Question

[brandon6976]

Hey I had someone ask me about membership package. Now I've seen this go bad on SOOO many sites..

If I could think of something or work something out where vendors give say 5% off to members I would do it .. cause I mean I would obviously like for the site to be able to pay for its own costs but I won't burndend the people who use the site to do it unless there is something valueable in return.

Celispeed for example. They had an idea to give out something for the membership in return, however no one seems to care about T-shirts, key chains and such.

The ideal's of this site is to create a place where vendors and people can post whatever they want within the limit of being insulting/hurtful to others. i also don't want to pander to Vendors who pay a "sponsorship" I beleive that is wrong because other vendors may have a lot to offer but could be a small business that doesn't have a lot of money for sponsoring a site.

Just my 2cents .. I'd appreciate anyones opinions on this. As it stands there is NO plans on asking any members for any sort of cash and I don't intend to .. However if there was a mutal benifit I would probably put out the option.

[Pete00]

If I could think of something or work something out where vendors give say 5% off to members I would do it ..

that is where the problem lies. how would a vendor know if a c7 member is a real member, not just someone who passed by the board.
a way is to keep an updated database, both admin here and the sponsers. obviously that is alot of trouble for both sides. if i were the vendor, i would give the 5% off to anyone that mentions this site, regardless of their affiliation. to them, a sale is a sale. if they can afford to give off 5% to us, they can afford to give 5% off to everyone.

i agree with you in that this site is also for any vendors to post their goods. gives choice and price wars. posting a transaction, weather it be positive or negative, will also enhance the vendors awareness of what they need to improve, or what skills are to be continued.

[Prafull Koli]

considering how transient board members & their committments can be...I say forget it...sell the tshirts decals etc...but I say it's just not worth it...

[subterfuge]

considering how transient board members & their committments can be...I say forget it...sell the tshirts decals etc...but I say it's just not worth it...

That's interesting that you would say that..

But you are dead right. 5% of the people do 95% of the work in a club (seen it first hand). You DO want to have some sort of 'suble' way of reconizing those individuals that do wish to contribute though (and who NEED to be reconized). Be it 'gold star' beside there name, or whatever.

Donations are good. But I still say at least OFFER memberships.

Single Membersip = $20
Family Membership = $35

We might not be able to offer 'external' vendor discounts. But at least we can offer INTERNAL ones.. Plus as we get more organized and start to organize our own events (Ie a Spring Tour with the cost of a Buffet meal included, or paintball) we can offer an 'additional' discount to our members. (not realy a discount. Basicly members can come @ cost + admin). Non-members end up paying MORE (thus if they dig the group it would behoov them to join up).

Regular meetings. Elected executive.

And a tresurers report..
:bling:

What y'all be thinkin' 'bout dat? :gap:

[Prafull Koli]

I like the thinking here...I would tend to agree with Sub...

I nominate Subterfuge Executive Membership Director charged with the duties and resonsibilities to design, impliment and manage our membership drive. :D

I'll buy one :thumbup:

[unicalex]

I too agree with subterfuge. I'm sure everyone could afford a small annual fee.. and it could help support the club even more :o

[brandon6976]

hmm not sure .. I understand the idea's however unless there is a definate advantage to members I wouldn't want to do it.

I don't understand the idea of a Buffet meal or paintball. How can the club offer a discount. I mean is the idea that if you're a member you could get it cheaper than you could usually. I WON'T ask people to pay a premium or anything more than they could get it for retail if they were by theirself. Otherwise non-members would feel like they're being ripped off??

Am I making sense or am I just totaly missing something ?? :?

[Prafull Koli]

I think what sub's saying (correct me if I'm wrong) is that by collecting a membership $$ we have some money in the kitty to help offset the actual cost of organizing group events by subsidizing a portion of the unit cost for each participant...

So for example say we had an event that cost us $400 net. And 10 people show up...that's 40 per person...but if the club has some money collected say ($500)...then if we threw in $100 to reduce the unit cost...that would drop the cost down to $30 per person...

