<VV> [Corsabod] Enforced CORSA membership

Sat Feb 16 10:02:32 EST 2008

Hi Cliff,

Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem with your experience,
but I have seen at conventions where people that were not part of the
convention did come into the hospitality room and "Fill up".
Fortunately, I think the occurrence of this type of thing is relatively
limited.

Frankly, I am glad your son got his soda.  It is tough sometimes for our
kids to understand our need to visit shows and walk for hours looking at
new and old parts, cars, etc.  

I think you have shown what we all tend to accept, that Corvair people
are good, honest folks.  Unfortunately, not all people out there are as
kind and honest as Corvair people.  

Ultimately, I don't think there is an answer that will satisfy everyone.
I know I spent one and half days at the Detroit convention and paid full
registration because I was there.  I have talked to other people that
come to the conventions for a day or two to buy parts and maybe watch an
event or two but don't pay for registration.  Is this wrong?  I am not
sure how we could police this or that we would want to.  I think the
convention is a great traveling marketplace that allows Corvair owners
all over the country (US, not Canada of course) to have access to
vendors and swap meet like sales at great prices.  This keeps the hobby
alive and hopefully these people join CORSA like you did.

We could suggest that hospitality rooms be located such that they are
out of the way and the location advertised in the packages provided to
registrants.  Sometimes this doesn't work due to the need to maintain
wheelchair access as required by CORSA's observation of the US law on
accessibility for disabled persons.

In summary, I don't think there is one answer, but I do hope that all
attendees at CORSA conventions find the experience enjoyable.  If some
don't pay for registration, they may just decide it is a great time and
they may return another year and pay to register and join in some
events.  

Thanks for your insight and sharing it with the Board of Directors.  We
appreciate any information that can help us steer CORSA in the right
direction.

Sincerely,

James Hogarth

CORSA Western Division Director
CORSA Vice President
11719 Cottonwood Drive 
Maple Ridge, B.C.
V2X 7Z3
604-476-1434 (Res.)
604-986-8551 (Bus.)
jcorvair at telus.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Cliff [mailto:tibbitts at qx.net] 
Sent: February 16, 2008 4:58 AM
To: 'James Hogarth'; 'J R Read_HML'; whubbell at umich.edu;
virtualvairs at corvair.org
Cc: 'CORSA/CPF BoD'
Subject: RE: [Corsabod] <VV> Enforced CORSA membership

James, 

In my original post I indicated that my son got a soda.  I took nothing.
For the cost of a soda, CORSA and the Corvair community got a faithful
and
enthusiastic member.  I doubt seriously that a Corvair convention held
in
any major city is going to attract homeless folks in off the street for
a
free meal.  I have seen this countless times while working on habitat
for
humanity houses.  Perhaps you have seen it at conventions, I can't say. 

All I was trying to say in my original post was that it was the openness
and
the friendliness of the Corvair community that attracted me to the
hobby.  

I'm sorry you feel the way you do.  I would guess that well over 90% of
the
participants at a national convention are going to be CORSA members and
registrants of the event. 

Cliff Tibbitts
Lexington, KY

-----Original Message-----
From: James Hogarth [mailto:jamesandloricorvair at telus.net] 
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 11:02 PM
To: 'Cliff'; 'J R Read_HML'; whubbell at umich.edu;
virtualvairs at corvair.org
Cc: 'CORSA/CPF BoD'
Subject: RE: [Corsabod] <VV> Enforced CORSA membership

I for one like the idea of restricting access to the Hospitality room.
The cost of a Hospitality Room is huge and I don't think the host club
should expect to have to feed everyone who wants to stop by and take
some food.  It is an unfortunate reality that some people are looking
for a free meal and nothing more.  I do support the opening of the
vendor area to non-members though as they may choose to buy CORSA
merchandise or just support the vendors, without whom we would not be
able to maintain our cars.

I don't think forced membership would work either.  That is why I
support some increased chapter fees and maybe a surcharge every time
insurance is utilized for an event.  At least that could be covered by
their entry fees.

That's my $0.02.

James Hogarth

CORSA Western Division Director
CORSA Vice President
11719 Cottonwood Drive 
Maple Ridge, B.C.
V2X 7Z3
604-476-1434 (Res.)
604-986-8551 (Bus.)
jcorvair at telus.net

-----Original Message-----
From: corsabod-bounces at tiger.skiblack.com
[mailto:corsabod-bounces at tiger.skiblack.com] On Behalf Of Cliff
Sent: February 14, 2008 7:00 PM
To: 'J R Read_HML'; whubbell at umich.edu; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Cc: 'CORSA/CPF BoD'
Subject: Re: [Corsabod] <VV> Enforced CORSA membership

Snips from J.R.'s post

<Banned from the hostility (hospitality?)room and participation in other
<convention functions except as a worker (like THAT would happen!).  In
<other words - treated like a general member of the public who might
stop by
<to "look things over".  So far as I know, not banned from the vendor
areas.
<Do we have convention police watching for people without badges?
Anyone
<ever arrested or otherwise asked to leave for no credentials?

For the record, I belong to my local chapter and CORSA, in fact I have
belonged to CORSA longer than I have my local chapter.

In 2004 CORSA came to Lexington.  My first car was a 64 Monza. (In 1969)
I
have been out of Corvairs since 1970 but have always remained fond of
them.
When CORSA came to town, I had to go see it.  I was not involved in
anything
at the time and had no idea what the Hospitality Room even was.  Still,
my
son and I stumbled into it after we left the vendors' area.  

Not only were we not thrown out, we were treated with kindness and
sincerity.  Someone even went to look for a soda for my son as they
didn't
have his beverage of choice in the cooler.  Several people spoke to us
while
in there obviously with full knowledge of the fact that we were not
participants in any way shape or fashion.

It was precisely because of their kindness and the fun I had that week,
that
I now own a 66 Monza (money-pit)  Clark's and CU have managed to
separate me
from about 10 Grand so far and there is no end in sight.  I found the
car
through the CORSA on-line classified ads.  I bought the car, joined
CORSA
and later the local chapter.

Sometimes when I walk by that little car, stripped of paint and
patiently
waiting for me to find more time to spend with it, I think, "maybe I
should
never have gotten that car."  But then I reflect back on all the great
individuals I have met over the last 3 years and all the fun I have had
at
the 3 conventions I have been able to attend, and say, "who am I
kidding?"
I love this hobby, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part
of
it.  And I attribute it all to the warm welcome I received from so many
of
you nearly four years ago, here in Lexington. 

Thanks for everything, 
Cliff Tibbitts
Lexington, KY
CORSA
CKCE
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