SCCA? SEB? GCR? BOD? DSSS? SSS? Sounds like we’re heating up Campbell’s Alphabet Soup!

The Sports Car Club of America used acronyms to identify different aspects of the programs in the club. For over 25 years, all of the Divisions have had a DSS - Divisional Solo Steward. Through those years, the Divisional Solo Steward was responsible for a Divisional Solo Event or multiple Solo events held within the Divisions. In some years, the Divisional Solo Steward had little or nothing to do. The value of this position has been questioned over the years. The Divisional Solo Steward also reported to the SEB – Solo Events Board – and in most cases the SEB was already very busy so they didn’t need to oversee the Divisional Solo Stewards.

It was decided in late 2013 that the DSS position needed to be changed or it should go away. As Raleigh and I are involved with the Regional Solo Development program in 2013, our feeling was that we have been underutilizing the DSS position. We suggested to the SEB a new job description, new name and new duties for that position. By changing the name, we hoped that it would help people accept the new changes. The SEB and the National office accepted the changes so the new Divisional position is called Solo Development Coordinator – SDC. The new job description states that the SDC is the go-to person for Solo activities in the Division. They could also potentially be the head of a Divisional Solo Series. The most important thing that they can do is communicate what is happening in the Solo community within their Division.

In 2014, we have nine Divisions and nine SDCs. Each of these people can be the eyes and ears of what is going on in Solo in their Divisions. By working closely with Raleigh and me, we can give them a broader scope of what is happening in other Divisions. The SDCs also become the eyes and ears for the SEB when they are proposing changes. The nine SDCs for 2014-15 are:

• Scott Dobler – Southeast Division
• David Newman – Northeast Division
• Ray Jason – Great Lakes Division
• Steve Garnjobst – Central Division
• Al Hermans – Midwest Division
• Chris Robbins – Southwest Division
• Eric Clements – Southern Pacific
• Lindsay Wilson – Rocky Mountain Division
• Keith Brown – Northern Pacific Division

So you ask yourself – what are these people actually doing?

• Raleigh and I have conference calls with them on a bi-monthly basis.
• Each of the SDCs will attend Divisional meetings to help promote Solo within their Divisions.
• The SDCs will be attending the National Convention.
• The SDCs will have a direct line of communication with the SEB and the National office.
• The SDCs will come up with ways of communicating with the autocrossers in their Division. This communication could be by phone calls, e-mails, newsletters and Solo Matters.
• The SDCs will attend the major events within their Divisions so that they are visible.
• Each of the SDCs will use Solo Matters to let you know what is happening in their respective Divisions in 2014.
• Work with the Divisional Solo Safety Steward to help make that program strong in their Divisions.

The only way that this position will be successful is if you take the time to contact the SDC in your Division to ask questions. Sharing ideas is how all of our programs get better. We have a great Solo program in SCCA and hardworking people at the National office to help support us. Let’s keep it going in that direction!