It gives the club money to work with when organizing events...see in the end...it's the same difference..but it's easier asking all to pay a membership fee then in return offer to organize and reduce unit costs by using that same membership fee...money can also be raised and benefit the "members" ...

for example a car wash...if we held a car wash and used the money to promote club events then that money too would go to help offset member's expenses when participating in a social event we plan, or entry into a competition ...

i see lots of value in this kind of arrangement...it's less hassle for people to pay a membership...they get a sense of belonging...plus down the road when we plan events..they get to participate at reduced costs...over time the membership funds will eventually be returned to members through reduced costs on events...in the end the money is returned in a sense...

For retailers & vendors we don't necessarily need to offer anything...but there is value in belonging to club...the board is what brings us together...the membership is what keeps us together...it's a focused effort to see that the needs of this population are being met...this is in part why I feel Celispeed has failed...they had a huge captive audience, but never made any concrete steps to look after the common interests and needs of it's participants...we can change that...and membership is the answer...

membership & vendors don't have to be in the same boat..or even on the table for discussion at the same time necessarilly...

(ok..NOW i'm done :D )

[Pete00]

You DO want to have some sort of 'suble' way of reconizing those individuals that do wish to contribute though (and who NEED to be reconized). Be it 'gold star' beside there name, or whatever.

Donations are good. But I still say at least OFFER memberships.

Single Membersip = $20
Family Membership = $35



gold star, "C7 Performance Member" under their name, home mailed newsletter (bi-monthly etc), etc. i like the idea.

family membership? assume that refers to bringing spouses/girlfriends/friends etc. along?





i see lots of value in this kind of arrangement...it's less hassle for people to pay a membership...they get a sense of belonging...plus down the road when we plan events..they get to participate at reduced costs...over time the membership funds will eventually be returned to members through reduced costs on events...in the end the money is returned in a sense...



:werd:


much like celispeed, it seemed that many 'non-members' were willing to pay up for the membership fee. for me when i was new, i wished to buy membership not for the free items, but for that sense of 'actual' belonging.
the prices sub listed aren't terribly expensive, and waykewl is right in the sense that paying members will be getting their moneys worth.

edit: our membership drive must be highly organized and responsive. i lost interest in obtaining celispeed membership b/c both frank and tim never responded to my e-mails. i had to go through scotty to finally reach frank :roll:

[subterfuge]

hmm not sure .. I understand the idea's however unless there is a definate advantage to members I wouldn't want to do it.

I don't understand the idea of a Buffet meal or paintball. How can the club offer a discount. I mean is the idea that if you're a member you could get it cheaper than you could usually. I WON'T ask people to pay a premium or anything more than they could get it for retail if they were by theirself. Otherwise non-members would feel like they're being ripped off??

Am I making sense or am I just totaly missing something ?? :?

SOrry I guess I should have clarified.

I look at these events as a 'fund-raiser' for the club. THink of the orgainization of a Spring Ride. We have our route planned, and as part of the event we have a dinner stop planned. Because there is a NUMBER of us and we have pre-booked we negotiate a DISCOUNT on the meal. members get the meal at the negotated discount price. Non members get the meal at the 'regular' price (and we pocket the difference).

Same deal with Paintball. We negotiate our own 'group' discount, and charge regular rates to non-members. Yer not getting hosed. But you aren't getting the full deal either.


family membership? assume that refers to bringing spouses/girlfriends/friends etc. along?

Yup. I'd like to get at least play lip-service to the 'family' aspect of this. Somthing like what the streetrod clubs foster. It adds legitimacy to what we do. It's not just a bunch of drug-dealin' racing punks. But a legitamite hobby/interest!


Good way to build public support against BS goverment/cop foolishness.

[B-WRX]

Sorry guys and gals, I'm gonna stay out of this one as I had a bad experience last time in dealing with these types of issues.

I'm easy either way though. I don't mind paying a membership fee and of course I don't mind not paying.

Perhaps we could have membership for those wanting to pay. Benefits would include exclusive events/shows and certain product discounts.
Non-official members could still come to general meets and use the forums and sponsers though.
Basically if you want to donate some money for membership you get a few extras in return, if not that's totally cool and you won't get the extra little specials. Because a lot of members will only want to use this board and other boards as a simple information sharing source and not want to or can not participate in other events or meets, etc.
That's my 2 cents and that's all.

[brandon6976]

Sorry guys and gals, I'm gonna stay out of this one as I had a bad experience last time in dealing with these types of issues.

I'm easy either way though. I don't mind paying a membership fee and of course I don't mind not paying.

Perhaps we could have membership for those wanting to pay. Benefits would include exclusive events/shows and certain product discounts.
Non-official members could still come to general meets and use the forums and sponsers though.
Basically if you want to donate some money for membership you get a few extras in return, if not that's totally cool and you won't get the extra little specials. Because a lot of members will only want to use this board and other boards as a simple information sharing source and not want to or can not participate in other events or meets, etc.
That's my 2 cents and that's all.


Werd I never want to exclude anyone from anything. Its just something lots of boards struggle with. was wondering what everyone thought

[subterfuge]

Awww!! Come on B! Enlighten us!! Organizations are only mildly interesting when they work. They are a HELL of alot more fasinating when they fall in the pooper.. :smile:

I'm gonna speak from experence and use my mother's horseclub as an example (Timbertrail western riders). I'll try to draw some paralles so that it makes sence.

In that group they have three major interests.
Trail Riding (Tours & Fun)
Gaming (Track Meets/Navagational Rallys)
Showing (Modding/Audio Meets)

The organization charges a membership. With the membership they get a newsletter (not an issue. public website!). They also get a membership card and a VOTE in elections.

The Trail Riding is open to everyone. Free to members. But non-members pay a fee. Both as a fundraiser, and as well to cover the cost of the event insurance.

The Gamers and Showers PAY a fee to enter. Covers the cost of tropheys, insurance, etc.. The club runs a BBQ/Consession and sells T-Shirts at the event to help cover general club expenses. The Non-Members are still welcome. But they pay MORE for there entries, and do not have any points accumulated count towards the yearly awards banqute. However the points accumlated ARE put towards sister organizations (such as Barrles racing Canada or what-have-you).

This to me is NOT an organization that we want to FORCE people to be a part of. No excusivity here! I'd rather gain attraction via carotts then sticks. (damn I sound like a friggin farmer.. :D ).

The main point of this site is to provide a common public forum. If someone wants to take the next step and contribute activily. Lets allow them! The way I look at it what we are 'selling' is the community, and the mutal benifits/fun we can derive from hanging out with people that share similar interests.

Boo-yah!


Damn. That's alot of typing..

[brandon6976]

all very good points. I think a membership could be a benifit to everyone if done right. I just want to make sure non members don't feel they shouldn't be participating in meets or anything like that.

[Prafull Koli]

Brandon after what a lot of people have said it looks as though membership would be a welcome concept...just needs to be planned carefully...why don't we assign someone (Subterfuge :D ) to develop a workable idea, and then "vote" on it...within the administration first, then those on the board...that's democratic, and if well planned and presented it will represent yet another step in setting us apart from other boards showing our committment to being real, tangible, and actively able to respond to our community..

[B-WRX]

all very good points. I think a membership could be a benifit to everyone if done right. I just want to make sure non members don't feel they shouldn't be participating in meets or anything like that.

:werd:
Exactly the point I was trying to say.

[brandon6976]

yeah its definately my #1 thing I want to make sure everyone feels welcome to participate in things.

If we can get people to feel welcome AND if they a membership would maybe add to the experience but I don't want a non member to feel like their losing out on a lot of not welcome to come to meets.

