wheres fab ??

[jacko]

does anyone know the whereabouts of fab ?? is he ok ? is he still interested in our region - maybe someone (and im sure someone knows !) would be kind enougth to let us paying members in on just whats going on ?? willl there be a concours in june - does not leave long to arrange ! i was under the impression that the board was totally satisfied with the plans and wished him well with the show ?? COME ON FAB WE ARE ALL BEHIND YOU - however this is getting slightly teadious now and someone needs to sort out any problems (if any ) FAST

 

[paul kelley]

Well Jacko you could always volunteer!!!!![]

Have fun

Paul Kelley

 

[924nutter]

I am sure the new board have the situation under review, and there is a board meeting before the end of April. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a resolution to the situation then. Meanwhile why not support the region by coming to your two monthly events, because that is absolutley the best way to show support for Fabien and all he has achieved. For the benefit of R19 members who are unsure of meeting details, the information is in the club website under regions, but in case anyone has difficulty accessing the correct web pages: First Sunday of the month meet at Royal Berkshire Hotel, Ascot, for 12:30. Third Saturday meet at OPC Reading for 10:00

 

[craig2105]

Jacko - I've got to say I've been thinking the same thing. Enough is enough - either this feud or whatever it is gets resolved and we move on as a region, or we'll all miss out on a good year's activites with this ridiculous silent treatment!

Whilst it is all very pleasant to have a chat, a gawk, a beer and a sandwich at Ascot (great venue "" use it or lose it) every month (and it was a particularly fine day for this last meeting), personally I want a great deal more out of my membership fees than that. My point, in a nutshell, is that the dispute either has to be resolved urgently, or we have to move on in some other way. Don't for a minute think that I'm suggesting that we lose Fabien from his role (in fact, I categorically think he should stay on as RO), but can we really go on like this much longer? How can this situation be played?

I'm all for supporting Fab and Leslie to tackle the Board, but what's the strategy, the timescale and the end game? As a region, can the membership do anything to, if necessary, call the Board to account? Can we just get this issue out into the open and discuss it?

I may be seen by some people to have spoken out of turn. I'm sorry, but this is a club. I'd like to derive some enjoyment from my membership of it, and this issue is preventing me from wringing out every last ounce of fun and I'm sure others feel the same way too.

 

[THX911]

I suggest one of you give Chris Clark (new Regional Director) a call or drop him an email (contact details on the main club contact us page) to find out what is officially happening about this situation.

Chris, sorry to sending this your way; hopefully you will give the region members some news on what is happening with this situation rather than rumours brewing here and at the region meets...

Meanwhile why don't you guys form a small committee and keep the region going, Chris will help you with that, I'm happy to help too... the show has to go on... I'm sure Fab will pick up things when he is ready to...

 

[jacko]

great to see some replies up !! [] bit dissapointed the man himself has not responded or contacted via e.mail ? let me tell you all that i support fab 110% hes one of the good guys and i also contacted the board at the first point of the disspute and told them what a great concours was planned and also what a great venue the region has (poss only ace of aces comes close !) however many members are supporting the venue and get there only to be dissapointed that fab or leslie are not there ? if you are all up for showing your concern and remember the club is what WE all make it then why not all turn out to the next meeting on may the 6th and lets all show are support for fabien and leslie and hope both or at least one of them can assist with any questions and move things forward - we should not at this stage assume the worst that fab has quit and please all realise that being an r.o. is a thankless task taking up time and sometimes even your own money -fab has /is doing a great job but i think we all deserve to show him support by all turning out in may and then going from there ! i can remember following the e.mails he sent when problems started to arise what a great turnout and support he had so maybe he needs as all now more than ever ? if however he has dissapeared or won the lottery maybe we could all chip in and organise a wax statue of him to display at cornbury house [][][] best wishes to you all enjoy the sunshine and please come along to the next meeting - LETS MAKE IT THE BIGGEST TURN OUT AND HOPEFULLY WELCOME HIM BACK ?

