I’d like to offer a suggestion for National Board members to consider here where there is more time than in a BoD meeting …

The VOA lacks a defined Vision of what it wants to be or become in the future, lacks a defined mission that outlines what it needs to do to get there, and lacks specific strategic goals and actionable plans to accomplish that. This is what’s required for organizations to be successful, and the VOA is no different.

If the Board were to help define a single vision, the how to get there part would become more obvious for all to see, and inform every decision being considered so those goals can be achieved. Without a vision there can be no coherent Board strategy, with decisions being made that are detrimental to the direction where the Board might choose it needs to head.

If the vision was for instance,“creating a community that welcomes and represents the interests of all Viper owners around the world”, what would the needed “how” look like that would be guiding Board decisions?

You’d welcome and offer appeal for every owner to participate in the community in some way, and encourage greater long-term engagement and membership with the website, social media, magazine, national events, and active and appealing regions.

The first specific strategic goal would be to ensure the VOA recognizes and respects the needs of all owners, and to create a home for everyone. Will the current plans for the new website do that, do the restrictions for the magazine, and do restrictions on who can attend NVE? While the Board doesn’t run regions, it also isn’t helping with some of the decisions it is making. Did the 2023 Membership levels address the needs of all owners who wanted to be paid members, regardless of where they live, and what their interests were? Not so much.

Another strategic goal needs to be to offer appeal and benefits that encourage enthusiasts to become members, rather than discourage them from being part of the VOA. While the VOA has successfully focused on cutting costs and balancing the budget, it’s time to establish a vision, and coordinate all efforts to that pursuit. Financial stability will come from enlarging the tent, and growing both enthusiast forum users and membership. If that becomes a primary goal then some major changes need to be made.

There are many goals needed and opportunities realized to re-invent the VOA to become more relevant to more owners, but the path forward isn’t obvious without a vision…and that’s what I hope the National Board will determine with each of you supporting and contributing to that conversation.

Bruce Hadfield