Starting a new MARC Chapter

[RcT]

I am in Modesto, California, smack dab in the middle of the state, and the closest MARC chapter is 100 miles away. MAFCA is well represented and long time established in this area, that's fine.

I have contacted MARC headquarters in Michigan and they are sending me a start-up package and a current roster of Members who may be in the area.

Now my question; Have any of you ever started a chapter who could offer advice and any pitfalls that lie ahead? I am a senior citizen and do not want to create a problem for myself. The ideal club for me would be just regular folks, looking for a good time and a tour once in a while. I also enjoy the sharing of technical tips and safety issues.

Thanks,

Richard Tatoyan
Modesto, CA

[frank55a]

Richard,

Your new Region can be basically what you and the founding fathers what it to be. You can have lots of car shows and swap meets if you wish, OR limit it to members only sharing technical information; social events such as picnics, lunchs, parties, etc. AND/OR driving tours with your A. When you write your by-laws you can spell out your purpose for the region, you can limit the type of events or leave it wide open. Your package will include suggestions and information but for the most part how you run your club is up to you. There are only a few real requirements: 1) you need 5 MARC members to form a region, this is for all the officers of your new region; 2) you need $7 for the registration fee, 3) and all members must be MARC members, this is to ensure there is no question that your region is covered by the MARC General Liability Policy for its normal club activities such as meetings, tours, picnics, banquets, and etc. where your activity is not open to the general public for participation such as car shows and swap meets. I suggest reading the MARC Constitution and policy regarding insurance that are posted on the MARC web site.

The Region I belong to is very active, we typically have about 45 activities a year counting meetings, most involve driving our As someplace for lunch, miniture golf, touring a some collection, visiting some historical sites, touring with other clubs, social events, events for the public interest, spring tune-ups, etc. Basically, we look for almost any excuse to drive our As. As a region we do not host car shows or swap meets, nor do we generally drive as a region sponsored event to car shows.

Hope this helps,

Frank

[newshirt]

Rich,
My advice is promote, promote, and promote. And then, if you have any energy left, promote some more. You are a promoter, right? Start-up groups, companies, and organizations are incredibly fragile. They need tireless visionaries that naturally draw people and engage their skills over a sustained period of time. You must be ready and able to rally people to your world-changing cause, and go the distance. That means articulating it with stunning clarity and then showcasing your past successes. Otherwise people just yawn and walk away.

I'm sorry for the superlatives, but in this day and age people are barraged by entertainment alternatives all day long. Why is your new club better than watching American Idol (or whatever people watch these days)? Or a day at Six Flags? Or other hobby events? You'll be competing with dozens of online, media-driven, and physical entertainment opportunities. So you better be a good promoter!

Also, don't rely on email to do the job. People feel no obligation to respond to email promotions. You'll need to engage them with voice, personal visits, and high-energy events.

Just a few thoughts...

[Richard/Ca]

Hay Richard Maybe I can meet with you next week and discuses it. I should be free after Tue. I am sure that I could help in some way. Richard/Ca

[Jerry Parr WI]

I would suggest that you get the roster and do a mailing to all the MARC members within easy driving distance and invite them to your planning meeting. You need to locate the 5 members who will sign on as founding members to get the charter. Those members will go a long way toward determining the personality of your club. Some clubs are good old boy drinking clubs, some are couples social clubs, some are technical clubs, some are touring clubs, and other possibilities. Be prepared to promote the type of club you are after and expect some whose interests differ to not be interested.

[Mike V. Florida]

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Careful with the advice of "You can have lots of car shows and swap meets if you wish". The MARC insurance will not cover these "high risk" events if you invite other than members of MARC.

[Fred K-OR]

Maybe after you "find" potential members (the list of MARC members) in your area, you may want to just set up a group of "Model A friends" that will get together once in awhile to do Model A events. Just my two cents from another retired guy that does not want to do a lot of effort to get a "formal group" together.

[Mike V. Florida]

Now my question; Have any of you ever started a chapter who could offer advice

Once you get the package and find the core officers, get with a local Ford dealer and ask if they would be interested in having your cars displayed alongside similar styles, convertibles\roadsters, Fordors\SUV’s etc. Fill out a "press release" and get it to the local newspaper, radio, TV stations telling them about the display of regularly driven vehicles 80+ years old.

and any pitfalls that lie ahead?

I know of no additional pitfalls in starting a club. Advantages are national advertising of your club, Marc members only events have insurance that some venues demand. I use the term "additional" because whenever a group of people get together there can be egos that get in the way.

I am a senior citizen and do not want to create a problem for myself. The ideal club for me would be just regular folks, looking for a good time and a tour once in a while.

As it should be I'm sure there are people that are not even members of MARC that would be interested since you are starting one up close.

I also enjoy the sharing of technical tips and safety issues.

We have our meetings at a resturant that gives us a back room for free and we put on a display for them once a year as a thank you.


Have fun!!

[msmaron]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Careful with the advice of "You can have lots of car shows and swap meets if you wish". The MARC insurance will not cover these "high risk" events if you invite other than members of MARC.

Read this very carefully. Frank did not tell you that you all of the facts. You are covered BUT you will not get an insurance certificate from MARC if you need one.
So if you do have a swap. A fundamental part of this great hobby and the venue does need a cert of ins. You are SOL from MARC, and remember NO public!! we don't want them coming and maybe getting the idea they should join or anything like that to get new members, they are too high risk. . Other than that buy your own policy have a ball and your becoming a chapter of a great organization!! Good luck and read the fine print!!