Question(s) for Primary Officers

[03flstfi]

As this year starts winding down, our members begin discussing openly the "options" for the upcoming year.

What are your opinions on being a Primary Officer?

What would make the experience more enjoyable?

Our sponsoring dealership is pretty much "hands-off" in the way of chapter operations, unless a problem occurs.

I have been asked by several members if I would consider a role as a PO... to which my initial reaction was

I have read as much information as I can find regarding expectations and Job descriptions. Nothing is above my abilities, and between myself and other chapter members, I feel we can put together a pretty good team to give us some new life through the next year... or two... or...

Comments?

[michae2250]

As a former assistant director, I can tell you it can be very rewarding and very frustrating at the same time. I would do it again, too. I resigned due to a job relocation.

Rewarding because your 'stamp' goes on things the chapter does. Watching your members ride and enjoy themselves is what it's all about. Other perks? You get to know the dealer and most everyone at the dealership.

All that can be a frustrating, too. Members complain about dealer experiences (don't tell me, I can't help. Tell the dealer). Members complain about restaurants (suggest a different one and we'll check it out next time) and other ride destinations. The dealer complains about rogue members stirring up trouble or members buying bikes elswhere. (sit patiently and listen, like listening to your spouse, but this can be a real challenge). But other social clubs are no different.

Overall, the fun outweighs the crap by a wide margin.

[03flstfi]

Originally Posted by michae2250

As a former assistant director, I can tell you it can be very rewarding and very frustrating at the same time. I would do it again, too. I resigned due to a job relocation.

Rewarding because your 'stamp' goes on things the chapter does. Watching your members ride and enjoy themselves is what it's all about. Other perks? You get to know the dealer and most everyone at the dealership.

All that can be a frustrating, too. Members complain about dealer experiences (don't tell me, I can't help. Tell the dealer). Members complain about restaurants (suggest a different one and we'll check it out next time) and other ride destinations. The dealer complains about rogue members stirring up trouble or members buying bikes elswhere. (sit patiently and listen, like listening to your spouse, but this can be a real challenge). But other social clubs are no different.

Overall, the fun outweighs the crap by a wide margin.

michae2250,

Thanks for your input...

I've seen, and have had to deal with situations as a Road Guard/Ride Leader regarding "frustrations" (I love the symantics of that word) so I hear what youre saying.

[alnelson]

Having been the treasurer for two HOG chapter totaling 6 years now, it is a fantastic opportunity. Not only do you get to lead and influence what is happening in the chapter you are rewarded by getting to know the membership much better. Your thinking will change from let's do something to underestand how and what it takes to make that something happen. If you get a chance to go to Primary Officer Training (POT), jump at the chance. HOG puts on a fantastic training. You learn from you fellow officers and the instructors just lead or guide the sessions. You can not buy this taining. It is free to chapter members but is limitted to 7 per year. With every year being different, I been 5 times and loved every second of it.

Get envolved in your chapter and you will get a lot more from it!

[jdargo]

michae2250,
I am interested in what you have read about being and officer. Where can I can find some of it?

[michae2250]

Reading sources about Primary Officers? There's only one official document, the official HOG Chapter Handbook. It's published yearly and distributed (by CD now, used to be a binder) to each Chapter early in the year. Your Chapter Officers should have it and are supposed to let anyone read it. Its not a secret book.

About late January or early February of every year, all Chapters must submit a current roster of officers and members, along with other paperwork to National HOG to requalify the yearly charter. When the paperwork is accepted, HOG returns a care package that includes the CDs and other stuff, like officers' patches. Primary Officers Training attendees also get a CD in the training materials issued.

Is this what you were looking for? Other than that, managing a HOG Chapter is very similar to managing any volunteer organization.

[03flstfi]

Originally Posted by michae2250

Reading sources about Primary Officers? There's only one official document, the official HOG Chapter Handbook. It's published yearly and distributed (by CD now, used to be a binder) to each Chapter early in the year. Your Chapter Officers should have it and are supposed to let anyone read it. Its not a secret book.

About late January or early February of every year, all Chapters must submit a current roster of officers and members, along with other paperwork to National HOG to requalify the yearly charter. When the paperwork is accepted, HOG returns a care package that includes the CDs and other stuff, like officers' patches. Primary Officers Training attendees also get a CD in the training materials issued.

Is this what you were looking for? Other than that, managing a HOG Chapter is very similar to managing any volunteer organization.

I have procured a copy... it is a very good read.

