff came to a couple of our early meetings and some of our guys went to meetings in Dallas.



The two clubs combined to put on the event @ Lake Belton last year.



Joe (Cabnetbldr, Got Dodge) took over management of the Houston club mainly by default, and he , Mike (MDW), and Curtis (Gitchesum) have done much of the work to bring the club up to its current status. As best I can tell, the LSTDR is an umbrella covering the Houston, Dallas, Austin, and other, smaller groups, not to mention those Texans currently and temporarily geographically misplaced/challenged (meaning Louisiana!).



I'm not sure if I answered your question or not, but that's the way I remember it. Anyone with more complete/accurate information, feel free to jump in here.



Let's everybody keep our powder dry until the 28th, when we can sit down and hash out what we want this club to be and do. Remember, there is strength in numbers, but only if we can agree to pull together instead of umpty different directions. Let's set aside any hurt feelings and bruised egos and do what is best for the group. END OF SERMON

 

[RustyJC]

OK, guys, I'd like to make a constructive suggestion. It appears to me that much of the confusion could be resolved if we consider the following:



1. IMHO, there is a need for local organizations where members in the same geographical region can get together for fellowship, work sessions, etc. on a personal, one-on-one basis. That's what I've enjoyed in the short time I've been meeting with the Houston group. For the sake of my suggestion, I'll call these "Local Chapters" - they could (or do) exist in places like Houston, Dallas, Austin, etc. I would think these Local Chapters could have regular meetings in person and conduct their business during these meetings.



2. On a larger scale, I agree that there's a place for a statewide coordinating organization (SCO) of these Local Chapters. This SCO could play a real role by coordinating the efforts of the Local Chapters to carry off projects (e. g. , the Kerrville LSTDR Rally) that are too involved, complex, large, costly, etc. for a single Local Chapter to carry out on its own. Since this SCO is made up of members who are geographically dispersed over a wide area, regular on-line meetings via internet chat room or similar format make logistical sense. From what I'm sensing, the LSTDR seems to be taking on the role of this SCO.



I don't think this is an either/or situation where we either have Local Chapters or a statewide chapter/organization. Rather, I think it's a both/and situation - there's a valuable and different role for both Local Chapters and a statewide organization (the LSTDR).



Personally, I'd like to see us emphasize and build upon the Houston Local Chapter at the same time we're trying to get the LSTDR off the ground. I think there's a real place for both organizations.



JM2CW.



Rusty

 

[Huntmastr1]

DITTO TO WHAT RUSTYJC SAID.



I joined the LSTDR and paid my dues at the Kerrville Rally. At the time I was not aware that there was any confusion. With that said I would still join today even with the issues being a little muddy.

I believe if we all stand back and take a look, we'll see that this is a small growing pain which is required of any organization as it stretches out and more individuals start getting involved.

I also think there is room for all including the individuals making up the Houston group which I am proud to be associated with. (although not as active as some).

I appreciate all the work and money that was put in by those that set up and ran the Kerrville Rally. They did an awesome job.

I will do my best to be at the next Houston gathering.

Let's get this business behind us and get some BOMBING going on.



Jeff Powell

Alvin, TX

 

[Jetson]

The best advice I got about volunteering, was to remember that there will always be somebody that will be unhappy with what you do or don't do. So I don't care to hear about people that are unhappy about how things are going. If THEY really care they will find a way to contribute and help correct the problems they see.

 

[Okie-Go]

I don't think it's what was done I think it is more how it was done. I also find it amusing as how many people want to post and chide in to help with the differences and they have never been to one of our breakfast gatherings or no idea as what is going on.

 

[MDW]

I've had it

I want to make this perfectly clear, leave me out of this, I don't want anything to do with the negative people on there high horses(okie).

There have been a lot of good things said here, but I can't see them due to the negative crap being thrown around.



I will be at the breakfast, But I will not talk about LSTDR, (trucks Only), noone mention anything other than trucks to me, period.



Okie: If you don't like the way things are going then run for president at the election, but in the mean time shut up, dang it man. Its the old saying "If you can't say something good don't say anything at all".



