<VV> CORSA Membership

[Alan and Clare Wesson]

This pretty much tallies with what I said, I am pleased to say. The only 
difference between us is that, as a member of a number of car clubs, I am 
very familiar with the reluctance that editors always encounter on the part 
of members to write anything.

It would be great if everyone (starting with me!) wrote a detailed report on 
their car(s) and the work they have done and are doing to it/them.

But I ain't going to be doing that any time soon (too much work!), and I am 
prepared to bet that this applies to at least 85% of the membership.

That's why I did my best to select things that didn't require much original 
authorship - most of what I suggested already exists in one form or another 
somewhere. It is just a case of pulling it together and editing it.

But by all means canvass the members for what stories they can provide. I 
just don't see many being forthcoming - and certainly not to any kind of 
predictable or viable timescale.

This evaluation is based on the experiences of the other clubs I am in...

Cheers

Alan

''In Italy under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and 
bloodshed - but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the 
Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love and 500 years of 
democracy and peace - and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.''  Orson 
Welles as Harry Lime in 'The Third Man' (1949)


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Western Canada CORSA" <westerncanadacorsa@shaw.ca>
To: <fastvair@yahoogroups.com>; <virtualvairs@corvair.org>
Cc: <corvairs@cybrus.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 8:47 PM
Subject: <VV> CORSA Membership


> Sure Bob,
>
> I'm going to be really, really blunt, with the hopes that it'll spark some 
> debate.
>
> I know there are issues with the content, so I'll address them further on.
>
> The appearance of the Communique is quite simply, dated.  I mean really, 
> really, dated.  The same 'ol graphic and square picture on a solid colour 
> background.  High school yearbooks have better layouts.  So, IMO, we've 
> got a mag that has zero zing in terms of eye appeal.  This is a quickly 
> fixable item, because of the cheap and powerful software out there.
>
> As for the content.....
>
> It is my opinion that too much space is wasted on event reports.  They are 
> all the same: "it was sunny, there were Corvairs, we all had a great time, 
> blah, blah, blah."  I don't give a rat's ass about how much fun so and so 
> had in some place I've never heard of, ESPECIALLY when they are all 
> essentially the same, you just stop reading them.  I understand the need 
> to acknowledge what's going on at the chapter level, but I think these 
> should be severely limited in the space they're allowed, to free up space 
> for more interesting items.
>
> The usual argument for the content in the Communique is that they can only 
> print what is submitted.  But as far as I know, there is no one actively 
> searching for content.  When I wrote the WCC Newsletter, I kept my ear to 
> the ground for guys working on projects that other members would find 
> interesting.  I'd pursue them to write an article for the newsletter.  9 
> times out of 10 they'd say "sure"!  But if I had waited for the content to 
> come to me, it never would have happened.  The Communique needs the same 
> thing.  Somebody that monitors the email lists looking for guys working on 
> potentially interesting cars and projects.  What about the convention for 
> finding article worthy 'vairs?
>
> Mike Weirmier's "Westbrier" is a perfect example.  He has taken a clapped 
> out, covered in house paint, x-bell telephone van, and converted it into a 
> '02 dark metallic mustang green, westfalia pop-top camper.  The guys on 
> the FC list are getting dribs and drabs of his progress, but I can 
> guarentee you Mike hasn't given the idea of submitting an article to the 
> Communique a thought.   I'll betcha if somebody from CORSA called/emailed 
> Mike asking him to write one, he'd say "yes".
>
> Further, I think an effort should be made to find some accomplished 
> photographers from within' CORSA's ranks.  Here's my senario.
>
> Article Idea Finder Person (AIFP) from CORSA contacts Mike to ask him to 
> do a story on the "Westbrier", he says "yes". Next the AIFP consults a 
> list of volunteer photographers to see if there is anyone located nearby 
> that can arrainge for a session with Mike to get some good quality shots 
> of the Westbrier.  THIS WOULD INCLUDE SHOTS WITH A SENSE OF MOVEMENT WHERE 
> APPROPRIATE.  Further, if Mike says "Yes" to the article, but "No" to 
> writing it (some people just aren't confident with their writing skills) 
> then AIFP can contact the local chapter Pres. to see if he knows someone 
> with a flair for words in that chapter.
>
> AIFP would only have to come up with 11 such articles per year AT MOST, 
> and it would really give the Communique a whole new readaability.
>
> Also realted to this.  I think the Membership Committee, (and the soon to 
> be created AIFP), and other chairs that require enthusiasm, but not 
> necessarily knowledge (ie. the Historian and Technical chairs) should be 
> held by BoD members.
>
> If CORSA wants me to go out and contact all 50 people I signed up to find 
> out what % are still members, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY exactly why those that 
> didn't stay on chose to leave, I'll do it.  But I'm telling you right now 
> that almost all are going to say the didn't like/find value/etc, etc in 
> the Communique.  I may not have all the answers, any answers, or even the 
> right answers, but I am very confident in saying that if you want to 
> attract and keep new members to CORSA you have to start with the 
> Communique because it is one of the keys to the success or failure of the 
> organization.
>
> Just my 0.02
> Regards,
> Joel
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bobhelt@aol.com [mailto:bobhelt@aol.com]
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 12:05 PM
> To: fastvair@yahoogroups.com; westerncanadacorsa@shaw.ca;
> virtualvairs@corvair.org
> Subject: Re: [fastvair] Corsa Membership
>
>
>
> In a message dated 2/3/05 12:31:41 PM US Mountain Standard Time,
> westerncanadacorsa@shaw.ca writes:
>
>> But until the Communique is changed, in both appearance and content, you
>> can bring all the new members to CORSA that you want, but if they don't 
>> like
>> what they find, and to 90% of people that IS the Communique, then they're 
>> just
>> not going to continue being members.
>>
>
> Joel, Please explain and give us some details.
> Thanks,
> Bob Helt
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dfgiannotti@webtv.net [mailto:dfgiannotti@webtv.net]
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 6:43 AM
> To: fastvair@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [fastvair] Corsa Membership
>
>
>
>
>  By now most of you have read Sarah Jones " President's Message "..Her
> concern is the rapidly declining membership, approx. 300 lost last
> year..
> This is a concern, what can be done??
> I would like to poll this group, then send
> our suggestions on to the BOD..
>  I will start if off...
>       1. Hire or recruit a Publicity
>           Chairman..
>           Someone to promote Conventions,
>           Track Events, Shows, etc. outside
>           of Corsa.. Advertise Events in
>           magazines, radio, newspapers,                 etc. Let the
> general public know                we exist, basically we only
> promote the Corvair Events within
>           our ranks..Set a budget for outside
>           advertising...
>        2. Schedule printouts of Corsa                       Events
> inserted in the MAY Issue
>            for copy usuage..These could also             include
> membership forms.....
>            Flyers can be handed out at
> Cruise-in's, Shows, etc.
>       We are not getting the word out to                the general
> public that we exist..
>          Thats my .02 cents, whats yours??
>
>     Dan
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