VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Name Change?

Pardon my delay but I want to respond and answer Backroads from page 1. on this thread.

BR: "There are some seventy Chevrolet Clubs listed for every group of years, engine size, body style, you name it.'
MW: Great News, this increase our opportunities and awareness of the popularity of Chevy's. it also increases out Targets.


BR: "Do we expect to compete with all of these for members? "
MW: Yes I do and I will be successful at it.


BR: Each of these is a more focused organization."
MW. No they are not. That's untrue, and a belief not a fact.


BR: Would you rather go where there are several owners of vehicles
similar to yours or where there might be one, two, or none in attendance?
MW: People will go where the people, cars & Chevy's are.


BR: Where will you get the most interaction?
MW: Every place there are cars & interesting people. Chevy's do not drive to events, People drive to events because they like other people, who happen to drive similar cars, OR share and support their interest and enthusiasm for the hobby.


BR: Where do we go from here?
MW: Any place we choose. Any place where we want. And a good start is to offer any help you can to the "marketing team."

Well, that is unless people feel this is a hopeless cause or that other people are smarter than you are or more focused ....which is NOT true for any of us.

Hope to hear from any one that can aid us in our efforts.
Michael41

This is the best thread in months, so here's my two cents...

I've always had a tough time with the word "Vintage". When most people talk to me about my car they use the word "Antique" or Classic".

To me "vintage" means; old and refined. Yes my car is old, but refined or extra special? Na, it's just an old chevy that I love to tinker with and occasionally show off. A fine old wine is vintage. A finely crafted time piece is vintage. Old art is vintage.

So, if only to attract more younger members with 55 to 72 V8's I think "Antique Chevrolet Club of America" may be better.

I just don't see how a kid with a 69 Chevelle SS can relate to the "Vintage Chevrolet Club of America".

Don't get me wrong. I don't want to a change in the wrong direction that turns off all the older (vintage) members. If it ever comes under consideration by the Board, then a vote by the General Membership should be taken.

RayG

I heard one of a National Board Members grandkids refer to their grandpa's 1928 as Grandpa's Old Timey Car. Maybe "Old Timey Chevrolet Car Club"??????

That may apply to the really younger potential members.........

Ray,
I am not sure what you consider to be a "kid" but there are very few under 30 who could afford to buy a 69 Chevelle SS....... The last time I saw a "kid" with a 69 Chevelle was when I was in high school in the 70's. I think you need to re-think that one



John

What about there rich daddy that could buy them one?...Oscar

I wouldn't actually call them kids, but in my area there are a lot of "young people" in their early to mid 20's that have Camaros and early Chevelles.......and most are modified with big engines, fancy wheels and etc. Some of these Camaros and Chevelles that I have seen at car shows have a lot of money invested in them and they are absolutely beautiful. As Oscar stated.....maybe they got the money from "Daddy".

Anyway, to get back on track, President Don mentioned earlier the "Chevrolet Club of America". That name would definitely cover all years and models of Chevrolets. Just a thought....

:) :grin:

Vintage: The first letter is "V". And it causes problems especially at swap meets where there's a directory available. Who looks in the V section for Chevrolet? At our large swap meet I spend a lot of time in our VCCA booth selling the club and many times in the past, people are surprised to find out that there's a Chev club in the area. It happens even at the swap meet info booth which is staffed by volunteers from other clubs. I've been to all of our swap meets which is sponsored by 6 clubs and even I don't know the formal names of the other 5, especially the 3 Ford clubs..

Excellent point & one that really stands up!

That name "Chevrolet Club of America" is looking better all the time. :)

Not only look better all the time, It would make internet searches for our club easier....

KISS! (Chevrolet Club International)

What about calling the club as suggested "Chevrolet Club of America" and adding Vintage & Classic too it? The CCAVC club.

I was being a bit satirical about The Old Timey Chevrolet Car club


not only does the idea look better all the time, We need to have some of us thinking outside of the box.

KISS!

(Chevrolet Club, Global or International!)
International may clash with International Harvester (IMHO) so how about

CHEVROLET CLUB GLOBAL.

We could have a simple CHEVROLET BOWTIE for a logo With Chevrolet Club across the bowtie. One set of dues, and have a truly global club with a Membership Database, Electronic newsletter of classifieds and breaking club news in addition to the hard copy of the Global Generator & Distributor!

have a Chevrolet Club convention every several years one year in the U.K, Europe,then Australia, N.Z, Asia, North & South America and conduct business have a superwhopper car show Start off in Detroit or Flint....well Ok that might be much too much, for now....

