VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions My Survey

I sent a survey to VCCA members that I have email addresses for. The following is something I found interesting.

Of the 18 responses to why do you go to Anniversary Meets 10 of them said to see old friends and meet new ones.
1= To shart technical knowledge
1= Flea Market
1= To see the cars

3 Don't go because of distance
1 Not for a week long event

There were 5 complaints about judging.

Just thought I would share.

That is also my reason for going, to meet new people. The old Chevrolets are neat too!!!!

Speaking of meeting new people, I met a man and his wife at GJ who you may or may not know. His name is Gary & Donna Mortenson. He lives near Boulder, Colo. He had his 28 pick up there it was not painted yet and was bare metal. We ran together on the Grand Mesa Tour and he came to my rescue when I ran out of gas. I have talked to him several times since returning home and I got a disturbing call from his wife a few weeks back telling me that he has been diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer and is currently undergoing all the treatments. I was extremely saddened to hear this. He is a real trooper and called me to see if I knew where he could get some hickory lumber to make spokes for a restoration so he can work on it when he has good days. I sent him 42 board feet of kiln dried Missouri hickory last week. This man has touched my life and it was because of meeting him at a VCCA Meet.

I've been to all except the first one and the choice of locations is important for the tours, sightseeing, and history. Valley Forge, Abe Lincoln in Springfield, Cripple Creek, The Grand Old Opre, the Cruiser Olympia in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell, Pikes Peak, Mt. Rushmore, Napa Wine Country, the Golden Gate, Arches National Park, and many more.

I have been to all except the one in California in 1986.Enjoyed them for the above reasons plus meeting so many of the members from "the other side of the country"...such as PDXjoe.The JG Meet was quite a distance to go in a "no air" car but would not have missed it for all the money in the world.Rolled up 3000 trouble free miles in the'50 ,plus added another 1400 at the 6 Cyl. Tour in Ohio.Was so great renewing friendships and meeting so many of the ChatSite friends.If I'm lucky I will make the 50th and by luck it will be a one days drive for me...as I'll be 78 by then.
Last on my list for going is the judging....at one time it was first but "been there done that" and prefer the driving and tours.There has always been complaints about the judging and am sure there always will be.I have judged and been judged but would never want the responsibilty of being the chief judge.

I couldn't have said it better myself Gene. I always enjoy our evening round tables at the Six Cylinder Tours. We never get very serious. I'm already looking forward to next year. I also noticed you are two years ahead of me.

Nice statements.

And as a younger VCCA member, I sure do agree with all of you.
Survey's can be very telling at times, so good job.

I completed a survey that included over 85 members, suppliers, and others associated with VCCA. Valuable feed back.

Your information supports my findings. And it's obvious to me that VCCA must lead with hot buttons {marketing facts & value} that capture people and make them want to join the club. Or, Lead with Your strengths.

Hence, these Hot Buttons, in this order:
1. Meet New People
2. Make New friendships/relationships.
3. Share knowledge.
4. Help people.
5. Have fun.
6. Connect with others.
7. Share Stories.
8. Contribute.
9. Read a great magazine.
10. Buy & sell things
11.-19. People, Events & Car related hot buttons {Value!!!!}
20. Have your car professionally judged.

I've been slightly involved with judging 3 times, and been to 1 judging "school" and it's a fun and valuable part of VCCA.
But from a Marketing, Image & PR {recruiting} point of view,
NOT in the top 10, the way I see it.

I mean every one has a car, old or new, but not every one has friends who care, have fun, enjoy, support and share knowledge.

In a poll taken about a year ago {over 4,500 people} the number 4. item as missing from a person's life, or what the wanted more of was, "Friendships."
1. Closer tie to families.
2. Finding a better {healthier} way {s} to live.
3. Eliminating stress in life.
4. Making new friends or strengthening relationships.
5. Having more fun.

Need we know more on how to "market" VCCA ?

Be well and thanks for allowing my input.
Michael41

Michael:

You ask, "Need we know more on how to 'market' VCCA?"

Well, one more need I can think of - where's the money to do the marketing going to come from???

Especially when it seems those that might be able to spring the money don't see the "need."

Bill.

We could probably get good action out of stories in non club magazines. Old Cars Weekly, Hemmings Classic Cars to name two.

Ohh Billy Boy it's all very simple. It comes from the same place that Judging events, advertising, national meets, local meets, T&E, gifts, prizes, awards, expenses, publications and admin. comes from, us!!

Heck, even worn farmers have to pay for food. And as we all know to well, everything in life, including death, cost moo-la.

And until you know what you NEED to do, you have No Idea What It Will Cost. So no one can say No, yet. Unless your a missile launcher to new ideas. Which I know you are not.

But in case you missed the VCCA "need" take a look at VCCA recruiting efforts vs. it's "lost" members. Or take a look at the average age of VCCA members and do the math. That will tell you on what day the "Grand Opening Going out of Business Sale" will begin.

