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Candidacy Statement

Discussion in 'Athena Brekke' started by steven s, Dec 8, 2024.

    • Staff

    steven s

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    Athena Brekke
    Golden Gate Chapter
    M Chapter

    Greetings BMW CCA! I am currently serving as Treasurer and am seeking re-election.
    I was appointed Treasurer in August 2023, and I have been working with my colleagues on the board and with National staff on planning, reporting, and other information and resources to help inform the board members and improve our ability to make sound decisions to best serve our members.

    My goal while serving on the national board for the last year has been to put BMW CCA in a better financial position to ensure our longevity. After seeing 2023’s final numbers, we had to make some complex financial decisions to reduce the significant losses. Those decisions were not easy, but they were essential to get CCA back on track such as renegotiating printing contracts and reevaluating our O’Fest strategies. The 2024 final numbers are not yet in, but projections indicate we’ll be in the positive for the first time in years.

    I’ve enjoyed meeting many of you am proud and in awe of the work our volunteers from each chapter put in every year. The sense of community is strong within CCA and I want to be sure we’re always looking to the horizon for what our incoming members may bring to the table and how to best engage with our existing members with meaningful events and benefits included with their membership, all while promoting a sense of belonging for all our members.

    We still have much to do, and in the next few years many more forks in the road will arise, and complicated decisions will be made as we navigate the post-Covid world and the challenges it brings.
    I kindly ask for your support and vote to continue my work serving as your Treasurer.

    Thank you,
    Athena Brekke
    • Member

    grumpsjr

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    Hi Athena,

    First, thanks for your service to Golden Gate, the CCA, and your desire to continue on the Board as Treasurer. I hope that you are keeping an eye on this message Board.

    If so, in the spirit of fairness, I'd like to ask a couple of questions to help the members as they think about the upcoming election. I've asked the other candidate the same questions:

    -What previous Board service experience do you have?
    -What previous experience working with non-profit organizations do you have?
    -Can you share any experience from your time in the IRS, or elsewhere, working with 501(c)(7) organizations?
    -What kind of issues did you see, and how did you address them?

    Thanks!
    Brian Thomason
    Member #283624
    BMW CCA Executive Vice President
    • Member

    athenamb

    Post Count: 5
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    Dear BMW Car Club of America Members,

    It has been an incredible honor to serve as your National Board Treasurer, and I am excited to ask for your support as I seek re-election to continue the vital work we’ve started. As the only female member of the current National Board, I am not only deeply committed to the success of the club, but also passionately dedicated to ensuring that the BMW CCA remains a dynamic, inclusive, and thriving community for every member.

    Fiscal Responsibility and Financial Recovery
    In my tenure as Treasurer, I have worked with our board to address significant financial challenges. Between 2021and 2023, the club incurred losses exceeding $1.5 million. Upon joining the National Board in August of 2023, I worked tirelessly to ensure the club’s financial future was secure and sustainable. I partnered with the Executive Director, Director of Financial Services, and Executive Vice President to conduct alternative solutions-based strategic planning (i.e. Classic Car raffle, reimagining O’Fest strategy), I developed comprehensive reporting to make solid data-based decisions, allowing the board to dig deeper in the financial information and presented it in a way that was easy to reference and digest, and a fostered shared commitment to securing the club’s future.

    I am proud to report, because of these efforts, the club has rebounded and we have successfully produced a positive result for 2024, with reserves of ~ $1.73 million in cash and investments. Additionally, the building and property of BMW CCA headquarters continues to appreciate year after year as the area around the facility is continuing to gain demand for growth for Greer, SC. Our current assets total $4.20 million. This achievement is not just a testament to sound fiscal responsibility, but to the collective effort of our Board, National Office leadership, and staff who have worked to safeguard our legacy while continuing to offer value to our members. This turnaround demonstrates my commitment to ensuring that the BMW CCA remains fiscally strong, transparent, and responsible in the years ahead. Also consider mentioning the value of the building having increased significantly, which is not reflected in the financial statements.

    A Commitment to Members
    I believe that being a board member is about more than managing finances—it’s about actively shaping an experience that meets the diverse needs of our members. Over the past term, I have worked on multiple initiatives designed to ensure that every member feels a true sense of belonging, engagement, and value within the BMW CCA.

