VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Oct. G & D Question

I see in the October G & D a question for the Board Candidates is "What suggestions do you have to increase our membership." I am not running for office but I have a suggestion. Our members need to be out in the public more. I can't remember the last time I saw another VCCA member at a non-VCCA event other than AACA events. There is a cruise in in our area every Friday evening. I don't go often but when I go I do not see the presence of VCCA. WHERE ARE YOU?

Just my thought.

This is not unique to your area, Jim. I'm sure it's common in all areas. In general, VCCA members have a poor reputation for participating in events other than VCCA events.

Many VCCA members attend several VCCA meets/tours per year. I'm guessing they like the VCCA events better than all-comer, local cruise-in type events. Sort of like "Birds of a feather flock together." That's not "bad." Just the way it is.

As for increasing membership. Personally, I think that's just a pipe dream. For a variety of reasons, we've been one in and one out for years. For instance, the 2001 Directory indicates about 8700 members. And the 2006 Directory indicates about 8500 members. But the "new" members in the Oct G&D have membership numbers in the 46,500 range.

It's interesting to note that all the 2010 board candidates (Oct G&D) essentially say the same thing you do Jim. "Get out to local events and 'promote' the club." But, in general, VCCA members don't go to those all-comer local cruise-in type events. Well, there ya go. Full circle.....

Bill.

A year ago I started restoring my old car which I have owned since '82, and about 6 months ago discovered and joined the VCCA. One of the things I like about the VCCA, is the wide variety of cars, yet still with enough of a focus (Chevrolets). It is enjoyable to see older and newer cars than mine while retaining the focus of originality and Chevrolets.

I understand that a recent development in the VCCA has been the “Driver” class. This seems to me to be a great idea, as it encouraged me to bring my car (unfinished restoration) to the local VCCA meet. I do see the need to improve the communication of the driver class and how it works, as much of the info I got was more about the formal detailed judging process, which was quite intimidating when you have rusty paint, holes in the seats and some non-original stuff going on. I think developing the driver class would be a good idea to bring in people with minor modifications. Perhaps it could be fleshed out with some detailed judging, but an allowance made for one or two modifications. Like a non-original transmission. In the original class judging there is (if I recall correctly) a 100 point deduction for non-original transmission. Or perhaps allowances made for period modifications, like adding aftermarket gauges or a performance intake from back in the day. All with an eye to keeping the original look/feel and nostalgia. My observation from attending other local cruises, is that most of the activity is in the lowriders and hot-rods/customs. Bringing in some of these folks with some allowances for minor modifications would help the appeal of the VCCA. Of course you would not want to allow for too much, as the VCCA’s main mission is promoting originality. I also agree with the above comments, VCCA members should be out there in the other cruises reminding people what the original looks like.

"Bringing in some of these folks with some allowances for minor modifications would help the appeal of the VCCA. Of course you would not want to allow for too much, as the VCCA’s main mission is promoting originality. I also agree with the above comments, VCCA members should be out there in the other cruises reminding people what the original looks like".

Who and how would you decide what "minor modifications" are acceptable and how would you decide what is "too much"?

Sounds like it would compromise the entire message from VCCA.

Bob

Obviously the VCCA has the people who can write contest rules, I have read some of them. The existing rules outline what is considered original and what gets penalized as a modification. Writing another category rule set is the same process. Where to draw the line would be up to the writers of the rule set as directed by the VCCA board.

I realize modifications are out of the mindset of the VCCA, but the original question was “how to appeal to a wider audience”. My observation was that more people are into modifying than originality. If you want to get some of the milder modifiers to interact with the VCCA and perhaps get the bug for originality, you need to get them to the VCCA shows and such.

I for one, happen to enjoy interacting with everyone at the local cruise-ins. When I drive my 40 coupe, most everyone who walks over to my coupe gets turned off when they see an original straight 6 under the hood. This is usually because most cruise-ins in my area have a large persentage of street-rodders in attendance. I do like interacting with those who street-rod a car becasue they often have left over parts at home that can be purchased by the purists ( like me ). It is absolutely amazing how many street rodders have brought a rust bucket back from the graveyard and turned it into a runable machine. Some of us would not begin to restore a rust bucket in today's economy unless it is financially worth while - like a rare convertible or if the particular car means something special to us.
Don't get me wrong, I wish that more people would restore the older cars back to stock, but the reality is that the owner of a car gets to do what he/she wants to with their piece of property. My old coupe is bone stock and has been VCCA judged and has received a Preservation Board with many preservation mini's added to the preservation board.
I am encouraged by the relatively new CDPC = Chevrolet Driver Participation Class. This will allow a wider range of Chevy lovers to feel at home in the VCCA. Our job as the "purists" is to welcome the owners of CDPC cars into the club. If we make negative comments about their add-on vintage a/c in their car, why would they want to stay in our club?
I agree, the VCCA Board members and all VCCA members need to reach out to non-members who are good matches for the values and interests of the VCCA. Growth is essential for our club's future.