I have to admit that I just don't have the patience for this junk, as if you can't tell that allready, I want to apologize to those of you who wanted more out of me but this junk is wearing me out (makes you wonder if thats what the opposition is trying to do).



My offer of the use of my tools and shop still stands to those of you that can appreciate what the offer means.

 

[Homebod]

Check This Out !

This is a pretty funny link. This is the old sign up for our earlier Rally and Membership Drive. Check out the last sign in.

There it is in black and white! Look at the name of the group you signed up for Joe.





https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14731

 

[Okie-Go]

Ok, I want to post that I talked to Mike on the phone this pm. for close to an hour. I told him some of the concerns and thoughts that some of us had that had e-mailed me. I did apologise to Mike and now to everyone else if I pissed you off but I did have questions about things(dues being charged for one), and stuff going on the rest of us were not aware of. I did explain that sometimes I am a little short on tact so I just say it like it is. I will keep quiet and bring my 10. 00 to the meeting and see where this goes. By paying the dues I will at least have a voice in what is going on and when there is a vote mine will get counted. I hope this will at least a little get things settled down so we can get on with what we need to do. See yall on the 28th!

 

[gitchesum]

Hope you got a few minutes.

I thought I’d just throw out what’s been going around in my head for the past week or so.



I've been as active as possible with the Houston group since June of 2000. I tried to make it to the rally last year but I had transmission troubles on the way there. I've also been to 3 meetings in Houston. Seeing that I work shift work, I am unable to attend all the meetings.



A little less than a year ago, there was a call out to organize the Houston group. There were many posts about how great of an idea it was. I offered my services to build a website to help the group grow and received nothing but positive reactions. At the time I was unaware that the name "Lone Star Ramrunners" had been chosen. When I built the site I initially called the group the Gulf Coast TDR since several of the guys that attend the regular meetings are from Louisiana. I got a couple of replies about that name and someone suggested the Lone Star TDR. Now, in the past year, I have only received one e-mail concerning the name "Lone Star TDR" I’ve received more in support of the name se I decided to keep the name LSTDR since there was no one in charge of the group to make a decision on that matter I made 3 different logos to vote on and received almost 50 votes on the three designs. It was also posted on the website that any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated. I have the ability to build the website but my creativity is not the best. I received a couple of replies that the site should have a more "Texas Appeal" to it. I tried to do my best in that category.



Now, the group started out as a Houston Chapter only. After I posted a join form on the LSTDR site, I started receiving several applications from guys all over the state and country. Since there was no one really in charge of the group, I didn't know whom to ask about it. I still have every single application filled out on the LSTDR site. In the past year, I've received over 100 membership applications. That is an amazing number of people to join a club in less than one year



Joe Pazdera completed the paperwork to register the chapter with the Turbo Diesel Register magazine so we could get some more exposure to the hundreds of Texas guys who may not have a computer to access the TDR online. That in effect, makes him the contact person for anyone who is interested in joining the group. Up until that point only the Big D club in Dallas was in the magazine. That also meant that only the guys who have access to the internet had the knowledge about the Houston meetings. Now they have someone they can call or write to find out more about it. That is a "plus" in my book. While I like everyone that I have met through the TDR, there are many more that we have yet to be introduced to. Wouldn't it be great to have about 50 trucks at each Houston meeting?

I'm the type of person that believes that there are strength in numbers. When you can say you have a membership of over 100, you've got some bargaining power to get things that can benefit the entire club. That proved true at the Texas Rally this year. Heart of Texas Dodge realized that and offered the group a 10% discount right on the spot. Also, we had such a great turnout at the campsite that the campsite decided to waive the building fee of $300 that we were prepared to give them. That money was collected from the several of the vendors that were at the rally. That money is currently in the LSTDR account along with the profits from the t-shirt and sticker sales.



