<VV> A different approach to an ongoing problem

[Louis Armer]

Hi all, For the last two weeks we have once again been discussing at 
length the ongoing problems of our finances and dwindling membership 
base in CORSA. I have never doubted most members sincerity and 
concerns about the problems but in general, the same solutions and 
suggestions always are proposed and promoted as the means to solve 
our current and future finances and ways to add new members to CORSA.

I was watching NFL football today and either channel surfing or 
muting the sound during the many many commercials when I realized 
that almost every commercial we watch is not designed to make an 
individual happy with what he/she already has but to make them desire 
what they don't have. Not only do most of these commercials berate, 
insult, and question the intelligence of the consumer but few really 
make much sense in a real world setting.

Maybe, just maybe, we in CORSA have been convinced by the constant 
bombardment of advertising for the "masses" that we need to emulate 
their strategy which is to sell new product and in most cases 
obsolete the existing product and in the process deny the consumer 
what may be a perfectly good existing product.

We are a small International  group of  individuals who have chosen 
our hobby, chosen our Marque, enjoy the cars and the synergy that 
evolves when like minded individuals pursue a common hobby. Now, here 
is the avenue which I feel we haven't pursued as a group and which I 
feel has caused all of us a lot of hard feelings and counter 
productive actions in CORSA.

All of us in CORSA and the local Corvair clubs have got to start 
thinking "within our box" and start promoting to like minded 
individuals what we have and why they would better enjoy their lives 
by being a part of our Corvair hobby. To try and chase the unknowns 
and especially under 40's who have no direct link to a Corvair, that 
think a car is a disposal machine, that have no idea what a 
carburetor is, have never rolled up a car window or ridden in an non 
air-conditioned car is like throwing money and time away. There has 
to be a common thread or bond that allows us to create the connection 
with an individual that wants or desires the Corvair hobby. We have 
to be able to find that connection on a one on one basis whether it 
is at a cruise-in, a museum car display, a multi-marque car show or a 
home town parade or washing our Corvair in our own driveway. Just the 
process of meeting and talking with someone who has admired your 
Corvair will allow you to show just how special you feel about your 
car and how different it is from a throw away appliance and in the 
process of conversation find out if you have discovered a fellow 
Corvair lover and what binds his/her feelings to a Corvair. You 
already know almost all the scenarios such as Grandfather, 
Grandmother, Aunt, Uncle, older brother/sister, best friend, 
co-worker etc. Now you need to create desire by example. We all 
really need to re-explore what brought us into this hobby and think 
"within our box" to gain new members and enjoyment from what we do as 
Corvair lovers.


Corvairly,
Chuck Armer



CORSA Member
Corvanatics Member
Corvair Atlanta Director
1965 Corsa Coupe
1964 Greenbrier
http://darthvair.com
SECC Member
1965 Corsa Autocross car 1/2 owner
http://www.wtbrt.com/