[Gary]

The OMC is holding their 24th annual picnic this weekend. There are some questions being raised amongst the officers whether or not there will be a 25th.

OMC President Roger Wilson and activities Director/substitute Blitz editor Gil Wesson have both both written editorials in the August Blitz asking for help and volunteers to be officers in the OMC. (Gil will only be able to be the Blitz editor for one more issue)

While the OMC is based in Southern California, it is the hub for several chapters across the US and Europe. In this electronic age and with the internet tools we now have, there is no reason the OMC cannot flourish worldwide. As Roger stated: "You don't have to be from Southern California to be an OMC officer."

I'll leave describing the OMC and it's history to others, but I still remember waiting in great anticipation for the next issue of the Blitz to come in the mail as that was my only connection to the world of Opels.

Let's have a discussion on this and see what we can do to help.
Fire away!!!

 

[RallyBob]

Gary, I just spoke with Roger Wilson yesterday and he reiterated what you have expressed here. The OMC is in dire straights....member participation is at an all-time low, and with no one stepping up to fill the vacant officers positions, there is a serious possibility that this year may be the club's last year. I hope that this is not the case....

I will do what I can do to make some time for the club, even if it means redirecting time and material from opelgt.com for the Blitz newsletter. Hopefully some others will do the same to ensure this Opel institution does not die a weak death.

Bob

 

[Gary]

The Blitz is needed as there are a lot of opel folks who are not 'net connected so finding an editor (even a temp one) is a top priority. That would be beyond my capacity right now but I'm willing to do what I can to help in other areas. (even as an officer)

Hey, we could always use the resources here for Blitz material and have online meetings for members or officers (in a private chat area) plus when you add in the capacity the OMC site has we could really get the club moving.

 

[oldopelguy]

All I have is time...

While I'm not sure if I'm really qualified enough for the position, I would be willing to edit the Blitz. As my time with Uncle Sam's Canoe Club has finally come to an end, I should have time to devote to the project for the next year or so at least. The real issues would be my somewhat remote location, and whether or not the Opel community would accept me in that role, as I know I would never be able to fill John's shoes.

Otherwise, I'm certainly willing to contribute as I can, just let me know what needs to be done. After all, I really do want to see the caravan of Opels across the country for next year's picnic. It would also give me an excuse to drive through Sonora next month while I'm out there and visit with Gil, like I needed an excuse for that.

 

[RallyBob]

Tell you what Stephen, if you take on the role of editor, I'll gladly become your 'unofficial' helper in terms of preparing articles/photos, etc. I prefer to remain behind the scenes, I'm not an 'in charge' type of person.

You are very qualified Stephen, you drive an Opel (constantly!).

Roger Wilson told me that there is no reason that in this day and age with the internet as a tool, any OMC officers could be from anywhere in the world. You don't need to be from southern CA.

I'm placing my vote!

Bob

 

[Gary]

I second!! I emailed this thread to Gil.

 

[nobody]

In todays day and age a printed page is quickly becoming extinct. Has there been any thought to maybe modernize a bit to include a .com or could it be a pay service here? It could only expand the user list and the ease of it being seen from alot more areas of the world. I've seen mention several times of a scanned listing of past issues, It would seem that to make it a bit more global and to allow more input an internet prescence would only help.

I could be completely off base on this and there is a sight I don't know about. I have looked and haven't found one so I could be on track. If it were a bit easier I and others would contribute as well.

I saw the poll about the motorsport something, how about a poll to show an interest in this one. I'll vote now that if it is on line and in print I would show more interest in it.

I agree that Stephen is a good choice.

 

[Gary]

The OMC web site is http://www.opelclub.com It's been pretty stagnant as I've been waiting for some direction on what they want for content (I am the OMC webdude) The site has a huge capacity and space can be made available for chapters to have their own page. The program it is running is due for a new version release.

It has the capability for multi levels of access and it would be possible to post the Blitz there.

 

[rallye73]

While I am not a member of the OMC (yet). Stephen has my vote as well. I do not feel I am qualified to be high mucky-muck of any sort, but if there anything I can do to help out, please don't hesitate to ask. I remember when the OANA migrated into a just an online community... I really miss that newsletter.

Darrin

 

[RallyBob]

I like the fact the Blitz is still printed on paper. Being as it's the last Opel newsletter in the US that is still done this way, I'd like to see it remain, even if there's a parallel version available online. C'mon Stephen, now you gotta do it!

Bob,
'Technical editorial helper/sidekick' for hire...

 

[BQS4]

Omc

Stephen;
If I can get railroaded into doing the "Classic Opels" You can do the OMC Just kidding!

 

[madhatterpdc]

I am willing to help in any way that will be constructive. I know that joining the club would be a good start. Can paypal'ed enrollment fees be sent to the [email protected] e-mail address?

I don't know where else I would be most helpful. I am a geek, but this is a text publication so that "skillset" isn't very helpful.

 

[Gary]

Hold off on any Paypal enrollments for now. We just got the ownership issue cleared up. (the Paypal editor addy was in John Seaman's name)

I am going to try and do some work on the OMC site this weekend as a new software version was released yesterday.

 

[tekenaar]

Stephen = >qualified = my vote

Tell you what Stephen, if you take on the role of editor, I'll gladly become your 'unofficial' helper in terms of preparing articles/photos, etc. I prefer to remain behind the scenes, I'm not an 'in charge' type of person.

