“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Winston Churchill

When I think about what makes our chapter of the BMW Car Club of America special, I don’t immediately think about cars. I think about people.

Yes, we are united by the roundel. Yes, we admire engineering brilliance, precision handling, and that unmistakable straight-six sound. But what truly powers our Chapter is not measured in horsepower or torque. It’s measured in volunteer hours, shared effort, and the willingness of members to step forward and say, “I’ll help.”

That’s why I’m so excited about our 2026 Volunteer Engagement Program – what I like to call our Volunteer Engine.

If you’ve ever admired the legendary BMW M10, you know it wasn’t flashy at first glance. Introduced in the 1960s, it was durable, adaptable, and incredibly resilient. Over time, it evolved into turbocharged race-winning form and became the foundation for decades of performance success. It proved that when you build something strong and scalable, you create a legacy. That’s exactly what we are building with our Chapter’s Volunteer Engine.

For years, our Chapter has run on the dedication of a small but mighty core group. They are our high-revving internals – reliable, committed, and always willing to redline when needed. But just as any engine can overheat if pushed too hard, even the most passionate volunteers can experience burnout.

Our membership surveys told us something important: members want more social events, more tours, more technical gatherings, more opportunities to connect. At the same time, many recognize that the same small number of people keep volunteering.

So, the Board asked ourselves: How do we build something sustainable? How do we increase capacity without increasing exhaustion?

The answer is the Volunteer Engine - a structured, rewarding, and scalable system designed to convert more members into active contributors while building a leadership pipeline for the future.

Think of the iconic BMW S54. Revered for its responsiveness and balance, it delivered performance not because of one oversized component, but because every part worked in harmony. Precision. Timing. Flow. When everything functions together, magic happens. Our Volunteer Engine works the same way.

It begins with identity. Volunteers will have a clear, visible presence within the Chapter. Just as the “M” badge signals performance intent, our volunteer branding signals commitment to driving the experience.

Next comes streamlined sign-up. We’ve lowered the barrier to participation with entry-type roles and clear task descriptions. Not everyone needs to rebuild the engine.Some roles are quick, tactical, and perfect for first-time volunteers. One event. One shift. One simple step.

Then comes recognition.Like the evolution from stock to M-tuned performance, our tiered point system rewards increasing levels of engagement: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Points accumulate throughout 2026. Apparel, event credits, recognition at our volunteer appreciation banquet and even eligibility for a grand prize experience at the BMW M Performance Center in Thermal, California – these are not just perks. They are our way of saying that contribution matters.

But the most important pillar is leadership development. Consider the twin-turbocharged BMW S55. It didn’t replace what came before – it refined it, strengthened it, and introduced new efficiency and output. That’s how leadership in our Chapter must evolve. We are creating a pathway: shadow → co-chair → chair → lead.

Mentorship. Growth. Continuity.

Every Board member is committing to mentor at least one new leader in 2026. That’s how we prevent knowledge loss.

The result?

1. More volunteers mean more events.
2. More events mean more community.
3. More community means more member value.

Imagine a Chapter where no event is canceled due to lack of staffing. Imagine tours expanding because we have trained sweepers and co-leaders ready. Imagine social gatherings where setup, registration, photography, and logistics are handled smoothly because multiple members stepped forward. That’s not a dream. That’s a system.

Now let me speak directly to you:

• You do not need prior experience.
• You do not need to commit to every event.
• You do not need to be an instructor or a long-time member.
• You only need to raise your hand.

Maybe your first role is as a parking assistant. Maybe it’s checking in guests. Maybe it’s helping organize a Cars & Coffee. Maybe it’s writing a short member profile for the newsletter. Every contribution matters because every component matters.

An engine fails when even a small part is missing. But when each part is present and functioning, the result is something extraordinary. The 2026 Volunteer Engagement Program is our call to action. Our theme says it best:

Join the Crew. Drive the Experience.

This is not just about points or apparel. It’s about ownership. It’s about pride. It’s about ensuring that our Chapter remains vibrant, welcoming, and capable of delivering the kinds of events we all joined for in the first place.

As President, I am deeply proud of this Chapter. But pride alone does not power progress. Participation does.Let’s build something worthy of the badge we wear on our cars and on our jackets.Let’s build a Volunteer Engine as legendary as the engines that made BMW famous.

I invite you to sign up for your first role in 2026. Start small. Earn your first point. Feel the satisfaction of contributing. And then, if the spark catches, and it usually does, take the next step.Because the most powerful engine in our Chapter isn’t under a hood.It’s us.