FLU ELECTIONS-QUESTIONS

[So Cal Mark]

Steve
When Eladio and I first decided to start a chapter, the only event was BFI. At that gathering we talked with many people that wanted more activity. That year I scheduled the Turkey Trot and Super Bowl Strut and had decent turn-outs. We set up a lunch gathering and mini car show at an Italian restaurant in Walnut that expressed interest in letting us hold meetings there. We had a very good turn out and that's where I pitched the idea of a chapter and asked for volunteers to serve merely to get the chapter up and running. Then we'd hold an election and open it up to any members to serve and decide on a mission statement, goals, costs etc. The only person who volunteered was brand new to Fiats, had no computer or desire to get one. A year later we were in the same spot with the only events being the ones I scheduled. That's about the time Ryan came on the scene and you know the rest.

Now that the history lesson is over (and believe me there is a lot more leading up to the start of the story) I'll tell you why I wanted a chapter; liability insurance. If you're involved on a youth soccer BOD I'm sure you've had discussions about directors' liability. With the potential of litigation that could lead to financial ruin for an event organizer. With any drive (spirited or not) the planner is at major risk in the event of an accident. Take for instance your recent accident with an under-insured driver. If we had been on our way to the Ridge Route when that happened I shudder to think about being named as a co-defendent. What if a catastrophic accident occured while we were hot-footing it up the canyon? The unfortunate widow would have no problem naming anyone involved with planning the event. FLU has liability insurance to cover any of their sanctioned events.

You're exactly right about So Cal, there are enough owners here if any of us want company we just have to announce it and at least a few people show up. There could be more though, at least for those who want it

[mdrburchette]

Mark, you hit the most important issue dead on. In the current sue-happy society we live in, it's not hard to imagine a scenario like that unfolding. In fact, after having a few incidents in the mountains of North Carolina during the last two Moonshine Rally events, it has been anounced that there will no longer be a rally to the dismay of many of us that were there since it's conception. The rally in May was like the beginning of our driving season and we used it to knock the rust off our rotors. Tis no more, due to the fact that our "club" has no liability insurance. We couldn't subject the town of Elkin to the chance at being sued, or the organizers of the rally, an elderly couple who's only fault is their love of cars.

When I planned my Dixie Fiatfest, I did it under the FLU banner, partly to bring awareness to the club, but mainly to have access to the insurance. I could not have had my autocross event without it. For those people that were not a FLU member, there is a $5 day membership fee, which is well worth the money for coverage.

[mbouse]

I have misplaced my FLU bible but maybe Mike can correct me if I'm wrong. For a chapter to be a true chapter, you only need two people. One for President and one for Vice President/secretary. I can't remember how many meetings you need, but it seems like it was one yearly meeting. It really isn't much to get going, but it does take time to build it up. You're lucky where you are, Mark, because you have good weather most of the time. Of course, that could be a curse, since people don't have to wait for an invitation to an event to drive their Fiats.

four total, two of which must be officers as described above. that and ONE annual meeting to officially give the members the opportunity to discuss serious chapter business.

to maintain sanctioning, all chapter members must be FLU members. this is because of the liability insurance mandates. yeah, that's right... you'd be covered with liability insurance.

that is it! the rest of the rules you make up as suits you. there is not ANY reports mandated back to the national group. no additional dues or fees required. nothing.

and, personally.... i'd kill a small dawg to have the opportunities you already have with the owner base. I'll bet there are more Lancias in Los Angeles than there are in Michigan.

[mbouse]

Steve,

no flames will be shot. you have a valid point, and it is a grand question. you already have activity, you already have opportunity. A FLU chapter cannot provide more or better social format that any other structured or loose organization of car enthusiests could provide (or already do for you). in that, Steve, you are correct.

mark hit the pay-back nail on the head. you have no liability insurance. and, if you were to formally organize in any other manner, you'd have to PAY to get liability insurance.

additionally.... if there is no strong local chapter, the chances of a Fiat Freak Out happening in your area are slim to none.