Now for the money. While we are only asking for $10, with the kind of membership we are capable of, that can turn into a lot of money. That money can be used to co-ordinate an annual rally similar to what we had a couple of weekends ago. Like mentioned before, Mike, Joe, and myself put up a lot of our own money to help get the rally to what it was this year. I know last years rally was also great, but from what was mentioned in the posts afterward, several of the guys had to spend some of their own money. They should not have had to do that. A club account would prevent that from happening. Also, since we are a registered chapter with the TDR, that allows us to receive a list of all the subscribers of the TDR magazine throughout the state of Texas. That was we can mail a flyer or postcard to those folks that aren’t on-line to let them know that there is a club in their area that meets once a month to have breakfast and talk trucks. That can only help the group as a whole. Currently, I think we are only reaching about a third of the people that we could be reaching. A mass mailing of this type will cost some money. The yearly dues could also go towards something like that. The point I would like to stress is that the money shouldn’t be spent without the group’s approval. I know it’s not possible to have everyone vote on every financial decision, but we can get as many a possible to help decided on things like that. The group account will be available to members to view at anytime on the website. That way you can see how the money is being spent.



Personally, I believe the website is one of the most important tools the chapter has. We need to expand that tool. That cost money. I recently signed up for a years worth of web hosting service. This is not a free service anymore. We could continue to use the free services but there are different issues with doing that. Lack of reliability, and the fact that the company offering the service can discontinue that service at any time. That can’t happen to us now. Currently, Joe Pazdera owned the rights to the domain name lstdr.org and I own the website. At anytime, either of us could decide to not allow the LSTDR to continue to use these services. That is why the group needs to be self-sufficient. If Joe and I are re-imbursed the money we’ve spent on these services, then these services become the property of the LSTDR group. This ensures that the group will always have a website to use and you are not depending on one person to offer that service.



Now, I know several guys don’t agree with the way the current leadership was put into place. But, to my knowledge, no one else had offered to lead the group. Fact is, we needed someone to lead the group. Since Joe is the contact person in the TDR magazine, it makes sense that he lead the group in the beginning. The LSTDR was not a way to take over the Houston group. That was never the intention. If there are some guys that want to continue as the Lone Star Rammers, then by all means do so. But, we can do more as a large group of guys instead of a bunch of smaller ones.



I would like to offer a few suggestions to the group.

First, I would like to incorporate the ideas of RustyJC and Steve St. Laurent.

We could have local events planners in each of the larger cities in Texas. Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, and possible College Station could hold monthly meetings. These meetings can be used to discuss LSTDR issues as well. The main thing is that we be consistent with our meetings. Hold meetings the same time every month. If possible, hold them at the same place as well. If you prefer to hold them at different location every month, then have a written schedule of the meeting locations. That way we can send that schedule to the guys who don’t have access to the TDR or LSTDR websites.



Second, could we allow the current leadership to continue as is? I honestly believe Joe and Pam have the best interest of the chapter in mind. They are both enthusiastic about helping the chapter grow and expand. Then at the rally next year we can hold elections for new officers or vote to continue the current leadership. That way all the members that attend the rally will have a voice, not just a select few that have access to the websites. For those that cannot make it to the rally could mail in their vote or have them delivered by another member. I think that would be as fair as possible. People who are interested in running for a position would nominate themselves. That way someone who does not want to hold a position is not nominated by someone else and would then have to turn that nomination down.



I think I’ve rambled on enough now. These are just growing pains that we are experiencing right now. We can get though this and still remain friends. The most important thing is that we keep a cool head and not take these type of things too serious.

We all have a common interest. The purpose of the chapter is to invite more people that have the same interest to come out and join us. And most of all to HAVE FUN.



I hope to see as many as possible at the meeting on the 28th in Houston. Hopefully Mike will have that messy shop cleaned up so we can actually get a truck in there.



Rusty, have you had a chance to drive your truck since Sandy took it for that little test drive at the Rally?

Bill, I know I’m a G. U. (geographically undesirable) right now, but I’m working on it. Hopefully, I’ll get to Houston before the end of the year. At least my wife hopes so considering she started her job there last week.

 

[Deezul1]

Curtis

You guys have done a great job of trying to do whats best for a whole bunch of us and with the best intentions.

I like what I am hearing and hope the rest of the guys can see that you arnt trying a take over just trying to make some thing happen that will be good for all. Keep up the good work and thanks for the effort.

John

 

[Bill Lins]

Re: Hope you got a few minutes.

Originally posted by gitchesum

Hopefully, I’ll get to Houston before the end of the year. At least my wife hopes so considering she started her job there last week.

Come on down- we're waiting on ya, big boy!