Yeah, lets go for it! Maybe pass a query and petition form around as Friends of The new VCCA. We could pool our money from the chat group of VCCA members,(not the oficial Chat Group) and buy a 1/2 page add in the G& D...for a couple of months.

Maybe Mike can work up something a little smoother.

And well we are at it we need to update the name of the Generator & Distributor, To Alternator, Generator & Distributor. :grin:

Generator is still good; an alternator is just an AC generator. By definition a generator is a machine that converts mechinal energy to electrical energy.

Alternator, Generator & distributor. Now that's funny. And very telling, if not instructional. Hmmm.

Now being Irish we love the truth so how about this for a name:
W. P. L. C. V. C.
Wonderful People who Love Classic & Vintage Chevrolets

Yes I know, doesn't quite roll off the tongue. OK back to the drawing board...
Mike41

I've followed this thread for a while and have pondered my own position. I'm from the Land of Steady Habits (New England) and we're generally resistant to change. I'd like nothing more than for the younger set to embrace and enjoy the older original cars, especially the pre-war cars...but that ain't gonna happen. I've not heard of folks not joining because of the VCCA name, but more frequently potential new members are put off by our objections to modifications or age restrictions. Personally, I'd like to see the cars as they were when they rolled off the assembly line, but I have to respect others who choose to modify their cars or who are enthusiastic about newer models. Can we all fit in a big tent and get along? I think we need to or we will fade away. Adapt or die.
As for the name, if we are considering a change to be all inclusive for all members then we may need to lose the US-centric "...Club of America". We have many valued and enthusiastic international members so we might want to consider the "International Chevrolet Owners' Club" or something similar. I know we can get carried away with potential names but it's worth considering.

My two cents.

Coach

I think the name change really makes sense. If you think about some one searching for a Chevrolet Club, they are going to see Chevelle, Camaro, Corvair, Corvette, and even Classic Chevy Club, but we appear with Volvo's on an alphabetical list.



Maybe it is me, but it would be easier to submit motion? While the idea has merit it might be costly. We are a California Corporation and I am sure we would need a lawyer or two to set-up a DBA, if it is even possible for a non profit. At least the motion would start the investigation of what is needed.

John Mahoney
Board Member Area 11

Hey John
You must be right because I'm about twice their age and can't afford a '69 Chevelle SS!
But the kids I'm talking about are the 30 somethings that you see checking out the muscle at some of the shows. In my opinion they are potential members of this Club. Heck, If I was that age, and Daddy had enough money, I'd sure bug him to buy one of those big blocks so him and I can have something to do together on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.
My dad and I spent years together working on our old cars and I'll never forget that I talked him into buying our '36 Master Town Sedan. We both pooled our mad money together to buy it.

I knew it would be just a matter of time before someone mentioned that word "modified".

Coachhill's post has merit. Let's get them all under one tent. Hey, most modified cars share the same body parts as our stock cars.

...(hope I don't have to duck too low on this one)...!

Ray

Coach, John and other have some very valid points in both looking at the possibility of name a change while still keeping the rich heritage of the club.

So YES!! We all can get along, if we want to. I know I can.

And I've also had people shun from becoming members because of "perceptions" of the club, than because of the VCCA name.

I'll support the what's best for the club, in the long run. But please keep me posted as I need to work with the Marketing Team and this may/will alter our approach.

Michael41

Let me sneak in here with a point of view. So we start accepting the modified cars, the lowered cars, the dual exhaust cars, and my buddy Joe is upset because we don't embrace him. His point is well taken, he has a Chevy engine, transmission, and rear end, why can't he bring his Furd and play with us? Where do we start and where do we end?

I never read that we WERE "accepting" any other type of car.

As I read it, people are just talking about the various "POSSIBILITIES" on how to attract new & younger members, which my or may NOT include a name change. You know, dialog.

So what's next ? More dialog I guess about VCCA. Which is why if the guy with the f**d shows up he can chase parts for us :}

Mike41

If someone asked me what club I belonged to and I could say The Chevrolet Club of America it would make me feel a lot younger.Not like some kind of an old kodger with an antique car. :grin:

Here-here for Gene. But then you are very young in attitude and character Gene and I hope's it's contagious.

Mike41

Gene, I think what you and I need is not a car club name change. We need total makeovers, face lifts, and whatever else can be done, with a reduction in age thrown in! :whistle: