<CORSA Chapters> Making CORSA Conventions Appeal to Younger Members.

Sun Oct 6 14:22:56 EDT 2019

Regarding Increasing Appeal

My two cents worth.

I think that CORSA needs to open the door wider but be careful that once new members join, CORSA gives those new members reasons (plural) to stay.

Sounds like some good ideas are popping up.

We’d need to identify who are the potential new members and what do those folks want.

I can see two potential new member areas to be addressed. One is the group that have only minimally modified “original” vehicles that have been kept that way for interesting reasons (plural). I believe these folks simply want to participate and are not very interested in awards, etc.. The idea circulating of “Heritage” or “Survivor” classifications might work well and hopefully will be tried and evaluated. This venue would be placed near the Concours but not be part of Concours (no extra awards, ceremony, etc., just space). Plan B would be a highlighted area near the People’s Choice display that is normal on the weekend day following the Convention. The host club could elect to provide some sort of day of the display awards, or none at all. The local club(s) could advertise and invite non-CORSA members…with ample membership forms available. (I guess these folks would not want to join first, then participate. CORSA needs to recruit them so make it easy).

To cast a wide net, the “classification” if any should be very general, open arms. For the near stock type vehicles, however, the attendee would be asked to provide documentation for the show attendees to see that explains why the vehicle was only minimally modified. The intent is conversation starters.

The assumption for the above is that these potential members do not, at least initially, have an interest in attending the whole Convention. They just want respected participation. Most likely, however, many will join CORSA.

The above might address the “Driver” type class, "Barn Find", etc. that Tim mentioned.

Another area would target the folks who are using Corvair related technology or parts for “projects”. These vehicles (or things) would be shown in any stage of completion again at the Car Show type proceedings. The projects may include someone building an aircraft engine, Corvair powered boat, stationary type application of some sort, AutoCross vehicle, or anything their inventive minds create. If the project can’t be moved, perhaps even allow photos and “show and tell” posters around the Convention. This effort would be intended to draw in younger potential members who may be working on a project. Local vocational schools, for example, may have such projects in mind. Some of these students could be invited and the host club would need to provide a display area for them. Discounted membership forms could be provided with a possible requirement that the form be approved by any CORSA member (in order to get the attendee to actually talk with a CORSA member). 

I think many CORSA members see the need to open the doors to CORSA membership w/o diluting the basic appeal of traditional Convention participation and membership. There must be many good ideas out there as to how to broaden our membership base. 

Ken Schifftner
PPCC
RMCI can see 
SDCC
NJACE

> On Oct 5, 2019, at 1:49 PM, TIM MAHLER via Chapters <chapters at corvair.org> wrote:
> 
> Hmmm. A "driver" class for car display. And or. Best barn find? 
> 
> Ok. Too much thinking out loud. But may be worth a try....maybe at a local event or mini. We have so many classes now in some events that it is mind boggling. And trophy expensive. 
> 
> Tim Mahler. 1 nice driver. 1 so so show car
> 
>> On October 5, 2019 at 11:55 AM Gary Moore via Chapters <chapters at corvair.org> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Sounds like a Special Interest Group for "Custom" Corvair owners may need to be formed. Like Corvanatics and the other SIGs they could have their annual meeting at the convention. They could  but on "Custom" tech sessions.... be in charge of their own area at the car display.  Hmmm...If all the SIGS were in charge of their own display... sorry just thinking out loud. Gary Moore
>>    On Thursday, October 3, 2019, 8:39:24 PM CDT, Allan Lacki via Chapters <chapters at corvair.org> wrote:  
>> 
>>  Making CORSA Conventions Appeal to Younger Members.  
>> 
>> During the CORSA Board’s October 1teleconference, Central Division Director Justin Duplantis said his peers havelittle interest in attending CORSA conventions because they are under theimpression that the focus is on concours cars.  Most of the people in his age group do not have enough time and incometo build or buy a concours-winning Corvair.  They are busy raising families and paying the bills.  They treasure their Corvairs but they are not in a position to spend large amounts of money to restore them.  And often, they don't want to.  They like them just the way they are, patina and all.
>> 
>> Western Division Directors Greg Vargas and Vince Petrie concurred with Justin’s concern.  Greg said his CORSA chapter - South Coast CORSA - hosts a Corvair show billed as “Ageless to Anarchy”.  Publicity for Ageless to Anarchy is geared toward any and all types ofCorvairs – even those that need to be "towed-in". 
>> 
>> Others on the Boards' call noted that CORSA conventions haveseveral events aside from the Concours and that a member need not have a flawless original Corvair to have fun at a CORSA convention.  They can enter their Corvairs - concours or not - in the autocross, rally, economy run, and car display and do well.  This is a point that needs to be made by CORSAand the host chapters in their convention publicity.  
>> 
>> Your chapter - even its not hosting a CORSA convention, can help get the message out there!
>> 
>> Allan LackiSecretary to the Board
>> redbat01 at verizon.net
>> Attached:  Ageless to Anarchy Ad.  
>> "ALL CORVAIRS WANTED: Daily Drivers; Customs; Restored; Modified; Originals; Classics; Beaters; Patinas; High Performance; V8s; Racers, Trikes, Ultravans, Works-in-Progress, the Weird, the Wild, the Wonderful……ANYTHING Corvair-powered. If you have a Corvair, if it runs and stops and can get you to this event, you need to come to this show! Hell, tow it in…because ALL CORVAIRS are show ready!"
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