By John Adam, UCR Historian (from December Provinz, page 42)Our president, Mike Bryan, is our 32nd and is serving his second term. He is directing a club that has distinguished itself many times. We have been recognized as PCA Region of the Year a third time; our membership growth has been outstanding and trophied eight times; our membership co-chairs Mark and Angie Herring were recognized for their singular effort when they received the 1991 Zone Representatives Award and we continue to be grateful for their now 30 years of outstanding service. Our newsletter has trophied several times, including 2014 when it was deemed to be the best in all of PCA. Our website remains amongst the finest in PCA, having trophied six times previously. Our members have been recognized internationally, for example Botho von Bose is a former PCA Enthusiast of the Year.
After 39 years of growth and success, we need to thank those that first had the idea to form a club. Geoff McCord was their leader. In 1976, perhaps it was just a band of enthusiasts who needed to learn how to fix their Porsches. Hans Pfaff was a proud supporter from the very start and the H.J. Pfaff dealership continues its support to this day. Mosport’s Porsche Park came on the scene in 1976. Mosport, now called Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, is still an important part of our Porsche Club activities and we are seeing continued improvement at the venue under the new ownership.
We started with 25 members and we had 190 at our 10th anniversary in 1986. Today, we are over 2547 strong, with family members taking us to 3825 as of October 1. It took a while to really get rolling, but baby, look at us now—the largest Region in all of PCA!
Sometimes we find a way to give something to the community and sometimes we get it back in other ways. At the end of the day, it makes you feel good to belong to an organization like the Porsche Club.
Proper Protocol at Meetings
At the end of November’s Board Meeting, the janitor entered the room and looked in amazement at the UCR dignitaries around the table. There was a flurry of standing and sitting until all were on their feet and they finally swept out from the room. He asked outgoing secretary Jill Clements-Baartman for an explanation. “The tradition,” Jill replied, “goes back a long way. When the meeting is over, the president, Mike Bryan, can move (either sit or stand) at will. However, the vice president, Kathleen Wong, can move only while the president is seated. The treasurer, Peter Oakes, can go for coffee only while the vice president is seated and the president is standing. The director responsible for tours, Hazel de Burgh, can move only if the Provinz editor, Randy Gananathan, is seated. Finally, the past president, Walter Murray, can move only if the secretary is seated and the treasurer has risen.”
“It seems complicated, but after a while, they get quite good at mastering the moves and getting into the elevator before it is full.”
New officers have now been elected to the Board. They must take careful note of the protocol at these important meetings. We wish them well in their endeavours.
When you open the bubbly later this month, make a toast to the good times and happy memories made possible by the Porsche Club of America, Upper Canada Region Inc. In 2016, we look forward to continued good times with good friends in the Porsche Club.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
