PCA: Milwaukee

by Nick Brannen, PCA Milwaukee board member, treasurer and membership chair

Joining the Board of Directors was probably the furthest thing from my mind when Sheri and I joined the Porsche Club of America a decade ago. We joined because of the cars, the events, and the opportunity to spend time with people who share our enthusiasm for Porsche.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my PCA membership has been the opportunity to serve on the Milwaukee Region Board. Seriously!

I am now nearing the end of my first two-year term as Treasurer. Looking back, I can say that serving on the Board has added a facet to my club membership that I certainly wouldn't have experienced otherwise.

The Treasurer's responsibilities are fairly straightforward. I make sure our vendors are paid, keep track of the region's finances, and provide monthly financial updates to the Board. One could say that I spend more time balancing the books than balancing a Porsche through a corner (when is the next Driver Education event again?). It's not particularly glamorous work, but it is without question an important part of keeping our club running smoothly.

What I didn't fully anticipate when taking on the position was how much I would enjoy the personal side of the job.

While I'm sharing my own experience as Treasurer, I want to emphasize that this article isn't really about me. It's about the experience, and specifically, the satisfaction I believe anyone willing to get involved can discover. There is genuine satisfaction, and even joy, in contributing your time and talents to help shape the direction of our region and make sure it remains as successful as it is.

Serving on the Board in any capacity isn't just about what you can do for the region. It's also about the friendships, experiences, and sense of purpose that come from contributing to something beyond your own interests. Serving as Treasurer has given me the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of members and vendors throughout our region and beyond. Whether it's coordinating payments for an event, working with fellow Board members, or simply discussing club activities, I've gotten to know people I might otherwise have only greeted briefly at a meeting or event.

And there are certainly plenty of interesting people to meet! Our region has more than 1,300 members, including over 800 primary members. With a membership that large, it's no surprise that interests vary considerably. Some members enjoy the excitement of Driver Education events or autocross. Others prefer driving tours, technical sessions, or the opportunity to socialize with fellow Porsche enthusiasts. (Shameless plug: The Holiday Party is Jan. 16. Please consider attending this awesome annual event!)

Another rewarding aspect of Board service is gaining a better understanding of everything that goes into making our region successful. It's easy to enjoy a driving tour, social gathering, or other club activity without giving much thought to the planning and coordination involved. For every event we sponsor, there are many people behind the scenes making it look easy. Serving on the Board gives you a greater appreciation for the volunteers who make these experiences possible.

Our Milwaukee Region Board consists of eight members serving two-year terms, each bringing different perspectives, experiences, and talents to the table. Some serve as officers, including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, while others serve as at-large Board members. Regardless of position, all have an opportunity and responsibility to participate in decisions that help shape the future of our region.

Our members' backgrounds and car preferences are every bit as diverse as their club interests. One thing I've learned is that there really is no such thing as a typical Porsche owner. Some prefer air-cooled, others water-cooled. Some swear by the 911, while others wouldn't trade their Boxster, Cayman, or Macan for anything. Let's not even start with manual vs PDK!

Just as there is no typical Porsche owner, there is no single background or personality that makes someone a good Board member. You don't need years of PCA experience or particular professional credentials to make a meaningful contribution. An interest in the club, a willingness to share ideas, and a little time are far more important.

There is real satisfaction in being part of a group working toward a common goal. Not every Board discussion is conducted at full throttle. Sometimes it's about budgets, scheduling, or the everyday details of running a volunteer organization. It's the little things that help keep the club firing on all six cylinders, and it's rewarding to have a voice in decisions that affect our members.

If you've ever considered getting more involved in the Milwaukee Region, I encourage you to think about serving on the Board. Whether your interests lean toward an officer position or serving as an at-large Board member, there are opportunities to contribute.

And if serving on the Board isn't something you're interested in right now, please consider getting involved with one of our committees. Every committee can use additional help, and contributions both large and small make a difference. You don't need to go from zero to sixty in your involvement with the club. Start with a committee, lend a hand at an event, and see where the road takes you. Even taking on a small task can have a positive impact on our region.

In addition to serving as Treasurer, I serve as Membership Chair, which is a separate volunteer position rather than a dedicated Board seat. In this role, I get to engage with many members, particularly members who are new to the club. There is certainly no requirement that the Treasurer also serve as Membership Chair.

If you're curious about serving on the Board, joining a committee, or simply finding ways to become more involved, please feel free to reach out to me. I'd be happy to share my experiences, answer questions, or help you find an opportunity that matches your interests. (Email Nick Brannen here.)

Note Board meetings are held virtually (using Zoom or Teams), monthly, usually starting at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. and last 60-90 minutes.

Our Porsches may be what brought us together, but it's the people who make this club special. And sometimes the most rewarding part of the journey isn't being behind the wheel, but helping others enjoy the ride.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2027-2028 Board of Directors--submit nominations by Oct. 24

Nominations, including self-nominations, for the two-year PCA Milwaukee region board positions starting Jan. 1, 2027, and ending Dec. 31, 2028, are being accepted. This year, three of the eight members' term will expire. One of these positions is past president which will continue to be filled by past president Dirk Stallmann. This means that we must elect three members to the board. Nominations will close Oct. 24. Note that current board members whose terms have expired can run for positions via self-nomination as long as they have not exceeded the term limits outlined in the region's Bylaws.

According to our by-laws, candidates must choose to run for a general directorship position or a specific open officer position. For this election there are two open officer positions: Treasurer and Secretary. Including a Director At-Large position, there are three directorship positions available in total.

When submitting a nomination, the nominee should indicate which position he or she is seeking.

Candidates must be active or family-active region members in good standing. Candidates must submit a statement listing their history with the club including involvement in region activities. Additionally, they should list any service for region, zone or committees. If running for a specific office, any outside experience pertinent to that office should also be included in the statement.

Statements should not exceed 200 words and must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document. Candidates must secure the endorsement of three region members in good standing and note those names when submitting their statement. A photo of the candidate (head and shoulders) in a .jpg format should be included in the submittal. Email the statement and photo to Roger Franzel (charitableoutreach@porschepark.org) and Tim White (insurance@porschepark.org) by Oct. 24.