Combining MARC, MAFFI & MAFCA

[ctvpa]

I have searched the past threads, and do not find much on this topic. I tried all the key words I could think of.

I have been in this now 40 years. I know some members are very passionate on this topic. I don't want to offend anyone. I am thinking purely for the future of the hobby, not the past.

I am a member of all 3, I like all 3, all do a great job, and have great publications that supports the hobby.

With the numbers what they are, and prices are not going down any time soon. Would we all benefit from having one national headquarters, one set of directors, one centralized database, one national set of meetings, to represent one national group of people that share a common interest?

Is there a necessity for the duplication, and division; if so what do we benefit from by having separation of members who share a common goal? Would combining forces now, give an advantage to the future members, and continuation of the hobby? How are we as members benefiting from the separation; and how would unification hurt us?

Could we have a rational, calm and open discussion? Please be considerate to others, and open to ideas.

I thank you in advance for your input on this sensitive subject.

[mhsprecher]

There was a thread about this topic about a year ago, primarily about MARC and MAFCA.

[John LaVoy]

MARC and MAFCA are "social" non profit organizations and could be combined if there was enough interest. The Model A Ford Foundation Inc. is an educational foundation that was created out of MAFCA with the idea of building a museum. The reason for the separate foundation was tax purposes. MAFFI can accept large donations like cars, money etc and the person giving the donation can take a tax credit for the full amount of the donation they are a 501C(3). MAFCA and MARC are not allowed to accept anything more than the dues so MAFFI was created as a caretaker of the funds necessary to build the museum, then vehicle donations and now the operation. I happened to be a trustee on the MAFFI board and have been aware of the museum since the inception back in the 80s.

I have heard people talking about merging the two organizations, but I think egos will keep this from happening. Wouldn't it be nice to get a Model A magazine every month rather than one every other month? Maybe someday when it becomes impractical to run two similar organizations with dwindling membership.

[ctvpa]

Quote John LaVoy " I happened to be a trustee on the MAFFI board and have been aware of the museum since the inception back in the 80s. "
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Thank you for that incite. The museum is wonderful. We donated to the fund, and went out for the opening. What a fantastic day. The museum came out even better than I expected.
Maybe you saw us there, we were in a 28-9 Tudor

[Ross/Kzoo]

Thanks to John LaVoy for explaining that in a very clear manner.

[BlueSunoco]

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Someone told me at a Model A meet some time back, when this was being discussed, that a number of people that belong to MAFCA also belong to MARC, so even if you did merge the two the actual number of members would not be that much higher anyway, in a single club.

The great majority of Model A owners that I know, do not belong to either National Model A Club. They tell me that they don't really see any benefit of joining. Personally I enjoy getting the club magazines.

Probably more belong to the AACA I don't know, just guessing.

[tbirdtbird]

this question came up at our monthly meeting 2 days ago. MARC began in 1952 and MAFCA split off in 1957 for political reasons according to some old timers in our club. Something about a director wanted his son on the board or something and when refused, took all of California with him when he started his own deal. In fact, the MAFCA site states they are founded in CA. While all that starting stuff I am sure has long since faded, none the less you still have 2 sep. clubs, 50+ yrs later.

I am only reporting what we were told, I have no personal knowledge of any of this; so don't beat me up if this is all wrong.

There are definitely insurance advantages to belonging to a national club, in terms of club sponsored events. I am sure someone can explain this better than I.

[Tom Endy]

MARC and MAFCA have had two joint National meets over the years that were very successful. I attended both of them. At one of the joint board meetings someone suggested that the two clubs combine. They hung him!

Tom Endy

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I believe HERE is where the last large discussion regarding this was held. The Poll has interesting numbers. I have wondered if those who voted were even members of either club.

[redmodelt]

Who voted would not matter as this site is not affiliated with ether club as far as I know. It's kind of a combination of both clubs and the general non member public who share an interest in the Model A's as far as readership and repliers.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

Who voted would not matter as this site is not affiliated with ether club as far as I know. It's kind of a combination of both clubs and the general non member public who share an interest in the Model A's as far as readership and repliers.

I understand but my view is, how does a poll generated from folks who are not affected either way be accurate? I don't think it is. Kinda like me voting on what color the towels in the White House Presidential bathroom should be when I have never been there --nor do I ever expect to visit there.

[RockHillWill]

I'm with Brent on this! The decision should be made from those actually with 'skin in the game' and those that have contributed in some manner to either of the clubs.

As it is now, we have two excellent clubs, each with their own goals and rules. Most of those goals and rules run parallel with each others club and that makes it appealing to a lot of folks. Their have been minor confrontations and disagreements, but on a whole they are both great organizations. They have worked together for many years in gathering information and culling it and presenting it in the form of the Restoration Guidelines. There are a number of folks in both organizations that have contributed greatly in this endeavor and their goal is to further the Model A hobby, not to game fame and fortune and as such go unheralded.