dtm

I agree we do need to reach out to many potential members. I have spoken to many folks at our local cruise nights, many seem hesitant to join. Some whom I have given copies of the G&D have said "it looks like the cars are older than mine " these are people with cars from 60's to 80's. I feel what makes the VCCA interesting is the wide variety of cars/years I agree with Toolman I like all types of cars specifically Chevy's modified or stock. Don't write off the guy in the modified car, or other brand of car, he
may have a stock Chevy at home. I was at a cruise night last Friday night (one of the largest ones in the Chicago suburbs with up to 450+ on a summer night) and I had someone ask me about the bumper sticker on my 62 " Flint or Bust" I explained to him about the VCCA & 50th Even though I have known this guy for many years I never discussed VCCA with him( He has an 80's Malibu street strip car) I found out his father had older stock Chevy's. Our local VCCA chapter is small in membership with 20 members and we have had 5 members at this cruise night one time this past summer with a 70, 67, 60, 36, and a 29 (maybe 30), The only problem we can not be parked as a group and if we could we would need to fly a banner.
That same night there was a member of the Great Lakes region who I approached to join our region last year but he chose the other local region,
It boils down to we are all in this hobby for the love of the vehicles whether they be Chevys or X - modified or stock. and we need to reach out to all with stock or close to stock Chevy's to inform the about the VCCA

I'm involved with several clubs revolving around my cars and motorcycles. The most obvious difference that comes immediately to mind for me is the cost. VCCA is three and four times the cost of my other memberships.

I've written letters when renewing with the hope of getting a stripped down membership without the G&D as most of the cost of my membership is mailing costs for the G&D. I hate paying for shipping as I already have an 18" stack of unopened G&D's. I like contributing to and supporting the club as it's a great organization; I just don't want to fund the postal system.

The best comparison I have is my membership to POCI (Pontiac-Oakland Club International): I pay $15 a year for the "web based" version of their magazine.

My last VCCA membership cost me in the area of $70 with the exchange. Ouch.

If this was the only club I was involved with I would be less concerned but most car guys are into several clubs so the cumulative costs start to be a big factor.

So...maybe a lower cost membership with an online G&D would grab some first timers...

canadiantim has a good idea especially for the non US members and it also becomes environment friendly (I am not generally) though the postal services will miss out.
I have read at least the major articles in the G&D issues I have but not necessarily when they arrive.
Tony

Great post's and views.

I agree with Toolman 100%, and others on this thread. But if my former razor sharp memory prevails, the Board just went through a process of reviewing "stock vs. modified". I believe the finding was all Chevrolets are welcome, but VCCA stands on it's tradition of "totally stock, restored to original specs, equipment and appearance." Other Board members may be able to detail this more. But to me, end of story.

As far as other car guys, I'm very respectful of the all the people who own and create hot rod's, modified cars and most others. The creativeness, details. engineering, quality of work and enthusiasm for the hobby is wonderful to experience. And the investment they make in there cars is overwhelming. I find them engaging, bright, interesting and, respectful AND, nonjudgmental about other types of cars.

Like Dave, when my '41 is at drive-in venues or shows, the younger guys love looking at a totally "stock" car.

Now getting new members, aka: recruiting is another issue. And it has it's own opportunities and challenges. Some are systemic and some general social issues. Some issues VCCA could overcome, some are more challenging.

Finally, the issue of VCCA being "3-4 times more expensive" is surprising to me. A couple of studies over the past 3 years showed me different examples. My review is, VCCA 's fee sits somewhere near the high-middle of car club costs/fees. For a Large, national club. A "menu" of services was presented as a concept to the Board 2 years ago. But they did not see any benefit in that process. Yet that type of process could offer something enticing to new members, while retaining the traditions and values of the current fees and services.

Enjoy the ride,
Michael41

My dues for VMCCA are $37.00/year, $35.00/AACA and $35.00/VCCA. I would say we are right in the ball park.

VMCCA is billed as "THE TOURING CLUB". They have no Meets as we know them. One day of a five day tour might be dedicated to judging for those who care to participate. I drove our 31 three days in the Rocky Mountains before judging. It is my understanding you must drive your vehicle a minimum of fifty miles to be judged.

I'd cheer if I could pay $35 a year for VCCA! My renewal rate is $60USD. That will be about $75 out of my pocket once Visa takes their "commission" for converting our monopoly money to US.

I just received my renewal for POCI for $20 USD - virtually the same level of club (though I do like the people on this site more than any other I've encountered!)

We need a "virtual" G&D so the money goes to the VCCA rather than to the postal system...

I believe that an electronic version of the G&D is a good goal to shoot for. Once a bunch of work is done on the database it might be possible. Then the international members can see membership costs closer to what the USA member pay.

What most of you might not realize the VCCA is a 6 figure not for profit business. It takes a bunch of money each month to make all this work. Just think what it would cost if all the volunteer time was not donated.

The "shift" that I made this weekend goes a long ways towards that goal. We now have all data accessible by each person's INDIVIDUAL ID and Password. No more "common" passwords".

So now we can manage individual access to the data -- and eventually an electronic G&D.

--Bill Barker