 

[924nutter]

Hear Hear

 

[924nutter]

ORIGINAL: THX911

I suggest one of you give Chris Clark (new Regional Director) a call or drop him an email (contact details on the main club contact us page) to find out what is officially happening about this situation.

I have already emailed Chris, and I don't think I am breaking any conventions of confidentiality by saying that the next board-meeting is on the 21st April. As of 13th April Chris has been unble to contact Fabien, and if I was a betting man I would put my money on this issue being brought to a conclusion at the board meeting.

It makes perfect sense, to me, to allow a period of contemplation for Fabien now that there are new board members in place, and the board have my support, for what it is worth, for adopting a pragmatic approach. Unfortunately a pragmatic approach often takes time. Still, it is only a week until the next board meeting, and I don't actually need Fabien to be there in body to enjoy the jolly at OPC Reading, conicidentally on the same date. If, ultimately, after everything has been tried, we still cannot get a response from Fabien we may have to face facts and prepare ourselves for the worst.

 

[Chris Clark]

Hi Everyone,
Perhaps you will forgive me for not posting any information regarding Region 19 before now, but I have been (and still am!) trying to understand the background to this unfortunate situation.
Since joining the Board earlier this month, one of my priorities has been to resolve the "Thames Valley issue", and I have been trying to contact Fabien; I have spoken to a number of members in the Region, but have drawn a blank with the man himself.
It is very difficult (no impossible) for me to negotiate in any way if I cannot talk to Fabien, so I have no choice but to set a deadline after which an alternative arrangement will be made - this is 21 April, the date of the next Board meeting (as noted by 924nutter, thanks).
It is important that things are progressed quickly after that date, as the year's activities for the Region should be well in hand by now.
If it will help, I am quite prepared to attend a meeting in the Thames Valley area.
Chris Clark
Regional Director

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Chris,

Have you managed to speak to Leslie (Fab's Assistant)?
Leslie seems to be able to get hold of Fab where all others have failed (!)

Apologies if you've already managed this.

 

[jacko]

first up hope everyones enjoyed the sun today ! relly hot hot hot [8D] so thanks to mr chris clark for his assistance and news on the fab matter -its good to know someone cares out there ! i have tried to contact fab again to no avail so im very dissapointed but whatever the reasons he has i respect them. i hope to see a big turn out in may and the region now moving forward and organising some events ! lets also hear from the assistant leslie as soon he could well be in the hot seat !! broom brroooom

 

[craig2105]

Thank you Chris for responding. Glad to hear something is happening, but I do hope that Fab get's in touch rather than action being taken without his involvement. However, if the silence goes on, then I guess there's no alternative.

 

[Chris Clark]

Hello Mark,
Yes, I have spoken to Leslie Kett. He has been helpfull in so far as he has provided me with copy for the Regional column in Porsche Post, but he could not (or would not) say anything about Fab's whereabouts.
I will post again when there is something to tell you!
Best regards to all concerned,
Chris Clark
Regional Director

 

[jacko]

hmm interesting to see a lot of hits on this thread -however speak up and air your views !!!

 

[oceancarrera]

ORIGINAL: craig2105

Thank you Chris for responding.  Glad to hear something is happening, but I do hope that Fab get's in touch rather than action being taken without his involvement. However, if the silence goes on, then I guess there's no alternative. 

I think it's fair to say that Fab's choice to not respond is his involvement... [:-] Regardless of Fabs' reasons, it is the members who are missing out/suffering. It is the responsibility of the RO to represent/support their regional membership in the appropriate capacity, and if an RO feels they cannot do this for whatever reason, they should step down. Staying silent and going AWOL is not acceptable imho, and it is a disservice to the regional membership.

Fab is clearly choosing to not respond despite numerous calls/attempts for contact, and I think everyone would respect his decision to step down and at least provide an explanation for his absence. I have no personal issue against Fab (he seemed likable when I met him!), but I am for the Club membership who deserves a better response.

 

[danofesher]

I've been following this with interest. I have to say that on the face of it I agree with Adrien (Oceancarrera).

