I’ve had the privilege of serving many years in the Western Region and have made friendships I never would have imagined through this club. That’s why writing this letter is difficult—but also necessary.
Our Lincoln and Continental Owners Club Western Region has reached an important crossroads, and the direction we take from here is one that only you, our membership, can decide.
Our region currently includes approximately 230 active LCOC National members in California and 15 active members in Nevada. While that represents a dedicated group of Lincoln enthusiasts, participation in our activities has declined. One challenge is that approximately 15 percent of our members have chosen not to provide an email address, making it impossible to communicate with them quickly about upcoming tours, meetings, technical sessions, and other events.
Several years ago, we eliminated mandatory Western Region dues to encourage participation, but attendance is unchanged. Ironically, those who do attend consistently tell us how much they enjoy the fellowship, the beautiful cars, and the friendships they experience.
To maintain reasonable attendance and offer a wider variety of activities, we have increasingly partnered with other car clubs. While these joint events have been successful, they also require more planning, coordination, and volunteer effort.
The old saying many hands make for light work applies here. But our Board of Managers has been operating one member short for well over a year, and three additional board terms expire at the end of 2026. If these positions are not filled for 2027, we simply will not have enough volunteers to organize and conduct the events and activities our members have come to enjoy.
If we don’t nominate enough board volunteers by the end of August, we may be forced to consider dissolving the Western Region. If that were to happen, many of the activities, friendships, and opportunities that make LCOC membership so rewarding would disappear.
With one exception, every current board member has already served multiple three-year terms. Several are also performing two or more jobs that were originally intended for separate individuals. This is not a sustainable situation, nor is it fair to continually ask the same small group of volunteers to donate their time, expertise—and, occasionally, their own money—for the benefit of the entire membership.
There are nearly 250 members in our region and the solution is simple. All we ask is for a few of you who love Lincolns, enjoy spending time with fellow classic car enthusiasts, appreciate having knowledgeable people to help with restoration projects or recommend trusted vendors, have experience or a desire to learn social media or communications, or possess organizational, financial, or administrative skills, to help as a board member.
The Board of Managers plans and conducts tours, regional meets and social events; maintains our website; manages membership records and communications; oversees our bank and PayPal accounts; pays the region’s bills; and keeps the organization operating smoothly. None of this happens without dedicated volunteers. This may sound intimidating, but enthusiasm is actually the most important qualification. The reality is board service is fun and creates so much enjoyment for so many folks but even more for you—the individual volunteer.
Nominations are now open through the end of August for the current board vacancy and the three positions whose terms expire this year. Incumbents may seek re-election, and any member in good standing may nominate themselves.
If you would like to serve, please send a head-and-shoulders photograph along with a brief statement of approximately 150 words describing yourself and your interest in board service to our Acting Secretary: Elayne Bendel at epbendel@sbcglobal.net.
Thank you for your membership, your support, and your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim
James Ayres, Director,
Western Region Lincoln and Continental Owners Club
P.S. If you become a board member your service will be rewarded many times over! You’ll get way more enjoyment and satisfaction than you can imagine. Why not give it a try?
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