<VV> <CORSA Chapters> Membership question -- 100% vs Not.Chapter level

[airvair at earthlink.net]

Where the idea of not requiring CORSA's local chapters to have 100% CORSA
membership got started was when CORSA was first started. There were a
couple of clubs left over from the Chevy-sponsored days, like Chicagoland
Corvair Enthusiasts and Cactus Corvair/Corvette Club, that absolutely
refused to join the effort if mandatory membership was a requirement. So
the issue died there. In retrospect (and I've thought this for many
decades) what the fledgling CORSA should have done was simply grandfather
those existing clubs but require any future clubs that started to have
mandatory membership. Today few local clubs would have been so
grandfathered. Hindsight of course is always 20/20. Did CORSA shoot itself
in the foot? Absolutely. The question, however, is whether the damage is
reversable, at this late a date.

Sometime after the first of the year CORSA will set up an "experimental"
procedure for joining the Air 'Vair Group and the Stock Corvair Group (two
specialty chapters). Dues renewals and new member apps will list them as an
"add-on" item to the regular dues menu. Anyone wanting to join will add
their dues to the standard CORSA dues and send in one check. CORSA will
collect said dues and forward to the Air 'Vairs and SCG each a single check
and list of members joining thusly. This eliminates the need for them to
collect dues or pursue memberships, while expanding the possibilities of
picking up members who may not be aware of said chapters. And 100% CORSA
membership is thusly assured.

If any local chapters of CORSA would also join in this procedure, they
would have a good chance of picking up interested parties not only locally,
but nationally. Certainly "specialty" chapters like Corvanatics would
benefit, but also strictly local chapters would as well, particularly if
they were well-known for having a great newsletter (like CCE or SDCC does).
Something to think about.

-Mark


> [Original Message]
> From: kenpepke at juno.com <kenpepke at juno.com>
> Subject: Re: <VV> <CORSA Chapters> Membership question -- 100% vs
Not.Chapter level
>
> A while back, in the very early 80s, The Detroit Area Corvair Club was
compelled to be 100% CORSA in order to have our Homecoming be covered by
the insurance.  Perhaps we were singled out by CORSA as nobody outside of
the DACC seems to remember that requirement.  It was not popular with our
membership but, the DACC complied and we lost membership ... but less than
5%.  
>
> DACC is not 100% now ... Why?  Once we had complied and had our
Homecoming, CORSA announced that it was now longer a requirement.  Our lost
members did not return and many of our members that had joined CORSA did
not renew with CORSA.
>
> It has been quite some time since anything more than a recommendation has
been discussed with new local members.  Personally I would not even broach
the subject of required membership without CORSA applying a uniform
standard requirement ... and then STANDING FIRMLY BEHIND their decision.
>
> Today there is no reason to think our membership would have any desire to
support 100% CORSA membership.
>
> [I AM NOT SHOUTING NOW, I AM SCREAMING!!!]
>
> CORSA SHOULD REQUIRE IT NOW NO MATTER WHAT THE MEMBERSHIP THINKS!!!!!!
>
> Most clubs that involve moving vehicles of any type have that
requirement.  Somebody said 'If you want to play, YOU should pay!'  As much
as I agree with that statement it is not the greatest reason ... nor is
building a greater membership today.
>
> A different point of view:
> National organizations produce a printed magazine.  That magazine is
critical.  The number of issues issued per year is not the greatest factor.
The magazine lies around the house and when a young dad picks it up odds
are small sons will want to read with him.  Odds are that he will point
things out to the young mom and little girls will also hear.  Eventually
the kids will pick up the magazine on their own.  This is the BASIC
BUILDING BLOCKS of future membership.  Kids grow up and drift away from
such family activities but some of them, in a few years and following what
they learned from dad, start their own CORSA 'family.'  CORSA, by failing
to require 100% membership from the start has DEALT THEMSELVES OUT of
GENERATIONS of that cycle.  OK, there is no hope of getting all of these
kids to follow dad's example and join but, CORSA has guaranteed we will get
NONE of them.  Too Bad.
>
> Some organizations are considering 'going cheap' and send their magazines
electronically [no printing costs / no postage] but for the very same
reason they will learn that they shot themselves in the foot.
>
> Is it too late today? ... Is CORSA past the point of no return?  Perhaps
BUT, there is no real substitute ... it is do or die RIGHT NOW!  
>
> Ken P
>
> ********************************************************
>
> "tim mahler" <flat6vair at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > Simple pol.
> >
> > Does your chapter require CORSA membership?
> > Have you discussed 100% CORSA membership in you chapter meetings?
> > Would your chapter support 100% CORSA membership?