Buzz.org: Jim Nepp – Great Northern Region of Lambda Car Club International

Organization: The Great Northern Region of Lambda Car Club International

Your Name: Jim Nepp

Title: Board President for the Great Northern Region

Give us a brief overview of your organization and what programs and/or activities you provide to the community and/or your members: 

The Great Northern Region club is a LGBTQ and straight allies car club. Our purpose is to connect with like-minded individuals and experience the joy of the automobile. We enjoy a range of events, car cruises, and gatherings with our fun and supportive community.

The board has organized and planned 15 official club events starting from this past March all the way through mid-October this year.  These events are not only Minneapolis/St Paul focused but stretch from Aberdeen, SD to the Madison, WI area.

We are in the midst of planning winter events, sans the cars.  The membership has expressed a desire to stay connected all year and not just during the warmer months.

Additionally, if you are a member, we have made it easier for you to connect with other members and plan your own ad hoc event, outside of our official club events.

You don’t have to be an engine geek or motor head to join.  Many members, including myself, simply enjoy and appreciate beautiful automobiles. Not only do our members have diverse car interests, we are a diverse club as well.  We are not just gay white men. We have straight members, lesbians, people of color, and we will continue to be a welcoming club to all regardless of gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

How many years have you been with the organization?  22 years

What’s something unique we should know about your organization? 

First, this is a niche; LGBTQ and allies + with a strong interest in cars.

Therefore, when a connection is made between that lone individual who thought they were the only one interested in cars finds us, it’s really a great day!

Second, we are an active, friendly, welcoming, fiscally sound organization with a committed leadership team. What that means to our members is that we are dedicated to providing them a robust series of events with multiple options to connect with one another.

Finally, many people travel outside our region for business and pleasure and our chapter is one of over 30 chapters nationwide.  Almost anywhere you go, you will find a car friend.

What’s your favorite thing about your position? 

I am grateful to former Board President Glenn Wisser for his dedication to re-build this club after a period of membership decline several years ago.

As the recently elected President, I am fortunate to lead a great group of board members who are very devoted to the success of this club!

I very much enjoy meeting new members and deepening friendships with existing members.  People energize me with their ideas of how we can continually grow and improve as an organization. It’s also nice when members relate the memories they have about a certain vehicle make or model.

What’s the best thing about participating in and being a part of the LGBTQ+ community? 

Camaraderie, friendship, knowledge, education, fun, new experiences…it’s a car club just for you!

Our members socialize with other people interested in cars, campers, vans, SUV’s, trucks.  We share information with each other about perspective cars to purchase, or where to find the right part for your car, or just someone to help you with your vehicle.

Plus, you don’t even need to own a car to join.  Yep, it’s easy!

Does your organization have anything new, fun or unique happening on the horizon? 

We are nearing 70 members, plus we recently added two new member-at-large positions to the board.  We have many events planned for this year, but I would envision having even more diverse events for 2025. 

Given the input we have received from members, our growth and our expanded board I am confident we will do more, see more and drive more!

If you weren’t holding your current position, what would you be doing? 

I would still be an active member of this club, even if I wasn’t on the board of directors. Overall, I am committed to being in service and that means volunteering with other non-profits as well. When not volunteering I like to travel, and my husband and I enjoy entertaining and socializing with friends and family.

For more information, check out these links!

www.greatnorthernregion.com
www.lambdacarclub.com