Hello all interested in the Florida Region Plymouth Club.  We will be having a year end meeting this Saturday at 2pm, November 22.  The meeting will be held in the New Port Richey/Hudson area (just north of Tampa on the gulf coast) at a location to be determined based on turnout.  We know this is really short notice, but time has snuck  up on us and we really want to have a meeting before Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.  On the table for discussion is where to go for our meet/event for January, board members, and other club activities.   It will be the perfect time for everyone to purchase a club t-shirt and have your voice heard.  Hope to see you all this weekend.  Thanks!

Stephen in New Port Richey, FL

Quote from: notdavidspade on October 14, 2008, 12:56:56 AM
For all the Florida faithful and to debunk the naysayers there is now a Florida Sunshine Region Plymouth Owners Club Website.? One and all may visit www.POCflorida.com and keep up to date on our latest events and see pictures of our previous ones.? Thanks for looking.
Stephen

Thanks for the URL. I have added it to the links page on the Golden State Region's web site: http://goldenstate.ply33.com/links

For all the Florida faithful and to debunk the naysayers there is now a Florida Sunshine Region Plymouth Owners Club Website.  One and all may visit www.POCflorida.com and keep up to date on our latest events and see pictures of our previous ones.  Thanks for looking.
Stephen

Alrighty! I have clarification.  We are the "Florida Sunshine Region".  Here is my mock up for our shirts. 
Small logo on the fronts:

Large artwork on the back: 

Just a quick question, are we the "Sunshine State Region" or the "Florida Sunshine Region"?  I've been told the first, however on the bulletin's region listing I see it worded as the second. 

Once I line up a printer to knock these out for us, we'll be happy to sell one to you!!  As of Tuesday I'll be unemployed.  While looking for some work, I'll be able to physically go to one of these printers, as my emails have gone unanswered.  BTW, anyone need a Systems Analyst in the Tampa area??  Thanks for all the positive remarks for the artwork. 
Stephen in FL.

WOW... what cool art work  8)

I want to join the Florida Chapter for the T-Shirt that Im sure is on the way!!!!  ;D

I mean... I did live 13 years in the "Sunshine State"  :)   I could make the meetings via the internet  ::)

Regards

Cliff54/77

The art work is really nice Stephen, Thanks so much for your help and again welcome., Wayne Trent

You can try setting up a Cafe Press account.? http://www.cafepress.com .? They do on-demand production of just about anything you could want, and they do not charge extra for colour.? It sure beats having a big inventory on-hand that one ends up giving away just to free up space.? Those that want a t-shirt, cap, whatever, can get what they want, and no one else need feel pressured to buy something just because some one invested personal capital on an inventory.

Check out the Cafe Press store that was set-up for http://www.p15-d24.com at http://www.cafepress.com/p15d24.

Just like to say it was nice meeting all of you at the meeting.  As we discussed, we have a need for some artwork for the region.  Here are two mock-ups I made.  We might be able to use the black and white one for a t-shirt, but it may be too complicated for a printer.  T-shirts logos with more than one color get prohibitively expensive.  According to the vendor, set up fees are 40 dollars for EACH color for each location.  (So a front and back single color logo t-shirt would be 80 dollars set up)  I'm currently looking for a full color alternative.
Anyway, just wanted to share what I have at this point and get some feedback.
Thanks,
Stephen in FL

Just reminding everyone thats interested that the IHOP meeting for the Florida chapter is tomorrow, June 21st, 2PM.

Mr. Cranbrook,

I live in Magnolia, IL, which is 40 miles north of Peoria, and 100 miles south of Beloit, WI.

Thank you for the invitation, but a 200 mile plus round trip is a bit much for a car that goes 50 mph, without an overnight stay. Also, the headlights are the original bulb type, so I try to keep after dark driving local and to a minimum. There are twice as many registered vehicles in Illinois, as when I got my first license in 1960, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's website. Many younger drivers are not familiar with tail lights that are not much bigger around than a silver dollar.

I do appreciate the invitation. I've emailed the local region of the Model A Restorer's Club to see if they'll allow me to tag along on local tours.

Regards,

Pat O'Connor

Well Pat,? athough I don't know where you live I will say that I live just accross the Illinois border on Lake Michigan and I drive to Dairyland events on a regular basis.? I feel the trip is worth it and very enjoyable.? If you haven't attended one of our events I would invite you to do so.? I often drive two hours or more for an event but the fun is in the trip as well as the meet.

