Ducati Enthusiast Meeting (Oct 6, 2009)

[Monster Dave]

Edit for Michael:

Seriously though, I support having an organized club. I'll join anything that will give me a free Ducati t-shirt.

 

[IZ]

I'll join anything that will give me a free Ducati t-shirt.

I think they charge for shirts that are over XXXL? 


special order..extra ink and all..

just saying.

[Michael]

Ouch ...

... double zing!

First of all, I would ... at most ... need a XXL.

Secondly, I already own this shirt.

[Monster Dave]

Yeah, but mine was funny (as was your response), IZ's just wasn't right...but there's some sadly embarrassing images of IZ around here somewhere if you need leverage.....

...oh wait, he was proud of that!! 

Never mind.

[IZ]

Ouch ...

... double zing!

First of all, I would ... at most ... need a XXL.

Secondly, I already own this shirt.

 

Sorry M but if I overlooked a perfect opportunity like that one..



 


You shoosh Dave!!

[Michael]

Sorry M but if I overlooked a perfect opportunity like that one..



 


You shoosh Dave!!

It's okay, you guys are great.

I'm always a good sport for a little roasting.

 

[Monster Dave]

It's all in good fun!

[Randimus Maximus]

Holy shit.

IZ returns to Arizona and you guys become drama central.

 

Yes, I'm quoting myself.

[Michael]

Well, I don't want to hijack this thread.

Let's get back on topic here, which is our Devil's Highway group ride in October --
Click here: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=29217.0

[JethroAZ]

Wow, I go out of town for a couple of days and ka-blamo!  The thread explodes with activity.  Excellent.

Now I feel as though I need to speak of a subject that was touched on earlier in the thread...the ever so delicate "money" questions.  Now I'd love to insert the specific quote that I'm referring to here, but I'm not yet that savy.  Heck, it took me 20 minutes just how to figure out how to put a picture with my profile.  Ok, back to the subject.  I'll answer each point honestly, after all it's what everyone deserves.

It was previously stated that "What is so difficult about and why is money needed to be raised for a group of Ducati owners to plan out and go out for a group ride, lunch or other activity?".  Great question and I completely agree with you.   Desert Ducatisti has never stated that raising money is a prerequisite to planning a ride or getting together.  In fact, as per the official Ducati rules, neither an officially sponsored club (which our club is) or it's officers can host a ride on the clubs behalf.  Sound counterintuitive?  A motorcycle club not being able to sponsor an actual ride?  Well, it's true.   Ducati isn't immune to lawsuits which is why this mandate exists.  This doesn't mean we can't all ride together because we have and often do...all it means is that the lead rider can't wear the "Desert Ducatisti" banner like a cape while blasting through back road twisties for advertisement purposes.   In other words, the money raised by the club doesn't go to organizing rides.  It goes to other things which I will get into in a second.  Next, it was stated "if a group of Harley owners want to go out for a group ride, they just go out for a group ride or meet at their favorite hangout.  They don't wait around until one specific person plans out one and they don't pay anyone any memberships.  Why can't we do the same thing?"   Again, we have spontaneously met for rides and will continue to do so, non-organized (wink wink, nudge nudge) or otherwise.  And of course that’s not the purpose of the one-time $25.00 membership fee.   Let’s not forget one of the most basic fundamentals that we all share…..we all share the love of the ride. It’s what we purchased our bikes for.    No club in the world can put a price on that.

And finally, "What am I missing here other than the obvious politics of power and someone making money off people for something they can do for free?".   Another great point and you’re absolutely right.  Regardless of your sport whether it be flying, riding or otherwise, getting together with like minded individuals who share the same passion shouldn’t cost a dime.   Now if those same individuals were looking for something a little extra perhaps, then that’s where the money comes into play.  Here’s what I mean.    Any money collected from new club members goes into the clubs account, where it sits until the club either does something with it, like purchasing Hot Wings at a meeting, sponsoring a season opening meal (Michael, hang in there man…the Italian is a-comin’), or  when it becomes apparent that the club needs to replenish its supply of official club patches or t-shirts which it tries to sell to help pay for the clubs next function.  Just little stuff like that.  Also, Ducati of North America appreciates it when we represent ourselves at the Phoenix International Motorcycle show each year…most of cost of having a booth set up comes from the club itself, or as was the case two years ago, directly from the pockets of the officers.  All of these things have costs associated with them.    Please remember that the intent of the club and its meetings is to foster a team or club spirit while giving it the hint of exclusivity for its members.  The club has not been established for anyone’s personal gain and I can guarantee everyone that nobody, and I mean nobody, makes money off of anyone in this club.   The bottom line is this:  Any money earned by the club goes directly back into the club for its benefit and that of its members.    Period.

Now I understand everyone’s skepticism.   I mean let’s face it, I can’t speak for the other officers of the club but I know that I personally have thoroughly seduced the canine in terms of helping to keep the club on track with it’s meetings, get-togethers or what have you.   We’ve all been asleep at the wheel for way to long which is why I’m doing what I’m doing now…..trying to get back what once was while making sure that any political BS is left in the past.   I want my club back.

The club’s financial status is somewhat grim at the moment, but hopefully people will once again believe in its idea.  This’ll help the existing members decide to once again attend the upcoming events, or help those who aren’t yet members decide to finally join.   But know this, regardless of your membership status, everyone is welcome to our club meetings and I hope to see everyone there.

Now, what’s this about a ride in October?

[Michael]

As long as I get my t-shirt. 

I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to get an inventory of skills from club members. For example, I run a web design company, and I can get business cards, flyers, and even large vinyl banners wholesale from very high-quality printing company.

[JethroAZ]

I think that's a great idea.    Once we get things back up and running, we're going to send out a questionaire asking the members a few questions about their preferences, likes, dislikes, etc.  We can provide a small area, for anyone who wants to, to provide information on things like you mentioned.   

Is there anything else that anyone else would like to see?  Let me know. 

[pennyrobber]

Neh, I own a Ducati, not just the shirt. I think I will ride instead.

[DucDucDave]

First, I sincerely apologize for letting the club down, way down. 

Truth be told, I'm very embarrrassed at the whole state of affairs -- not only the actual events, but also the fact that I've allowed them to take over and kill the momentum the club had going last year.  I'm not making excuses, but the financial turns of the past year have simply demanded all my attention, as well as my money -- down to the last Duc.  (I'm just Dave, now.)

I'll leave out the political stuff, as that seems to be the popular thing to do these days.  Suffice it to say, if Bill and Jeff want to take the club and run with it, great!  As president, Bill always did an excellent job hosting and maintaining the website; and now that Jeff is back in town and clearly enthusiastic, I'm sure he'll do a better job than Dietrich and I have these last months of communicating with the membership.

Again, I apologize for letting the club down (and not being forthcoming about the whole thing) -- especially when it seemed we were really growing and getting past the politics and drama -- but a Ducati club should have a president with a Ducati.

[Michael]

I like Dave, he's a nice guy.