xdmn Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 I would like to hear others perspective on regional clubs that don't want to be a part of a national club. I am certain that national organizations deal with this regularly and I am an advocate of being both a member of the region as well as the national club. However, many in the region continually question the merits of being involved in the national organization or joining it in the first place. What other tangible benefits does a national club offer to it's regions besides a newsletter. The regions are generally the ones that recruit, organize events, and hold local meetings. The nationals would not survive without the regional support(in my opinion) but does anyone care to speculate as to what a national organizations brings to the table and what they could do to better support their regions.Does AACA have an opinion on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 One benefit that most members of a local club don't think of is that is many cases, the national organization carries liability insurance to cover the events of the local region. Most independent local car clubs don't think of the need for insurance. If an accident happens at an organized club event the individual, club and officers of the club may be sued.A national organization provides a structure for the local club to operate within and assistance in keeping the club going in the rough times that most local clubs go through at one time or the other. The national organization provides a way for your local members to reach out to other national members for help or research on their projects, plus the benefit of getting to know people across the country or world with the same interests. National Meets and Tours give you access to people and cars you would never see otherwise.If an existing local club is looking to become part of a national organization. They should look for the one that best reflects the vehicle interest area of the local club and fits within the objectives of the national organization.You bring up a very good question, that I will turn back to you. What do you believe a national organization should be doing better to support local regions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Rat Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 The AACA national provides the training for those of us that have entered into the judging side of the hobby. The training is consistant no matter which class you go to. It is not left up to each and every Region and Chapter to come up with their own rules. We all judge by the rules set forth by the AACA Judging Committee no matter what Region or Chapter is hosting an AACA National Meet. They can of course hold non-AACA shows and invite whatever vehicles they chose to and go by their own rules. Fundraising shows would be an example of that kind of situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Dave and Susan both gave excellent reasons to belong to AACA National, but guess what? You would not even be able to ask this question on this website without a National Organization to support it, and it's free to everyone.Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TG57Roadmaster Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Great points by all, and no doubt there will be more. One thing I've learned over the years is that you can't force folks to be a part of (any) national, but once they go to a national show, they are pretty much hooked. Case in point is the recent Buick Club Nat'l in Charlotte. Besides seeing old friends and making a few new ones, the swap meet was exceptional.Nowhere, neither on ebay nor at local shows will you find the variety and scope of parts needed for your car(s). I picked up some really hard-to-find NOS stuff for 3 of the Buicks, a '47 grille emblem, '60 Invicta nameplate, and an NORS muffler for the '49, all at reasonable prices with no shipping. I'd never even seen an NOS '47 grille emblem, a one-year-only bit of unobtainium, and a vendor had three of them! With typical NOS shelf wear it wasn't perfect, but good enough for some light detailing to work for an all-original car. Also at any national (you fill in the marque), you're likely to see more than one example of your car, in either restored, original or driver condition, can learn more about it, and talk to the owner face-to-face to compare experiences and tips. I'm not saying a national is the be-all, end-all, but they sure beat seeing the same old cars that always show up locally. Ditto for the same old tired stories, for you (and your pals) have a whole new "audience" to kick tires with. TG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 I got burned out on the local region around 1994, happy to get my issues of Antique Automobile and my Hershey Swap Meet spaces, that is all I want out of the club. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 (edited) I am a member of three national clubs, Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), Model A Restorer's Club (MARC), and Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA). I am a member of 3 different AACA Regions, North Carolina Region, Brass Nickel Touring Region, and Buzzard's Breath Touring Region. I am a member of one AACA Chapter, the local Cape Fear Chapter of the NC Region. For quite a few year I only participated in local events in the Cape Fear Chapter. I enjoyed the national publications, but got very little else from my national club memberships. As soon as I started attending National AACA events, I was hooked. I now reguarly participate in National AACA Meets and National Tours. I also participate in Region tours and meets and our local Chapter tours, meets, and other events.In my local area there are a lot of Model A Ford owners who are not involved in any sort of clubs. We attempted to start a local Model A Ford club and could not find enough potential members who were willing