[Prafull Koli]

it's all in the way we deliver & promote membership...it is totaly possible

[EbonyGT4me]

Wow a sight that seeks to actively engage the ENTIRE community! I'm speechless, good work guys, I look forward to hearing a tangible solution to the considerations put forward. :thumbup:

[brandon6976]

Wow a sight that seeks to actively engage the ENTIRE community! I'm speechless, good work guys, I look forward to hearing a tangible solution to the considerations put forward. :thumbup:

I'm surprised you read through all that :giggle:

Anywayz feedback from ANYONE is welcome. I think membership is always an ideal that people have however it never seems to come out right and tends to push some people away.

[Piotrov]

Im new to the forum or car club scene so i cant speak from experience but for myself. I wouldent mind paying a membership fee as long as its resnable.
I find that when you pay for a membership, you feel more part of the club more involved. But i guess it would be difficult to involve every member or make them feel involved.
Also its tough getting people to pay for memberships with the insurance and gas prices going up but from what i read here it sounds like you guys can make it work.
Its going to take alot of dedication and hard work maybe thats why other clubs dont get far, becuase they lose interests or just dont have time.
One thing i noticed on celispeed (not to put them down or anything)
is that most of the top guys dont even want their celicas. I mean Frank got rid of his. Vailceli wanted to get rid of his.
If the people who run a club dont have their hart in it, its not gonna work.
But i can see from Brandon that he has passion for his car and really wants to make this club work thats why i have faith. Also everyones support towards this matter is really great.
Im happy to be part of C7!

Sorry about any spelling mistakes :D

[Prafull Koli]

Yo pilot...you've got the right vibe man...you gotta be an ambassoder (sp?) for others here too..spread that positive tlk, and keep people in this mode...this is what will keep this board, alive, and thrivin'.

Brandon..it's really looking feasible...I think we should hammer out some ideas and seek feedback from the other members...looks like lots of support for the idea...

[Kryno]

Nice to see you brandon wanting to go in a 'community' driven direction. :thumbup: there are many communities that are corrupt out there...they've lost focus and it's ashame because something really good could have come out of it. Building a community...giving back to the community..that sort of thing

The membership idea sounds great, as mentioned before it will take a lot of hard work and planning. As long as you have the commited ppl there everything will work out.


looks good ... feels great :D

[brandon6976]

Yo pilot...you've got the right vibe man...you gotta be an ambassoder (sp?) for others here too..spread that positive tlk, and keep people in this mode...this is what will keep this board, alive, and thrivin'.

Brandon..it's really looking feasible...I think we should hammer out some ideas and seek feedback from the other members...looks like lots of support for the idea...

yeah I think all the peices are pretty much together, the only thing missing is the incentive to be a member, as much as I would like to get a couple bucks to put towards the site i WILL NOT say please pay me like $10 (or whatever amount) just to be a member and thats it and they have faith we'll make it a worth wild thing

I like the idea I just want to make sure its clear what the goals and objectives are before moving forward, actually those 2 things are there its more tha HOW .. last thing we want to do is go too fast and do something wrong.

[Prafull Koli]

looks good ... feels great :D

there it is boyz & gurlz...our new catch phrase::

c7: looks good, feels great

pretty much sums it up right there!! :popo:

[Kryno]

looks good ... feels great :D

there it is boyz & gurlz...our new catch phrase::

c7: looks good, feels great

pretty much sums it up right there!! :popo:
totally :D

[Piotrov]

How do you keep people paying a monthly fee?
I mean someone can come along and pay one month and not the next.
I think that could cause some problems.
Now once a year or even every 6 months i think would work out a bit better and like you said there has to be insentive for people to pay.
But i think c7 is on the right track.
Getting everyones oppinion is a really good thing instead of just making decisions.
Of course you wont please everyone but majority is the key.

[Prafull Koli]

make it so Brandon!! One of the greatest ways to outdo your competition is to "accentuate the obvious"....

