October 2000

I am going to take this opportunity of my column to talk about the upcoming election of the TE/ AE Board of Directors. This is an historic first for our Club, having the members at large directly choose who governs TE/AE. We have a number of great candidates nominated. Now you, as the electorate, must choose. But what is it that you should look for in a Director?

In my view, it is someone who has been in the Club for a good long while and, therefore, knows what our membership wants and needs. He or she has seen what has worked well and what hasn't. He or she has demonstrated their commitment to the Club by holding office, sponsoring regional events and/or running Uniteds. They love the Marque. They have the desire and time to serve as one of only seven top leaders of the Club. They possess the knowledge and judgment to provide oversight and leadership to the Elected Officers, who may not be familiar with the Club's history and ways. We need people who do not hesitate to speak up, to challenge, to question. And, I believe we need people who can lead the Club into the future as our membership demographics change and as the influence of the Internet on our Club continues to unfold.

qualified people. Your job is to pick the best seven men and women for leading this Club. I ask you to all take this responsibility very seriously, to do your homework and to vote.

If there are any further nominations for Officers or Board members, please let me know via telephone or email (jpmorrison@erols.com) before 15 October, 2000. In the November edition of the Rootes Review, we will publish the bios of all candidates for Director and Elected Officer and will have the ballot in the December edition. The voting deadline will be shortly after the first of the year.

Each month I have been giving you an update on my 347-stroker motor and 5-speed project. The engine builder is still running way behind schedule. My goal of having it in and debugged in time to drive it to the SOS event in Birmingham is not possible. If all goes as promised, I will get the engine four days before leaving for the SOS. I had toyed with the thought of replacing only the transmission for this trip but as I got into it and realized how much of the work would have to be duplicated just to get the 5speed in, I abandoned that path. The trip will be made with the toploader and 302 in it.

I don't think we can go wrong with any of the nominees for the Board. All are experienced, I hope you all can make it to the SOS and I look forward to seeing you there.