Merger again considered, Credible opinions requested

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by mshmodela

If the U.S.S.R can folded, anything is possible.

yes and, a lot of Confederate money is passed down to generation to generation with a note, 'y'all are gonna need this someday'. Ya got to love optimist!!!!

[Charles Coe]

In a response to Model A Man, Pluck suggested starting a local club. That's a great idea. It only takes 5 members to start a local club affiliated with either MAFCA or MARC.

[SteveB31]

I belong to both clubs, and have for 30 years. I see the differences in each club, and for the little cash it takes to belong, it is a bargain for the magazines, and friends I have met at various meets. I see no reason to join the two clubs into one.

The original post stated that we have a dwindling number of Model A owners. Unless someone has scrapped their Model A, with Model A Fords being restored, discovered in barns, and being repaired all the time, we actually have MORE Model A owners every year. Just less that belong to clubs.

It has been my observation from being in the Model A Ford business for more then 30 years, that the Model A Owners span all age groups, income groups, and even racial groups. But, most national (an sometimes local) club members seem to be the older Model A Owners. I think this is because many of the younger owner enjoy the cars, but not the social aspect of the clubs.

Every Model A has an owner- they just don't all belong to clubs.

Also, one more thought. These polls mentioned here poll 100-200 people on Fordbarn. Their are thousands of Model A owners in the clubs, and hundreds of thousand of Model A owners not in ANY club. I think ANY poll of less then 1/10 of 1% of the Model A owners cannot be very accurate.

[raprice22]

For me, there's another reason to merge the 2 Model A clubs. I belong to 4 antique auto clubs plus local chapters, AACA, plus2 local chapters, Studebaker Drivers Club, plus a local chapter, and MAFCA plus a local chapter. So you can see that I pay a lot of dues to those clubs. I wouldn't even consider joining the other Model A club. One is enough for me.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by raprice22

For me, there's another reason to merge the 2 Model A clubs. I belong to 4 antique auto clubs plus local chapters, AACA, plus2 local chapters, Studebaker Drivers Club, plus a local chapter, and MAFCA plus a local chapter. So you can see that I pay a lot of dues to those clubs. I wouldn't even consider joining the other Model A club. One is enough for me.

It would not benefit you and may do just the opposite. Currently you have the option to continue with one club, 6 magazines annually, and pay your $40, OR spend another $40 and receive 12 magazines annually. Obviously you have chosen the former.

Now if this silly idea actually became a reality, they would either continue as either club does now and produce 6 magazines annually (which is no net change for you) OR set the dues at $75-$80 annually so they could produce 12 magazines. Now your only choices are to cough up the cash (which you chosen against thus far) OR drop out completely. Does that sound appealing?

[Ted Duke]

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Marcos,

Again you have stated a truth!

Ted

[Roger V]

I belong to both clubs and like them each for different reasons. I really see no need for merging. I think a few people feel compelled to pursue this for supposedly less cost. Doesn't make much sense that you will pay $40 or so and expect to get the total benefits of currently both such as twelve magazines. Nor will a single merged club end up with the combined total of both current members as many belong to both. I keep hearing the "fixed income" syndrome. If you're living in a refrigerator box under a bridge, that may be critical. If you can afford nearly any level of Model A, the combined MARC & MAFCA dues are a tiny expense compared to buying a Model A, parts, insurance, books, gasoline, tools, etc. Even if there is no region or chapter close by and you don't want to start one, the magazines, National Meets, etc. are worth the dues to me.

[Fred]

Can we bury this for the last time !!.. The above has shown most are for the two clubs.

[ctvpa]

Originally Posted by Fred

Can we bury this for the last time !!.. The above has shown most are for the two clubs.

I wonder why you demand to 'just bury this'?
Could it be that you don't like it?
Look at the amount of people who have viewed and commented on it. Whether you want to be involved, as you can see, many others than you, feel it is important.
The members should have a say how the future of their club is managed.
Please, if you have a constructive idea, solution, or thought; present it here in the public forum.
If you, personally don't like it, pass it by.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by ctvpa

I wonder why you demand to 'just bury this'?
Could it be that you don't like it?
Look at the amount of people who have viewed and commented on it. Whether you want to be involved, as you can see, many others than you, feel it is important.
The members should have a say how the future of their club is managed.
Please, if you have a constructive idea, solution, or thought; present it here in the public forum.
If you, personally don't like it, pass it by.

Show me and everyone here where I "DEMANDED" anything ??... The Majority of people that have commented here want the clubs and magazines as is.. Show us "ALL" the "OTHERS" that feel this subject is Important ??.. If you don't like how either one or both clubs are run & need all this other information you talk of, here is my ? to you. Why are you NOT on one of the clubs BOD etc.. They are always looking for people to do volunteer work..