Back Roads, I believe it was a recent Hemming's publication {classic car ?} that had about 5 pages on car clubs "getting it together" or risk loosing it all. Seems they have also done of investigation work, and the clubs that are aggressive about recruiting, {spending money} are doing well. Others ain't.

Michael41

One thing that I have mentioned before and no one responded to it is that we need to advertise events farther in advance. The younger members that are still working sometimes need to schedule vacation time in the first month of the year. If they don't know when an activity will be they can't schedule time off. If nothing else activities should be in the calendar of events on the web site and in the G & D.

This will take cooperation of the host regions, the area directors, the region coordinator, and the G & D editors.

Oru region in AACA has seven Chapters. We have four events per year and the sponsorship ratates. Each hosting chapter must have advertising out one year in advance. They don't need all the details that far out but they must have date and location.

Just my thoughts onthe subject.

Great thoughts Back Roads !!

Spreading the word is always FUN & Valuable. Experts call it P. R.

Keep the ideas flowing........
Michael41

Michael,

I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear.

I was referring to the money (funds) to design, produce, print, etc. handouts, ads, etc to be used in the marketing efforts.

The money to do those things. That's what I was trying to say was another "need."

Sorry for any confusion.

Bill.

No problemo Bill. I always learn from your responses.

As I attempted to say, the money for "Marketing" comes form the SAME place all the other necessary and valuable functions come from, Us. Things like Admin. Travel. Voting, Technology updates, Meets & Events, Publications, General Meetings, BOD meetings & normal club functions etc. etc.
Is that what you mean ?

Or do you mean how does "marketing" review, develop, create, strategies, target, interview, survey, prioritize, establish goals, develop bench marks, create ideas, develop measurement tools and lay out a Quantitative & Qualitative marketing plan {?} That part of the marketing process is {strategy} generally not very expensive. Totally necessary, and we bit time consuming, but not that costly.

NEED is a whole, "nother" issue that has 3 rules.
Rule 1. The bigger the need, the more funds pour into it.
Rule 2. Need must be realize before plans can be effective.
Rule 3. There's ALWAYS money, only decision is how to use it.

I have continued to communicate, I am a young blood here. But my business and marketing experience {& survey} tell me, "Da Need Is Now." And I was told a NEED has been recognized. So we'll see what happens. But it is time for the Tool story.....

The Tool Story.
Have you ever stumbled across an ol' boy trying to chop down a tree with a ball peen hammer ? Realizing his passion is good, but his efforts will not achieve the goal he intended you say;
"Sir, I have a brand new Ax. Would you like to use it ?"
He replies, "Na, this is good enough, I’m use to the pain and progress involved using this hammer."

Well now you have a choice. You can continue to ask him if he'd like to use your ax, while you watch him flail away in pin and without results. Or just move on down the road pondering why some people choose to continue using the wrong tools and ignoring helpfulness. :confused:

So, the need is now and Marketing is fun, valuable and necessary. :)

And I'll bet you VCCA has hundreds of members with successful and practical Marketing, PR, Survey, Advertising, Planing, Graphic, Image, Brand, Recruiting and Management axes. I mean experience.

All VCCA would have to do is place an add on Chat & in G&D for "marketing" volunteers. Why you’d have a team of experts in 30 days. And with the proper team, planning & management we'd have 200 new members and a stronger image in just one year.

Thanks for letting me express my views.
Michael41

Mike, very good words. I went out to our local parking lot where we go every Wednesday and passed out VCCA flyers and registration forms to Chevy owners. I was asked many question and responded to them the best I could. Most of the Chevy owners I talked to never heard of the VCCA. They were very interested. I will be there today with more flyers and to talk to people about this club. I am a new member and don't know what else I can do to help but I am doing the best I know how...Oscar

Oscar, as I have said before, your a value to the club.

In my never to be humble opinion, EVERY effort is a good effort. Recruiting efforts are just that, efforts.

Other members have used your idea plus handing out old G&D's, and any other incentives they can think of....IT ALL HELPS.

I have no comment on Chevy owners Never Hearing of VCCA, except a big sigh for the VCCA folks using Ball Peen hammers.

So Thanks Oscar for your interest, energy and efforts,
Michael41

Hey RHOP That is a good one! I would never got to meet the famous "Hoppy" that my CUZ always tells me about, if you and I had not gone to G.J.

I was surprised to see him at Kerrville without you. Did he tell you all about the trip?

Oscar, just keep on doing what you been doing, you are a heck of a good asset for VCCA and all of us!

Mike 41, Yes indeed there is the experiance and the talent and the need. Your survey results and ideas are right in line with many of us.

We have the talent, experiance, and the only thing we lack seems to be a majority of the leadership that is willing to delegate the effort and to trust someone other than their tried and true friends of over 20 years in the club, and the will to get the job done.

They always bring up the deal about "Where is the money coming from?" I think you have a sound answer for that question...

nothing ventured...nothing gained!

From the Captain of the Titanic Journal: "It's just hole. I think we'll be safe. Just stay the course.”

Michael41

That sounds like a famous one-liner to me!