Anyone want some changes/reorganize LOST MIDWEST?

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:50 pm

OK AGAIN....here I go sticking my neck out but some of us have been talking a little back and forth about how to regroup/reorganize etc. Well at least the IL/OHIO group
Some suggestions, nothing in stone just ideas which you can throw yours in as well.
State Sub chapters ( still under the LOST MIDWEST banner)
Someone in charge of each sub-chapter
Meeting/get togethers within the state ( other states can come and join in if they so choose)
Get togethers/Runs for the whole MIDWEST Group at least once a year ( or more)

really hard since we are so scattered out but its always good to meet and get to know one another

SO anyone have any ideas
or

just leave it run wild as we have been

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:01 am

I don't want to start a flame war but I do want to throw some gas on the fire - I think we need some definite changes around here.

My main issue is Midwest group is just too big ( just look at all the nuts from Ohio

) and we don't really have any leadership.

I think it would serve us well to keep the 'Midwest' banner but have sub sections for each state or neighboring states ...

Each state could be broken up by region for the ease of getting together. For example - in Illinois we started having monthly meetings with most people being from the North and western suburbs of Chicago. So the hierarchy would go something like this...

Lost Midwest
- Illinois Group
- Northern Illinois
- Southern Illinois

I think doing something like this would facilitate member of the same area to actually get out and do something with each other

The regional groups could have monthly meetings where runs with locals can be planned out. Once/Twice a year the entire midwest group to make an attempt to get together ( I know in the past when I've put the Halloween Run together there's been a pretty good smattering from various states ).

On to leadership...

I have no animosity towards anyone in the LOST organization - I'm simply stating facts here.

When I joined LOST there were clear, defined leaders to the midwest group - Don, Henri, Paul, but it seems like they've all move on to JK's and, while they still post, they've left us KJers behind. I know the board embraces all walks of jeep life, but its kinda hard inspire the midwest masses when the the 'leadership division' doesn't partake in group outings/get togethers.

We need some one to oversee the group and keep things on track - maybe have a president of the midwest group and then several chairmen in charge of the regional groups...

If you look at the midwest roll call there's 189 people who claim to be part of the midwest group - where are these people? There's a handful of Midwesterners who actually post regularly and make an effort to do things with other members. Maybe if we had some people in charge of organizing things we'd have more participation within the club...

Finally, for now, Is Kentucky part of lost midwest of part of blugrass lost? Why are Wisconsin and Iowa in two groups? Bluegrass lost has posts going back to october of 2007 and Wisconsin and Iowa have been dual grouping for a long while now...

I'm not trying to force people out of the midwest group - the more the merrier - but the confusion within the board itself isn't really helping matters...

/rant

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:31 am

IL is pretty long, i'm not sure what kinda turnout you guys have had so far with it set up like it is, it would make sense if the meetings were split by north and southern and if they don't fall on the same day those who wanted could of course attend both, I tend to be the type that's willing to drive 3 or 4 hours to hang out with a bunch of people that I enjoy being around even if its for a few hours or an evening or something, perhaps its worth a try or even a request for opinion or response as to whether it bein split like that would make people more apt to be more active for the monthly meetings rather than just getting to participate in things seasonally or yearly.

I have less than 3 months before I get there, time seems to be going sloooowerrr and sloooowwweerrr

hope ya didn't mind me putting a penny in the comment cup!

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:41 am

So who would actually OK a change of pace around here? The old leadership crew? The mod/admin team? A poll within the midwest group?

I don't want to start a coup, but it would be nice to get the ball rolling in a timely manner.

It'd be nice to have hard dates changes will take place - don't want the ' official decision ' to be ' changes will be implemented at a later time ' or ' further down the road ' or ' we'll see ' - we've been waiting long enough for things to kick into gear around here.

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:36 am

Ohio has about 15 very active members.... Covering the whole state....
Along with 20-30 more, less active members.
We are ready and waiting for some organization.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:10 pm

I have some more questions out there to other Mods/Admins to make sure we don't step on anyones toes.
"Old leadership crew" pretty much is done with LOST from what Don stated. He may chime in here but they have their own group now and not on here much if any.
I will keep everyone informed when and what I find out. As you know I have been trying to keep a few of you in the loop everytime I do get some answers or suggestions back and will continue to do so.