I'm planning an overnight slow car tour in August about 220 miles one-way.  My work keeps me away from the Friday night cruise-in here in Loveland, but I am welcoming anyone willing to putz along w/ me at 50 mph.  While the thought process is for '40s and older cars, it will actually work well for the guys that drag race too.  They can get through the 1/4 mile in less than 12 seconds, but they can only cruise about 50 mph hwy due to the rear-end gears used for their fast take-off.  My '40s and older car buddies complain about how fast some cruises go, and so do my friends and family that drag race regularly.  We'll see how it goes.  If it's just me, I'll still have a nice weekend trip to Carhenge.

Thanks for the info, Tod.

Next time the local Model A club has a tour (they announce it in the local nespaper), I'll see if they'll let me tag along.

Regards,

Pat O'Connor

Quote from: 36 Ply on May 30, 2008, 10:23:28 AM
<snip> I've considered several times contacting the local Model A club to see if I could tour with them.<snip>

In my area the Model T Ford Club chapter is pretty good about allowing other makes come on their events. They do participation to cars built before WW2 and they tour at a very slow speed.

I agree with Captain Neon's comments below, not just concerning the Florida chapter, but all of POC.

Last fall, we took the '36 on a cruise with the Illinois Valley Cruisers (local all-make car club). We had a good time, but the club is mostly newer cars with bigger engines, and we had a bit of trouble keeping up.

Geographically, I'm in the middle, quite a ways south of the Dairyland Region and quite a ways north of the Lincolnland Region. This is nobody's fault, that's just the way it is. I've considered several times contacting the local Model A club to see if I could tour with them.

I think that the three most important words in Captain Neon's post are "keep it fun." My '36 will never be restored, for reasons I've mentioned earlier, but I've driven it from Illinois to Oklahoma and back, and I'd drive it to any cruise within a reasonable distance (it's a bit more fun if you're cruising with cars of your era; I don't like to drive the '36 much over 50 mph).

Anyway, good job, Captain Neon, there's a lot of food for thought in your post, especially the last paragraph. I have about a dozen trophies, all of them are long distance trophies from meets I travelled to years ago. Right now, they are in a box out in our tool shed. I would sell them for gas money to do more cruising in a heartbeat.

Regards,

Pat O'Connor

Essentially, you are a local club no matter how you slice it.  You are at a disadvantage because membership is limited to a now orphaned auto make and then a car has to be 25 years old.  The POC has a lot of disadvantages to local car clubs.  However, there is a benefit that most local clubs do not have.  Most local clubs are populated heavily w/ Chevy guys.  Ask for help or guidance from a Chevy guy in regards to your Plymouth and they draw a blank. 

The POC usually has people that have a very good grasp on what it takes to find parts and how to get an old Plymouth running.  My region has been in existence since the early '70s, most of the active members can't even drive their old Plymouths any more, and it is hard to get any one considering joining our local region to stick around because of the age difference and our cars are all late '40s and '50s cars, L6. 

Y'all are brand new and have the opportunity to start w/ younger people driving cars to your liking.  How many of you, really, intend to ever go to a national meet?  If I was in your shoes, I would hold a show and shine that's open to everyone w/ no exhibitor or spectator fees.  Have one nice people's choice trophy w/ your own cars exempt from the competition.  Inform those w/ Plymouths about your regular events, but don't make them feel like they have to sign up for anything just let them know that they are welcome to come and hang out. 

Once the show starts to get too big for your location, limit your show to only cars 25 years old or older, but all makes and models are welcome.  When that gets too big, then make it a MoPars only show, but all years welcome.  When that gets too big, MoPars 25 years old and older.  When that one gets too big, any Plymouth.  Finally, if you ever get to this point, only Plymouths eligible for club recognition. 

The point is keep it fun and get the competition angle out of it.  It's a lot of work, but once you start judging cars and giving trophies for different classes, charging exhibitor and spectator fees, etc. the amount of work increases and the fun goes down dramatically.  The club building portion comes into place when you advertise prominently that the show & shine is hosted by the Florida Sunshine Plymouth Owners Club.  Did I mention a good website?  Post pictures of all the Plymouths that come, and maybe a few other nice cars.  This will take years, and you may never get beyond hosting a MoPars-only all-years show.  I think the POC suffers not because it is "purist," but more so because of the competition aspect and the old boys club mentality at national meets. 

