Straight Talk Jul/Aug 2024
Straight Talk from the “Mann” Cave
Bruce Mann
Wow this is my fourth article written for MGA! It is amazing how time goes by. We are into the summer months and several of us have already driven to many events this year.
NAMGAR is holding our GT in Oregon this year, number 49 and many of us are taking different methods of transportation to get us there. Planes, trains, and our beloved mg automobiles.
As of this edition of MGA! we have numerous members already registered for GT-49 but have room for more. The host hotel is full but there are other options to stay close buy and enjoy the beautiful event. The pacific northwest is a great place to visit and knock off one of your bucket list items. Please visit our website at www.namgar.com and check in for GT-49 hosted by the Columbia Gorge Chapter of NAMGAR.
Shifting away from the GT, I would like to communicate a couple of things accomplished during our yearly board meeting. First and most important we believe our register is in good standing. We have 1700 members worldwide and a very healthy and active register.
We discussed a possible change in direction to re-enter the Council of MG registers. A couple of years ago we the NAMGAR register resigned its position with the North American Council of MG registers. The current council is organized with an executive committee of two and comprised of the chairman of each register, NAMGBR, MMM, and NEMGTR.
Most recently I have written a position letter to the Council. The letter highlights what would be required if NAMGAR were to reconsider joining the council. There are many things that we feel must change if we are to rejoin the council. Time will tell how this we all work out. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this topic, please drop me a note at chairman@namgar.com.
Another subject we discussed and changed was regarding NAMGAR Regionals. We decided to relax the event criteria to allow regionals to be held every year for any NAMGAR chapter wishing to hold a NAMGAR sponsored event. Our regional guidelines were updated to reflect this change. We feel that with our annual GTs, and this bold change, this should give NAMGAR more exposure and assist with continual growth of our register.
We want to be able to attract younger car enthusiasts to our popular MGA marque. The board feels that the more we promote NAMGAR with events across North America and the rest of the world we will have more opportunities for our members to get together. If a NAMGAR chapter meets the criteria for a regional, we will support that activity year after year. We must insist, however. that the regional timing does not interfere with the national GT event.
Another change going forward is that we have agreed that our cover and centerfold pictures in MGA! should be of our members cars. Our cars and our members will continue to be our focal point along with our very popular technical articles. We want to highlight your MGAs and all the hard work that goes into maintaining and or restoring your cars. Please send your pictures, along with any information you would like to share about your photo. We hope you like this change and support it by submitting your photos to the editor@namgar.com We will be making every attempt to put your car pictures and activities on the web site as well. That email is address for our website is communications@namgar.com.
I have also attached a current organizational chart that indicates how NAMGAR is structured. The position title is identified on the chart. The individual names of each person responsible for their activity are located on page 4 of MGA!
Hope to see you in Oregon for GT-49 at Welches. Get there safely!
The road to success is always under construction.
