CORSA 2012: Fw: Re: [Corsabod] Fw: Non-CORSA members at Sturbridge

Tue Feb 28 22:29:50 EST 2012

This is the letter I sent to all Board members outlining a plan to allow non-members to attend the convnetion.  My proposal was for a trial to see the results.   In red is the CORSA President's reaction.  I have had an e-mail from a Western divison Director who does not agree with my proposal.  I have also had a very encouraging message from another Western Director who thinks the idea is great.  I have spoken with one Eastern Divison Director who also thinks it a good idea.  i intend to keep working the hone to line up support.

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: "Jamie & Tanya Reinhart" <jtreinhart at omnitelcom.com>
To: "Brian" <bmoneill at juno.com>, <corsabod at corvair.org>, <corsa at corvair.org>, <larry at vairshop.com>
Subject: Re: [Corsabod] Fw: Non-CORSA members at Sturbridge
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:42:07 -0600

Brian and All, My replies are included in red interspersed within Bryan’s comments. Thanks! Jamie From: Brian Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 8:10 AMTo: corsabod at corvair.org Subject: [Corsabod] Fw: Non-CORSA members at Sturbridge Gentlemen;
As the 2012 Convention draws nearer, I have had the opportunity to speak with a significant number of people about it.  I have been shocked and saddened by the apathy many expressed about CORSA.  In spite of my best efforts to explain the benefits of CORSA membership. Their complaints are varied but in the end it always comes to down to the perception that CORSA is resistant to change and fails to consider the memberships' feelings.  The most common complaint is the strong belief that CORSA is not welcoming and is much too insular. As a result many have let their membership lapse or decline to join CORSA.  If this situation continues to grow, it will spell the death of CORSA. I do not completely share these thoughts 

We are all aware of the argument that CORSA and it’s members are not accommodating. We all hear that about some chapters also. I would say that it is human nature and not CORSA that causes these problems. Current human nature for some is that they are entitled to everything they want. They are entitled to one thing, their feelings! It has always been my feeling that corvairs are a hobby. If you can afford the hobby, it is a privilege, and you pay for the level of play you can handle. If you want to go to the convention, first you pay to be a CORSA member, then you pay to participate.  If we take a look at the newly published 2012 convention schedule there is a party for new attendees. That will do more for CORSA’s image than letting non-members participate! I think CORSA has shown in the last couple years just how much we want to change! The new website was created and is morphing constantly because of feedback from members. We compromised on 100% CORSA membership with the $3 non-member fee. We have been changing the convention schedule to try new ideas, and we have just created the new virtual membership. 
A specific complaint is that attendance at the annual convention requires CORSA membership. A number of reasons as to why this is necessary have been put forward.  But as is often said, 'perception is reality'.  This convention is a unique opportunity to start to change this perception.
The reality is, this is a CORSA convention and you need to be a CORSA member to participate in convention events. This does not mean we chase people away from the vendors area or the moving events where non-members can be spectators.  The convention IS a unique opportunity to change perceptions and non-members should be welcomed as friends and urged to join the group. Giving them a free lunch, so to speak, is only going to work on a very few.
In meetings with the CORSA Convention Coordinator and the Executive Secretary; a number of ideas have been they proposed that  would allow non-members to attend the convention. Although well intentioned, these proposals all required reworking the CORSA data base and somehow checking the status of a non-member registrant to determine if he was a lapsed member or never was a member.  I support any plan of making CORSA's tent more accommodating, but a plan must be workable and not cause confusion both before and at the convention.
There has never been an idea put forth by Harry, Larry or myself to allow non-members to participate. Back in November we proposed to waive the basic convention registration fee if a non-member would pay a one year CORSA membership, as long as that person had not been a member for at least two years. A great compromise. CORSA gains members and the cost of the convention goes down for that person. That will be especially true now that the new $37 virtual membership has been passed! I thought we had an agreement on that plan. I must have missed something! Once they are a member the data base is not an issue. 

A workable plan is to allow non-member to register using a system that does not impact the CORSA data base and restricts to a degree their participation. Specifically, non-members from here on called guests, would only be able to register using a paper registration form either by mail or at the convention itself. Guests would be assigned a registration number using a system using "G001" on up. 
I believe you will create animosity between CORSA and non-CORSA members by bending rules and calling them guests.
Guests would be allowed to enter all events except the Concours which is scored using the CORSA data base and CORSA member numbering system.  Other events are scored by hand and it will be easy to keep their scores separate.  Guests would not be eligible for trophies but their results would be published in a special section in the Communique convention issue.  Copies of this Communique could be sent to the guest along with promotional materiel and a membership application.  Of course, any guest wishing to become a member at the convention will be accommodated. The convention staff is prepared to handle this off line registration process and has already developed a data base program. We can easily work with the Executive Secretary to make it happen.
I am not sure if going to all the work of keeping two sets of scores is worth the “maybe these people will become CORSA members”. 
Welcoming guests  will gain income for the convention, which, of course, means gained income for CORSA due to the revenue-sharing policy.  It will provide CORSA with a good-sized mailing list of non-members to be wooed.  CORSA will have the opportunity to begin that wooing process right on-site through merchandise and promotion.  There will not be any additional costs associated with this guest program.
Let’s consider that it is a well known fact of salemanship that once the client is out the door, (gone from the convention), there is a 90% chance you will never see them again. At least until the next time the convention is near them. Historically CORSA gains 50 members each year around convention time just so the individual can participate in the convention. Letting someone participate without being a member is not going to make them want to be a member, especially when the convention is over. 85% to 90% will go home happy that they didn’t have to spend that extra $37 or $45 to become a CORSA member and 10% will either join CORSA before or at the convention. It makes way more sense and will create way less animosity if we have people pay for the CORSA membership and waive the registration fee. As far as gained income: $37 or $45 CORSA dues or $35 or $40 registration fee, it’s basically a wash!
All that stands in the way of this excellent opportunity to enhance CORSA's image and obtain new members is a Board policy.  I urge you not to let this opportunity slip away.  Authorize this guest program on a trial basis for this convention.  We have nothing to lose and much to gain.
Per the CORSA by-laws an annual meeting and convention will be held for the membership. There is no policy to support this proposed action, and really this is an issue for the convention committee, but I am very interested to hear what the rest of the board members feel is the best compromise! Please reply to All and let us know what you are thinking!
Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.

Brian O'Neill
Convnetion Chairman

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