It's like 2 orange juice vendors...one says freshly squeezed and sells millions...they hire a multi-million dollar ad firm, and a month later the compeition sells even more cuz' they advertise :

Made with 100% Florida Oranges...(even they both are)...

accentuate the obvious...that's what you should replace "ontarios's source for 1zz and 2zz performance " with "Looks Good, Feels Good"...it really does sum up what we're all about here...

[Pete00]

How do you keep people paying a monthly fee?
I mean someone can come along and pay one month and not the next.
I think that could cause some problems.
Now once a year or even every 6 months i think would work out a bit better and like you said there has to be insentive for people to pay.
But i think c7 is on the right track.
Getting everyones oppinion is a really good thing instead of just making decisions.
Of course you wont please everyone but majority is the key.

i don't think anyone mentioned about a monthly fee, but a yearly fee is a possibility.

[Prafull Koli]

How do you keep people paying a monthly fee?
I mean someone can come along and pay one month and not the next.
I think that could cause some problems.
Now once a year or even every 6 months i think would work out a bit better and like you said there has to be insentive for people to pay.
But i think c7 is on the right track.
Getting everyones oppinion is a really good thing instead of just making decisions.
Of course you wont please everyone but majority is the key.

My visions about membership call for a 1 time yearly fee...nominal...maybe betwee $20-30...

[Piotrov]

How do you keep people paying a monthly fee?
I mean someone can come along and pay one month and not the next.
I think that could cause some problems.
Now once a year or even every 6 months i think would work out a bit better and like you said there has to be insentive for people to pay.
But i think c7 is on the right track.
Getting everyones oppinion is a really good thing instead of just making decisions.
Of course you wont please everyone but majority is the key.

i don't think anyone mentioned about a monthly fee, but a yearly fee is a possibility.

Sorry Pete,
I missread Brandon's last message.
He said he wouldnt want to charge people 10 a month.
Sorry again... My bad :oops:

[brandon6976]

ya man it would a small fee once a year .. it definately wouldn't be a monthly thing. that would be a nightmare to control and track.

[Pete00]

:lol: no need to apoligize!
we all make mistakes! :D

[Prafull Koli]

no need for apologies guyz...we're all just keepin' it real here...talking with each other is hard enough in person without having misunderstandings...online it's 300 times worse..it's gonna happen... :thumbup:

[brandon6976]

yeah its no problem .. it would be like waykewl said probably like 20 or 30 for a year .. definately nothing much but we gotta find a good use for the money where everyone wins .. otherwise as much as people don't mind paying it the questions will start to come up of why should I pay ?? where does the money go ?? etc etc

[Piotrov]

thanks Guy's! :D
Yearly sounds good. :lol:

[Piotrov]

yeah its no problem .. it would be like waykewl said probably like 20 or 30 for a year .. definately nothing much but we gotta find a good use for the money where everyone wins .. otherwise as much as people don't mind paying it the questions will start to come up of why should I pay ?? where does the money go ?? etc etc

I believe it was mentioned before.
Make the money go to events some of course for the site.
But your right alot of tought needs to be put into this.

[white_rice]

Its going to take alot of dedication and hard work maybe thats why other clubs dont get far, becuase they lose interests or just dont have time.
One thing i noticed on celispeed (not to put them down or anything)
is that most of the top guys dont even want their celicas. I mean Frank got rid of his. Vailceli wanted to get rid of his.
If the people who run a club dont have their hart in it, its not gonna work.
But i can see from Brandon that he has passion for his car and really wants to make this club work thats why i have faith. Also everyones support towards this matter is really great.
Im happy to be part of C7!

Sorry about any spelling mistakes :D

That's a lot of ppl's thinkings and well its true.. if you've lost interest in the Celica or don't have one anymore are you really gonna give 100% in making a Celica club the best there can be?

Frank - No longer owns a Celica
Byron - Wants to sell the Celica
Grant - Wants to sell the Celica
Tim - Lost interest in the Celica, bike is his new passion

I think I am the only moderator on that board that still loves his Celica to death and plans to keep it for years to come! This might explain why I am now also a moderator over here. :smile:

[Prafull Koli]

:lol: if the shoe fits scotty...

yeah...I agree..it does help to keep the interest alive...