[portside]

I'm like Fred and like it just fine the way it is!

[Fred K-OR]

Everybody must be bored by the winter weather. Please find something else to do. Like Fred above says, bury it!

[newshirt]

Originally Posted by Fred

Can we bury this for the last time !!.. The above has shown most are for the two clubs.

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

Everybody must be bored by the winter weather. Please find something else to do. Like Fred above says, bury it!

Why so hasty? There is a wide range of readers here. Some newbie's like me need discourse like this to understand the issues.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by newshirt

Why so hasty? There is a wide range of readers here. Some newbie's like me need discourse like this to understand the issues.

Ray, often times things are not what they seem or appear to be. Where I think this topic gets skewed immensely is folks mention "egos" however it usually goes a tad further than that. We all look for ways that we can contribute back to the hobby. Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same opinions on something HOWEVER it is generally majority vote rules when it comes to clubs.

In the instance of these two clubs, you have volunteers that guide each respective club based on the ideas/vision they share as to what the future of that club should be. It is easy to make judgmental comments about 'egos' or speculate about decisions when those are coming from someone who really does not have first-hand knowledge of why decisions are made, ...but when facts are known, and long-range goals are understood, it is easier to understand exactly why there are now two clubs.

I think Craig was within bounds to bring this topic up again because it did stay civil, ...and I think we know where the majority stand on the subject. Ray, as far as newbies are concerned, I agree you should know what is going on. There are several Board of Directors for both clubs who 'lurk' on this site. My suggestion is contact each one of them personally when you have questions to ask them first-hand what & why on each topic that concerns you. Then make your decisions based on your own research, --and not from a forum topic such as this which might be guessing as to the club's motives.

[ctvpa]

Originally Posted by newshirt

Why so hasty? There is a wide range of readers here. Some newbie's like me need discourse like this to understand the issues.

Great Point, Thank you.

[DougVieyra]

For those old enough to remember, at one time there WAS only ONE Model A Club. The Model A Restorer's Club. It was started back east and it's composition largely reflected the interests of it's Eastern members.

However, after a few years, the largest of MARC's West Coast chapters began to feel that the more relaxed view point of California was not being reflected in the national club. So several of the MARC chapters in the Southern California region decided to group together and form their own Model A Club, to better reflect the feelings of the West Coast members.

Hence, the formation of a second national club to support the restoring and driving of the Ford Model A - The Model A Ford Club of America - MAFCA.

I suspect that after more than a half a century, there is still a strong feeling by many Model A'ers west of the Mississippi, that there is a need of a more 'relaxed' attitude about the driving and restoring of the Ford Model A.

Hence - I see nothing on the horizon that indicates to me that the majority of westerners would want to see MAFCA merge back into MARC.

- Doug Vieyra - MAFCA member since 1963
- MARC member since 1963 - dropped in 1998


P.S. - For those who are not members of MAFCA, the latest edition of their magazine, THE RESTORER, had an excellent article on the "Basics of Front End Wheel Alignment". This kind of article is what makes the membership in one of the national clubs worth joining. Over the years, I have found that I prefer the MAFCA over the MARC publications, but both are well worth the read. Some like Porter House Steak - others prefer Rib Eye Steak. But they are both Steak - you don't have to have both.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by forever4

i suggest that ryan start requiring $40 per year for access to fordbarn, in order to filter out all the chaff that obviously wants to complain and get something for nothing in their hobby. Then the serious people will be able to enjoy this site and their magazines more. Who really cares how many club dues you pay for? It is your own decision.

Related note: Notice that just like clockwork someone always has to start a post complaining or polling everyone else because they think they did not get their magazine on time or may be a little late? Some people are so impatient and self centered i don't know how they can live with themselves.

how sweet it is !!!!

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

Everybody must be bored by the winter weather. Please find something else to do. Like Fred above says, bury it!

Or, instead of burying is cremation available?

[hangarb7]

I am a relative newby, owned my car and been a member of MARC since 2008.

Our local MARC affiliate club (Three Rivers Model A, Pittsburgh) requires that I be a member of MARC, so that is why I joined. Nice magazine.

I see no reason to join another organization and also believe if there is a competition for members, that is a good thing.

Regards,

JackD

[Charles Coe]

It has been my understanding that MAFCA came from what was originally a Southern California region of MARC. So evidently there were issues at the time that compelled the California group to start another national club. I don't know what those issues were or if they still exist. I'm a member of both MARC and MAFCA and happy to have both clubs.