<VV> CORSA

[Bill Elliott]

I don't think the membership demographics are the same, but I do 
(begrudgingly)  belong to a club that has dues similar to what you 
suggest... so why did I join if I thought the dues were outrageous? Because 
the community makes sure that you can't get technical information otherwise.

Sure, you can get product catalogs and workshop manuals from vendors, etc, 
but you will not find free technical advice, tech drawings, etc... the kind 
of answers many of us come here for (or the Corvair Center, etc). The 
community tightly self-policies itself so that you can't get ANYTHING 
outside of their website (which is accessible by membership in the club 
only)

Now, once you're there, members and technical advisors freely dispense 
advice, help, etc... in the end you really do feel like it's worth the money 
because you get something valuable in return.

The size is somewhat similar as well (about 9000 members) but only about 
6000 of those are in the US. They have a great magazine as well... but ours 
is better!!!  By the way, this national membership automatically includes 
membership in the local club, so there is no local struggle to get 
members... and people tend to participate in events because they feel they 
are already paying a premium to get to do so.

Now this is the exact opposite model of our community... where technical 
information, this email group, etc, is widely available and free... I guess 
the general idea is freely providing the information will encourage more 
general Corvair ownership and therefore more CORSA membership. Not a bad 
model and one which is time proven... but then the other club has a seven 
figure account balance and could almost operate off the interest...

Your suggestion would transform CORSA into something more like the other 
club, BUT I think it could only be successful if there were no alternative 
places to get the information...

Anyway, just some food for thought...

Bill
ps... we think it's crazy that a Corvair would be worth $15k... and yet that 
will barely buy a new Honda Civic... stripped

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric S. Eberhard" <flash at vicsmba.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 18:15
Subject: <VV> CORSA


>I suggested CORSA  run the dues to $100...
>
> I would tend to agree more with $100 than $45 -- but at least try $75
>
> a change from 45 to 75 would increase revenues more than 50% and
> would not increase expenses.  It would transition the club to live in
> an environment of fewer (rather than more) members.