What happened to the POCI website??

[Guest JDHolmes]

That pretty much asks the question. In the last Smoke Signals the new editor said that web site changes would be made but I didn't expect that the "change" would be to nothing.

Not that it was overly helpful, but something to read during the work day.

[61-63]

Well I'm glad to see someone else can't get on too. I thought they may have banned me or something

for having the temerity to suggest a new judging class.

JD have you heard or initiated any more regarding a POCI chapter in Houston?

[Ron Green]

The POCI has been on a downward spiral for several years, unfortunately. I once enjoyed the club and website but have since dropped my membership. They need to not only update the website but mandate that a committee and not two individuals make all the rules regarding judging and rules, in my opinion.

[Guest JDHolmes]

The last Smoke Signals said that a new Editor had been hired/named and he would also be responsible for the web site. However, the only thing I've seen is that it's been taken down.

61-63 I'm still interested in starting the chapter, but I'm really waiting until one of my cars can actually go to meetings <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Working on three now, one should be ready soon enough.

I also have had only a few responses concerning signing on. But then, I'll take this as my fault for not pushing more but again, that relates to car issue above.

I think any organization is only as good as its members. If the POCI site sucked then it's our fault as members for not doing something about it. (Note, I agree it wasn't the greatest and was infrequently visited, but that's our responsibility also.

I only know that finding out info on Pontiac's is like pulling hen's teeth. POCI helps, ... a bit.

[Guest BJM]

John

I agree it would be great to have a scource for pre muscle Pontiac. I have a 63 Bonneville. I am not a POCI member. A while back I was a Buick Club of America member, a Cadillac LaSalle club member and WP Chrysler Club so I was spread pretty thin. I toggled back to just being in the BCA but recently purchased a 63 Bonneville 2 door hardtop to restore along with my 68 Riviera and 49 Roadmaster. I am a (sick perhaps) believer that a car collection isn't just one car. You need at least two of a manufacturer to be in a club, although obviously that's not necessary.

I have looked at a 54 Star Chief convertible project (pretty rough) and a 65 2+2 to add to my Pontiac 'collection'. But I have found little activity on this website and was close to looking into the POCI.

As you may know Oldsmobile has the Antique Olds Club of America and of course OCA. OCA in my opinion, is Cutlass A body muscle car focused so I would be more interested in the older club.

I wonder if POCI is focused on it's muscle car club for the reason of membership soundness, of course, Smoke Signals quality has little to do with the philosophy of the club. I know the Riviera Owners Association is basically a private business that was recently "handed down" to a younger protege of the owner of the club - that is not keeping up with a bi-mothly magazine and members are upset.

Just some thoughts. I love Pontiacs, probably as much as Buicks, or close and I would love to get the 54 Star Chief convertible, despite it's rough shape - but would like to have a strong peer group to swap stories and similar interests with. Love the 63 Bonneville 2 door HT. I am enjoying the teardown portion of the restoration.

[Guest JDHolmes]

Yeah, I've really been impressed with the Buick folks. Lots of sharing of knowledge/info.

POCI is often discussing here and there why membership is down and folks are not really active and I'd just say that it's lack of information, lack of help from the older guys. I've sent several emails to the "specialists" listed in Smoke Signals and have received ONE lonely response.

Seems that folks have forgotten that to have people interested in joining, something must be FUN. After all, this is a hobby that people do to amuse themselves, socialize, etc. I'm not having much FUN as a POCI member. Hope that changes.

[carbking]

JD - you can ask questions on this site, on the CP site, or on the PY site. My guess would be you have a better chance at answers at any of these three sites, as the POCI site could be accessed by members only. I know at least one "dyed-in-the-wool" Pontiac fanatic with a pretty decent library who is no longer a POCIGMC member.

Jon.

[61-63]

I will stay in POCI because I've made some friends there I enjoy seeing, really like their Nationals (I didn't go this year - too far) and the 500 or so really nice cars and usually see at them, and like the swap meet which is the best Pontiac swap meet in the country next to Norwalk IMHO. I don't care for their judging routine and the cliques in the judging but I'm not going to quit because of that.

As far as help I personally could not be more pleased or impressed with the help POCI gave me. I've been into Pontiacs now for six or so years and when I first got in I called the chief judge and he got me in touch with a long time restorer of the years I like (61-63), Ed Giolma, and he has helped me no end. We have now become friends and next week will take our third trip to Norwalk together.

I'm 61 now and POCI in my experience is not unlike anything else I've been involved with be it fishing clubs, gun clubs, church, or business; there are a lot of really nice people in it and a few real a$$holes. One you've spotted the toilet paper targets and learn to avoid them, and make a few friends who will help you id the ones you haven't encountered yet, you can really enjoy the experience.

Someone mentioned Buicks. I like everything '61 GM made. Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles are probably one and two on the list.

[Guest BJM]

61-63, your experience started with good contacts and now you are friends with some of these guys. I wish every experience was like that. I will probably end up joining the POCI, I just wish it had the consistent quality of the Cadillac LaSalle Club or BCA. BCA went through issues with it's magazine provider, but that was a contracted issue, it's now in house again. Magazines are a tough issue. POCI - by limiting their website to members only, only limits members.

Website access should be about piqueing interest until a potential member joins the club. Once in the club, you get the National magazine and more information, and probably local chapter involvement.

[Guest JDHolmes]

Jake,

There's no POCI club near here. I'm in Houston, metro of 8 million plus, 4th largest city in the US and no POCI affiliated club. None within 200 miles. I don't complain and then do nothing about it. I wanted to start a club here, but there was not enough expressed interest to get the 10 required original signers.

There is another Pontiac club in the area of which I'm a member that is more active...APA Houston. Also, lots of other car clubs.

IMHO, part of club/group longevity is involving the younger and getting newcomers involved. This requires member involvement and HELPING new folks grow their excitement about what we're doing. Part of this is knocking down barriers which prevent them from moving their own projects forward. Many of these barriers are informational and not difficult to defeat...if those in the know would share their knowledge. Honestly, to me, it's unbelieveable in this age of the internet and computer that every trim code for every year of every car is not more than a click or two away.

This idea of new membership permeates every group on this site and discussions can be had concerning it in all the makes areas. How many well intentioned projects are sitting the back yard, tarp covered because someone hit the "block" whatever that may be.

[Guest BJM]

At least Pontiac has had youthful oriented cars for the past 30 years. Fieros, Trans Ams/Firebirds, Grand Prix GTP's, etc. BUICK? Our two most collectible cars of the last 30 years - the Reatta and the Rivieras, not exactly something the under 30 crowd goes for.