    Our initiatives to engage younger enthusiasts, expand diversity in our events, and provide more opportunities for connection have been a priority. From supporting local and non-geo chapters to developing new programs and events, I remain focused on ensuring that BMW CCA is not only a club for today, but also one that will remain sustainable and relevant for future generations of BMW fans. Working alongside my fellow board members, we have developed some forward-thinking strategic initiatives for the club in 2025 and beyond, and I am excited to continue this work!

    A Broad History of Involvement
    My participation with the BMW CCA goes far beyond the National Board. I have been deeply involved in nearly every facet of the club, gaining invaluable experience and insights into the many ways our members connect with and enjoy their BMWs. This broad, hands-on involvement has allowed me to work directly with our members, understand their needs, and bring a unique perspective to the board.

    Throughout my time with the club, I have contributed in the following ways:
    • Car Control Clinics and Advanced Car Control Clinics—both as a student and instructor.
    • Autocross enthusiast and competitor, including serving on a dedicated 6-person autocross team for a full season.
    • Autocross instructor and Teen Car Control Clinic instructor, sharing my passion for driving safety and performance.
    • HPDE student with advanced data coaching, continuously improving my own skills and understanding of high-performance driving.
    • Cars and Coffee events, regularly attending and coordinating these beloved social gatherings for our members.
    • Driving tours coordinator, helping to organize some of our most popular and scenic driving events.
    • Multiple terms serving on Golden Gate Chapter’s board including the following positions: Area Rep, Vice President, President, and Membership Chair, bringing leadership to our local chapter and ensuring that members’ voices are heard.
    • Meet-and-greets and technical sessions coordinator, providing valuable networking and learning opportunities for enthusiasts.
    • Regularly co-chairing events in collaboration with other chapters across the country, fostering a sense of national unity.
    • Traveling from Hawaii to Rhode Island, attending chapter events and meeting members in every region of the country, further solidifying my commitment to our club’s success and camaraderie.
    This hands-on experience allows me to bring a truly comprehensive view to my work on the National Board. I understand the challenges and opportunities that our chapters face on the ground, and I am committed to continuing to bridge the gap between the chapter and national levels to ensure that every member feels connected and valued.

    A Unique Perspective
    In addition to my deep involvement in BMW CCA activities, I bring 30 years of experience in Information Technology, giving me a strategic, data-driven approach to decision-making. My IT background has enabled me to help guide the club through necessary technological improvements and operational efficiencies, making sure we not only preserve our legacy but also adapt to new challenges and opportunities. As the leader of IT for my organization, a 501(c3) non-profit, I’ve managed an annual budget ~$4 million for the last 25 years.

    This blend of hands-on club experience and strategic leadership in my day job allows me to be an effective advocate for our members and a diligent steward of our club’s financial health.

    Passion for Service
    What truly drives me is the people—the BMW CCA members who make this organization what it is. Whether through our driving events, our social gatherings, or our technical sessions, the club is a place where we come together to share our love for BMW and all that the brand represents. My dedication to the BMW CCA goes beyond numbers or titles; it’s about ensuring that our members always feel heard, supported, engaged, and part of something greater.

    As your National Board Treasurer, I’ve worked hard to make sure that our club remains strong, financially secure, and relevant for years to come. I’m passionate about continuing that work and ensuring that every member—whether they’ve been with us for decades or are just joining us for the first time—feels like they belong.

    I respectfully ask for your vote in this election so that I can continue to serve you, our club, and our community of BMW enthusiasts.

    Thank you for your support and your trust.

    Sincerely,
    Athena Brekke
    National Board Treasurer
    BMW Car Club of America
    donna954 likes this.
    • Member

    athenamb

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    Hi Brian-

    Great questions! I replied in a post that is to all BMW CCA members that outlines my experience and address the questions you posed. I welcome any further questions from you and any other member of BMW CCA.

    Thank you for your passion and commitment to this club and its community!

    Athena Brekke
    BMW CCA Treasurer
    • Member

    grumpsjr

    Post Count: 10
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    Thanks, Athena for the detailed and thorough response. Best of luck in the election!

    Brian Thomason
    • Member
    • Staff

    ETamsberg

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    We ask anyone who posts on the candidate statement threads to add their first and last name to any post they make to identify themselves for other members reading.

