VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Non-Geographic Charters

Non-Geopgraphic Charters were approved by the National Board in March of 2005. In 14 months nothing has happened. No charters have formed.

Non-Geographic charters is for members to form a club within the club for specfic interests. We could form a charter for Impala's or Nova's or Camaro's or Corvette's or Vega's or MonteCarlo's or Corvair's or Chevette's. It could be an era, the four cylinder era, the six cylinder era. It could be for pick-ups or Fire Trucks. It could be for 1955, 1956 and 1957, the so-called Classic's. It could be for 1958 through 1964, the so-called late greats. Tremendous number of possibilities.

These charter groups of the VCCA would establish their own dues and their own newsletter and maybe even their own magazine - and reamin members of the VCCA.

Any Interest in forming a Non-geographic Charter?

I do not like the name Non-Geopgraphic. Give me some ideas on a new name to describe these charters.

I voluntered in Flint to be the National Board Member contact to begin these Non-Geographic Charters. I will not start one, but will help members begin a charter.

Joe Smith
National Board Member

How about calling them "Special Interest Charters"? What are the rules or guide lines for forming one?

1. Requires 8 members or more
2. Open to members with a specific interest in a Chevrolet model and/or specific years of production.
3. Chapters are not allowed to Host national Meets, however they can host tours.
4. Chapters are not to interfere with the operating territory of surrounding Geograhic Regions.
5. Chapters are to meet at least once a year either in person or electronically.
6. Chapters are to pay an annual charter fee of $15.
7. Chapters are to be under the Direction of a Board member at Large appointed by the President - for 2006 that is Joe Smith.
8. All members of a Chapter must be VCCA members in good standing.

Joe Smith
National Board Member

I personally disagree with two things about this.
One: We need a better title. Maybe "Special Interest Charters", I like it better then Non-Geograhic Regions. The term Non-Geograhic comes from AACA, they have nine different Regions that are in this category. The HCCA uses the term "Affiliated Registers", they have 17 of these Registers. I like that term. Examples - Imapala Register, Nova Register, 1955-1957 Register, Corvette Register. Maybe, Impala Charter or Impala Chapter. These titles fully describe the marque and it is short and sweet.
Two: Charters cannot host a National Meet. I personally think a charter should be able to host a National Meet - should be restricted from having them during the same year as the Anniversary Meet. Also, should be scheduled not to intefere with Geographic Region Meets.

Once we get some Charters established, those members of the charter can submit MOTIONS to correct things that need to be changed.

Joe Smith

How Do We Get Started.
First: We have to have someone willing to be the Director of a Charter. That person has to step forward and say He/She wants a charter for this specific Non-Geograhic Group.
Second: We advertise in the G & D and get our minimum 8 members or more.
Third: We get articles published in the G & D to promote this Specific Charter and get more members.
Fourth: We submit articles to other publications trying to attract new VCCA members and Chapter Members.

Remember - the main purpose is to create Non-Geograhic Regions that will attract New members to VCCA.

Joe Smith

Joe, Just because AACA does something doesn't make it a bad thing. I believe we could learn alot from seeing how AACA, VMCCA, and MARC do things.

One example is that MARC has a National Meet every year that attracts around 800 vehicles. They only recognize four years of vehicles. How many do we have every five years with all the years we recognize?

For as long as I have been a VCCA member there have been National VCCA Officers that consider AACA an ugly word. Why not open our eyes and learn?

Back Roads
What is MARC ? Model-A's?

Most of the National Board Members are also members of AACA. Including me. I did not mean anything negative about AACA in my comments. just stating where the terminolgy originated.

Joe Smith

I agree that this is an area that represents a great opportunity for both growth of the Club, and having fun with our cars.

I also agree that we should allow these Registers or N-G Chapters, whatever name we ultimately use, to have Meets. I think that would be a key ingredient for their success.

Joe, MARC is the Model A Restorers Club.

There seems to be substantial interest in forming a "chapter" or "registry" for 1931-1932 Chevrolet's or 1929-1932 or 1929-1932 roadsters.
I have noticed on tours and meets that I have attended there seems to be a bond between 1931 owners. I plan to study these 1931's in Colorado and try to learn why.

I do not own a car of that era. You members that do - please get together and have the satisfaction of forming the first non-geographic region.

Non-Geograhic is probably the best term to describe this host of potential regions. I think each group could then decide if they want to call it a "chapter" or a "registry" for their Region.

I'm your National Board Member contact for these Non-Geographic Regions. My initial assignment was to submit an article for G&D. Due to the feedback I have received on this thread in the chat room, I feel I can now write a much better article.

Thanks
Joe Smith

Joe,
There are some interesting things about a 31. Some of them are last year for up-draft carb. first year the top and bottom of the body were welded together. Last year with outside sun visor. Last year for vertical windshield. First year for five window coupe. Only year for external stone guard. First year Chevrolet outsold ****. These are just some of the things off the top of my head. Oh yes, the last year for the double bar bumpers.

