<VV> Let's try this (re membership)

[The Robbins]

I really think that requiring 100% by a given date would work, it may be met
with a few grumbles but I think it would work out. Just my opinion FWIW.
People that are not satisfied for reasons that can't be fixed should
probably move on to a new hobby if they aren't happy, no need to drag down
others. This is a car club , not NATO or the Mayo Clinic trying to cure
people, it's all about cars and the people that own them having a little
fun, the past few days haven't been fun and may have lost some potential new
members. 

Joe Robbins

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Robert Marlow
Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 10:08 AM
To: Virtual Vairs
Subject: <VV> Let's try this (re membership)

As was likely obvious from my original reply to Hank's post of several 
days ago, I do not support the immediate implementation of a 100% CORSA 
membership requirement at the local level.  Yet I do support the concept 
of 100% CORSA membership at the local level.  It is how to get there 
from here that is vexing.

If we were simply  to impose the requirement, my belief is that a 
substantial number of local Corvair clubs will choose not to comply, and 
will therefore choose to "secede" from CORSA.  There are any number of 
reasons why a local club might choose this route, and it can be argued 
both ways as to whether such action would be good or bad for the local 
club.  But these reasons and arguments do not alter that fact that a 
real number of local clubs would likely become disassociated with CORSA.

At that point, the Corvair hobby would no longer be cohesive.  Instead 
of having individuals who choose not to join CORSA, we will have entire 
local clubs that choose not to join CORSA.  Some individual members of 
these local clubs will stick with CORSA, and some will not.  In the end, 
my view is that CORSA's membership numbers would be lower, not higher.

I can even foresee several of these local clubs deciding to form their 
own "national" organization, and suddenly, CORSA no longer stands alone.

Simply issuing a wholesale requirement that henceforth CORSA membership 
will be required at the local level will tear the organization apart.  
So what I prefer is to take the first steps to move toward the goal, not 
demand that the goal be attained immediately.  My recommendation:


-Clubs with a 100% CORSA membership requirement in their by-laws or 
other governing documents are granted chapter status and receive 
CORSA-provided insurance and benefits.

-Clubs without a 100% CORSA membership requirement in their by-laws or 
other governing documents are granted chapter status upon payment of a 
$250 annual Insurance & Benefits Fee, and then receive CORSA-provided 
insurance and benefits.

-Clubs that choose not to require CORSA membership and not to pay the 
fee --and there will be some -- simply lose any affiliation with CORSA.


My idea is that the $250 figure is (1) high enough to have a meaningful 
connection to the cost of liability insurance that a small car club 
might otherwise seek, (2) high enough to provide an incentive to move 
toward the 100% membership requirement, (3) high enough to reward CORSA 
for extending benefits, yet (4) low enough that most clubs that choose 
not to add the membership requirement can afford to pay it, thereby 
keeping our hobby under one roof.

I confess, $250 is a number that I grabbed out of thin air, and so I 
have no particular conviction that it must be the number.  The actual 
number must be related to the true cost of providing benefits, be an 
incentive, and be within reach.

The current chapter "filing fee" is both too small and too obscure.  
That's why I want both to raise it and rename it for what it is, an 
insurance and benefits fee.

After a few years, we review the policy to see where we stand.  Based on 
what we see, we adjust the policy accordingly.

Reasoned comments are welcome.  Insults and accusations are not.

--Bob Marlow
Former CORSA Board member (1980s and 2000s)
Former and current Chapter officer


 _______________________________________________
This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are
the property
of the writer, please attribute properly. For help,
mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America,
http://www.corvair.org/
Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
Change your options: http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs 
 _______________________________________________