Having two clubs keeps the enthusiasm high, and differing viewpoints only heightens the results of a discussion.

If both clubs were to merge, who is taking bets on how long it is before complaints of anarchy, absolute control and excessive demands start to run rampant and the call for 'another group to get us out of this mess' begin to rumble thru the internet?

The best way to get great magazines each month is to let competition bring forth great publications and try to get each club to send them out on time in alternating months.

Just thoughts.

[brum1]

I do believe combining MARC & MAFCA into one club would benefit the hobby in the long haul. Essentially the missions are they same, therefore we dilute the potential by duplicating efforts, resources, funds.

[steve s]

Several folks in the previous "merger" threads insisted that there are fundamental and evident differences between MARC and MAFCA. As a member of both for 20 years or so, I just don't see a dime's worth of difference. I think that the facts of joint national meets and judging standards establishes that there are no insurmountable rational hurdles. Politics and egos are another story.

I just don't buy the competition argument, certainly as far as local club membership goes; as far as I know, there's seldom a choice in any given community.

[Tom in SW VA]

I agree with Will that the two different organizations provide different views and necessary friendly competition. I also enjoy two different magazines.

My only wish would be that there would be more joint national meets. I attended the last one in Dallas and was a judge and enjoyed the interaction very much. That was 2008. Maybe it is time for another? Huh? Maybe we should have an agreement between the two boards to have joint meetings every, say, four years. What are your thoughts?

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by ctvpa

I have searched the past threads, and do not find much on this topic. I tried all the key words I could think of.



I thank you in advance for your input on this sensitive subject.

Then you have not done a good search, there have been numerous threads on this including surveys.

The conscientious was that it will never happen.

[Gary Karr]

I'm with Tom. I would like to see more joint National Meets. They are a wonderful experience.

[RockHillWill]

I will bring up the concept of joint National meets at the next MARC Board of Directors meeting. It has some potentially good points. Perhaps every third year, ie: A MARC National meet, a MAFCA National and then a Joint national meet. Out of deference to those that do detailed restorations for both the Fine Point and the Touring Class, it is my opinion that a National Meet should be held each year to minimize the deterioration of those minute details that occur from such a project. I have observed that a restorer with a two year window will procrastinate thinking he has a lot of time, only to find out that the last minute details prohibited a quality completion in the time remaining, and then with another two years to do the small amount of work will be discouraging to the point of a lack of interest.

I am aware that those who do these intense restorations are in the minority as far as participation rate is concerned, but feel that those few folks are providing the largest portion of research, details and procedures that filter their way down to the greater group for their benefit.

The National events should provide events for the ENTIRE membership and a lot of work is entailed to provide this. Do not overlook the amount of work that is required to put on one of these events and if possible contribute by helping those that have the courage to step out and host a National, Membership or Touring event.

[newshirt]

It's already done. Fordbarn has become the new "national club." MAFCA and MARC are just lingering until their members age out.

FB dispenses ten times the information that MAFCA and MARC could ever dream of. It has the youth, enthusiasm, and momentum.

Ask yourself... If you want information about your Model A, do you turn to the national clubs? Or if you want to learn about upcoming swap meets or events, do you open your national magazine? How about posting photos or videos of your problem and getting a 1-hour response?

People don't realize that the world is changing. The old "membership" model doesn't work for younger people. Instead, they have a natural affinity to the online experience. The national clubs have no clue what that means, so they ignore it. It is a completely foreign world to them. So how long can that old model last? Answer: until the members age out.

So when is the next Fordbarn national event?

[fiddlybits]

Originally Posted by newshirt

It's already done. Fordbarn has become the new "national club." MAFCA and MARC are just lingering until their members age out.

FB dispenses ten times the information that MAFCA and MARC could ever dream of. It has the youth, enthusiasm, and momentum........

I'm sorry, I fell out of my chair laughing at this one....

You were kidding, right? .... but I suspect you were not.

I need not type anything more than to ask anyone with a differing opinion to re-read this very thread.

If not convince, pick any other thread with over 10 replies.
You will certainly find an abundance of old timers "sitting on their porches", yelling for you to get off their lawns and expounding on how they know the right way to do everything and not to listen to any of those answers with actual facts in them.

It's a constant stream of one-upsmanship and "whether I'm correct or not is not the issue....it's that my opinion is right and theirs is wrong".

I have spent a lot of time searching this site for information and I find my self always getting tired of having to filter through all of the posturing, opinions and threadjacking. (not to mention the flat out bullying and sophomoric diatribe witnessed on a few occasions, one of them personally.)

Until this group can interact in a civil, encouraging and enjoyable way this will not be the club of the future.

Frankly, in its present "state", FB sucks the fun out of having a Model A. If it were not for valuable information buried within all the fertilizer I wouldn't come around and, although I have lots of questions, I will not ask them as I have experienced that once already.