<VV> Show up

[James P. Rice]

There is one other rule to go with Lon's 10:  Decisions are made by people
who show up.

The 1st step to change you hope for is to show up and run for the BoD.  Now.

Historically Yours,
			James

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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:28:32 -0800 (PST)
From: corvairs at pacifier.com
Subject: Re: <VV> HERE'S HOW YOU FIX CORSA
To: "George Jones" <65crownv8 at gmail.com>
Cc: virtualvairs at corvair.org

Ken - (And others).   Anyone who believes that after Corsa "dies" there
will be a new movement to replace it with another club just doesn't get
any of this.

If there are members (or other Corvair people) right now who have the
burning desire to start a new organization then there already exists more
than enough energy to save the organization we already have.

But why bother? It's Corsa against "us" isn't it? Much better to kill it
and go through the considerably more arduous task of creating a new club -
a club that, without any question at all, won't have any of the problems
the old one did.

It's always greener isn't it?

Here's my advice to the Board -

Ignore most of the people complaining about Corsa right now - You know,
the majority of them aren't even members. And a lot of them have said they
dislike Corsa to the point where they will not re-join. Also look at their
central argument - that THEY are not getting enough from the small yearly
donation (dues) they would be making. They are coming from the wrong place
and you will never make them happy.

Trying to make a small group of miscreants happy, while alienating the
thousands who are current members is bad math.

Adjust dues each year so that they cover operating expenses. It is what it
is. Yes, you may lose a few members, but that's the way it goes. The only
other option is to subsidize those few as Corsa gets more financially
anemic. To what end?

Look at cutting costs on the Communique - our greatest expense. But be
careful - there are those current members who consider this the greatest
benefit in Corsa membership.

Look at radically altering our International Convention*

Look at greater penalties (compensating fees) to clubs who will not
enforce 100% National membership (Because of the insurance issue - which
is REALLY the greatest benefit to these clubs).

Finally here's my practical advice to the many whiners. Corsa is not a
dictatorship. Elections are coming up. One of my hobbies is politics. I'm
sometimes referred to as "General" Wall in local Oregon politics. That's
because I have somewhat of a reputation as a political strategist. This
advice is for free.

Those who want radical change in Corsa need to pay attention -

Lon Walls 10 rules of political action

1) You have to know how to count.
2) You have to outlive the bastards.
3) Everything is political
4) Ignore partisan politics at your peril.
6) The reason given for a political action is almost never the real reason.
7) All you have to do is get 50%+1 of the voters to say "yes".
8) A competent public voice is worth a thousand silent votes.
9) An appointed or elected position is priceless. It will take you 1000
times the effort to get what you want if you're on the outside.
10)The people holding office are not any smarter than you are. But they
have one big advantage over you - They are serving and you're not.

If there really is a cohesive group of Corsa members who want radical
change, it's like this. Get together and decide who will run in each
region (see rule #1). Without a numerical majority on the board it will be
difficult to re-make Corsa. (Simple math)

What? Your "movement" isn't that cohesive? You just haven't got the time
to serve on the Board? Too much energy and trouble?

 I haven't got time for dilettantes and other posers.

Guess what? You don't have the resources to start a new club after "Corsa"
dies off. Get it yet?

Lon Wall
(Past Western Director)