Dealership involvement in local HOG chapter

[IndianaJoe]

How involved is your dealer in your local HOG Chapter?

I have been a member of the local chapter for 4 years now. Our dealer had great support for our chapter. We use to vote in our primary officers until this year. The dealership now decides who will be our officers. That was OK with me, but now our dealership is deciding what charity we will support this year and where we will hold our Christmas party. Last year we gave to the MDA, toy's for tots and a local homeless shelter.

I know the dealership has every right to do this.

I was just wondering if this is normal or were we lucky for the chapter membership to decide these matters for the last 4 years?

Thanks,
Joe

[hdwoman48]

We're fortunate in that Eastside Harley sponsors the group, we don't pay dues, and they let the group run the show. It would feel very unempowering to have them making the decisions.

[yldbill]

H.O.G.= harley owners group the key word here is OWNERS,why should the dealership get to make the decisions in aclub that has owners as members. Next thing will be telling you when you can ride .

[huskerbob]

in our chapter we nominate and elect all officers each year. our annual local dues are only $12. we support the dealer by helping out at special events such as Open Houses, Military Appreciation Day, etc. the dealer supports us by sponsoring or helping out finanacially with certian events. the dealer lets us use the facility for some of our meetings and events and provides active members with an "anytime" 10% discount.

He does not get involved with the running of the Chapter.

[michae2250]

This is an endless topic at POT every year and probably every location.

The lucky ones have great dealer support, usually including money. The less fortunate are those dealers that only have a chapter because the MOCO makes them.

The bottom line? Chapters exist at the pleasure of the dealer. That makes the dealer the king. However they want to handle their chapter is the rule of the land.

If you don't like the chapter you start with, find another.

[huskerbob]

Originally Posted by michae2250

This is an endless topic at POT every year and probably every location.

The lucky ones have great dealer support, usually including money. The less fortunate are those dealers that only have a chapter because the MOCO makes them.

The bottom line? Chapters exist at the pleasure of the dealer. That makes the dealer the king. However they want to handle their chapter is the rule of the land.

If you don't like the chapter you start with, find another.

Michael,

hmmmm, i'm sensing something here. getting a vibe you might say. i'm prepared to go way out on a limb and say: you're tired of discussing this topic.

WOW! How do i do it??? Sometimes I even amaze myself!!

[FLHX - 07]

Originally Posted by IndianaJoe

How involved is your dealer in your local HOG Chapter?

Our dealer is totally "hands off". Whatever we do is fine with him. We use the shop occasionally and he helps a bit with event funding. We get a 10% discount and we help him during his Open House. It's a give and take thing that works well and everyone is very happy.

[michae2250]

huskerbob

Not tired as much as watching people be miserable when they have choices. OK, I know small towns and rural areas are limited, but lots of us do have several local chapters to pick from. My current chapter was the third we visited.

[huskerbob]

Originally Posted by michae2250

huskerbob

Not tired as much as watching people be miserable when they have choices. OK, I know small towns and rural areas are limited, but lots of us do have several local chapters to pick from. My current chapter was the third we visited.

couldn't agree more. it always amazes me when people (not really anyone on this particular thread) express their unhappiness with a situation they volunteered for, and can walk away from, any time they choose

[mbkodiak]

Originally Posted by IndianaJoe

How involved is your dealer in your local HOG Chapter?

The dealership now decides who will be our officers. Now our dealership is deciding what charity we will support this year and where we will hold our Christmas party.

I know the dealership has every right to do this.

JMHO, Maybe they do, but you also have the right to join any chapter of your choosing.. Maybe it's time to choose another.

[03flstfi]

Originally Posted by FLHX - 07

Our dealer is totally "hands off". Whatever we do is fine with him. We use the shop occasionally and he helps a bit with event funding. We get a 10% discount and we help him during his Open House. It's a give and take thing that works well and everyone is very happy.

Our sponsoring dealer is the same way.

A Chapter or HOG discount, and we assist at special events.

The Dealer also helps sponsoring the annual HOG rally, and we actively participate.

When you read the bylaws, the dealership has the ultimate say in how each chapter is run.

The downside of a dealership micromanaging a chapter is morale goes out the window and so does membership.

[Mr-Jester]

The Chapter exist at the pleasure of the dealership and as most of us know, there are good dealerships and not so good dealerships.

Originally Posted by IndianaJoe

How involved is your dealer in your local HOG Chapter?

I have been a member of the local chapter for 4 years now. Our dealer had great support for our chapter. We use to vote in our primary officers until this year. The dealership now decides who will be our officers. That was OK with me, but now our dealership is deciding what charity we will support this year and where we will hold our Christmas party. Last year we gave to the MDA, toy's for tots and a local homeless shelter.

I know the dealership has every right to do this.

I was just wondering if this is normal or were we lucky for the chapter membership to decide these matters for the last 4 years?

Thanks,
Joe

[LeeFLHR]

MY dealership is very helpful to the HOG Club.

[FLSTFI Dave]

Our dealer is very supportive of the chapter. We vote on officers, we vote on charrities we support.

Our dealer provides our meeting area, our dealer funds our christmas party.

It is a give and take type deal. The more the chapter supports the dealer, the more the dealer does for us.

The owner of the dealer rides with us often. The owner comes to many of our events.

[Photo John]

I thought the HOG club was called Weight Watchers?