BudMan
11-03-2015, 08:34 PM
As many of you know Jared and Jay have stepped down and they have asked Amin and I to fill their roles with the VBA.
There wasn't a vote, we were asked to help and we both agreed to do what we could.
I agreed to help because the VBA has been important to me. I've gotten a lot out of it.
Not the least of which is the friendships made by attending VBA rallies.
I'm sure Amin would say the same.
I'll tell you some of my thoughts about The VBA. I'll try to be brief,
First, I want to thank everyone who has helped The VBA as National Leaders, Region Leaders, Assistant Leaders and Moderators.
Not just those currently in those positions but everyone who has helped in the past.
The VBA's success is in no small part due to your efforts.
With over 3200 VBA members and over 7000 registered user on the forum we're a large group and still growing.
While talking to Trip in Antlers last month he explained why he thought the VBA web site is important.
I confess I rarely went to the site, but as Trip said it's the face of the VBA and it explains
who we are and what we're all about to people looking for information.
Jared has put in a lot work getting it setup. Hours and hours of work.
I'm still learning my way around it.
I'll be asking for some help with information to put even more on the site.
We'll add more info about the VBA's history and past events.
It will also be a great spot to go for info on upcoming rallies and for photos and videos of past rallies.
I'm not that active on FaceBook. But many are and it's the fastest growing part of the VBA.
The fact that many connect with other member on FaceBook hasn't helped activity on the forum.
FaceBook does have several advantages compared to the forum, it has several disadvantages as well in my opinion.
But VBA members are using it and that's a good thing.
To me the forum should be the main way for members to communicate about VBA related events.
The VBA site will have information on it, the FaceBook page will also be a place to get answers to questions
but the forum should be the #1 place for members to share info and get answers to questions.
The rallies are the best part of the VBA. Period. If you haven't been you're missing out.
Connecting with other members via the internet is great, but it doesn't compare to a rally.
Yes, the forum gets your questions answered, and you get to know people somewhat,
but in that way the VBA is little more than a monitor and a keyboard.
It won't make real friendships and it certainly won't make memories.
Riding is what the VBA is all about and there is no better way to enjoy it than at a rally.
The first rally we went to was the South Central rally in 2010.
I was hesitant because I thought everyone else had known each other for years.
We'd be the new guys and not really a part of the group.
I wondered about riding with people I didn't know. I was a bit nervous about it.
Does this sound like you? Is this why you haven't gone to a rally?
I couldn't have been more wrong. I barely had the bike unloaded when someone knocked on the door.
It was Jim "Oldbikers" Hardin, the South Central leader there to welcome me.
Everyone was friendly and we quickly felt like part of the group.
I haven't missed a Regional Rally or National Rally since.
You won't find a better group of people than VBA rally go'ers.
At that time there was an excitement about the future of KawaNOW. Everyone wanted it to get bigger and better.
Many put forth the effort to make that happen. But it seems that to some it only got bigger.
Once membership grew the "It's not like it use to be" was heard.
The VBA is a great group, it's been thru changes and still has a long life ahead of it.
But it does seems like in time we've lost a little steam. I'm sure some no longer ride.
Maybe to some the new wore off and they just lost interest.
When I joined in 2009 there was a lot of activity on the forum. There is no reason why there shouldn't be today.
Yes, there is FaceBook, Twitter, email, text and a number of other ways to keep up with friends,
but from what I hear many people have waited on someone else to do something.
I don't exclude myself in that.
On more than a few occassions I've heard "Well I check this board and that one and if there is nothing new there I leave"
or "No one ever post anything I'm interested in"
The forum is about motorcycles, but not limited to only that. It isn't FaceBook and shouldn't be.
There is no need to share every aspect of your life like some do on FaceBook.
But there is an"Off Topic" section. You could post something that interests you in there.
Or your region board. Remember those?
It's said nobody in the south doesn't have a favorite football team.
There has to be a few sports fans out there somewhere. Surely there is something worth talking about.
The VBA needs it's long time members to remain active regardless of what brand they're riding.
It also needs newer members to get involved. You have to make an effort to get and stay involved.
It won't just happen.
I will add that obviously no one here can truly affect Kawasaki's decision making.
One third of the bikes that make up the Vulcan Bagger line up,
the very bike this organization was founded on is no longer in production.
But these bikes and the people who own / owned them are what the VBA is all about.
I'm sure at times Kawasaki employees read this forum.
Post that are critical of Kawasaki in regards to available features, color choices etc. is understandable.
But there is a line that if crossed makes some members, especially newer ones wonder if this is a place they want to be.
Let's stay behind that line.
As others have said before, no one needs to defend their decision to ride a Vulcan Bagger.
This forum should be the place people come to for answers to questions about their Vulcans.
I'm certain there is more knowledge here than anywhere else.
Winter is on it's way and the riding season is drawing to an end in some areas.
But the regional rallies will take place next year. Two already have information posted.
The others will be posted before long. So save a few bucks, get some time off, get on your motorcycle and go to one.
You won't regret it.
The VBA is important to me, and it will continue to be what the members make it.
It will go as far as you guys take it. You're the horses pulling the wagon.
Let's work to make a this great organization even better.
