Being a part of PCA Canada West Region has been an amazing experience for me. Looking back to May 2015, it really seems like only yesterday when I joined PCA after purchasing my first Porsche,a 2004 996 Carrera 2 cabriolet. This car has since been joined by a stablemate, the 2004 C4S known to many as the Truffle Hunter and the list will evolve as the years progress. Far from the snobby, elitist group that I feared would await my enrollment in a prestige marque car club, this organization has welcomed, encouraged and empowered me to want to achieve more with our preferred marque of Porsche, my relationships with other club members and in my life outside of the club both personally and professionally. It is truly a group of amazing people who happen to drive the best cars in the world.
Much of the credit for my enthusiasm must surely be attributed to our outgoing president Joel Parker. He has been a bottomless well of passion for our entire group, has seemingly boundless energy and has offered sage advice as needed. Our club has grown significantly under his leadership with attendance at events such as the Vancouver International Auto Show and his personal charisma and welcoming personality. My hope is to be able to lead our club forward in as energetic and joyful a manner as well. Let’s face it, this is supposed to be fun. In the coming years I look forward to Joel’s mentorship in his new position as Past President as I grow into this new role.
As well, a sincere note of appreciation to our now outgoing Past President Erwin Kremser is due. Erwin’s moderating influence has kept us on track and helped to keep the procedures and paperwork managed in a timely manner, critical to any organization and I’m thankful for his guidance as he gets to step into the main membership and take break from the exec.
The PCA-CWR board of directors, event chairs and gracious event volunteers make this club all that it is. The goal is to make each and every event fun, safe and well run. Setting up driving tours, social events, performance driving, club newsletter, tech nights, merchandise, website, membership, communications as well as managing the club’s finances and the other business sides of our group requires a small army of volunteers but it always seems to be the same core group stepping up. To those individuals, a hearty thank you! For me personally, the recognition of this group of giving people is paramount and I cannot over-emphasize their importance. At the end of the day everybody involved is getting more out of the club because of what they contribute.
If you aren’t currently involved in PCA-CWR by volunteering some time, consider stepping up. This can be as simple as offering to handle the waivers at an event, being a driving tour group leader or sweep, manning a membership drive table at the Auto Show, sending the weekly emails or writing an article for our club newsletter Timberline. As a club member your involvement is truly appreciated and is a lot easier than you might think. Getting involved means you’ll get to know your fellow club members better and makes the entire PCA-CWR experience that much richer.
During my term as your club President, my primary focus will be on member involvement. Let’s all step up a bit, join in and most importantly have a lot of fun with our great cars and fellow PCACWR members.
Sincerely,
Jeff Rebiffe
Past President
Porsche Club of America
Canada West Region