Got a shock today : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

NCECOM · 05-05-2009, 09:27 PM

Just attended Primary Officer Training in Orlando last weekend and came back pumped up and ready to make a difference. The motivational closing session by Benny Sugg had done the trick.

This afternoon I received an email from the dealer dissolving the chapter. No reasons given, which is allowed by HOG, but not really fair to dues-paying members.

Has anyone else experienced this type of situation?

michae2250 · 05-11-2009, 05:10 PM

Was the dealership sold?

NCECOM · 05-11-2009, 06:33 PM

No, it is still open. We just got an email telling us the chapter was being disolved that day and to turn in all chapter finances, paperwork, etc. Maybe some day we will get a reason, but not so far.

bebrewer · 05-11-2009, 07:08 PM

The owner of the dealership owes an explanation to the chapter officers. That's just not fair to people that just paid dues for the year a few months ago.

oz_skull · 05-12-2009, 08:20 AM

Arent there legal ramifications regarding the paid dues and the other assets of the club of which members have contributed to.

Faast Ed · 05-12-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Arent there legal ramifications regarding the paid dues and the other assets of the club of which members have contributed to.

They are still HOG members, just not at that location.

Z16Monte · 05-12-2009, 02:21 PM

That chapter has dues as well. To join another chapter, you'd have to pay dues again. The dealer should be required to remit partial dues back to the members.
Ed

NCECOM · 05-12-2009, 06:14 PM

The national charter only speaks of ensuring that any remaining monies go to a non-profit after the payment of bills and taxes. Have not found anything about returning dues in the case of dissolution of the whole chapter.

michae2250 · 05-13-2009, 01:49 PM

Basically the dealership can do anything they want. Including close the chapter without explanation. It has happened elsewhere, Elgin Illinois comes to mind, although they at least had the cahones to tell everyone in a meeting, not by email.

The dealer doesn't legally owe anyone an explanation. The dues funds? That's another thing. It WILL be a customer relations disaster is they don't come clean, though. Just imagine several hundred of your used-to-be best customers spreading the word on how this dealer screwed them and their beloved chapter over. It'll hang in the local marketplace for years. It has in Elgin. I don't think National HOG will be any more helpful, either. They have no say in what the local dealer does, either.

My guess here is the dealership is ABOUT to be sold. And the new owner wants their own gig.

NCECOM · 05-13-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michae2250

My guess here is the dealership is ABOUT to be sold. And the new owner wants their own gig.

Sure hope you are right

Faast Ed · 05-13-2009, 07:46 PM

Unbelievable.

I feel bad for all involved.

histy · 05-14-2009, 01:53 AM

go see the dude and ask a face to face explanation? write the HOG big cheese?
it probably won't change nuthin, but over here in France, chapters have survived without the dealer, there were 2 chapters here that got a sanction to run without a sponsoring dealer.
You pay to be in HOG, you expect a service, obviously, the stealer can do as he pleases it would seem, but that shouldn't stop ya making a fuss.
Sad story, good luck, hope ya keep the chapter together.