Hey Crew,

I know some of you guys have noticed i havent been around for a while. Jimmy(phatjay) has been to just about all the meets and pulling my part as NELOC Leader. I have been MIA for a while because I just started a new job and ive been going thru some family issues, which has been taking up alot of my time. I talked to Jimmy briefly about my role as one of the Leaders of NELOC. I was going to step down but it wouldnt be fair to Jimmy and I would feel bad.. I found a way to dedicate sometime to help out as Co Leader and Im going to try and go to the remainding meets set up for us. I do apologize for me missing at most of the past meets. Ill see you guys at the next meet!!



TJ

 

As one former leader to a present leader, let me give you a few tips. Leadership isn't ALWAYS about your attendance, but that of the impact and presence that you have upon a group. I know EXACTLY how you feel as I had the same issues myself. By profession, I am a long distance trucker. Have always been since 02 and this was prior to my joining NELOC in 06. My attendance was not always a strong force within the group and Leroy (Apex) can attest to this as he and I took on the role of trying to keep Neloc South alive and well. Between the 2 of us we managed to do a pretty good job, but it DOES take alot of time, dedication,as well as communication and initiative to take on such a monumental task. Truth be told,, with MOST of the meets that Apex and I put together my contribution/part/leadership took place from a laptop, on the road, many states away at just about any given moment. Me making meets had to be a VERY carefully coordinated task on my part as I DO NOT have the normal 9-5, Mon - Friday work schedule. Many knew me only as Trukn, here from the forums, however, very few knew me in person until I introduced myself. It takes work to build a strong "family" group, and I still have many of those bonds even today; even though I haven't seen some of my peeps in about 2 years now. When I did attend events, I made sure that it was business as usual, that every little detail was taken care of (in cooperative efforts with Apex), and that I even took the extra step to greet everyone, hangout, laugh/joke with ,and just make them feel welcome to the event in which we had put on. THIS is what will make you stand out and have people remember your IMPACT and CONTRIBUTION as a leader, sans your attendance. Truth be told, I DID attend the White Marsh meet, here in Baltimore, back in March but I did not have my car with me as I had sold it that day and was with a friend after returning the U-haul trailer; I live in Baltimore (Owings Mills). I walked through the meet, stopped and talked to a few of OUR people, and even intro'ed myself. Really wasn't met with too much of a warm greeting and pretty much was met with ALOT of attitude from several people (names withheld since I don't know all of the new skool). Sad thing was,, aside from only a few who knew me b/c they have been around awhile, hardly anyone of you guys even was aware that I WAS there. Is ok, as I am not looking for notoriaty, never was, it just seemed to happen that way when I was in position. My bottom line is, concentrate on being the best lead that you can be,, the attendance will come and actually become secondary based on the impact of the leadership you present. The essence of Neloc is that family and obligations must ALWAYS come first, we (as a group) aint going nowhere; so handle your business and hit us up when you can do so.

Just my $.02,,,, this is what worked for me.

 

As I said before TJ, there's really no reason to feel bad. Things don't always work out as planned and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. If you truly feel that you need to step down, I know you'll still try your best to be as active as possible in the community. I'll of course do what I can to keep things going smoothly and am already in the process of trying to get other members to step up as ambassadors for their states/areas so we can make it a lot easier to combine the north and south.

Agreed Tony. TJ has done a great job up to this point recruiting, helping fellow members out, and bumping event info whenever he can, even if he can't make them himself. The participation is still there if you ask me. As far as the White Marsh meet, I honestly had no idea you were there and apologize for that happening. The tristate crew arrived pretty late and something ended up bothering me and killed my whole mood, hence why I actually didn't meet and greet many people that day either. You can just imagine how much of a douche I felt like after I realized that.

 

Thanks guys. I'll still be around and help out as much as i can. Also Tony when did you get there? When we arrived I introducted myself to everybody that was there when we pulled up. Sorry if i didnt see you or if i missed you.

 

No need to talk like that TJ, you and Jimmy are great leaders and awesome people to be around in general, I'm proud to call you and all my other NELOC homies friends, seriously, whatever I need I know I can count on you guys with no question for help, as you guys can with me, weather it be car related or not, and that goes for all my NELOC homies but especially you two, we learn to help one another like any FAMILY would through example and you guys are doing a damn good job keeping this all together, I may not be an OG or a long time member but I know YOU TWO WERE OBVIOUSLY PICKED FOR A REASON lol just keep that in mind bro !

 

Tj, ur leader in my book although I never met u f2f. Times get rough for everyone, i have a very strong philosophy of taking a step back to get two steps ahead. As not a official member of the club, theres always one thing to remember there's strength in numbers, especially in a family.