If nobody's competing for trophies, esp. in the host club, then the guys whose cars aren't perfect will feel that he can bring his cars out for a day.  It's almost like a cruise-in.  In fact, that's kind of what you want to shoot for.  The cruise-in is for any one, but to come to the other events well, ya gotta have a Plymouth.  That's my thought process on how one grows a club.  With a little bit of thought, it isn't too much work so that people begin to dread holding the show and shine.  I helped my dad and one of his friends do a similar model for a show & shine and it only took the three of us, and I wasn't really needed on show day.  I designed the fliers and helped them find homes.  We had about 100 cars, and it was fun.

Fl. Chapter, I did contact all in my zone, I mailed out a map and details of what we are working on and also sent e-mails to all POC members of zone 4 and asked for input. We are palnning on having monthly meetings at a local car cruise in and try to have fun at it. I'm sure we'll try some things that will work and some that won't, but we WILL try. It seems that just about everyone belongs to a local club, some with Mopar brands and some clubs that are open to all old cars. Even on my e-mails, I'm getting the non-stock issue. I also feel the negative feed back from the hemi- fast Mopars cars, some didn't seem to know that Ply's came with flat head 6's or 4 bangers. I love my old Ply. and drive it alot, but it is one of 6 so I see alot of things going on in other clubs and it seems tough to hold a group together.  Any input will be great, we are all ears, Thanks, Wayne

Quote from: 53coe on May 29, 2008, 12:07:43 AM
Fl. Chapter, well I quess I"ll put in my 2-cents. I think this will take a little time, as many of the people here do have to work for a living and there is life out side the POC. I agreed to help out with zone 4 and there is a 2nd meeting set for June 21st at 2pm at IHOP's on US-19 in Hudson, it is 1/4 mile north of US-19 & State road 52, there address is 12436 Hwy. 19, Hudson, Fl. there ph-# is 727 868 4252. Maybe somebody that thinks we are failing already will come down here to show us how to get this up and running in a few days. I have been in several other clubs, cars & motorcycles and I know if you have 50 members, 5-8 will be doing all the work and the ones that will not lift up a finger to help out will be the one doing all the complaining. I have been to a few cruise inn's and seen other Ply's there and when I told them about the POC starting up in FL. the responce that I got 80-90% of the time was " I can't join, because my car is not 100% STOCK ". I know I'm going to open up a can of WORMS, but I'm going to do it any way,LOL. For the club to grow and keep up with the times, they need to look at all the Ply. owners out there that will NOT JOIN, and it seems that all of them have all ready heard of the POC and how there not welcomed in if there car is not 100% stock. That's not my words, but that's what I'm hearing alot. I drive a truck all over the state and I carry the POC appl. with me and try to pass them out every chance I get. I really think here in FL. most Ply. owners want to drive there cars year round and they make changes as they see fit., thanks, Wayne

How do you intend to notify the 35 POC members in Florida's Zone 4?  Posting it here is not exactly the best way to do that.  Postcards?  Phone calls?  Letters?  Mental telepathy?  The website would be a good choice, but that's not up yet.  If you haven't attempted to notfiy any one yet, time is running short.

BTW, I've always felt out of place and unwanted at POC organised events because of my age and not necessarily because of my car.  I do, however, know a few people that have been to POC National events and were made to feel very unwelcome because they had a muscle car and not a flathead 6 powered Plymouth.  The only advice that I can offer to change perception is to host some show & shines that allow any one and have a non-judged members class all parked together.  Most people will never attend a national event and have no desire to do so.  As far as most people are concerned, if their local regional car club makes them feel welcome they will write-off "purists" like myself as a vocal minourity.  :)  I'd be happy to offer some long-term suggestions on how to grow a region if you are willing to do the work, and believe me, they will require work over several years.  Monthly meetings and expecting folks to call a contact listed in the Bulletin is not the way to build a region.

Thanks David, I'll be there with my 50 4-dr. dark blue Ply. There is over 100 members of the POC in Fl. and about 35 in zone 4. See you there, Wayne

Great job Wayne!  Hudson is in my neck of the woods!  I'll be there Saturday the 21st. and guarantee to be the youngest one there, (unless I bring my son, who I guarantee will be the youngest one there!)  I look forward to working with everyone to form some kind of club down here.  I've been tempted to join both the national woody club and the POC, however I haven't been able to justify the extra money out each year yet since there has been no local way to participate.   I'm really hopeful that something comes out of this.  I'd love to see some nice fall/winter/spring shows where the weather is really terrific here.  My car won't be 100% original either, but when its done I can't wait to show it off.  See you all there.  How many do we have so far Wayne??

