Courtesy Photo/ College of the Desert
Instructor Douglas Redman helps an automotive technology student inspect a vehicle.
By Skylar Brown
Production Manager
The COD automotive technology club is a group of students who share a common interest in anything with a motor that rolls on wheels, as described by Manny Doublin, Vice-President of the auto club. Doublin also goes on to say, the club is a place where students can hang out and be themselves while increasing their knowledge in the automotive field. While the automotive club is a place where those interested in motor vehicles can get together and discuss automotive technology, the club is not limited to those with automotive knowledge. Doublin says, “there is no prior experience needed to join the auto club. We welcome all students no matter their program study, nationality, creed, race, sexuality, disability or gender.” The goals of the club are not limited to “talking shop” and working on vehicles, the auto club also works to get involved in the community. One of the major aims of the auto club this semester is to get involved in the community through fund raisers and other community based activities.
The auto club is also trying to remove the stereotype of mechanics being thieving “grease monkeys” by creating a positive image for automotive technicians and mechanics. In 2010 the auto club, along with automotive students, raised about $800 through vehicle inspections for the community, donations from auto instructors at COD and students attending automotive classes. The funds were used to buy 6 Stryder bicycles for the McCarthy Child Development Center at COD.“We’re thrilled with this donation from our campus neighbor, the Automotive Technology Club. Watching our 3 & 4 year olds motor around the playground is wonderful and these special bikes will be a perfect addition to our playgrounds,” said Dianne Russom, Director, COD’s McCarthy Family Child Development & Training Center.The club is currently planning a fundraising car wash for Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The club will also be involved in the Desert Club Olympics on May 3rd, traveling to the Toyota Fest in Long Beach on May 4th, and are organizing an end of the semester trip to the Edlebrock High Performance plant in Ontario, California. Even if you cannot attend the meetings or take part in the club there are still ways to contribute. Doublin says, “we can always use and appreciate donations of time, money, food, equipment, advice, resources, or lending a helping hand with out fundraisers and events.”. The club meets Saturdays at 12 p.m. in the DM.