04-19-2012, 06:46 PM
Hey guys,
My name is Chris and I'm running for VP for the '12-'13 term. Although I have been friends with most of you for some time, there may be those of you who are newer to MM that I haven't met yet. First, I'd like to explain why some of you may not have seen me around at as many events as usual this year. This fall I decided to invest in a motorcycle (big thanks to Lincoln for driving 2 hours to get it with me), and had been forced to get a job in order to pay for the whole ordeal. The job, which was sometimes 6 hours a day, took most of my time when I wasn't studying. I'm proud to announce that this next year I will be job-free and ready to get back to this wonderful club.
Here's just a little bit about myself...
My Academics:
-Rising Senior, Biology Major
-Honors Program, with a research concentration in Neurobiology
Now for the early years...
I had come into MM as a first-semester freshman after Jake had extended a welcoming hand at the Student Org Night, and had no idea that it would soon become a large part of my college experience. One of the first aspects of MM that I immediately noticed was that everyone who was there...WANTED to be there. Isn't this kind of expected in all clubs? Nope. I can guarantee you that not one of the pre-med club members gets excited to go to a meeting (well, save a few kids). Even more so, not only would everyone get together for the meetings, but also just to hang out and have a good time. The "thursday night crew" as we called it (you know who you are) hung out not just as club members, but also as friends (cliche). This was one of the things that made the club so inviting, nobody was looked down on and or considered "just a freshman"...you were there because you liked cars, and that's all that mattered.
My favorite MM events (in order):
1. VIR
For those of you who have gone to VIR, you can skip this paragraph because you already know what I'm going to say. The trip to VIR when the club rented a van (after the suspension was lifted) and made the trek down to the track was EXACTLY what this club should be about. Hey, lets face it, were all poor college kids...but the alumni and other generous drivers at the track can give us just a little taste of what we all crave...racing. I know a few of our members have actually done HPDE when we go down, and from what I've heard the experience is unreal. From the free hotel room where Madison Motorforts was established (shout out to my man Chris Levey), to the Tavern, the trip is just a great bonding experience.
2. G-Force
The first ever karting trip, I'm ashamed to say, I slept through (Girls Gone Wild party at Vixens). However, I have been karting many times after that and it never ceases to thrill. The trip is one that we absolutely must keep going in this club. I know due to money constraints that some officers this year have considered ending this event, and this is something we can't let happen.
3. Autocross
Again, big shout out to Jake for playing the big brother role here. Freshman year Jake took me out around Harrisonburg on thursday night to teach me how to drive stick, and friday afternoon he asked me if I wanted to race the next day..wait..what? I never even knew you could race cars in that kind of an event, and ever since my first race I've been hooked!
Now that I've spent enough time on memory lane...
Dan, and Jon and I have gotten together and discussed things that IF we all happened to be elected, we would like to modify, change etc. Here are some of the points that had been discussed:
-- First of all, we all agreed that the officers need to work together as a team. It seems that this year had been somewhat of a one-man-show and this just creates headaches, and separation, within the team that ultimately ends up hurting everyone in MM. We have each discussed our schedules for next year and agreed that each should have a sufficient amount of time to invest in the club and those who are in it. I personally have had many roles, especially in an academic laboratory environment, where teamwork was essential to success. I believe that this experience will help in a smooth transition into office, and further into the semester.
-- Secondly, it had been brought up that the club always seems to be in need of money. Fundraising this year was minimal, and this needs to be improved upon in a big way. Some ideas could be: cleaning the stadium after football games like alumni used to do, and or simple things like getting our lady friends to wash cars in their bikini's (girls love showing off...lets be serious). The main idea here is to have the club, as a group, decide what THEY would be interested in helping to contribute with. In my experience people are much more motivated to do something when they believe in the cause (which I hope everyone would...) and enjoy the activity. However, it is my understanding that Jon Polen (potential treasurer) has specific ideas in mind that he would like to implement, so we're already off to a great start for next year.
--The next issue that had been discussed is, well, rather uncharted territory. I personally had been the one to bring it up and Dan and Jon had both agreed that this subject deserved greater attention. It's simple, eliminate the free-loaders. Eliminate the people that show up for the MM sticker and shirt, and then leave and go show off that they're a cool kid who races cars and never returns to the club. This has always been a pet peeve of mine and I intend to ensure that those who sport the MM logo DESERVE to sport the logo. This also helps in terms of securing our reputation as a respectable club. We don't want some kid who came to the FIRST meeting to go out and get pulled over doing 120mph and have the cop see his MM sticker on the window.
--The last MAJOR issue to be discussed at our meeting was the ever-needed social aspect of MM to be brought back. This club is full of people who love to talk about cars, race cars, work on cars, but we ALSO are a club that should be composed of great friends. If I were elected VP I would ensure that more social events were held, even if it was just an epic drink your face off thursday night festivity, which are often the most fun. This club was started by friends, and we need to continue that tradition.
All in all, I hope you guys will consider me for V.P. in the upcoming election. Though whether I am elected or not I'm sure that the new team of officers will do a great job in bringing this club back to what it should be, what it used to be. Have a great night guys!
