SUMMARY OF MARCH 5-6, 2026 NATIONAL BOARD MEETING

EARY FORD V-8 CLUB OF AMERICA

The First Quarter 2026 Face to Face Board of Directors Meeting was called to order by President Dave Gunnarson on Thursday March 5, 2026 at 8:05 a.m. PST at the Hacienda Hotel in Old Town, San Diego, California in the El Pueblo Conference room. A quorum of Directors was present for the meeting. National staff present were Mike Stichter, Treasurer, Shannon Olson, V-8 Times Editor and Michael Rowe, legal counselor.

Officers and New Board Members sworn in for 2026: Dave Gunnarson, President, Dan Castellini, Vice President and Steve Kroeger, National Secretary. John Caldwell, Southeast Director and Phill Hall, California SW2 Director.

Minutes of the 4th Quarter 2025 meeting were approved.

Financial Reports: Treasurer Michael Stichter presented a summary of the 2025 financial reports. After a review and discussion by the Board, the reports were accepted unanimously. Budget for the 2026 fiscal year was approved.

Discussion on National Meets: Board discussed a proposal to have a 2026 National Meet in Morgantown, PA at the Holiday Inn August 23-28 to be sponsored by the National Board with assistance of local Regional Groups. After further follow up it was determined that there would not be sufficient time to promote the event and a driving tour is being scheduled at the same venue on the same dates.

2027 EASTERN NATIONAL MEET: A proposal by the Northern Virginia Regional Group #96 for an Eastern National Meet to be held in Williamsburg, VA at the Woodlands Hotel and Suites on June 20-25, 2027 has been approved by the board.

CASH INVESTMENT STRATEGY AND OPTIONS: Mr. Allen Gamel, CFP, CHFP was invited by Board Member Joe Reger to give a presentation to the Board to see how it could improve the Clubs financial position. It was decided to move forward, and it was approved that Michael Stichter, Treasure, to conduct business with Edward Jones on a portion of our funds in regular savings to CDs. 

2025 Audit Report: Discussion and review of the 2025 Audit was held and approved.

ACCESSORY BOOK SALES: Board reviewed the inventory of accessories and books with the goal to reduces some of the inventory. Pricing on a reprint of some copies the 33-34 book is being looked into as we are out of stock and book is still in demand.

REGIONAL GROUP ANNIVERSARY CERTIFICATES: Certificates were handed out to all Board Members to give to the Regional Groups celebrating anniversaries in their regions.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST: It was noted that the Bensen Ford Research Center is still closed. Insurance program status was reviewed. Policy Manual update to be reviewed. Open discussion on the 5-year outlook for the EFV-8C was reviewed and how it affects the Club.

Respectively Submitted:

Steve Kroeger, National Secretary Early Ford V-8 Club of America

In 2026 there are now 2 National Driving Tours scheduled.  Depending on where you are in the United States there is one East and one West.
 
The first one is the Peaks & Prairies National Driving Tour scheduled for August 2 - 7 sponsored by the Big Sky Regional Group # 153.  This one will be in Montana and Wyoming.  It will start in Laurel MT just outside of Billings.  The Tour will take you to Pompey's Pillar, Red Lodge, Beartooth Pass Observation Lookout, to world famous Irma's, the Cody Rodeo Frontier Town, the Little Big Horn Battlefield and the Hardin Heritage Museum.  The average drive per day is about 125 miles.  There will be a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner.  A great time in Montana.  This will be the Big Sky Regional Group's second National Driving Tour.

The second tour is Amish Country National Driving Tour scheduled for August 24 - 28 sponsored by the Early Ford V-8 Club National Board.  This one will be based in Morgantown PA and will be a different tour each day.  You will see Valley Forge National Historic Park, drive on the Lincoln Highway, visit the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, the National Toy Train Museum, ride the Strasburg steam train and visit Lancaster and Amish life.  There will be a Welcome Reception and a Farewell Dinner.  The average drive per day is about 100 miles.  A great time in Pennsylvania.

Both Tours information and registration are under Upcoming Events.

CONGRATULATIONS “2026” R.G. CHARTER ANNIVERSARIES !!!

 60 Years:

•  RG # 03, Western New York  (February 12, 2026)

55 Years:

• RG # 37, Phoenix  (February 02, 2026)
• RG # 38, Garden State  (March 14, 2026),
• RG # 39, Tulsa  (May 02, 2026)
• RG # 40, San Fernando Valley V-Eights  (August 08, 2026)
• RG # 43, Omaha  (November 28, 2026)
• RG # 44, Great Salt Lake  (November 28, 2026)

 45 Years:

• RG # 115, Dallas  (July 26, 2026)
• RG # 117, Southern Kiwi  (April 05, 2026)

 40 Years:

•  RG # 126, Southern Michigan  (July 26, 2026)

 30 Years:

•  RG # 145, Central Iowa  (July 20, 2026)

 25 Years:

• RG # 159, Cape Cod  (July 21, 2026)

 20 Years:

• RG # 167, South Carolina Flathead  (February 4, 2026)