A lot of great information in the "book" and it will serve anyone as an officer well.

[Mr-Jester]

I have served as Membership Officer, Secretary and am currently serving as Director. I would tell you that serving in any officer position can be rewarding, whether it is as a Primary or Other officer. How much say you have in the running of the chapter may depend on how your particular chapter is organized but serving should be fun and rewarding.

The one recommendation I would give is that you attend Primary Officer Training before or shortly after you assume the position.

Jim

Originally Posted by 03flstfi

As this year starts winding down, our members begin discussing openly the "options" for the upcoming year.

What are your opinions on being a Primary Officer?

What would make the experience more enjoyable?

Our sponsoring dealership is pretty much "hands-off" in the way of chapter operations, unless a problem occurs.

I have been asked by several members if I would consider a role as a PO... to which my initial reaction was

I have read as much information as I can find regarding expectations and Job descriptions. Nothing is above my abilities, and between myself and other chapter members, I feel we can put together a pretty good team to give us some new life through the next year... or two... or...

Comments?

[doubleup]

I second that . . . . "it is a very good read. A lot of great information in the "book" (but I prefer the CD) and it will serve anyone as an officer well." - Webmaster of htpp://www.waipahuhog.com

[larryb123]

It's an outstanding opportunity to have people use and abuse you, lol. not so bad. Just Ending my 3 year and like anything else 10% of the people do 90%of the work. Looking forward to a year off. best advice I can give is Delegate duties & attend a POT.

[03flstfi]

Thanks for the advice all.

Although I have been apporoached for a Primary Officer Position, I am simply a road guard for the chapter, who would rather ride.

I assume the lead position for one of our many groups of visitors during the 2008 Hawaii State HOG Rally, and have a decisive team of road guards that make the job as a ride leader/road captain painless.

Now, given all of the recent interest in the PO positions, it'll give me the opportunity (I hope) to step away again and worry about the rides.

double-up has other thoughts on the matter... I'm sure he'll reply in a bit.

[88b]

I know HOG in America is different to England, but the same rules aply for all of us. I was head road captain for five years and assistant director for a year. Never attended POT , I don't need HOG to tell me how to conduct a meeting or how to run a chapter and I know the team I worked with can organise and run an event better than HOG Europe can. HOG want to charge us $600 plus for PTO and it's usually somewhere in main land Europe so it involves over a day to get there even if you fly then there's the cost of getting there.
As for standing as a chapter officer, as everyone has said it can be very rewarding and frustrating. On the whole I found most members grateful for what we did, and a few with an agenda you can never please. I won't miss feeling obliged to go to most events, or the money it cost me organising rides etc. I'm going to do my best to support the present committee because I know what a thankless task it an be.

[03flstfi]

I think youre missing the point though... its about a TEAM effort. you'll never unsderstand the passion behind HOG if you dont network with the people involved.

Sure... We can conduct the meetings, the rides, the events based upon the Charter and the Handbook, but that just nips at the real reason for HOG.

We are a small Chapter in Hawaii, For us to travel to POT the dealer incurs tremendous expense and gladly pays for us... 6 Officers/Members and 1 dealer rep per year.

It does look at this point as if a team for leadership has risen to the challenge, and the people look very promising.

[88b]

I think you may be missing the point.
Our sponsoring dealer would never pay for POT, I'm guessing being a PO probably cost me in the region of $4k a year, only for the dealer to try and shaft me when I want to buy a bike. I've a good friend who is a chapter director in north America, during a recent conversation with him ,he stated the only reason he remains a HOG member is to stay in the chapter. Personally I think HOG is a good thing, but they need to be more member friendly and not try and gouge us so much.

[03flstfi]

Originally Posted by 88b

I think you may be missing the point.
Our sponsoring dealer would never pay for POT, I'm guessing being a PO probably cost me in the region of $4k a year, only for the dealer to try and shaft me when I want to buy a bike. I've a good friend who is a chapter director in north America, during a recent conversation with him ,he stated the only reason he remains a HOG member is to stay in the chapter. Personally I think HOG is a good thing, but they need to be more member friendly and not try and gouge us so much.

Thats not HOG gouging you, thats the dealer. OVERINFLATED prices for HD in Hawaii are common.... you need a dealership connection and being active in the HOG chapter is the best way as far as I'm concerned. Being Active in the chapter puts me at the dealership for more than parts and service

The sponsoring delaer has final say in how the chapter is run, period.