Angleiron,
Quote:
"If the meetings would float a little south you just might get those 60 cars. Not everyone lives in the north burbs..."
We actually have played with southern meetings, in fact we had a southern meeting place for years... (likely before you were a member). Attendance was never as good there as it is now, as you've pointed out - it works for some people and not others. I want to mention, it's a big assumption that we may hit 60 cars if we move south. You're forgetting the majority you'd lose now who don't feel the same way... Moving it south it creates the reverse problem. You're happy, but now others aren't (you expected that right!?) AND, you're now putting the MAJORITY of members in that position. No win/win here. So instead of a handful of people driving 2 hours, you have 65% of them doing it. The decision we made proved to be beneficial to many more members and a good business decision for the club. No one is saying you're not important, but the club is a business and we have to be mindful of the big picture. I'm always open to ideas, but that's a tough nut to crack.
Now, it's not as easy as just moving the location a bit south, there's also more to it... Aside from having to focus on where the most convenience can be created given where most of the membership is - you also need to consider a location that will support us. Not only must it be in a good location, but parking lot must be visible, we need our own room, we need seperate checks, we need something that can sustain 100-150, we need to be allowed to use our PA system, and we need it to be cost effective... Not easy. So beyond just thinking "hey let's move the meeting", we do ned to think of the reality of who can sustain us.
Currently our meeting place is where most of our members are, we have a private room, our room is surrounded by our Vipers literally 5 feet from our room, they do seperate checks, room for 125 people, power, PA system, and it's FREE. We're treated like kings and it's a great location to showcase the cars given how populated Schaumburg is. They even give us coupons and they give us vouchers for our raffles at times. It almost CAN'T be better. We've been quite happy (although now we could use an even larger room the way thigns are going!).
I understand your feelings above, and I know your tone comes across a bit like a criticism when typed (as I'm sure mine does). Regardless, I just get the sense you assume no one has looked into this and that it's a new thought. So you know, last year we spent over 20 hours on phone calls and research to find a place even slightly further south (also keep in mind it's volunteers doing this). Not only did we struggle with a location, but no location even met 2 of the 6 needs we have... on top of getting CHARGED for a private room. Much effort was put in.
The problem of making EVERYONE happy is evident. Believe me, I try my friend. Give me some ideas on how we can do it. Moving it south won't accomplish it for meetings. For every one person I'd make happy, I'd get three complaints. Also keep in mind we're not just the IL club, we have a lot of people who drive in from Wisconsin for meetings. So we're really not north, we're central to our majority.
This question has been asked before, but the solution is the tough part! Shoot me some ideas, locations, plans, and I'll be happy to consider. The 2 hour drive is hard, but for the hours invested by those who run the club, it's a small price to pay on the members part to be part of something so big. Same goes for events. We've noticed those who truly love the club and get involved, stay involved, and deal with whatever inconveneiences come their way with travel. We just can't cater the club to the 200+ places people choose to live. But I have open ears in case your reserach shows something. I've worked hard to dig up options.
And I want to thank the multitude of Vipers that come out to every meeting - some driving 2-3 HOURS each way. (and I mean a LOT of them). You guys are awesome! Last night alone, on a cold October, we had standing room only and 40+ Vipers!! The month before, a record setting 51 Vipers! Unreal!
Quote:
"Hell, I did not even get a calendar this year with any information on what was even going on, and this is not the first time. The times that I did get something, it was like 3-4 days in advance of what was going on...and that is just too late. I find out about things after the fact, reading about what went down without even knowing that it was taking place."
Somehow I sense a disconnection here. PM me with your email, name, and your address. All this needs to be verified. This isn't normal. and I don't remember sending any mailers 3-4 days before an event. We only send big packets well in advnace...
The IL VCA puts a LOT - I mean A LOT - of time into communication as well as our marketing - far more than most clubs are even ABLE to do. You ever do a mailer with 25 pages in color to 300 people a couple times a year - the costs are over $8,000 (postage alone is over $2000)! Add our end of year newsletter (glossy magazine - add another $6500). If you like mailers, you get them at the very minimum at the beginning and end of each year. We send a packet at the beginning of every year with full calendar, race signups, printouts, goodies, etc... All the info you need is there - including a magnetic calendar outlining the whole year. Let's get you on board so that you're not missing any of those. It's often that addresses are mirread or mistyped - and in JRT's defense, I've seen the applications they get, you can imagine people's writing can be hard to read. I'm sure there is a reason you're not getting mailers, we'll figure it out.
However, aside from that, the more cost effective way and obviously something far more realtime and informative - we do email announcements literally practically EVERY few days. Communication is a big key to our success. We spend a lot of time keeping in very close contact with our members. Only someone who sends all these announcements can really appreciate the 6+ hours spent each month just writing annoucenments to our club (much less responding to 200+ members questions). But perhaps your email is wrong too, let's check that aswell...
Now even if the address and email are wrong, we also have a website that outlines our calendar more than a year in advance and is updated by the SECOND with not only event info, but afterglow articles, pictures, and even videos. You should be able to reach that anytime on your own. The URL is
Home Page - Viper Club of America - Illinois Region. Were you aware of it? In fact it's REALLY all you ever need.
We also have a hotline (630) 415-3642. Gives you event updates and a way to stay in touch via phone.
And of course there is this forum, which is very helpful - providing much of the same info and allowing for members to chime in with more info, often linking back to our website.
We do a lot for this club. I know it's tough to understand, but we really can't expect to be anywhere near perfect. Looking at it from one perspective can bring about many ideas, but we all need to step back and as ourselves what's good for the club. Mistakes happen, things get missed, and yes people even get terribly disapponted at times. However, you're an anomoly, unsure of how all this is happening. I feel bad the location is bad for you, no mailers, no emails, no ideas of what's happening, etc... Makes no sense to me. But we'll get it fixed.
Also, we have a host of other events (besides meetings) that take us all over the place. Racing for instance has had several southern driving events this year alone (several near Morris). And next year for the spring cruise we'll actually BE in Morris, IL and also tour the southern areas. Can't do better than that, so we'll expect to see you there.
I'll await your PM so we can check your info.
I drive 330 miles round trip for the meeting that is during the week and I don't get home till midnight. Big Deal!!