You are very qualified Stephen, you drive an Opel (constantly!).

Roger Wilson told me that there is no reason that in this day and age with the internet as a tool, any OMC officers could be from anywhere in the world. You don't need to be from southern CA.

I'm placing my vote!

Bob

Roger, he of interminable computer reticence, actually said that!!?

OK, all kidding aside, the point holds true and I ">second" that nomination as well! Anything I can do to help, also in a background role, just let me know.

 

[GoinManta]

I will also be willing to help with the newsletter. Maybe that or in some other function if they have one they would like for me to be in.

I did the OANA one for about 6 years, and then the programs were not as easy to use. I would even be willing to do it, IF the OMC switched to a Bi-monthly format. I don't have time for a monthly format.

I envision having these issues with these main focuses

1) Jan/Feb - Officers, Year in review, Tech Tips
2) Mar/Apr - Upcoming Events, Tech Tips
3) May/June - Carlilse and other event updates
4) July/August - Tacoma and other event updates
5) Sept/Oct - OMC picnic update
6) Nov/Dec - Heavy Tech Issue (Giving room for a big tech article on Brakes. Engines, etc..)

Burnout as a newsletter editor is high (I know from where I speak). With the net letting everyone being in contact so much. The newsletter should be more of a record of who we are and what we have done now. With an occasional tech tip that works best in print. It would save cash flow, editor energy, and much more if it were bi-monthly.

Also a color cover could be done for each newsletter and the club would still save money. I think having a color cover adds a bit of "professionalism" to the club as well.

I have a ton of material to use for a newsletter and wouldn't mind doing it. But as mentioned I could only do about 6 year.

Charles

 

[RallyBob]

Roger, he of interminable computer reticence, actually said that!!?

Yup, he acknowledges his own shortcomings in the computer age, but realizes the majority have access to the internet on a regular basis. And he even said there's no reason why OMC meetings/picnics, etc could not be held in the home state of the editor, or whomever's state or province....as long as it stays alive. Roger is tired of being one of the few involved with the OMC newsletter for the past 10 years, and he's winding his business down in the hopes to soon 'retire' to a life of racing Opels rather than working on them!

 

[GoinManta]

He even said there's no reason why OMC meetings/picnics, etc could not be held in the home state of the editor, or whomever's state or province....

This goes back to the idea we kicked around of rotating the picnic from year to year in different areas. Only problem would be to find someone dedicated enough to want to spend 2+ years to plan a picnic in thier area.

Which of course could be a whole article for the Blitz.

 

[RallyBob]

A question to the general public here, and to OMC members in particular.

What sort of articles, stories, tech tips, are you most interested in seeing in the Blitz newsletter? Generalizations are fine, but specifics are better still.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[GoinManta]

To add to Bobs comment.. I have a LOT of old literature, brochures, magazine articles, etc.. and we have access to an almost complete collection of Dealer service bulletins from 1969-1976 or so..

Would spending the effort to have those reprinted be worth it?

Charles

 

[kwilford]

First, we need an OMC Forum heading here, under "Opel Clubs", so I can move threads relating to the OMC club, website, events and Blitz to an appropriate forum (Gary?).

Second, the OMC (of which I am a member, albeit an "on-line" member) needs to be re-defined. Or at least it's mission verified. There are currently some 200 plus OMC members (if I add up the membership roster correctly, not including a number of spouses who also hold memberships but share addresses), all over the world, with approximately 70 of those are in California. While it is a world-wide club, it still is mainly represented (at least in the flesh) in CA. And I happen to know that a number of members who I met at the 2003 OMC Picnic are NOT on-line. If it wasn't for the hard copy of the Blitz, and events such as the OMC Picnic and the Shrimp Run (which is still on my list of Opel events to take in), these Opel owners would be virtually lost to the greater classic-Opel world. While the Internet Opel world is strong, there is also a need in the non-Internet domain for a physical OMC and the Blitz in snail mail format.

Third, the OMC website desperately needs to be revived. This is because the Internet OMC community is ALSO important. I know that Gary took the OMC on as a project when the old site host was lost (or whatever happened), but he has enough Opel stuff on his plate already. THIS site is my number one concern, and it should be Gary's as well. I believe 215-odd OMC members are important, but (IMHO) the health of this site, with over 4600 members, of which almost 1000 have actually posted (and more each day), is more important. At least it is to me, even though I would be heartbroken to see the OMC disappear. And to not have a 2005 OMC Picnic, well that would just be wrong. But to have Gary take on the role of OMC web-master, on top of running the OGT.com site, is asking for trouble. The OMC site needs its own webmaster. There is no reason that the site has to be as complex as this one. But the basic capabilities of the old site are missed, especially with regards to OMC events (past and present)

Fourth, the OMC needs new blood. Having the current Opel stalwarts (such as Gary, Charles, Bob and Otto) take on additional tasks to try to keep the OMC afloat is wrong-minded. Charles, although I haven't met you yet, I believe that you trying to take on even 6 issues a year of the Blitz would not be in anyone's best interest. Stay involved in this site, do whatever you can to keep Goin' Manta alive, but DON'T get burned out in the Opel world (sorry if I seem to be speaking frankly, and perhaps a bit out of turn, but I just call 'em as I see 'em).

That's my thoughts. At least tonight...