Directors Report

THE BROKEN WRENCH Mar-2013- VOL. XXXIX. Number 03

CLASSIC THUNDERBIRD CLUB OF ST. LOUIS

Since Perry Anthony was unable to attend the CTCI Board Meeting (Doctor's orders), we are publishing this account by Martin Bierman, Director, Region 5. Perry is facing surgery in the near future, so we wish for his speedy recovery.

Region 5 Director's Report
Spring 2013

Greetings from the CTCI Board of Directors. I would like to share with you some CTCI information from our Annual Board Meeting February 7-9. CTCI finished the 2012-year strong, with a very successful International Convention in Memphis last August. The event generated lots of publicity and the club store sold a significant amount of 50th anniversary merchandise. We ended the year with approximately 5700 members (that) is similar to last year. Jack Gray was hired as Managing Director last October and (he) has proven to be a valuable asset. He has updated our accounting system, inventory, and policy and procedures manual. Several projects are in development that will relate to member recruitment and Chapter benefits. Unfortunately, our 2012 budget ended in the red, due mainly to increased personnel expenses and required some supplement from our savings. We also will be over budget for 2013 due to some needed capital improvements and computer replacements. Since most of our revenue is from membership dues a Board working committee to develop a strategy to increase membership was established. It is possible that a member dues increase will be needed in the future. The 2013 President of the Board is Bill Long, a retired Ford executive from Tennessee; Vice-President and Secretary are Geraldine Nuckels and Sandra Hood (respectively) from our own Region 5 and Texas; Sue Smith (CA) will serve as interim Treasurer until her replacement is found. Watch for more CTCI involvement with our Chapters this coming year, with a Chapter benefit program and a member recruitment program.

Two Regional Conventions are scheduled this summer. Region 3 will host a Convention in San Jose, CA July 31 - August 4 and the Region 2 Convention will be in Des Moines, IA August 21-25. 1 would like as many of our Region 5 members to attend the Des Moines Convention as possible. The Hawkeye Classic Thunderbird Club has been working hard to develop a Convention that will be fun and enjoyable. Please bring or drive your Thunderbirds to Des Moines so we can have a great show. As of this report we do not have a club to host the 2014 Convention, and if no club comes forward, CTCI itself may need to sponsor the Convention. Many classic car clubs have the national office develop and sponsor their Conventions, but CTCI has always had local Chapters willing to volunteer in the past.

This will be my last year on the Board, and according to the Bylaws, I have to sit out two years before I could return to the Board. I have enjoyed my time on the Board and as the 2010 President and 2012 Vice-President. I would encourage Region 5 members to run for the 2014 Board. A call for resumes will be in the EarlyBird this summer.

Thanks, and enjoy the Thunderbirds this summer.
Martin Bierman
CTCI Region 5 Director