Joe

The statement " I think each group could then decide if they want to call it a "chapter" or a "registry" for their Region." This is a National Club and the National Club should decide what to call the groups. Do we wnat to have registers and chapters and what ever someone has a whim to call the group at the time? Over the years I have seen many things come and go with VCCA. One of the things that has caused the most problem is the fact that we do not have RULES. Too many times there is is a suggestion or a guideline. Then things are done differently in different areas of the country. If we are going to proceed with "Chapters" they should be called chapters thru out the organization. Or there should be rules as to what a register is vs a chapter. This need to be well thought out, and then could be a real asset to the Club. As I don't belong to a Region I may be inclined to belong to a group that relates to my specific car. This just might be the tool to attract those Tri 5 members that belong to Tri 5 clubs because that relate to each other. AACA has had success with that with a few Marque Specific Non Geographic Regions. Again-I think it could be a great idea, we just need to ALL call it the same thing or have a clear definition as to what each groups purpose is.

Yeah, Just call them:

Non-Geographic Regions

"Last year (1931) for vertical windshield".

Actually, the 1931 closed models had a 7 degree sloping windshield. It was not vertical. Also, both the 1930 closed models and the 1932 closed models had sloping windshields as well.

I was at the National Board meeting when this motion was passed. I was amazed that it was discussed and voted on in under 5 minutes. Most motions took anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

Afterwards, I leaned over to Bruce DeFord, Jr and told him that this was going to be the "dark horse" motion of the decade... that it had the potential to radically change the future composition of the entire club.

Two years later, I'm of the same frame of mind... more power to everyone who's considering this as a possible opportunity!!

My own two cents -- (sorry MrMack) is don't call it "Non-Geographic". That has a negative connotation in that it tries to describe what it isn't -- not what it is!! As more and more of these "regions" (or whatever) are created, the concept of "geographic alignment" will be lost and the name will be less and less descriptive. What if 20 years from now, all regions become aligned to various models and there are no geographic ones left. Then the term "non-geo" would definitely be archaic.

If I had to quickly pick a term, I think that I'd opt to call them "Chapters"... that term has no baggage associated with it and makes sense for the long haul.

That's it... just wanted to throw this out.

Sorry Dog. My mistake.

One thing, you Politically correct guys often confuse the defination of Non saying it is negative, and negative is bad, I wonder what will be next having a positive terminal on a battery and an opposite terminal? I for instance like non-proliferation better than proliferation in some issues. "Chapter" is book lingo to me. "Registry" isn't any better (IMHO)

In VCCA can there be a Chapter without there being a parent Region? Other organizations I am in to be a member of a Chapter you must first be a National Member and a Region Member then a Chapter Member. Is this defined in the VCCA Hand Book?

I don't like the sound of a non-geographic chapter. It should be kept simple and "VCCA, XYZ Chapter" is just that.

Ok, Ok ALREADY!! (by the way I just found out that when I hit the tab key it posted my unfinished idea)

I get the drift, youse guys don't like the name of Non-Geographic Region for a region.

Why not just call it The 1931 Chevrolet Club of VCCA?
or the Nova Region of VCCA?

The 1928 National owners of VCCA

Or the get this... The Geo-Tracker Lovers of VCCA?
SO... If you get 12 charter members to start the Region, Club or whatever, then YOU 12 or more decide what name the durned thang should carry! Hows about that?

I will put in another idea to rattle around. Whats wrong with "?????? BRANCH of VCCA". It is still defined as part of VCCA and can be geographic for that matter.
Tony

Boy,if you let each CHAPTER pick it's own name, that would really be confusing. I like the idea of a 1931 chapter.

Let me paint you a picture. Look in your G&D and look up Regions. See how they are listed by state? NON-GEOGRPHIC REGIONS would be a new category after those states. There is a potential for 100's of Non-Geograhic Regions. H.C.C.A. has 17 and A.A.C.A. has nine, if you get their publication look up Regions and see how they are listed.
In your G & D it will proabably look like this:

NON-GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS:

1931 Chevrolet Registry
c/o John Chevrolet
1931 W. 31st Street
Cincinnati, Ohio
(999) 999-9999

Impala Chapter
c/o John Impala
1958 N.W. Avenue
Syracuse, New York
(999)999-999

Fire Truck Registry
c/o Mike Neal
31 Old Dirt Road
Wichita, Kansas
(999)999-9999

Four Cylinder Chapter
c/0 Mack Attack
92 old Dirt Road
Dallas, Texas
(999) 999-9999

I hope this clears up the confusion

Joe Smith

As others, I was opposed to the "title" of " Non-Geographic Regions " and was trying to come up with a "better" name. Such as Associate Regions. Category Regions. Affiliate Regions. Auxiliary Regions. Etc. Etc.

However, after seeing Joe's explanation, I think Non-geographic is actually a GOOD name for these special regions. Especially considering....

1. They really aren't related to geography, like the current regions

and

2. These "special" regions will have the cars/years they represent in their title. Per the various examples Joe provided.

"Non-Geographic Regions" is definitely the way to go, as far as I'm concerned.

Bill.

...Looking at the defination of region in Webster, Region will apply to many things.
most definations do apply to a division of geographical areas, however one defination is:
A sphere of activity or interest:FIELD
I would think that in a page listing the clubs within VCCA We should have a heading of Geographical regions, which list the geographical regions and another heading for Non-graphical regions listing the other kinds of special interest clubs. The Joe's explanition clears up the issue for me. I had not even considered the proper way of listing the clubs, regions, etc. good point Joe (cordman, firetruck driver, Director), and Bill42.

I think it is good that we have a venue such as this site for open discussions,
Thanks Billy BaRRker, and the B.O.D.!