Fl. Chapter, well I quess I"ll put in my 2-cents. I think this will take a little time, as many of the people here do have to work for a living and there is life out side the POC. I agreed to help out with zone 4 and there is a 2nd meeting set for June 21st at 2pm at IHOP's on US-19 in Hudson, it is 1/4 mile north of US-19 & State road 52, there address is 12436 Hwy. 19, Hudson, Fl. there ph-# is 727 868 4252. Maybe somebody that thinks we are failing already will come down here to show us how to get this up and running in a few days. I have been in several other clubs, cars & motorcycles and I know if you have 50 members, 5-8 will be doing all the work and the ones that will not lift up a finger to help out will be the one doing all the complaining. I have been to a few cruise inn's and seen other Ply's there and when I told them about the POC starting up in FL. the responce that I got 80-90% of the time was " I can't join, because my car is not 100% STOCK ". I know I'm going to open up a can of WORMS, but I'm going to do it any way,LOL. For the club to grow and keep up with the times, they need to look at all the Ply. owners out there that will NOT JOIN, and it seems that all of them have all ready heard of the POC and how there not welcomed in if there car is not 100% stock. That's not my words, but that's what I'm hearing alot. I drive a truck all over the state and I carry the POC appl. with me and try to pass them out every chance I get. I really think here in FL. most Ply. owners want to drive there cars year round and they make changes as they see fit., thanks, Wayne

I didn't know I was going to start an all out war over here.... just wanted to know when I could expect to see some old Plymouths at a show somewhere.  My car should be "done" around the time that the winter driving/show season starts down here .  If I'm the only one out there, thats starting to sound like less trouble!!  If whomever is having trouble making a basic web page, I'll volunteer my services.  I'm no html guru, but I am a computer systems analyst.. so I'll be happy to help and put together a website if the information is given to me.  (some content will need to be provided, I can make it look like something)  Is the domain registered?  Do we have hosting somewhere?  Think VERY basic at this time.  You guys have helped immensely on my own project.  Giving back is just part of the deal.   Hopefully I don't get busy at work and get scolded for allowing something to fall behind, but I hope I'll help this chapter move forward whatever way I can. 

All right.. fighters, to your corners, I want a clean fight... keep it above the belt, no kidney punches. 

when I said "day job" I was strictly referring to the fact that many of us still work full time, as opposed to being retired with more time availavble to devote to POC activities.? Captain Neon, I did not know anything about your life and would never denigrate anyone for working 2nd shift or nights. I have done both and know that it is no better or worse than working days.

and I can assure you I did not agree to take a coordinator's position in the Florida region because I wanted the fame and prestiege that goes with it.? I accepted the job because there were no other volunteers.? heck, there are only 7 POC members in zone 2 (NE Fla) and I have only received correspondence from 2 of them. not much opportunity to feed the ego here, even if that was my objective.

if you have been in POC 20 years, I'm sure you understand that less than 1/3 of the membership in any club is "active", with about half that third doing whatever needs to be done.?

Agreed, and an up-to-date website is a great way to do that.

OK guys, I think we are getting a little out of line here...Sure, the region may not be up and running properly or organized the way it should be yet, but let's give it a little more time and our new leaders a chance.? I'm here in FL and am looking forward to the region.? If this had been going on for a long time (several months to a year) now, then I would have lost faith already and agree that we're wasting our time down here.

Not sure what we need to do to get everyone on the same page (there are several areas within the FL region alone), but I would like to give these volunteers/leaders a fighting a chance at getting this thing going.? If a year from now we're still where we're at now, I'll jump on Captain Neon's bandwagon as well (no offense).

For now, I would like to look at this like the "glass is still half full" rather than it's half empty or totally empty.? One more thing I would like to add...if our current leadership here in FL is still up to the task, then please let us know and keep us informed as to what's going on, progress made, etc...communication is vital to everything (at least a bi-weekly update if possible or monthly at the very least).? If, by chance, any of the leaders feel that they will not be able to fulfill the commitment, then also let us know and we'll figure out who can take the "ball" from there.

Just let us know and keep us informed...there's a ton of potential here to make it a great region.

Thanks...

Just list me as concerned that at least three people (and probably many more) will be very disappointed if their much hoped for Florida region does not come to be because the self-appointed leaders did not have the perseverance to follow through.  I am trying to offer some constructive criticism, and advertising a website that actually doesn't exist tells me and many others that y'all are simply winging it.  Too many of us have wasted valuable Saturdays attending events that were poorly organised, and I would hate to see the POC name further sullied by big promises made that never materialise.