 

[ians]

As a newish member I have also been following this with a mixture of interest, confusion and increasing frustration. (Am I alone in not having a clue what this is all about?). Everyone says Fab is a top bloke and I'm sure he is although I have never had the chance to meet him.

I agree with much of the above posts and that enough is enough. As the new RD it seems that Chris is in an ideal position to resolve this but clearly this is an impossible task if the parties are not prepared to talk to him. I don't know where you are based Chris, but do you have the chance to come to the OPC or monthly meet for R19?

The OPC meet is a great thing and I do intend to make it to Ascot sometime soon, but I also expect more from my membership than this. I'm happy to do my bit but as a new member and new to Porsche ownership I feel a bit limited in what I can proactively contribute at the moment.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[jacko]

following a look at fabs latest post and for those that have not got a clue about whats been going on then heres a very brief and quick summary of events - nov fab put forward his idea for next yrs 2007 concours ,the board wanted to discuss with him as they have people to look at the ideas that is there job title to oversee the suggestion - fab claims how well last yrs event was and made money with out putting club at risk - fab then calls a meeting at monthly meet to tell us all ,lots turn out to show support and myself following on from the meet also go on to contact the board and tell them how well fab has organised ,moved club forward and secured a great venue - i think the board may have been some what worried that his ideas could even make the regions concours bigger and better than the main festival ( so what if its within budget and free ,unlike the main one who cares !) also raising cash for well needy causes even better - fab then gets his article in p post cut (no one knows why )- this is very bad and fab is bound to feel down about this -however what im not understanding is the board cleared fab to go ahead with this published there support saying that they looked forward to a "very good event 2007" -following on and lots of members thinking all was well ,myself and others have not heard,spoken or set eyes on fab since christmas visit to cornbury house !! the matter now must come to a head so the club moves forward - YES i can see perhaps the board has not been great in handling the problems and out of line in fabs treatment but as a club we deserve better than this bickering and MESS we seem to be in ! also i feel some members know more than they are letting on which is wrong if thats the case ! PLEASE air your views and dont sit in silence ! hopefully after the board meeting this week all can be resumed and benefit ALL parties - best regards to all

 

[924nutter]

Could I respectfully suggest that everyone forms an objective opinion based on listening to both sides of the dispute, otherwise we could get into another session of Board-Bashing, which isn't ideal at the best of times, and completey pointless now that three board-members have stood down, having served their term. The structure of the board is not the same as it was when the conflict arose, consequently the decision making process will differ within limits. The current board is not responsible for what has happened, but they, and especially Chris Clark, have been trying to resolve the issue of R19's R/O, and they will make their decision about how to move forward this Saturday.
There will always be people who know more than they reveal, but there is nothing sinister in that. Part of my job as a line manager is to maintain confidentiality, and if any board member or club manager told me anything about the Fabien issue in confidece, you can rest assured that it would remain confidential. It is only common sense for those in the know to maintain a dignified silence. It can save a lot of embarrassment, and helps prevent "trial by forum". I guess we will never know exactly what brought about the conflict. Hardly a mess IMHO, as we have our two monthly-venues in place with about average turnout for both, and with or without Fab in person I am getting more for my membership now, than I ever did in the past. Not that I play golf (let me see.... you hit the ball away from yourself with a big stick, walk up to it and then hit it away from yourself again?) but if you consider my golf analogy some people seem to be suggesting that the expectation would be for the club captain or golf pro to accompany them on every round.

 

[jacko]

if you are getting more for your membership now - i dread to think what you were getting before !! ?? at the end of the day other regions seem to be able to work out problems as and when they arrive ! - fab has just stopped and in all fairness he proberbly feels let down and is right to a degree on his actions but it does not help the members of the club and its gone on far too long - other regions have great activities of interest . as far as golf goes -once you pay your fees you dont need anything organised ! i was under the impression that the whole idea of a regional organiser was to turn up to meetings to inform,discuss,talk and take some sort of order and lead of that region ! many thanks for your views anyway ! - i guess now the weekend is over with the board meeting some action plan will be made in anycase - THANKS 4 EVERYONES VIEWS []