I would like the members to give me some input if you have time. For a number of years, ROAV was as much an event (the MAR) as it was anything for many of the people I talked to last year. Now that the club has expanded the number of yearly events, the next question is- how do you see ROAV? Why did you join? What types of activites would you like to see the club adding? We have some pub meets on the calendar already, and I would like to put together one in the central VA area this summer. Beyond that, what is next? I know both Dan Rao and John Keeney are working on a framework for regional chapters that I really like, and I think that may come together over the summer as well.

Here is a short list of some of the ideas that have been brought up in talks over the last year as a starting point-
-regional chapters

-ROAV planned trips outside the state to other events and venues, Rausch Creek, Big Dogs, Uwharrie, etc.

-trips to the National Forest areas.


One other thought- what do you see yourself doing with ROAV? Is there a way you feel you could help out? Ultimately these types of clubs are a volunteer effort, and we need your help to expand what we offer.

Planning trips to the National Forest? How about members stepping up to do their part to take care of the National Forest? How about some ROAV involvement?
The Virginia Trails section is dead. That's a real shame, I would hope more people cared on this site. I guess you don't see the forest from Williamsburg.

I like the idea of the regional chapters...we just can't get too apart from each other ya know? A regional chapter could organize the little trips easier...like the national forest trips and clean up trips. Here in Roanoke it'd be easy for us to do that, unlike Williamsburg. We all have our specific area needs. Plus, a regional chapter out this way could be the "host" to a GWNF trip since it's right here. And likewise with coastal regions...it's terrain we don't have over here.
A central VA get together would be awesome!
I'd love to be more involved somehow. I'm new so I haven't exactly figured out what I can do. I'm open to anything!
If anybody comes out this way, let me know, I'd love to show you around.
See ya!

Tracey- there are quite a few folks from ROAV in the Roanoke area, from old Series trucks to Discos and Defenders.

i have a top end rebuild kit for a total 2.25 rebuild. the truck is running vaguely and so am i, open heart surgery last week! had a valve replacement for me and hope to swap motors in time, now, for a fall MAR.

i am not a terribly active club member but i love what you guys do. i am IN.

and i will follow tackley to any richmond regional cell meeting at any watering hole anywhere, anytime

In years past I would have been all about more events. This year with the purchase of a run down farm in Central Virginia I just don't have the time anymore. That said, while my place doesn't offer any challenging terrain, I'm 20 mins from Lynchburg and have a bon fire just about every Saturday night I'm there with multiple Rover (110 restorations) projects going on in the barn and would welcome anybody who wants to come out.

Still not sure about R.Davis's request for MAR. Working on that and will get back to the club through him.

hmm, lets see:

access to cold beer, check (20 min. from Lynchburg)
bon fire, check
disassembled classic rovers, check
private land, check

Sounds like it has plenty of potential!

I joined the club and got into Rovers because I participated in a MAR. Every year we do something different it will be harder to get the turnout for our prime event. Other events are fantastic but they are not a MAR. I would hope that we could find a event location and work on keeping that location for many years.

I joined ROAV for the 12-step program

Paul: Hi, I am Paul and I am a Roverhaulic.
ROAV Group: Hi Paul!
Paul: I hit rock bottom when I bought my third Rover knowing there was no more room in the driveway and that I would need to start using the front lawn for storage.
ROAV Group: You don’t have an addiction, you are normal and well adjusted we have members who have 5 or 6 trucks - - you are just a baby with 3!
Paul: Thanks guys!
Thinking to myself: that guy with 6 trucks is way worse than me, I must not be that bad - - Rovers are great trucks - - except gas mileage, rust, cost of parts, frequent repairs, Heck I just like them anyway - - - Oh need to remember to fix that . . . . .

Amen or not - - some of you actually make me feel better about my stupidity

More seriously, I think there is a sense of brother/sisterhood with these “unique” trucks. I joined because of MAR - - it was nice to get together, meet new friends, see old friends and simply talk with others who had similar interests. Some of my closest friendships have developed from this single event.

I think within that broad context of Rover like-mindedness exist several sub-groups. Those who enjoy the project, others like the show-n-shine and owning a classic, restored, or clean Rover, some enjoy a family trail ride through the woods, camping etc. and still other enjoy the wheels events, using and pushing the machine, equipment, and driving skill from just a bit all they way to the more extreme. ROAV has always had room for all and the glue that has held all this together is MAR.