IMHO, it appears that you want a Florida region for your own selfish reasons.  Taking on any sort of a leadership role is supposed to be a service to others, but by your statement that y'all have day jobs, families and lives it says to me that it is all about y'all.  My constructive criticism is met with scorn and derision and that speaks volumes about what you hope to accomplish.  I've been a member of the POC for over 20 years, and I have seen regions come and go.  I've also seen local car clubs come and go in my rather short life.  If your response and the demonstration by your website are any indications, the Florida region is likely to be a stillborn example in futility.

BTW, don't try to hide your opinion of those of us that work the night shift.  If you meant full-time employment you would have said that and not "day job."  It is obvious that you feel yourself somehow superior and deserving of some sort of a pass because you work 9 to 5.  Welcome to the 21st Century!  Our economy runs on the backs of people that keep our factories running 24/7.  You think gasoline is expensive?  Just think how much more expensive it would be if the refineries and oil wells only operated for 40 hrs./wk.  You think food is expensive?  Just think how much more expensive and scarce food would be if meat packing plants and canneries only operated 40 hrs/wk.  Americans owe the standard of living they have come to expect to the army of individuals that go to work every day to run the 2nd, 3rd, and weekend shifts.

I meant exactly what I said.? no more, no less.? I suppose we should be flattered that our activities in Florida (or lack of same) are so important to you out there, but instead I''m just puzzled.

Quote from: Chris in Jax on May 12, 2008, 09:32:38 PM
what an odd comment.?exactly what is the point of scolding us down here for not living up to your expectations?? in case you haven't noticed, everyone who takes on the extra job of organizing a chapter is an unpaid volunteer.? often worth exactly what we cost, but sometimes better.? most of us have day jobs, families and lives.? sometimes it works very well, sometimes not.? I doubt if Bobbi has the inclination to kick any tails.? if we succeed it will be fun.? if we fail it will be of little consequence........

So those of us that work nights and think before we take on extra obligations are some how less in your eyes?  Despite managing a manufacturing plant with a crew of over 500 people from noon to midnight often six days a week, it is somehow better to mop floors from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday?  Is that what you mean? 

Your statement, "if we fail it will be of little consequence," is precisely the attitude that makes me perturbed.  It has been my experience that those who believe failure is of little consequence often do.

what an odd comment.?exactly what is the point of scolding us down here for not living up to your expectations?? in case you haven't noticed, everyone who takes on the extra job of organizing a chapter is an unpaid volunteer.? often worth exactly what we cost, but sometimes better.? most of us have day jobs, families and lives.? sometimes it works very well, sometimes not.? I doubt if Bobbi has the inclination to kick any tails.? if we succeed it will be fun.? if we fail it will be of little consequence........

Bobbi needs to kick some folks in the tail down there in Florida.  In the last PB, they advertised a website for the Florida Sunshine region.  However, to date, the website is still not up, and inquiries to the listed regional contact about the website have been ignored.  If their leadership won't even reply to a friendly e-mail, I am concerned about how organised they really are.  I ran into the same problem when the Tulsa region made big promises about Tulsarama that amounted to little more than blocking off a few rooms for POC leadership at an over-priced hotel.  I hate unfinished projects.  Slow works in progress don't bother me at all, but quitting when the newness and excitement wear off, and real work must begin drive me nuts.

Has anything more come of this?  Although my car is not even close to being ready, I look forward to some kind of Florida club participation.   

Great News,

The Florida individuals who are trying to organize "The Florida SunShine State Region" are as follows: Mike Bonadonna: Inverness, Florida, ; Chris Brown: Jacksonville, Florida, ; Doug and Joan Beals: Brooksville, Florida, [/u] .[/u] ; Bert Williams: Tampa, Florida, ; For additional information, please feel free to contact Bobbi Berkheimer, National Plymouth Owners Club, Vice President. email: or Ph. (308) 452-3980. All P.O.C. members? interested in participating should contact via email, Mike Bonadonna and send email copies to the other organizing members.

There are well over a hundred plus national members located in the SunShine State. Florida could become an outstanding region.

bobbib at nctc dot net

I would love to see a Florida chapter as well...I didn't see an email address for Bobbi in the Officers section, though...

Guys - contact Bobbi Berkheimer for details on the Florida Region that is forming.  You can find her e-mail in the officers listing of this site.  JB

I second that. 

Stephen in New Port Richey.

I hear that there is maybe a FL. chapter of the POC in the works. That would be great. I live close to Tampa, count me in. Thanks, Wayne, 1950 P-20