Tom

Oh and keep the suggestions coming! :wink:

1996xj · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:03 pm

Rev. Mud, don't REV'S lead the masse's. Im all for getting some trail rides and meeting's going on a regular basis, and I perpose a SUN. being the day during the month and REV. MUD as the Ohio pres. or orgenizer!!! :wink:

I would like to find some what of a central location for everyone to meet so that the drive isn't to far for most people, Chis Cid. area was aprox. middle between Dayton and Toledo I think!!!!! :roll:

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:05 pm

duh never thought of that :roll:

you're 6/8 months behind me Jamie. Behind the curtains I have been working on and off on this for 3 years. Rocky Mountain area does have a great group, But there again, they have a small area that they cover , we have a unique area with all of the states, they are the same as Cali, smaller area that they are dealing with. I think we are about the only group that is trying to cover several states, and thats one of the issues at hand :wink:

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:23 pm

I wish I had time to participate more, I do appreciate the efforts of the folks around Chicago organizing things. I'm sure it would help them if they had a real structure. I would say the same thing applies to Ohio and Bluegrass regions

Its also nice to just peruse the Midwest section and see all the trail rides, wrench fests and show and shines as well. Hate to see the Midwest forum broken up into smaller and smaller chunks. Just not enough traffic to justify that.

jeepfrog · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:32 pm

I am in agreement with reorganinzing/restructuring LOST Midwest (LMW).

Here's my 2-3 cents:

To minimize the confusion (as Rob said) of what states are actually LMW - see if the mods/admins can clean up the subheading of the forum. Iowa & Wisconsin seem to be both UN-LOST and LMW. Kentucky has its own forum. That would leave IL, IN, MI & OH in LMW.

Try to not limit activities to "just wheelin'". For many (if not most of us) our KJ's are also our daily drivers, so not everyone is going to want to wheel. Maybe include some local "show 'n' shine" events (Glendale Heights has one in conjuction with their GHFest in July) and charity runs like 4x4 Toys for Tots, etc.

Last point (for now):
The more organized you get, the more you have to CYA. That would mean any "official, organized event" would probably be subject to some sort of leaglly binding waiver. You never know when someone's going to decide to sue!

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:45 pm

jeepfrog wrote:

I am in agreement with reorganinzing/restructuring LOST Midwest (LMW).

Here's my 2-3 cents:

To minimize the confusion (as Rob said) of what states are actually LMW - see if the mods/admins can clean up the subheading of the forum. Iowa & Wisconsin seem to be both UN-LOST and LMW. Kentucky has its own forum. That would leave IL, IN, MI & OH in LMW.

Try to not limit activities to "just wheelin'". For many (if not most of us) our KJ's are also our daily drivers, so not everyone is going to want to wheel. Maybe include some local "show 'n' shine" events (Glendale Heights has one in conjuction with their GHFest in July) and charity runs like 4x4 Toys for Tots, etc.

Last point (for now):
The more organized you get, the more you have to CYA. That would mean any "official, organized event" would probably be subject to some sort of leaglly binding waiver. You never know when someone's going to decide to sue!

All sounds great Jeepfrog, with the Show and Shines / car shows its also great exposure for the group, EXAMPLE: The Jeep plant here in Toledo ( Where all of our Libertys and Wranglers are made ) does a Jeep show every year on Fathers Day, any vehicle can come, but you have everything from full blown customs to trail rigs that are trailered in. Great show. I tried organizing a run to it one year had 4 KJs show up :roll:

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:51 pm

Extreme Jeep in McHenry has Jeepfest ( a couple of us went to the event last year )... Maybe we should try and team up with a friendly dealership to host meets and or 'sponsor' trail rides and what not - would certainly be good publicity for the dealer...

