<VV> CORSA Membership
Alan and Clare Wesson
alan.wesson@atlas.co.uk
Thu Feb 3 21:25:54 EST 2005
This pretty much tallies with what I said, I am pleased to say. The only
difference between us is that, as a member of a number of car clubs, I am
very familiar with the reluctance that editors always encounter on the part
of members to write anything.
It would be great if everyone (starting with me!) wrote a detailed report on
their car(s) and the work they have done and are doing to it/them.
But I ain't going to be doing that any time soon (too much work!), and I am
prepared to bet that this applies to at least 85% of the membership.
That's why I did my best to select things that didn't require much original
authorship - most of what I suggested already exists in one form or another
somewhere. It is just a case of pulling it together and editing it.
But by all means canvass the members for what stories they can provide. I
just don't see many being forthcoming - and certainly not to any kind of
predictable or viable timescale.
This evaluation is based on the experiences of the other clubs I am in...
Cheers
Alan
''In Italy under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and
bloodshed - but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the
Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love and 500 years of
democracy and peace - and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.'' Orson
Welles as Harry Lime in 'The Third Man' (1949)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Western Canada CORSA" <westerncanadacorsa@shaw.ca>
To: <fastvair@yahoogroups.com>; <virtualvairs@corvair.org>
Cc: <corvairs@cybrus.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 8:47 PM
Subject: <VV> CORSA Membership
> Sure Bob,
>
> I'm going to be really, really blunt, with the hopes that it'll spark some
> debate.
>
> I know there are issues with the content, so I'll address them further on.
>
> The appearance of the Communique is quite simply, dated. I mean really,
> really, dated. The same 'ol graphic and square picture on a solid colour
> background. High school yearbooks have better layouts. So, IMO, we've
> got a mag that has zero zing in terms of eye appeal. This is a quickly
> fixable item, because of the cheap and powerful software out there.
>
> As for the content.....
>
> It is my opinion that too much space is wasted on event reports. They are
> all the same: "it was sunny, there were Corvairs, we all had a great time,
> blah, blah, blah." I don't give a rat's ass about how much fun so and so
> had in some place I've never heard of, ESPECIALLY when they are all
> essentially the same, you just stop reading them. I understand the need
> to acknowledge what's going on at the chapter level, but I think these
> should be severely limited in the space they're allowed, to free up space
> for more interesting items.
>
> The usual argument for the content in the Communique is that they can only
> print what is submitted. But as far as I know, there is no one actively
> searching for content. When I wrote the WCC Newsletter, I kept my ear to
> the ground for guys working on projects that other members would find
> interesting. I'd pursue them to write an article for the newsletter. 9
> times out of 10 they'd say "sure"! But if I had waited for the content to
> come to me, it never would have happened. The Communique needs the same
> thing. Somebody that monitors the email lists looking for guys working on
> potentially interesting cars and projects. What about the convention for
> finding article worthy 'vairs?
>
> Mike Weirmier's "Westbrier" is a perfect example. He has taken a clapped
> out, covered in house paint, x-bell telephone van, and converted it into a
> '02 dark metallic mustang green, westfalia pop-top camper. The guys on
> the FC list are getting dribs and drabs of his progress, but I can
> guarentee you Mike hasn't given the idea of submitting an article to the
> Communique a thought. I'll betcha if somebody from CORSA called/emailed
> Mike asking him to write one, he'd say "yes".
>
> Further, I think an effort should be made to find some accomplished
> photographers from within' CORSA's ranks. Here's my senario.
>
> Article Idea Finder Person (AIFP) from CORSA contacts Mike to ask him to
> do a story on the "Westbrier", he says "yes". Next the AIFP consults a
> list of volunteer photographers to see if there is anyone located nearby
> that can arrainge for a session with Mike to get some good quality shots
> of the Westbrier. THIS WOULD INCLUDE SHOTS WITH A SENSE OF MOVEMENT WHERE
> APPROPRIATE. Further, if Mike says "Yes" to the article, but "No" to
> writing it (some people just aren't confident with their writing skills)
> then AIFP can contact the local chapter Pres. to see if he knows someone
> with a flair for words in that chapter.
>
> AIFP would only have to come up with 11 such articles per year AT MOST,
> and it would really give the Communique a whole new readaability.
>
> Also realted to this. I think the Membership Committee, (and the soon to
> be created AIFP), and other chairs that require enthusiasm, but not
> necessarily knowledge (ie. the Historian and Technical chairs) should be
> held by BoD members.
>
> If CORSA wants me to go out and contact all 50 people I signed up to find
> out what % are still members, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY exactly why those that
> didn't stay on chose to leave, I'll do it. But I'm telling you right now
> that almost all are going to say the didn't like/find value/etc, etc in
> the Communique. I may not have all the answers, any answers, or even the
> right answers, but I am very confident in saying that if you want to
> attract and keep new members to CORSA you have to start with the
> Communique because it is one of the keys to the success or failure of the
> organization.
>
> Just my 0.02
> Regards,
> Joel
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bobhelt@aol.com [mailto:bobhelt@aol.com]
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 12:05 PM
> To: fastvair@yahoogroups.com; westerncanadacorsa@shaw.ca;
> virtualvairs@corvair.org
> Subject: Re: [fastvair] Corsa Membership
>
>
>
> In a message dated 2/3/05 12:31:41 PM US Mountain Standard Time,
> westerncanadacorsa@shaw.ca writes:
>
>> But until the Communique is changed, in both appearance and content, you
>> can bring all the new members to CORSA that you want, but if they don't
>> like
>> what they find, and to 90% of people that IS the Communique, then they're
>> just
>> not going to continue being members.
>>
>
> Joel, Please explain and give us some details.
> Thanks,
> Bob Helt
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dfgiannotti@webtv.net [mailto:dfgiannotti@webtv.net]
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 6:43 AM
> To: fastvair@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [fastvair] Corsa Membership
>
>
>
>
> By now most of you have read Sarah Jones " President's Message "..Her
> concern is the rapidly declining membership, approx. 300 lost last
> year..
> This is a concern, what can be done??
> I would like to poll this group, then send
> our suggestions on to the BOD..
> I will start if off...
> 1. Hire or recruit a Publicity
> Chairman..
> Someone to promote Conventions,
> Track Events, Shows, etc. outside
> of Corsa.. Advertise Events in
> magazines, radio, newspapers, etc. Let the
> general public know we exist, basically we only
> promote the Corvair Events within
> our ranks..Set a budget for outside
> advertising...
> 2. Schedule printouts of Corsa Events
> inserted in the MAY Issue
> for copy usuage..These could also include
> membership forms.....
> Flyers can be handed out at
> Cruise-in's, Shows, etc.
> We are not getting the word out to the general
> public that we exist..
> Thats my .02 cents, whats yours??
>
> Dan
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