    Thank you.

    Edward Tamsberg
    Director of IT
    • Member

    Budget M3

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    Thank you for leaning forward and volunteering to serve our membership in a role on the National Board. I can personally attest that it will be both challenging and rewarding for whomever wins the election. In hopes of further understanding your inspiration and motivation, can you please answer a couple of questions?

    As Treasurer, what do you think are the most important near-term opportunities to secure and sustain the financial future of the club? Conversely, what do you think are the top three financial challenges facing the club and how do you propose to overcome them?

    Very Respectfully,

    Mark Hall
    Member #74754
    BMW CCA Secretary
    • Member

    athenamb

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    Thanks, Mark. Excellent inquiries.

    I've discovered that a lot of members are very motivated by recruitment. I am, too! In order to answer the issue of why someone should join the club, I discussed in my most recent Roundel column the significance of always having your "elevator pitch" ready to go.

    Nevertheless, I've discovered from my travels that, even though the total number of members has decreased, retention remains our biggest obstacle. Every month, new members join each chapter. The issue is that more members in each chapter are opting not to renew than are signing up! Why aren't members renewing? Do the benefits and programs offered now make it desirable for members to stay? This, in my opinion, is an issue that needs attention and significantly affects the club's financial situation.

    This brings me to the top three factors that affect the organization's financial health: meeting chapters and members where they are and giving them the support resources they require and desire; cost savings measures to enhance quality over quantity; and the club's appeal in light of today's shifting social norms.

    Without adequate support for our chapters, no effort we make will be successful. It is crucial to provide our chapters with material and other tools so they can succeed in the programs they provide to their members. During my visits to chapters around the country, I have found that some may feel isolated while others are working together and thriving due to the disparity in understanding of the range of programs that chapters could provide. The club is a sizable, varied, imaginative, perceptive, and fervent group of enthusiasts, each with unique passions and specialties. The board has been discussing the most effective ways to assist chapters, and we have made significant progress in gathering and developing tools to offer various levels of support. Chapters flourish when given the right assistance. And that ultimately directly affects the club's stability and financial health.

    It is crucial that the publications and social media the club creates prioritize quality above quantity. Membership in this group would suggest exclusivity. I believe it's critical to keep this idea in mind. Our programs ought to be appealing, unique, exclusive to membership, and consistent with our brand. The board decided to cut Roundel to four printed issues and two printed issues of Bimmerlife in order to accomplish this goal in our print medium. This will significantly lower our print and mailing expenses and allow us to concentrate on creating top-notch content across all platforms, print and social media.

    In addition, the board determined in late 2023 that there would be no O'Fest event in 2024 after considering the attendance and financial impact of the previous O'Fests. This gave us time to reorganize and rethink what future O'Fest-like events would include. After that, we decided to search for ways to collaborate with chapters that were holding driving events so that it would make sense to combine them with social events and other activities to create a bigger event. This change in approach made it possible for the club to collaborate with driving events at Road America. It will function similarly to O'Fest, supporting the chapter while offering a nationwide event that members can participate in and enjoy. And at a "bucket list" track, no less! In order to lessen the financial impact on BMW CCA and provide our members the high-quality experiences they know and expect, I think this should be our approach moving ahead.

    Society has evolved. Connecting with other bimmer aficionados is now quite simple and doesn't require a group like CCA. What are we doing as a club to encourage new members to interact and participate with the club and its chapters, irrespective of their demographic category? How can we encourage members to get more involved in the things they want to do? What fresh initiatives and advantages can we create and make available to members? How can we make room for new members to enjoy the community, which is the single biggest advantage of club membership?

    BMW CCA should carefully examine our programs and benefits to determine whether they are applicable and/or sustainable in the current social climate in order to attract and keep members. We recognize that there are other options for enthusiasts to connect with one another, so we are not the only game in town and the club should evaluate what we should and shouldn’t continue doing "what we have always done", and ask the hard questions of what will carry us forward. I believe that aligning the club more effectively with activities and benefits that appeal to both current and potential members is crucial for our long-term success.

    If we aim to build and facilitate what new and existing members want and appreciate, they will come (and stay).

    Athena Brekke
    BMW CCA Treasurer
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