[white_rice]

:lol: if the shoe fits scotty...

yeah...I agree..it does help to keep the interest alive...

Exactly.. why would you wanna dedicate all your spare time into a club about a car that you no longer drive?!

[ieatglue]

Wow, that was a long read. Notice Subterfudge stopped talking once people started electing him as treasurer? heheheh

From what I've seen, this topic draws a lot of attention. Everything seems to be saying the same thing. Nobody minds paying for a membership if they know the organization they're paying into is responsible, functional, and isn't going to run away to mexico next week.

So yes, I too wouldn't mind paying membership. In fact, I've love to if my membership grants me a club which organizes events, and does things rather than just bitch on a board.

We've all got this notion that anything we see on the internet is free. And I share it. Therefore I won't pay for an internet only experience, and I don't believe anyone else should have to.

So I don't feel that anyone who just wants to participate on the forum should feel obligated to pay.

That being said, PHYSICAL things take time and resources. Planning events, poker runs etc all require extensive planning and bribing. These things will require money, and therefore club dues.

I'm sure we'll have some free events, but things which require meals, and prizes etc need to be paid for.

I love the idea of a cost per event listed as a member price and a non-member price. Everyone can attend, people who will only attend one event a year don't need to pay the membership fee.

The responsibility then goes to the executive to plan events that everyone wants to attend often enough to justify the membership.

This makes the club better

Subt, where do I mail my check too?

Oh, and i dont' know about you guys, but this alias stuff contributes to the alianation of people. I'd much rather send a check for 25 bucks to Mark then some dude named Subterfudge..


-John

[Prafull Koli]

Oh, and i dont' know about you guys, but this alias stuff contributes to the alianation of people. I'd much rather send a check for 25 bucks to Mark then some dude named Subterfudge..


-John

good point...noted, and something I think we should consider debating...

[subterfuge]

Oh, and i dont' know about you guys, but this alias stuff contributes to the alianation of people. I'd much rather send a check for 25 bucks to Mark then some dude named Subterfudge..


-John

good point...noted, and something I think we should consider debating...

It's a non-issue. The Executive MUST be declaired, as well as the roles that they (and the club itself) fulfill. As well as the accountablity structure.

Part of the club constitution my freinds! Draft proposal of which will be forthcoming after the meeting on the weekend. :smile:

[Pete00]

I love the idea of a cost per event listed as a member price and a non-member price. Everyone can attend, people who will only attend one event a year don't need to pay the membership fee.



:werd:

[Prafull Koli]

I think glue was talking about more than just the executive tho :D

8)

[white_rice]

Oh, and i dont' know about you guys, but this alias stuff contributes to the alianation of people. I'd much rather send a check for 25 bucks to Mark then some dude named Subterfudge..


-John

good point...noted, and something I think we should consider debating...

That's actually one nicer feature that they have over at www.albertacelicas.org where below your nickname it also reads your real first name which was entered in your profile. This is a much better way of being able to talk to people on a first name, friendlier basis IMHO.

[brandon6976]

you're 100% right .. the next version of this forum is going to have that feature .. i'm not 100% sure though when it'll be ready ..

[Prafull Koli]

:werd: totally support this !!!

[Piotrov]

Totaly with you guys on that one!
Its better calling someone by name when you meet them the first
time rather then the nick name like Gt-s or TRD or something

"Hi TRD how ya doing"
Sounds gay dont it? :D

[ieatglue]

I think glue was talking about more than just the executive tho :D

8)

I was. I still really only know people by their nicks. It's kinda silly at meets to be calling people waykool and BGTS, I feel like I should be at a star trek convention (sorry). But the worst part is. I'm horrible with names, so that's the only way I can remember everyone :(

[Prafull Koli]

yeah...the option brandon you say is comin' with the next version..install it already!!! 8)