May 14, 2007

Open Letter to Members: Audi Club North America

Dear Audi Enthusiast:

I am writing this letter to reaffirm my personal support, and that of Audi of America, Inc., to the Audi Club of North America.

The Audi Club of North America is an independent, private organization, and while we take keen interest in the activities of the Club, Audi of America has no desire to interfere or become involved in the management and day to day administration of the Club. However, we have a vested interest in ensuring the continued growth and vibrant success of the Club.

While not wishing to become embroiled in the tension which presently exists between certain members of the Board, it is an inescapable fact that the situation is not healthy, and is not in the long-term best interests of the Club.

Our support is to the Club - not to individual members or to specific members of the Board of Directors. I would, however, encourage the Executive Management of the Club to adopt an inclusive as opposed to an exclusionary approach, and to utilize the available expertise, experience and enthusiasm of members, and to apply this in the interest of the Club which we all value highly.

We encourage all parties to work towards finding a speedy resolution, placing the interests of the Club above all else. I would also encourage Club members to take a more active role in the affairs of the Club and to participate in elections - the democratic process does not work well in the face of voter apathy.

We look forward to the continued success of the Club, and assure you of our continued support.

Sincerely yours,

Johan de Nysschen

Is there some internal rif between the Audi Club North America Board & members of the club? I got my letter today, and I was concerned that Audi of America is distancing themselves from the apparent conflict.

...resulting in a lawsuit. It's gotten bad enough that AoA has had to say something. There's plenty of info in the link below. You should probably start with the ACNA Issue Summary, work your way through the legal letters & lawsuit and continue on from there.

I would advise that you don't take my word for it. Ask questions of your BOD, your Chapter Rep, the ACNA BoD and EC. This is your club and it needs to be run according to the bylaws, state laws and code of ethics. Right now, it is in a very bad place.<ul><li><a href="http://www.porridgehead.com/acna">Lots of documents</a></li></ul>

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125278/a31.jpg"></center><p>

Since the 2 board members are from the Midwest, thought you'd like to see comments from other people over there.<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/midwest/msgs/10497.phtml">http://forums.audiworld.com/midwest/msgs/10497.phtml</a</li></ul>

After reading Mr. de Nysschen's letter which came in the mail today, I reviewed the club bylaws.

It appears 5% of the membership can petition for a meeting. My thought is we see how many 5% is, then call a meeting to impeach Anderson, Esmail, Sampson, Veglia and Tommasi.

Nothing in the by-laws about how to do a recall, but this seems to be the rules.

Anybody game?

4.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members of this organization may be called at any time by the Chairman, Board of Directors, or upon written request from at least 5% of the membership of the Club. Anyone entitled to call a special meeting of the members may make written request to the Chairman to call the meeting, setting forth time and purpose thereof, to be held no later than 90 days after receiving the request. If a special meeting is demanded by the members, the meeting shall be held in the county where the current Club office is located. If the Secretary fails to give notice of the special meeting within 30 days from the date on which the request is received by the Chairman, the member(s) who requested the meeting may fix the time and place of the meeting and give notice thereof at least 30 days in advance of the special meeting date. The business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting.

4.4. Proxy Voting. The notice of any type of meeting at which members may vote by proxy shall so inform the members and shall describe the procedure for appointing proxies.

4.5. Voting Quorum. At all types of meetings of the members, each active member shall be entitled to cast one vote on any question coming before the meeting. Members may vote by proxy. Cumulative voting shall not be permitted. The presence of 5% of ACNA's membership in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum of any meeting thereof. The members present and entitled to vote at any meeting, although less than a quorum may adjourn the meeting from time to time. A majority vote of the members present and entitled to vote at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to transact any business. When any meeting of the members is adjourned to another time and place, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given other than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment takes place.

Hey All,

Just thought I'd chime in on this - yes, there are some interesting things going on and many are concerned about the current leadership among the BOD and Executive Committee of ACNA.

Clearly, AoA is aware of these concerns and, as they say, the "tensions" resulting from it.

As President of the Cherokee Chapter, I'm rather surprised as to the level that things have reached and am still very much in an information collection mode. I will do my best to keep our members up to date on the latest developments though and invite you to contact me directly if you have any specific questions.

While I've been aware of the escalation of events, I've also tried to stay focused on the Cherokee Chapter - the events we hold, building membership, community and involvement.

It's unfortunate that things have gotten to the point where such issues become so large that time and energy must be taken away from our local efforts to deal with them.

I'm very hopeful though that in the long run, these issues will be resolved and that ACNA, along with all it's chapters will come out stronger and better equipped to serve our members.

Sincerely,