For me MAR was like Christmas morning only in September – I'd plan for it all year. I couldn't wait to see old friends, look at all the trucks, talking with venders, sharing a tall tails, meal, cigar, or drink with each other and getting to meet new people in the club. It all seemed to come together at MAR. I’ve enjoyed several of the spring rallies - - low key and often a fun wheels event without the traffic jam in the woods but the MAR is what I looked forward too all year.

I think we need to find a home for MAR that can offer freedoms similar to what we had at Pearls – keeping the looser format, the freedom, night runs, and camping of the traditional MAR event. I do think the club needs this signature event to continue to grow. I love all the new ideas, the regional meetings, pub meetings, the smaller rallies, the Gearbox, these are great and I think the club is moving in the right direction – thanks to all. Yet, I feel the glue and signature of ROAV is the MAR event, if we loose that event we will loose our identity.

I think ROAV needs to find a new long-term home for MAR. We all need to learn from the past, confront the obstacles, and remake the MAR event with a clear plan to raise the MAR to the premier event for the entire Rover community on the East Coast. Other events are great but in the Rover community on the East Coast, ROAV is MAR and MAR is ROAV. How MAR goes so will ROAV.

pdhook said:

"...ROAV is MAR and MAR is ROAV. How MAR goes so will ROAV."

I could not agree more...ROAV could concentrate its collective efforts on making MAR more than just a regional, East Coast event. It can become the premier US event, IF:
- ROAV can lease a long-term home or 2 (...and ROAV leadership is 'very' close to completing this goal)
-develop the site(s)...trails...water (potty/showers)...power...structures, with the help of ROAV members
-find a community that will welcome ROAV's presence and recognize ROAV's contribution$ to the local community/economy
-rotate annually between 2 venues
-be proper stewards of the properties
-permit other rover clubs and other 4X4 clubs to use ROAV's site for a modest fee
-re-invest MAR/Site revenue into annual MAR site improvements
-donate an annual agreed-upon % of retained-earnings to localized charitable orgs
-set-aside an annual agreed-upon % of retained-earnings for a Rainy-Muddy-MAR-Fund

Thanks to ROAV members for keeping ROAV's leaders focused on the prize...MAR!

...many thanks, Paul.

Roverhound wrote:

Planning trips to the National Forest? How about members stepping up to do their part to take care of the National Forest? How about some ROAV involvement? The Virginia Trails section is dead. That's a real shame, I would hope more people cared on this site. I guess you don't see the forest from Williamsburg.

There has not been much interest expressed in the last year, and I for one had my hands full with other issues. I know there is a clean up activity at the spring rally sponsored by Dr. Aaron, and last year some folks were grabbing trash at the Summer rally. We still have a need for someone willing to take the time to plan some activities in that area. Anyone interested can contact Christina or myself, there is room in the budget for such projects now that last year's MAR was a success.

I agree with Paul about much of MAR and my own experience. At one point I had three trucks, that was a bit much for me. I was a Jeep guy for a few years, but they all felt the same to me. The whole Land Rover thing just feels more unique, more like a brotherhood of suffering.

Thanks for the response Chuck. I can tell you I am really disappointed in ROAV members lack of concern. A coordinated effort by the club would be about the only reason I would join now.
We, as off road enthusiast (I do understand that a lot of ROAV members are not) need to step up and take responsibity for the trails we enjoy. icking up trash while you stop and have a sandwich is nice and all, but it is a drop in the bucket compared to a well organized maintenance and clean up day.
Maybe I'll see you guys on the trail.

Both United and Virginia 4wd have some nice programs for trail clean up and the support of the trail system. ROAV did join United I believe. If you are not on the mailings I can steer you in the right direction. These are diverse organizations and it would be nice to see more of the Rover crowd getting involved.

Thank you, I am already on the mailings.

I do not believe ROAV as a club has yet to join UFWDA, though I for one think club membership would be a great asset to both entities. Many member of ROAV are UFWDA members on an individual basis, though.

So many interesting comments on this topic. Thank you to the current Board for bringing it up on here. In the middle of a few things right now, but I too have something to add shortly.