<CORSA Chapters> Membership, dues and such

[tim mahler]

Been tabulating surveys and took note of one response that indicated that 
the agenda for the board meeting is not known before hand.  Most is just 
typical stuff -- approve a new chapter,  status of publications,  ad policy 
(reading from last year)

Expect we will be discussing the Survey a lot this year.  As well as the 
long term health of CORSA.  Both are related.
Expenses have been trimmed,  and we continue to look for ways to trim some 
more.  But a High quality Communique costs X dollars.  Having someone to 
answer the phone, send out renewal notices, handle convention contracts, 
maintain the web pages,  edit the communique,  Insurance cost Y and Z 
dollars.  Roughly a 200,000 dollar budget.

Like the chapters, Membership dues are a large part  of the income side of 
the equation.  Merchandise sales, ad sales and the chapter filing and 
insurance fee help make ends meet.

But membership continues to decline -- which translates into fewer dues AND 
few merchandise sales.

CORSA is working on  more online content -- some may cost $ to do  (credit 
card sales are NOT free to the merchant)
This should help attract and maybe keep members.   Good for both CORSA and 
the chapters.
The questions about membership on the survey were meant to confirming what 
we already felt or provide evidence to the contrary.
The easy one,  some CORSA members are a long way from a local chapter, so it 
is hard to require local membership.  I felt it had to be asked if we asked 
if local members should be members of CORSA.  Most do feel a local chapter 
member should be a CORSA member.  Many do not feel it should be 
required/mandatory.
I am one of those non mandatory but should be a CORSA member.  It would be 
good for more CORSA members to be chapter members too, even if it is a long 
distance thing.  There are some good newsletters out there that make the 
local chapter fee worth while.

Inflation,  energy (gas) prices and such,  keep on marching upward. 
Although I am resisting a CORSA dues increase,  I know it is just a matter 
of when and how much,  not if.   If the fixed expenses of the club are 
spread out among more members,  the increase may be delayed or at least 
reduced.   Another way of saying that,  if you can persuade the non-CORSA 
chapter members to be CORSA members,  those "new" members will be paying for 
the inflation increases, not you.   Some chapters have considered signing up 
members, either because of hardship or as an introduction to CORSA.   Makes 
it voluntary -- always a good thing.

CORSA budget reflects a 5,000 short fall for 2008 -- it may be less or none 
after we trim some more.  Soon,  we will need to either trim what we provide 
(fewer Communiques? or ?? )   or raise revenues -- Dues?  Alternative 
merchandise sales?  combination of things?

Increasing membership may forestall the revenue issue -- rough statistics 
indicate 50% of CORSA members are not chapter members and 50% of Chapter 
members are not CORSA members.  at 4800 members -- that means both the 
chapters and CORSA could gain 2400 members that are already enthusiasts! 
OK,  realistically speaking,  10% is a good target.  A number that would 
mean NO dues increase for the next 2 years.   The alternative may be a $5 
increase.   Its on the table for discussion.   I prefer more members.  Lots 
of benefits for every one.   I'm going to start driving a Corvair to work, 
daily.  Its inexpensive advertising.  The truth is I don't want to but a new 
truck, so I need to stop driving my truck to work every day.  A corvair 
seems to be the answer to that problem.

Keep on Corvairing
tim