Seems like most of the activity, board wise, is mainly between illinois and ohio people... the LOST midwest group could stay the same, just with new sub boards... but now I'm dabbling in the realm of admins talking about forum restructure :roll:

jerbacher · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:08 pm

jeepfrog wrote:

Last point (for now):
The more organized you get, the more you have to CYA. That would mean any "official, organized event" would probably be subject to some sort of leaglly binding waiver. You never know when someone's going to decide to sue!

There was a whole bunch of talk (and argument) about this issue a while ago. Maybe last year? Year before? Not sure. But anyway, there was this whole thing about whether or not certain events were sanctioned or unsanctioned etc etc. When it comes down to it, this is an internet forum. Its not a company, there's no organization to sue or hold legally responsible or anything. On the other hand, you could presumably hold a member responsible for an injury or something, which would suck.

jeepfrog · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:19 pm

jerbacher wrote:

There was a whole bunch of talk (and argument) about this issue a while ago. Maybe last year? Year before? Not sure. But anyway, there was this whole thing about whether or not certain events were sanctioned or unsanctioned etc etc. When it comes down to it, this is an internet forum. Its not a company, there's no organization to sue or hold legally responsible or anything. On the other hand, you could presumably hold a member responsible for an injury or something, which would suck.

That's my whole point. I was at one time involved with another "hobbyist" board/webiste and many members of that forum were sued by a vendor for just voicing their opinions about that store and its customer service. So, yes, internet forums can be sued. And as you said, "you could presumably hold a member responsible for an injury or something".

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:54 pm

I'm sorry if some Vendor sued us at L.O.S.T, several of us have free VFW attourneys to sue them back for making crappy parts i'll see your civil suit and raise you a class action :lol:

I hate courts, and laws and such bung

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:01 pm

I think this is a great idea, structure and organization would really help LOST midwest out with setting up more trail rides, car shows etc. as well as draw out some of the less active members. I know there are alot of members here in Michigan, we just dont here from a most of them. keep us posted on what you come up with tom. also I think clerifying the boundries around MI, IL, IN, and OH is a good idea.

Boiler · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:04 pm

I like how all of the threads get lumped into one forum. There isn't alot going on in here sometimes, so I've been considering hopping over to Ohio and meet the KJ brothers that are busy there. If we break it all into seperate forums, we may lose a lot of activity.

What about this idea:

1) Have a midwest President residing over the entire group

2) Have regional vice presidents who actually arrange the events in whatever area they are happening in. Could have N. IL, S. IL, IN, OH, S. MI, N. Mi VP's, etc.

3) The leadership would be there primarily to organize events and think of ways to spread the word about the LOST community.

4) Keep all threads in one spot but have all outing's subjects start with "IN Outing: driveupahillonasundayorwhatever" or whatever region it pertains too.

Personally I think the key is to get the entire region more active, not to segregate ourselves. I think a main focus to get new blood in here would be to have events with public visibility. For some reason my mind keeps coming back to having LOST displays at county fairs...

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:13 pm

I think thats kinda what we are shooting for, a midwest president, and regional presidents. also MI is lacking of active members, so splitting us up is probably not the best idea.

so what needs to be done before we can make this official, and "elect" presidents?

jerbacher · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:15 pm

Ok, I wanna just throw something out there. I dont necessarily agree or disagree with anyone, I just want to put out something for everyone to think about.

What exactly would a 'president' or 'leader' of any sort do exactly? Is it something that we really need? What sort of decisions do we expect to be made that would need some sort of approval by a leader?

For that matter, what service would a leadership group provide? As it sits right now, we basically have no leadership since all of the 'current leadership' is more or less mia. ( no offense to them in any way). What were their tasks previously? All I can think of personally is keeping a list of members and mailing out stickers. All of the events were organized by whoever wanted to make a post that said "hey, i want to go here and drive over this on said day".

So, what does everyone think the structure of this should be?

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:22 pm

Im sure there will be alot of smaller get togethers, but the way i see it, the "presidents" will set up and manage an official LOST ride once a year, or more. also organize stuff like midwest swag, lift parties etc.

Anyone want some changes/reorganize LOST MIDWEST?

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