Chris
My name is Chris and I'm running for VP for the '12-'13 term. Although I have been friends with most of you for some time, there may be those of you who are newer to MM that I haven't met yet. First, I'd like to explain why some of you may not have seen me around at as many events as usual this year. This fall I decided to invest in a motorcycle (big thanks to Lincoln for driving 2 hours to get it with me), and had been forced to get a job in order to pay for the whole ordeal. The job, which was sometimes 6 hours a day, took most of my time when I wasn't studying. I'm proud to announce that this next year I will be job-free and ready to get back to this wonderful club.
Here's just a little bit about myself...
My Academics:
-Rising Senior, Biology Major
-Honors Program, with a research concentration in Neurobiology
Now for the early years...
I had come into MM as a first-semester freshman after Jake had extended a welcoming hand at the Student Org Night, and had no idea that it would soon become a large part of my college experience. One of the first aspects of MM that I immediately noticed was that everyone who was there...WANTED to be there. Isn't this kind of expected in all clubs? Nope. I can guarantee you that not one of the pre-med club members gets excited to go to a meeting (well, save a few kids). Even more so, not only would everyone get together for the meetings, but also just to hang out and have a good time. The "thursday night crew" as we called it (you know who you are) hung out not just as club members, but also as friends (cliche). This was one of the things that made the club so inviting, nobody was looked down on and or considered "just a freshman"...you were there because you liked cars, and that's all that mattered.
My favorite MM events (in order):
1. VIR
For those of you who have gone to VIR, you can skip this paragraph because you already know what I'm going to say. The trip to VIR when the club rented a van (after the suspension was lifted) and made the trek down to the track was EXACTLY what this club should be about. Hey, lets face it, were all poor college kids...but the alumni and other generous drivers at the track can give us just a little taste of what we all crave...racing. I know a few of our members have actually done HPDE when we go down, and from what I've heard the experience is unreal. From the free hotel room where Madison Motorforts was established (shout out to my man Chris Levey), to the Tavern, the trip is just a great bonding experience.
2. G-Force
The first ever karting trip, I'm ashamed to say, I slept through (Girls Gone Wild party at Vixens). However, I have been karting many times after that and it never ceases to thrill. The trip is one that we absolutely must keep going in this club. I know due to money constraints that some officers this year have considered ending this event, and this is something we can't let happen.
3. Autocross
Again, big shout out to Jake for playing the big brother role here. Freshman year Jake took me out around Harrisonburg on thursday night to teach me how to drive stick, and friday afternoon he asked me if I wanted to race the next day..wait..what? I never even knew you could race cars in that kind of an event, and ever since my first race I've been hooked!
Now that I've spent enough time on memory lane...
Dan, and Jon and I have gotten together and discussed things that IF we all happened to be elected, we would like to modify, change etc. Here are some of the points that had been discussed:
-- First of all, we all agreed that the officers need to work together as a team. It seems that this year had been somewhat of a one-man-show and this just creates headaches, and separation, within the team that ultimately ends up hurting everyone in MM. We have each discussed our schedules for next year and agreed that each should have a sufficient amount of time to invest in the club and those who are in it. I personally have had many roles, especially in an academic laboratory environment, where teamwork was essential to success. I believe that this experience will help in a smooth transition into office, and further into the semester.
-- Secondly, it had been brought up that the club always seems to be in need of money. Fundraising this year was minimal, and this needs to be improved upon in a big way. Some ideas could be: cleaning the stadium after football games like alumni used to do, and or simple things like getting our lady friends to wash cars in their bikini's (girls love showing off...lets be serious). The main idea here is to have the club, as a group, decide what THEY would be interested in helping to contribute with. In my experience people are much more motivated to do something when they believe in the cause (which I hope everyone would...) and enjoy the activity. However, it is my understanding that Jon Polen (potential treasurer) has specific ideas in mind that he would like to implement, so we're already off to a great start for next year.
--The next issue that had been discussed is, well, rather uncharted territory. I personally had been the one to bring it up and Dan and Jon had both agreed that this subject deserved greater attention. It's simple, eliminate the free-loaders. Eliminate the people that show up for the MM sticker and shirt, and then leave and go show off that they're a cool kid who races cars and never returns to the club. This has always been a pet peeve of mine and I intend to ensure that those who sport the MM logo DESERVE to sport the logo. This also helps in terms of securing our reputation as a respectable club. We don't want some kid who came to the FIRST meeting to go out and get pulled over doing 120mph and have the cop see his MM sticker on the window.
--The last MAJOR issue to be discussed at our meeting was the ever-needed social aspect of MM to be brought back. This club is full of people who love to talk about cars, race cars, work on cars, but we ALSO are a club that should be composed of great friends. If I were elected VP I would ensure that more social events were held, even if it was just an epic drink your face off thursday night festivity, which are often the most fun. This club was started by friends, and we need to continue that tradition.
All in all, I hope you guys will consider me for V.P. in the upcoming election. Though whether I am elected or not I'm sure that the new team of officers will do a great job in bringing this club back to what it should be, what it used to be. Have a great night guys!
Chris