What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby

[PC/SR]

Mark: I visited your website and you are certainly qualified to serve in a leadership position in MAFCA or any number of other positions as well. But with all due respect, I see no significant "platform" as such, ie, ideas for the future. Again, with all due respect, it is a typical politician's resume, and a fine one it is. Asking for ideas is to be respected as well, but at some point we need to know your ideas for the future and why you hold them. If your ideas and reasons are compelling then people will follow. I frankly do not care if MAFCA and MARC merge, but perhaps I should care if there were compelling reasons to do so, or not. I belong to one of the nationals (un-named) and feel that it is just going through the motions with no vision for the future.
Mike K is right in my opinion, the answer is publicity, to let the people of the country know what an integral part of history the Model A is. Those of us who are "naturally" interested in A's, mostly from our youth, are passing. I have no idea of who to leave my car to because no one is really interested in it. One nephew thinks it is "cool" but really wants a Camero (gasp). My wife plans to give the car and the associated "junk" (ie valuable parts) to the local club just to get rid of it.
I fear that the Model A of today is largely going to fade away and wind up as a "barn find" 50 years from now. I would hope that as a person running for office you have thought these things through more than I have and have some definitive ideas for the future for Model A's as an inclusive group. Right now, FAST is my favorite group because it has a definite mission that appeals to me, but it is a narrow one. The national organizations need a more inclusive mission and a broader reason for existence. I for one am ready to listen.

[Jerry Parr WI]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Not so with The Restorer, Model A News, and the Model A Times. I guess because they all deal with a segment of Fords that I still find fascinating, the 1928-1931 Model A's. I never throw any of them away but I did really like The Restorer better in the 1970's--------

I have both club magazines back into the 60's and they both have gone thru periods where they were great and not so great. The editors are largely at the mercy of the members who submit articles. They also suffer to some extent when they try to provide something for everyone. It also results in something for everyone to dislike.

[MCHinson]

PC/SR,

Don't be so fast to give up on the younger generation. I realize that maybe things are different in your area of the country, but in my area of the country, there are lots of folks like me who were born in the 60's who have Model A Fords. I can't explain why, but maybe we were just born in the wrong decade. The only two guys that I know who are into "FAST" type Model A's both came from California. Maybe it is something in the water out there. The Model A hobby is not dying here. Tell your wife that when the time comes, she can put it all on Ebay and make a lot of money. There are still plenty of buyers out there.

You do have a valid point about a "platform". I do not remember ever seeing much of a "platform" from any MAFCA or MARC Candidate.

[PC/SR]

MC: I may be the water, but I also think the hot air (pun intended) has something to do with it. Our local club is quite active, but I dispair when I see the kids here driving rice burners with spinner wheel caps and boom boxes bigger than A engines. Hope all goes well in NC with the hurricane-my father in law lives on the outer banks.

[MCHinson]

PC/SR
Thanks. With my recent retirement, after the last 30 years in law enforcement. This is the first storm that I won't have to go out and work in. I can stay here at home. We have been through enough storms that I am not worried here. We are just expecting Tropical Storm force winds here in Wilmington. I think that they are probably evacuating the Outer Banks now. The should have a bit more storm there than we will have and their geography is not very helpful. Hope your father in law makes it through the storm OK.

[MCHinson]

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Originally Posted by Mark Schwing

At the risk of opening a hornets nest or two, what can the two national organizations, MAFCA and MARC, do to improve the Model A Ford hobby?

I am a candidate for the MAFCA board of directors. Please visit my website at www.markschwing.com

OK, Mark you were right. You opened up a hornet's nest.... or a "can of worms" in my terminology.

So, assuming that the members of this site are a representative sample of MAFCA Membership, which I presume you must believe, since you asked your question here.... Are you prepared to propose a study to consider merging MAFCA and MARC, since a majority of the poll respondents so far are in favor of such a merger?

[MCHinson]

I saw that Mark was online a short while ago, and yet still no answer. I really hope he gets around to posting an answer. How I mark my ballot awaits his answer.

I am anxiously awaiting your answer Mark. I doubt that I am the only one, since approximately 2/3's of the poll respondents favor a Merger.

[Big D]

Well guess I will throw in my 2 cents also....

PC/SR-- I also am in the "born in 60s" group. I think that it takes a while before you understand and respect a Model A.. I have owned numerous Cars, Bikes and boats, and yet, before owning a Model A, never felt that I'm simply taking care of her for a while rather than fixing a car. I find that younger folks are all about how fast it will go or what's in it for them (of course I too was like that some years ago).

MC & PC/SR-- ARE YOU Kidding me??? You want a politician to stand firm on what he believes without a poll telling him it's better for him. Now I don't know Mark, but anytime a "typical politician" tells you he wants to help you, BE CAREFUL..

Hope all have a great day. :=D

[MCHinson]

Big D,

I don't know Mark either. Mark came here and asked how MAFCA and MARC can improve the hobby. The answer from approximately 2/3's seems to be that the two organizations can merge.

In my law enforcement supervision career, I learned that a leader should never ask the troops for ideas unless he was planning on trying to implement their ideas if possible. Don't ask for advice and then refuse to follow it.

If Mark wants my vote, he is going to have to demonstrate the commitment to follow the advice that he received. If not, then I will do my best to see others elected. I don't know if Mark is a leader or a politician. His answer, and his actions, will answer that question for me.

[MCHinson]

Mark you opened this hornet's nest,

Any chance you can answer this question? An answer one way or the other gives you a chance to get my vote. No answer insures that I will NOT be voting for you. You asked the question, you heard the majority response here.

