National Club events attendance

[Mike V. Florida]

Just wondering;

[700rpm]

Thanks Mike. I like this kind of poll. I don't understand why someone would rate it with only one star.

[darrylkmc]

Mike,

Interesting poll.

Choice # 6, for me:

There are no National Club Events within 2,500 miles and I would have to travel to or through a Foreign Country to get there.

Darryl in Fairbanks

[Mike V. Florida]

I ask because the national clubs are always looking for "new blood" the problem as I see it is that the directors are expected to be at all the national events That's a lot of money for me. My family, while they like model A's, they don't want to spend their vacation with them. So, I was just wondering if I was alone in not being able to go to the events.

I wonder if the national clubs would consider paying the fixed expenses of the trip, room, travel, event admission, banquet. I would not mind paying for the other food. the french lick event is $550 for the flight $$$ for the 70 mile trip the French lick the room is $800 for the room. Yea a lot of money and since it looks like MARC want to keep one event at the same location each year I don't see me going or running for national office.

[RockHillWill]

Mike, thanks for the poll request. I would like to see as many responses as possible to this poll along with any comments, both for and against this event hosting. It is one of my responsibilities as VP of MARC to see competent and capable hosts for these type of events and all the information that I can review will help in my execution of that job.

I welcome any and all comments. both for and against, as I am wanting to do as good a job as possible. I realize that it is easier to complain from behind a computer than it is to step up and contribute, but I am interested in ALL comments.

[BlueSunoco]

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Mike V, I believe that if the Natl. organizations started paying some of the fixed costs of the Directors to attend a Natl. meet, that would translate to higher annual dues at a time when membership is already heading south, especially in MARC. They lost several hundred members just last year alone if memory serves me correctly.

We're 'costing' ourselves out of most of the fun old car hobby events as-is with hotel stays, meals, fuel, admission fees, time off work, etc. while our daily living expenses keep escalating. Fast.

[al's28/33]

I went to the MAFCA convention in 2002 in Riverside and what a site to see so many "A"s in one place. I'll be attending the NorCal Roundup in 2014 hosted by the Santa Clara valley chapter in Milpitas Cal.

[RockHillWill]

Just a passing comment, I have only been on the 'job' here for about 1/2 a year, but the reason that French Lick is hosting two events in a row is that no one else was willing to step up and make a commitment.

I have initiated a two hour seminar that will be hosted during each of the Membership Meets and the National Meets. The reason will be to have past event hosts, scheduled meet hosts and potential meet host for the express purpose of sitting down and discussing the ins and outs of past events and show how the issues related to hosting an event were met and handled. Without exception, EVERY past event host that I have contacted has agreed to participate, and every scheduled host that I have contacted has agreed to participate as well.

One of the current members that has expressed an interest in running for the MARC BOD is an experienced National Meet host from Wisconsin. I would love for him to come aboard. Also, our own forum here has two gentleman here that are very experienced at MARC affairs, and are technically astute. One is from Michigan and the other is from the Chicago area. At the risk of appearing to campaign, I would only add that I would hope that all you cast a vote for your own choice in the upcoming MARC board elections. It is my opinion that each of the candidates have something to offer, and all would appreciate your vote.

The past event hosts are eager to share that while there were always a detail or two that gave them trouble, the overall experience was manageable and rewarding.

The more difficult part of the commitment is making an initial determination of attendees. Managing the other areas become more of a math issue after that.

For those of you that have read my VP column in the Model A News, you will already been advised that I have made a connection with an organization that is in a position to handle ALL the hotel, motel, food, conference rooms, etc., all at NO cost to the event host. We are making diligent efforts to minimize the insurance issues that surround such an endeavor as well.

We have just received a letter of intent from a New York region to host a national Tour. It promises to be VERY exciting event. The host for that event is running for the MARC BOD as well.

All of these Model A related issues are better served when all involved ARE PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. If you thing that you have a question or an interest in hosting a MARC event, please feel free to email me for my help.

[newshirt]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

I ask because the national clubs are always looking for "new blood"...

There are probably hundreds of new owners like me who put themselves in the "new blood" category. But the national clubs seem aloof and irrelevant to our hobby experience. So my 2014 renewal sits on my desk while I search for a reason to send it in. I even wrote up 14 things MAFCA could do to add more value to new members like me... but I decided against sending it in. The club is what it is and no amount of complaining will change that.

IMO, Ford Barn has become the new national club. And if there were dues, I'd pay them.

