<VV> CORSA Membership

[The Robbins]

When I was on the BOD just a few years ago I found it pretty much automated,
there is the BOD mailing list which you read and respond too and maybe a
phone call here and there, people that are into it will be going to the
Convention so I agree with the cost part can add up but if people are going
anyway that's a wash. If you are trying to scare people away from running
and serving on the BOD it must be working since we don't have contested
races anymore. It isn't all consuming and take over your life, I was not an
officer , they have more on their plates but still it isn't bad as they can
delegate. Then of course there are the ones that do nothing other than vote
if that. Historically I heard it's always that way, you get maybe 50-75%
participation. Will it get to the point where the BOD is appointed because
there are no candidates, well time will tell on that. Let's not scare away
potential members from trying it, there could be a few out there on the
fence that would be really good but now think they will never see the light
of day again if they get on the BOD.

Joe Robbins


-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of James P. Rice
Sent: Saturday, September 05, 2009 12:26 PM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> CORSA Membership

All:  The Nov issue of Classic Motorsports arrived today.  There is a very
interesting 1/3 page write up about CORSA on pg 18.  A very positive piece.

Remember CM was at Jacksonville, and there is a report Publisher Tim's EM
convertible will be a project car in the future.

Given the trash talk about CORSA in this forum in the last week or so, many
of you should read what somebody else has to say about us.  Reminds me of
some parent/teacher meetings many years ago.  Because we see all the warts,
we do not see just how good either our kids or CORSA is as someone outside
our circle does.

Now then.... there are several "models" of how national and local car clubs
interface.  It is probably well beyond the ability of any of us to collect
the different models and analyze them.  And to what end?  We need to make
CORSA work.  If the chapters are not paying the chapter fee,  who's fault is
that?  Theirs and CORSA's.  Either can correct the situation.  If the
chapter  fee covers the cost of the insurance coverage for the "free
loaders", then the "free loaders" are paying for the benefit thru their
chapter membership.  End of complaint.  But there is a big if there.

>From what I know, the CORSA BoD is currently conducting monthly phone
meetings to discuss and address the many issues and suggestions verbalized
here.  It will all will take some time.

Just make sure your BoD member participates.  Check the voting results as
printed in the Communique.  We did not elect them to sit on their hands or
vote "present".  If they will not fish, pressure them to cut bait.  But make
sure you are willing to fish in their place.  While I fully subscribe to the
notion these who diagnose a problem generally are not the ones to fix it,
someone like Hank, for instance, getting someone to serve who can do the
work of change is the challenge.

The very first responsibility I volunteered for in CORSA I did on the basis
of "Gee, I can do it at least that bad, and probably much better."  And did
so.  And when it stopped being fun, I had prepared and thus picked my
successor.  Go and do likewise.

Remember, it takes time and money to serve on the BoD.  Many many hours a
week and more than $1K but less than $2k a grand a year.  The person I
replace in 1999 on the combined CORSA/CPF BoD's had not attended 2 of 3
conventions during his term.  I hit all three during mine, but could not
sustain either the time or expense after 3 years.  I suspect lots of BoD
members find this to be true.  Just go review the turn over rate.  People
like Seth, Sarah and Tony V have my admiration for all the years they
served.  Hugh amounts of time and money.

And we expect these people to attend regional conventions to boot!  And
complain when they don't, like the comments made about CORSA's as an
organization and BoD members as individual's lack of involvement in the
Mitty event early this summer.  Some of us who willingly and sometimes
gleefully place burdens and responsibilities on BoD members, and then
complain when these responsibilities are not fulfilled to their
satisfaction, need a harsh check of reality.

And we wonder why folks don't run for the BoD.  HELLO!!!!!  Running for the
combined CORSA/CPF BoD is painting are target on you back for the snipers
and Brutus's of this world.  You know who you are.

Oh yea, the September Communique arrived yesterday.  Again, a good issue on
the convention.  I love the water penalty in the autocross.  That's a first!

Historically Yours,
                   James Rice
                   CORSA member since mid-70's
                   Former Chairman of the Competition Committee
                   Member of original CPF Advisorary Committee
                   CORSA/CPF BoD member and CPF Liaison 1999-01
                   Occasional contributor to the Communique








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