Now, you have asked how many Fordbarn members are members of the different clubs, but you still have not answered this question here, or my email. The Board members should be responsive to their membership. I am really disappointed in your lack of response to this question.

[Tony S,Fl.]

Here is a newspaper published at The Villages in Florida. Joe Walker was a member of our club till he moved to centersl Florida. They are starting a chapter there. Have over a half dozen Model A's there and many more are interested in getting togather. Tony

[old1928fordguy]

All of the suggestions here are OK but I believe both clubs and many local cubs are missing the big picture.National meets and regional meets are very unfriendly to the public.We want new people to get interested but when they go to the location of the meets to see whats up, look at the cars etc.they are many times told this event is only for registered members and are snubbed .This is the opposite of the Street Rod people who advertise to the public and invite them to attend and actually make money in many cases by charging admission.The public comes away from the rod meets after checking out 2000 cars excited to get right to work on their own projects.This is how you create interest in a hobby.Many times even the paid registered members cant even get to see the fine point cars. How does this get people interested in showing and building fine point cars.Street Rodders are not worried about new members because they encourage public participation.Many more Model As would not become street rods if we encouraged the public to restore them. if the public looked restorations as much fun as street rodding we would have new members.If Joe Blow has a Model A stashed away he can rod it or restore he will do what is the most fun and hang out with the people which treat him well and encourage him and welcome him. Open the doors of the meets to EVERYONE and they will come!!!!! Respecfully Phil Turner, Denver, Colorado

[2manycars]

Originally Posted by old1928fordguy

All of the suggestions here are OK but I believe both clubs and many local cubs are missing the big picture.National meets and regional meets are very unfriendly to the public.We want new people to get interested but when they go to the location of the meets to see whats up, look at the cars etc.they are many times told this event is only for registered members and are snubbed .This is the opposite of the Street Rod people who advertise to the public and invite them to attend and actually make money in many cases by charging admission.The public comes away from the rod meets after checking out 2000 cars excited to get right to work on their own projects.This is how you create interest in a hobby.Many times even the paid registered members cant even get to see the fine point cars. How does this get people interested in showing and building fine point cars.Street Rodders are not worried about new members because they encourage public participation.Many more Model As would not become street rods if we encouraged the public to restore them. if the public looked restorations as much fun as street rodding we would have new members.If Joe Blow has a Model A stashed away he can rod it or restore he will do what is the most fun and hang out with the people which treat him well and encourage him and welcome him. Open the doors of the meets to EVERYONE and they will come!!!!! Respecfully Phil Turner, Denver, Colorado

That is a good point. I may add to that by saying that it works for the street rod show to invite the public, as they are often held at large fair grounds, where the public has room to park, and there are entrance gates at which to charge spectators. The street rod gathering is a daily affair for a weekend, and the participants go to various hotels, motels, and camp grounds for the evening, after finding a restaurant they like. It is about the car show, not the social gathering for the evening.
In stark contrast, the model A meets are held in a large convention center or large hotel/motel, and except for the tour, the emphasis is on the convention, including banquets, dances, fashion shows, seminars, entertainment, etc. The cars are secondary to the social gathering, in fact some do not bring a car. There is no good way to invite the public, as the hotel parking lot is already full, and most people are not sitting near their cars, but are in the hotel, at a seminar, on a bus trip to some local sight, or at a banquet.
I am not finding fault with either system just pointing out the difference.

[old1928fordguy]

In response to / Too many cars/ Maybe it is time to change the venues to include a location which has a large fair ground near by and have one day of the meet for a large car show FOR THE PUBLIC to enjoy the cars .Want to get people excited about our hobby. we must include them not discourage them.I disagree that meets are not about the cars,it all about the cars and the other events are secondary.Just because somthing has always been done a certain way doesnt mean we must continue to do it the same way.Lets think out of the box a bit to move this fine hobby into the future.Respectfully Phil Turner

[bobpo]

Hey T-Bob,

I knew there was sumthin funny 'bout them Cheerios....................

I joined MARC a few months ago to go to the National Show. It was great. The magazine seems a little redundant, but I'm new and learning..................

BTW Mark, thanks for askin'

[30ccpickup]

To attract the younger generation we have to tie in what they like, with what we like and combine the two. Our biggest access to the young is the computer, and if you are reading this you should understand, you are becoming like them. Seeking information from the computer, having best friends you have never met, and even using improper spellings and acronyms (lol and smiley faces). When spelling was a big topic on this form, no Fordbarner said learn to spell, you all said learn to use spell checker. We are a technological society and you are becoming part of it.

There was talk about a monthly magazine and how cool that would be. My students would be too impatient to wait for a monthly magazine. They are use to instant gratification on an electronic device. Encyclopedias are a thing of the pass. Hard copies of dictionaries are no longer being printed. News papers are going out of business, along with magazines (even comic books are on-line). To attract the younger generation, the national clubs need an interactive website. With pictures: This is the Model A! This is what it looks like! It needs to be a place where new members and old members can do research. Everything you want to see in the magazine the younger generation wants to see in a website. I just sat through two days worth of students giving reports on “Innovation”. Several students chose the automobile. Not one mentioned the Model A. Go to our National websites and tell me where the link is for all the really cool pictures of Model A’s showing different styles, giving their history and method of identification. The younger generation still loves cars we just need to provide for their method of research.

Note: We would still need to keep the magazine for us in the older generation and it should be monthly.