to join either of the National Model A Clubs to be able to form a Chapter or Region of either club. The local Model A Ford folks still have the occasional local get together, but it is not an organized club in any manner. The benefits of a national club affiliation for such a local group would include the ability to more easily be found by other potential members who move to the area. In my experience, the local, regional, and national events sponsored by AACA are a great mix of activities. I also enjoy the AACA Discussion Forum, which is another benefit of AACA membership. Unfortunately for me, MARC and MAFCA have very few activities in the North Carolina area. There seem to be multiple National Events in North Carolina each year. As a result of this, I am very active in AACA. If the Model A Clubs had events in my area, I would participate in those too. In my personal experience, AACA is set up in a manner that allows both local, regional and national events to give members an excellent selection of events to participate in. Edited July 21, 2012 by MCHinson (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 For Bill's original question, my opi nion (as I am most familiar with the Buick Club of America, that perhaps less then 50% of National Members belong to local chapters, which is counter (in my opinion) to his original premise that local or regional "clubs" do not want to have a National organization. Most marques have a rather elaborate magazine, newsleter, etc which as well as an organization that can conduct large meets, etc.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xdmn Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 Thanks everyone for the replies. I support having a national organization that is supported by the region members and joining both. I am trying to explain to a regional organization the benefits of joining the national one. Not just the newsletter, but the ability to collaborate with many others across the country is a big deal for me. The only organizations out there that I have heard do not require you to join the national if you join a regional are the Plymouth club and I heard there was a Ford T-bird club. However, I cannot confirm either. The region sites on the Plymouth owners club site states you have to be a member of both. It seems to me that if the national organization is weak beyond the point of return then I could understand. However, if it is in ok to good shape, I would think you have to support the national club or there is the danger that the entire thing could implode.Perhaps a better question would be, how can a national club, better support the regionals? After all the regionals are the ones doing the majority of the events. They are organizinig the cruises, the local meetings, doing the recruiting, etc. Many times if you get a group that is active enough, others will want to join just to be included in the meetings and various events. However, they don't care to join the national club as they just wanted to associate with the local folks. Thus the issue. Sigh....The fear is that the region would loose some members if we aligned with the national club again. However, I am trying to look down the road and tie into the national organization for a variety of reasons with one of them being survival. The region membership has gone from 400+ 4 years ago to 175 today. I don't think it will get better without bringing in new members with new ideas and a fresh perspective. I know those numbers may sound good for a region. However, there are only 10-15 "active" members. The others state they are either too old to do anything any more or just are members to get the regional newsletter.What I have learned is that you are only as strong or effective as your active volunteers. This is where we are sorely lacking. I think what I may need to do is write out my position and send it to the members. Hopefully they will see the benefits both short term and long term for the region to not only survive but to thrive once again.I am reminded of Ben Franklins famous quote. "Genlemen, if we don't hang together, we will most assuredly hang separately" These are issues facing the hobby today as the typical car enthusiast gets older and there just are not the same numbers of us in the younger generations interested in classics like there used to be. Do we look at combining forces even more as numbers diminish to ensure survival of our beloved cars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durant Mike Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 I got burned out on the local region around 1994, happy to get my issues of Antique Automobile and my Hershey Swap Meet spaces, that is all I want out of the club. Bob I have to agree as I too belong to the National and enjoy the national events and judging, but dropped out of my regional. Was a member for two years, but never was made feel at home. After the second year and being asked at least a dozen times at meetings if I was a member, I just left. Local President called me and asked if I was going to renew, and I said "didn't think so" and he said OK and hung up. No trying to find out why or retain me as a member. It's the opposite of the the other club I belong to. Very very friendly people, very accepting, even if you do not have a car, and always have a great time when I'm with them. Just my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Moskowitz Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 There is no one answer that fits all clubs. I can speak for AACA. Being as large as we are we do not fit the norm. 60,000 members requires us to do a lot more for our members than most clubs. We help coordinate 15 national meets and tours a year which is a bunch. We also have a fabulous magazine, email "newsletter" and a host of other publications geared to particular interests. We have a large full time staff that assist members with their concerns and needs. We do a lot in the arena of advocating and educating about the hobby and of course we have a multi million dollar liability policy for your regions and their officers as well. Also, we host this forum as it has been pointed out and operate a free 1,000,000 piece automotive library. Look on our home page for the number of items listed for our regions and chapters. We do a lot! Scholarships, youth programs, etc! Typing one handed so this is short but hopefully you get the message! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 Like Steve said, there is often a bigger picture too -a big part of what a national organization does is to help preserve our hobby. In that regard, many local issues are also national issues. Whether it's fighting adverse legislation, taxation, or working with other clubs and organizations to host special events or work on problems/issues of common interest, a national group can have the strength of numbers to help protect and preserve what we all enjoy. I look at the hard work that has been done over the years by our legislative committees and many others, including activities committees, etc. It's all helped in promoting and protecting our hobby. There are many other intangible benefits that a national organization offers, and AACA does it best! Did I mention we've even got an Executive Director who can type one-handed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xdmn Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 Thanks for lending your insight to everyone that did. This is not regarding an AACA club but since I am a member, I figured this was an old argument that surely some of you have dealt with from time to time. I got what I asked for, added perspective. I do think that over time, as numbers naturally diminish, we will all have to slowly but surely come together as car enthusiasts to be perhaps fewer, but stronger as well. AACA has the structure and horsepower to do just, when the time comes. When I meet with clubs on behalf of ACCC(Association of California Car Clubs and Collectors), the biggest concern I hear is "what will happen to our cars and our hobby when we go to the great wrecking yard in the sky?" As I said, those of us left to carry the torch will just have to get better at advocating for our hobby. I'm no spring chicken any more myself(42) but I am concerned as well with the attrition rate of some of these older clubs like the one I am involved with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 "the biggest concern I hear is "what will happen to our cars and our hobby when we go to the great wrecking yard in the sky?"An additional benefit of being part of a national organization is you will find a large pool of potential buyers for your car when the time comes to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TG57Roadmaster Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Did I mention we've even got an Executive Director who can type one-handed?<!-- google_ad_section_end --> Ah, but what's really amazing is that he types one-handed and plays a kazoo.In tune, no less. Astonishing! TG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Rat Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) As several have stated if a local club/Region/Chapter does not make new members feel welcome then it will not last. Our AACA Region folded this year. After years of myself, my husband Bill and Bill Davis (the president of the Region) trying to save it it was too far gone and we made the decison to end the fight.It was sad to have to do that. But the very members that started the Region are the ones that with their behavior and attitudes set the club on the path of failure in the end. They did not want the younger people and their news cars. They did not open up the "musk ox circle" as I called it to encourage new people to join in the post-meeting discussions. They showed no interest in getting to know new members. I had two new members call me to thank Bill and I for welcoming them but that two people in a club willing to talk to them was not enough and they didn't come back. There were others that either didn't join after the one meeting they came to or did join and then stopped showing up.The national AACA is a good national. Edited July 24, 2012 by Shop Rat (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 The Pre WWII vs 25 year old automobiles may mix on a National level, but no Region is going to have a fun tour with that mix. It is NOT a people thing is is 120MPH vs 35MPH vehicle thing, RARE is the person that respects both ends of the hobby. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 So this year I'll leave the GTO home in the garage while I take the 1914T on the Reliability Tour. Our region also had a great Square Car Tour this spring - the oldest car driven by our youngest member (a Model T that once belonged to one of our founder members). It's one of our most popular events, drawing out plenty of early good old fashioned square shaped cars. Modern stuff has to bring up the rear, and everyone was amazed at how that Model T set the pace for a nice tour. I think we manage to mix things up pretty good. Are we that rare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Moskowitz Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Tom, can't pay the Kazoo...you heard wrong. In this sling it is hard to do anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TG57Roadmaster Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 My mistake Steve, sorry. Any way, some really great points were made in this thread, and I would reiterate about the camaraderie we develop and maintain seeing folksall around the country at different national shows. All good!TG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul455 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 No he can't play the Kazoo but I heard he is hell with a bullhorn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now