At the Wheel • From the President • Doing More

Julie Bruggner

When I bought my first Mercedes in 2006, like many people, I had no idea this club existed. In a unique dozen years of twists and turns, and two cars later, I am honored to be writing my first President’s letter to you. As I reflect on how I got here, and where I want the Mercedes-Benz Club of America to go under my leadership, I think the most important concept is inspiration. The relationships I have built with members and the people I now call friends inspire me to do more; to serve, to engage with members and to  highlight the truly inspirational things that our members do for each other and their communities.

The first part of inspiration starts at the section level, and you see it in the events that happen around the country. When I walked into my first meeting, a few members in the Three Rivers Section welcomed me as a member, as a friend, and inspired me to contribute to the MBCA. I want sections to replicate this for new leaders, and as I work with sections to inspire new leaders, I am going to always remember the confidence the Three Rivers Section put in me.

I learned firsthand how rewarding it could be to organize an event and really have members enjoy their cars, and their time together; that’s what it’s all about. Frank and Mary Alice Cozza encouraged and inspired me to do more – to lead an event, a section, to get on the board – and I have a big obligation to deliver on the faith they had in me.

At the local level, I come from a section of 64 members. While our section is small in numbers, we have members with great hearts that push us to be good friends that help, not only each other, but also our community. Jason and Amy Bogart, the president and first lady of the Three Rivers Section, devote their efforts to making our members happy and contributing to our community.

While I was at the event in Hilton Head and at our board meeting, Jason organized an event that collected an ML-load of toys for the Fort Wayne Chapter of the Toys for Tots Campaign. It’s so great to be part of a section that wants to help others. It inspires me to meet members across the country because I suspect similar things are going on and need to be published and celebrated.

I’m honored to serve the MBCA, and there is a lot of work ahead. A big part of my job is to meet the members and section leaders who make this club work. I want to meet you, attend your events, and understand what is working (and not working) for you with the club. I want to help you retain and attract members, to be a sounding board for the resources you need to make your volunteer hours more successful.

I am here as a resource, and care about the club like you do. I look forward to meeting you, to having you inspire my work at the national level, and to befriending your members at events in the coming months. Please let me know which events you’d like me to attend, and how it is that I can support your section’s efforts.