[CarlG]

I would consider going to the MAFCA event in Puyallup Washington this summer, but would not be taking my Puckup -- it's a 2500 mile 6-day trip each way. But to attend I will still have to pay air-fare, impose on relatives for lodging (50 miles away), and opt for a rental car to get back & forth. Not sure I can make it happen, but I see this as my only chance to get that close to a national event of any kind.

[Great Lakes Greg]

I am a bit giddy to hear of the proposed MARC National Tour in New York. The wife and I have participated in the previous two National Tours, and plan on going to next years in North Carolina. I am not real fond of shows where you sit in a lawn chair for hours while people mill about and look at dead cars. If you don't drive them, you might as well collect stamps.
The host clubs go through a great deal of work planning interesting stops with beautiful roads in between. Just the thought of two hundred plus Model A's firing up in a hotel parking lot for the days run gets my juices flowing. This is it. Driving. Do it.

[ronn]

well said Blue sunoco.............

[Duffy1]

Well stated Great Lakes.

[barnstuf]

The poll should have a category "other" as I cannot pick one of the listed categories. I have attended several National Meets including the very first one in Dearborn in 1955. However for many years my wife and I owned a business that functioned from mid June to mid September in a summer resort community. That meant that I could not travel during those months so I have not been to one in years. Now as a n older person I just do not drive that far. A a 59 year member of MARC and a 55 year member of MAFCA I get the feeling MARC is falling behind. I do not have my Sept-October magazine yet, When I wrote to inquire about my 55 year pin a few years ago they did not answer my letter nor send a pin. It will be 60 years next year and I doubt if they send a pin next year. I have not received a membership renewal for 2014 yet but have had the MAFCA renewal form about 2 maybe 3 weeks. Enough said!!

[RockHillWill]

Barnstuff:

if you will PM me your information including your MARC membership number, I will trace that information down for you.

[c. sefton]

Originally Posted by RockHillWill

Just a passing comment, I have only been on the 'job' here for about 1/2 a year, but the reason that French Lick is hosting two events in a row is that no one else was willing to step up and make a commitment.

I have initiated a two hour seminar that will be hosted during each of the Membership Meets and the National Meets. The reason will be to have past event hosts, scheduled meet hosts and potential meet host for the express purpose of sitting down and discussing the ins and outs of past events and show how the issues related to hosting an event were met and handled. Without exception, EVERY past event host that I have contacted has agreed to participate, and every scheduled host that I have contacted has agreed to participate as well.

One of the current members that has expressed an interest in running for the MARC BOD is an experienced National Meet host from Wisconsin. I would love for him to come aboard. Also, our own forum here has two gentleman here that are very experienced at MARC affairs, and are technically astute. One is from Michigan and the other is from the Chicago area. At the risk of appearing to campaign, I would only add that I would hope that all you cast a vote for your own choice in the upcoming MARC board elections. It is my opinion that each of the candidates have something to offer, and all would appreciate your vote.

The past event hosts are eager to share that while there were always a detail or two that gave them trouble, the overall experience was manageable and rewarding.

The more difficult part of the commitment is making an initial determination of attendees. Managing the other areas become more of a math issue after that.

For those of you that have read my VP column in the Model A News, you will already been advised that I have made a connection with an organization that is in a position to handle ALL the hotel, motel, food, conference rooms, etc., all at NO cost to the event host. We are making diligent efforts to minimize the insurance issues that surround such an endeavor as well.

We have just received a letter of intent from a New York region to host a national Tour. It promises to be VERY exciting event. The host for that event is running for the MARC BOD as well.

All of these Model A related issues are better served when all involved ARE PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. If you thing that you have a question or an interest in hosting a MARC event, please feel free to email me for my help.

Wil, Sign me up for the seminar at French Lick. Myself and a few others are discussing meet. (ever been to a Railcats game?)

[gweilbaker]

I can do a local only with an 60~80 hour work week (ya gotta love corporate salary).
Near impossible with family events.

[figment]

I attend as many Marc National meets as possible. I think that (based on the survey so far) quite a few that have never attended a National Meet don't realize just how many activities are going on all week long. Yes , some just hang out but ther are many interesting things going on. I understand some cannot go because of the distance and or cost that is why moving the Meet across the different states makes sense. Also you don't have to go for the whole week just do what you have time for or can afford.

[barnstuf]

Rock Hill Will

My computer knowledge is limited so I do not know how to contact you. [email protected] is my address.

[RockHillWill]

Barnstuf, I have sent you an email with contact information. I appreciate your taking the time to express your concerns. I am happy to help you and others in any way I can.