Got some ideas? Amin and I would love to hear what you think.
Respectfully,
Dave Jesse
There wasn't a vote, we were asked to help and we both agreed to do what we could.
I agreed to help because the VBA has been important to me. I've gotten a lot out of it.
Not the least of which is the friendships made by attending VBA rallies.
I'm sure Amin would say the same.
I'll tell you some of my thoughts about The VBA. I'll try to be brief,
First, I want to thank everyone who has helped The VBA as National Leaders, Region Leaders, Assistant Leaders and Moderators.
Not just those currently in those positions but everyone who has helped in the past.
The VBA's success is in no small part due to your efforts.
With over 3200 VBA members and over 7000 registered user on the forum we're a large group and still growing.
While talking to Trip in Antlers last month he explained why he thought the VBA web site is important.
I confess I rarely went to the site, but as Trip said it's the face of the VBA and it explains
who we are and what we're all about to people looking for information.
Jared has put in a lot work getting it setup. Hours and hours of work.
I'm still learning my way around it.
I'll be asking for some help with information to put even more on the site.
We'll add more info about the VBA's history and past events.
It will also be a great spot to go for info on upcoming rallies and for photos and videos of past rallies.
I'm not that active on FaceBook. But many are and it's the fastest growing part of the VBA.
The fact that many connect with other member on FaceBook hasn't helped activity on the forum.
FaceBook does have several advantages compared to the forum, it has several disadvantages as well in my opinion.
But VBA members are using it and that's a good thing.
To me the forum should be the main way for members to communicate about VBA related events.
The VBA site will have information on it, the FaceBook page will also be a place to get answers to questions
but the forum should be the #1 place for members to share info and get answers to questions.
The rallies are the best part of the VBA. Period. If you haven't been you're missing out.
Connecting with other members via the internet is great, but it doesn't compare to a rally.
Yes, the forum gets your questions answered, and you get to know people somewhat,
but in that way the VBA is little more than a monitor and a keyboard.
It won't make real friendships and it certainly won't make memories.
Riding is what the VBA is all about and there is no better way to enjoy it than at a rally.
The first rally we went to was the South Central rally in 2010.
I was hesitant because I thought everyone else had known each other for years.
We'd be the new guys and not really a part of the group.
I wondered about riding with people I didn't know. I was a bit nervous about it.
Does this sound like you? Is this why you haven't gone to a rally?
I couldn't have been more wrong. I barely had the bike unloaded when someone knocked on the door.
It was Jim "Oldbikers" Hardin, the South Central leader there to welcome me.
Everyone was friendly and we quickly felt like part of the group.
I haven't missed a Regional Rally or National Rally since.
You won't find a better group of people than VBA rally go'ers.
At that time there was an excitement about the future of KawaNOW. Everyone wanted it to get bigger and better.
Many put forth the effort to make that happen. But it seems that to some it only got bigger.
Once membership grew the "It's not like it use to be" was heard.
The VBA is a great group, it's been thru changes and still has a long life ahead of it.
But it does seems like in time we've lost a little steam. I'm sure some no longer ride.
Maybe to some the new wore off and they just lost interest.
When I joined in 2009 there was a lot of activity on the forum. There is no reason why there shouldn't be today.
Yes, there is FaceBook, Twitter, email, text and a number of other ways to keep up with friends,
but from what I hear many people have waited on someone else to do something.
I don't exclude myself in that.
On more than a few occassions I've heard "Well I check this board and that one and if there is nothing new there I leave"
or "No one ever post anything I'm interested in"
The forum is about motorcycles, but not limited to only that. It isn't FaceBook and shouldn't be.
There is no need to share every aspect of your life like some do on FaceBook.
But there is an"Off Topic" section. You could post something that interests you in there.
Or your region board. Remember those?
It's said nobody in the south doesn't have a favorite football team.
There has to be a few sports fans out there somewhere. Surely there is something worth talking about.
The VBA needs it's long time members to remain active regardless of what brand they're riding.
It also needs newer members to get involved. You have to make an effort to get and stay involved.
It won't just happen.
I will add that obviously no one here can truly affect Kawasaki's decision making.
One third of the bikes that make up the Vulcan Bagger line up,
the very bike this organization was founded on is no longer in production.
But these bikes and the people who own / owned them are what the VBA is all about.
I'm sure at times Kawasaki employees read this forum.
Post that are critical of Kawasaki in regards to available features, color choices etc. is understandable.
But there is a line that if crossed makes some members, especially newer ones wonder if this is a place they want to be.
Let's stay behind that line.
As others have said before, no one needs to defend their decision to ride a Vulcan Bagger.
This forum should be the place people come to for answers to questions about their Vulcans.
I'm certain there is more knowledge here than anywhere else.
Winter is on it's way and the riding season is drawing to an end in some areas.
But the regional rallies will take place next year. Two already have information posted.
The others will be posted before long. So save a few bucks, get some time off, get on your motorcycle and go to one.
You won't regret it.
The VBA is important to me, and it will continue to be what the members make it.
It will go as far as you guys take it. You're the horses pulling the wagon.
Let's work to make a this great organization even better.
Got some ideas? Amin and I would love to hear what you think.
Respectfully,
Dave Jesse