[jimincalif]

mark hit the pay-back nail on the head. you have no liability insurance. and, if you were to formally organize in any other manner, you'd have to PAY to get liability insurance.

additionally.... if there is no strong local chapter, the chances of a Fiat Freak Out happening in your area are slim to none.

At $35 a year to get this coverage, this sounds like the deal of the century. If we want people to organize events, having this coverage for them is only reasonable and a small price to pay. Do you know what the flu policy limits of liability are?

I'm willing to be an organizing board member for a local chapter, and serve a term if elected. I'm not much of a mechanic, but I have herded cats before in other organizations.

[mbouse]

that $35 membership dues provides more than just the insurance coverage. you cannot participate in a FFO without being a member. no sanctioned chapter will readily accept your participation in certain events w/out questioning your membership status.. and you'll get six copies of RICAMBI. there are other intrinsic values to being a club member as well.

no, i do not have that policy verbiage. that's not my job, but i could and would put you in touch with the right people who will answer those questions at the appropriate time. this forum is not the place for that. Get serious about a chapter and form a mini-committee. present your opportunities and roadblocks to me as the membership director--privately via email, and i will bend over backwards to help you get all your questions answered and provide materials and assistance in building a chapter.

but, basically, to keep the conversation rolling here... liability insurance coverage would protect the chapter, protect the national club, but most importantly protect the event organizers from liability associated with a mishap. our insurance company insists on FLU membership, and i believe insists that the individual participants carry their personal auto insurance. DON'T QUOTE me..i don't have the policy at hand.

Sam the Spider Man is in your group. Mark and Jim organize a cruise for the group. Sam hits Bunnie the SUV soccer mom's car. Bunnie hires a lawyer who discovers that Mark has a repair shop, and sues Mark for damages...sues Sam for the limit of his insurance coverage, and sues Jim for everything he can.

think this cannot happen? it has, and it will again. Nearly happened in Chicago. they call that accident "the unfortunate incident"

[So Cal Mark]

it's the main reason I haven't organized more drives

[lmandb]

Been reading the thread and up pops a question. If the So CAL group became a part of FLU and held an event. Would all participants have to be FLU members to get the insurance coverage? For example; Mark a FLU member organizes a run, so all participants have to be FLU members to participate? If you were not a member would you be turned away?

[mdrburchette]

In order for the participants to be covered under this liability insurance they do have to be a FLU member. There is a $5 day membership that can be purchased for a day event so people that are not full fledged FLU members can participate. This option does not apply to the Fiat Freakout. You have to be a member of the national club to participate.

[So Cal Mark]

so the question arises; we schedule a FLU drive, and Reckless Rick shows up and won't pay the fiver to be a temporary member yet follows us on the route. Does this void the FLU liability insurance for the event?

[mdrburchette]

I guess it would be up to the organizer to make sure everyone signed the form and was covered. If something were to happen, I guess you would have documentation for everyone except Reckless Rick and you could tell the cops he "crashed" the party and was not part of the group, therefore the club should not be liable.

[So Cal Mark]

we might have to hope the jury believes us. Just curious, have there ever been any instances where the insurance was used?

[mdrburchette]

I don't know if it's been ever used, but what I ran into was I couldn't use facilities for something like my autocross event without liability insurance. I'm sure we run into this during the Freakout on several occasions during the weekend. In fact, in 2008, we were asked to leave the parking lot where we set up for an autocross because our insurance information didn't make it to the appropriate people. For the price, I'd much rather be covered than take my chances.

[So Cal Mark]

me too. Without a chapter, are any of us individuals covered in any way at all?

[mdrburchette]

All of those interested in the by-laws, chapter guidelines and day membership of FLU can find it at the bottom of this page:
http://www.fiatlanciaunlimited.com/chapters.asp