WISVTOA Annual Year-End Meeting
The Annual Chapter Meeting was called to order by Mike Tagtow at Griffin Ford on December 14, 2002 at 9:15 a.m. Registered attendees included Greg Angeli, Mike Colombo (Mike C.), Marv Zuimeda, Dave Dallmann, Steve Phelps, Richard Kakoczki, Dick Fehr, Doug Dorn Jr., Peter Tagtow, Bruce Cameron, Vilas Rasmussen, Chris Lorentzen, and Terry Horst.

Business. Greg, our National and Chapter webmaster, provided information on expected growth for SVTOA National and information on the National and Chapter web sites. Mike provided background on the purpose and goals of SVTOA and their Chapters, the type of events that are available to clubs, and background on effort and resources needed to hold different events. Vilas, General Manager of Griffin Ford, restated his dealership’s support for the Chapter.

Chris and Dave provided information on their recent meeting with Andre Terranova of Houston Area Lightning Owners (HALO) in Oconomowoc. HALO is a very strong club with 78 active members. Andre credited this to holding consistent meetings (twice a month at restaurants at rotating locations), having business cards for members (to hand out to prospective members), maintaining an interesting web site, implementing strict rules for membership, and holding various events of interest.

Discussion evolved to whether our Chapter should have recurring meetings. Chris offered to organize recurring meetings on selected Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. on dates and at locations to be determined. Considerations will include pizza meetings at Griffin Ford. These informal meetings will be posted on our web site (www.wisvtoa.com or .org).

Terry and Mike provided a run-down of events held during 2002. Since the first meeting held last Spring, the Chapter held nine events. A prospective calendar for 2003 was discussed. This year, the Chapter will be the lead club for Fun Ford Day at Great Lakes Dragaway, including a cookout, car show, and other activities. A calendar of events, many with tentative dates, will be sent to National. The next event (03-02) is a Daytona 500 race gathering at Aldo’s restaurant in Germantown. Details for all events will be posted on the web site at least one month in advance of the event. Only several events will include mailings, due to costs.

Mike brought up for discussion whether our Chapter should charge dues. Advantages for dues are that it builds a treasury for raffle prizes and trophies, avoids event “fees”, provides membership exclusivity, and offers club stability, especially for planning upcoming events. Disadvantages include need for a membership chairperson, along with the attendant tracking hassles. Consensus was that members resent additional dues since they have already paid through National (even though Chapters are not reimbursed for expenses from National). The Chapter will continue with event fees, as necessary, without Chapter dues.

Mike and Chris will look into having business cards printed for members to hand out. They will also investigate having decals printed for display on our vehicles.

Chris was awarded an invisible trophy for Member of the Year.

Greg and Terry noted that we need to keep the web site active. Greg will continue to develop our web site and will assist anyone that needs help posting pictures, attachments, etc. Greg also offered to assist in coordinating membership snafus with National.

Designation of Officers. The chapter unanimously selected the following officers for 2003:

Dealer Advisor – Peter Tagtow Activities Director – Terry Horst
Chapter Director – Mike Tagtow Treasurer – Marv Zuimeda
Assistant Director – Chris Lorentzen Secretary – Dick Fehr
Historian and Recording Secretary – Terry Horst

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.


Minutes prepared by Terry Horst, December 16, 2003