The decision to separate from VCA should not be hard one for any region with some sense of morals and an interest in doing the right thing for their members. Whatever is lost in the process (Money, parts, etc.,) who cares. A new club can be formed along with their own website if it’s deemed necessary.
First off, all we have ever heard from the leadership of VCA is how the relationship with the manufacturer is what makes the VCA so much different than any other car club. No other manufacturer does what Chrysler does for the VCA. They let us in on advanced product information, offer coupons, offer the Cool Program, get our opinions on new interiors and colors and what the next Viper should be, fund dinners at VOI and supply cars to VOI and Zone Rendezvous, sell viper parts to VPA for scrap value, allow VPA to be a Mopar Dealer, etc., etc., and how we as members of the VCA should feel so very very special that this relationship exists and is SO important. They valued this relationship so much that they made the Presidents and *** members sign conflict of interests and non-disclosure forms.
These same people that valued this manufacturer relationship threw it all away in the interest of keeping their power, not showing the members or *** the “books” and above all keeping John B suspended from the club. Really? Jon B was so important that you destroyed the VCA? These individuals plotted exactly what actions they would take to discredit and get in trouble the very person that saved the Viper and made sure the corporation was doing everything they possibly could to promote the VCA and keep it financially viable. Yes, a document authored by VCA past and present officers spelled out what actions they were going to do to attack Ralph Gilles to “keep him out of VCA business”.
Ralph approached the then VCA leadership before VOI -12 (actually at the Viper Café debut) to say that he was receiving more and more complaints from VCA Presidents about transparency and the lack of communication within the club. He also said the ban on Jon B was childish and was viewed as an attempt to keep the competition away from VPA. So he told them changes were needed to be made.
Their response was to sit down and put a calculated plan of actions to discredit and remove Ralph. This document outlines the very actions they would take. One of the items was to write a letter to Sergio complaining (you have seen this one - Tim Wollesen), another was to write an anonymous letter to Chrysler Special investigations making up claims of bribes and illegal activities done by Ralph along with other devious items. This letter will surface hopefully soon along with the letter of planned actions. What they did was way beyond unethical and only when this was brought into question when the Wollesen letter surfaced did they have to react to say that Tim resigned and to cover up the plan. It’s his warehouse that VPA pays to store the parts. So how can this relationship continue to exist with this individual after this act? In most circles this is known as biting the hand that feeds you… this action alone would have any organization instantly removing all those involved from office. NO true *** that is looking out for the club and members best interests would have this going on for weeks now with no outcome. A simple vote of removal is all that is needed, it’s beyond the point of caring who was or was not involved, they are all OUT! There is no trust in the current leadership or the past for that matter to be involved in ANY ASPECT of the VCA.
Think about it, this leadership in the interest of keeping the books secret, protecting their salaries, and keeping Jon out of the club sat down and plotted to have Ralph removed. UNBELIEVABLE is the only word to describe it and this alone is enough to cause any region to leave VCA. Now this very board is suspending anyone that is attempting to touch their good old boys click. That should speak loudly to the membership! They need to keep their power vote, so anyone not on board will soon be suspended.
Over the past three years at the *** meetings and Presidents meetings a request to review the books has always made. The answer was yes they are open to anyone to view. See us after the meeting, where it has been one excuse after another. “Oh I forgot them”, or “it’s too close to the dinner see me afterwards”. When the pressure got to the boiling point they assign a handpicked “oversight” committee to review them. The summary is all is well. Maybe it is… but why so secret and why would you go to the level of trying to destroy Ralph all in the interest of trying to keep everything secret and Jon B out of the club.
Now the latest Raffle, where no license was applied for plain and simple. Most states require the license number to be written on the ticket and used in advertising. Repeated requests of a simple question of where was the raffle held and licensed still go unanswered. Why no response? If everything is above board why not answer this simple question. The reason there is no answer is once disclosed where it took place, then anyone can look up what the gaming laws in that state and what fines or actions can take place if a raffle is held that is not licensed. So obviously if the raffle was illegal or unlicensed this question will remain unanswered. Depending on state, no license is at least a fine, but in some states it’s a confiscation of the prizes. Tell that to the winner of the Viper that he has to give the car back. Most states require residency status, so it has to be filed either in Michigan home of the registered agent or in MO, where they are headquartered.
For those you that questioned why MCVO did not handle the raffle as in years past the answer is easy. They had an audit with the State of Michigan gaming commission as they have had in the past and they found a number of concerning issues that they wanted addressed in future raffles. Those being identified, MCVO stated to VCA that in order for them to continue to hold the raffles in Michigan under MCVO, these requirements would have to be met. VCA decided to pull the raffle with no explanation. Michigan had very simple requirements, one account where all monies come in and go out of, the other is a complete documentation of individual ticket sales versus Venom packs. Michigan has found out in other raffles held by other organizations that there is a chance for embezzlement of funds when you have different pricing on tickets and quantities. If three people purchased individual tickets at $125 each, for a total of $375 but the books state it was one individual that purchased a 3-pack at $100 each, there could be a pocketing of the extra $75.00. They wanted a clear listing and account balance on the ticket sales.
If anyone thinks the relationship of VCA and Chrysler can be restored to past levels, you’re kidding yourself. Ralph has gotten burned by trying to help out the car club. Anyone that knows the corporate world knows that Auto Manufacturers don’t get involved to the level Chrysler did in car clubs. With what has happened and this embarrassment to all involved a well-kept distance will now be required. They obviously will keep a decent relationship with us for past loyalty of our product purchase with the hope of future purchases. Ralph is not your ordinary Executive; he has a passion for cars and for this car and was willing to do anything to please the Viper Nation. Having now been reprimanded for his actions and involvement, the relationship will be cordial, but no more will he let his guard down only to be punished by his superiors if anything goes wrong.
So any President or board member that can continue to support the current leadership staying in position with the above knowledge has in my view; no morals, is drunk on the Kool-Aid, in denial or somehow is on the payroll. Remember, it was 3 out of the four current officers that ONLY ANNOUNCED their candidacy to run for office less than one week before elections that won, so you know the cancer goes way beyond just the current and past officers.
The only avenue we as members have is to leave and file the lawsuits. This will be in courts for years and they know it. It was an illegal raffle, locking down those funds and no one renewing will immediately put the financial pressures on them. They said they had no funds and needed this past raffle (i.e. Dan the treasurer letter to Presidents). Boycott VPA, and you have them. Membership renewal starts October 1st, no renewals makes them powerless. No part sales will really begin to hurt soon. Vote with your wallets. The individual regions can have a great 2014 and slowly work together to decide the future of a new club. By regions pulling out of VCA, hopefully it pushes the much needed change or leads to a new and better Viper Club.
Being that MCVO is located in Michigan and has close ties to Chrysler, they felt the need to approach Chrysler before a decision was made as not to embarrass them by stating they were thinking about “walking away from VCA”. Chrysler’s response was “RUN”. Enough said!
