Is email a viable communications medium among the Directors? If not, what is?

The answer was a resounding ‘yes’. At the moment, there is no better means of communications among eight or ten people, all of whom have time pressures and schedule constraints. In addition, internet chat was mentioned as a possible alternative. Action item: Brian Shorey to look into hosting internet chat sessions

Frequency of Director and general membership meetings.

Monthly Director meetings were pretty much agreed to be out of the question. Quarterly meetings seemed agreeable; however, all agreed that active dialog between Directors should be encouraged in between formal meetings. As for general membership meetings, until things really get rolling, there is probably no need for regular meetings. Quarterly or less frequently is probably acceptable (note to members - what do you want in this regard?). It was decided to plan a general meeting, most likely in the form of a holiday get-together, for some time in mid-to-late January. Action item: Frank Maldari to plan and schedule January membership get-together.

Are Board of Director meetings open to the general membership?

It was decided that, if any members express interest or would like to have items presented, then they are welcome to attend. There is some concern about proper notification; however, we’ll try to be as diligent as possible about posting meeting notifications in advance.

Where are the club’s competition cones and timing equipment?

Has anybody in the club seen these? We’re still looking! Action item: Brian Shorey to contact Roger LaFerriere, plead to the general membership, etc. We need this stuff if we’re going to do autocrosses, etc.

AONE rejuvenation plan.

Recognizing that the club had been in general decline for a while, and that we were challenged by Tom Lesko and elected by the general membership to change all that, it was deemed desirable to develop a short/medium/long term plan. So, here’s the current thinking:

First, we need to walk before we can run. Most of us have never run an autocross or a rally. Well, we’re going to learn. We’re looking for a rally before the end of this year, and certainly one or two next year. We’re looking for one or more autocrosses next year. Action item: Brian Shorey and Nick Fonte will figure out how to run autocrosses, time trials, etc. And find the cones.

Later next year, or the following year, we’d like to host an AONE time trial event at NHIS, similar to what our friends in Connecticut do every spring. Just think, two Alfa-centric time trials in New England every year! This starts to get challenging - we’ve got a lot of learning to do, and we need to get dates from NHIS. We’ll attempt to hook up with our Connecticut friends next spring and work with them during the Lime Rock event, hopefully getting a crash course (no pun intended) in how to run a time trial.

Finally, and we realize that we’re setting the bar high here, we’d like to set a goal of hosting an AROC national convention within the next five years!

The trophy.

Apparently, there’s a trophy that was machined by Ven Fonte and in the past was given to the member of the year every year. Well, we don’t know where it is - perhaps the last member to receive it thought it was a lifetime achievement award? Action item: Bill Anderson will try to locate the trophy - if anybody has seen it, please contact Bill.

List of things that the club owns.

What does the club own? Tom Lesko put together a list of tools a while back, but what else does the club own? Banners, autocross cones, etc. etc. What does the club own and where is it?

Membership drive - flyers, newsletters under windshield wipers, etc.

A growing club is a strong club. More members = more events, more advertising dollars, etc. Membership has dwindled (although it’s currently on the upswing), and we need to change that. Action item: Dave Pratt and Tom Lesko to design placement items to be given to service centers, shops, etc. Items to be handed to potential members might include pointers to the web page, membership forms, etc. Action item: Brian Shorey will see if there may be a list of registered Alfas somewhere, and see if we can get a copy.

Should more advertisers be solicited for Velocissima? Service shops, Italian Restaurants, etc.?

Yes. Action item: Board of Directors to collectively come up with a list of potential candidates (general membership can help with this one, too). Italian restaurants should be more than happy to advertise in a newsletter that caters to people who love all things Italian; in fact, we feel that they should offer discounts to anybody who parks an Italian car in front of the restaurant while dining there!

Should we have an AONE banner? A canopy for events?

Yes. We should have something to pronounce our presence at all of the events we’re going to sponsor or attend. We’re back, and we want everybody to know it! Action item: Dave Pratt to acquire a generic canopy, and to inquire about getting a banner with an AONE logo on it.

Should we get new AONE window stickers?

Yes. We should have window stickers, probably smaller and less obtrusive than the ones of the past so that people will actually stick them in their windows. We should also have a ’boutique’ of AONE items - coffee mugs, shirts, umbrellas, etc. Action item: Dave Pratt to inquire about getting the AONE logo emblazoned on various items of AONE merchandise.

Should we place an ad for Tom Ducibella’s Duetto restoration book elsewhere? Hemmings?

[Note: Look in the next issue of Alfa Owner for a new ad promoting Tom’s book! Thanks to Tom, all profits go to our club! -Ed.] Yes. However, we should do it sequentially after the Alfa Owner ad runs out - that way, we will have a better idea of where the orders are coming from.

Tech session for getting your Alfa through the new emissions testing.

Yes. It looks like the new rolling dyno testing might actually happen this time - how can we help our members prepare? Action item: Brian Shorey to look for somebody familiar with the testing to come and talk to the club, and to solicit current service center advertisers to follow up with Alfa advice.

Anybody doing a restoration on a significant Alfa that wouldn’t mind giving a tour?

There was some discussion about perhaps getting a vocational school to schedule an auto body or welding evening course around an Alfa, with our promise to fill enrollment with Alfa enthusiasts. Action item: Brian Shorey will talk to service center advertisers who do that sort of thing. Action item: Board of Directors to call vocational schools in their area.

Editor’s note: Well, as you can see, a lot of territory was covered, and all of the Directors present left with work to do and a strong desire to do it! A lot of us are learning on the job, and we hope that you’ll bear with us as we work our way up to a full head of steam. And please contact any of us at any time with your suggestions and ideas, criticisms and complaints, and offers to lend a hand. All in all, it was a most productive meeting This chariot is beginning to roll!