If you do not want people to lose faith and get mad, then do not send out an email on January 22 saying the following:
Dear 2013 VCA Members. Now that 2 magazines have been shipped (sorry for the delay), although we appreciate the decision made by some Regional entities to affiliate with the VOA, we respectfully suggest that now that the New VCA Board has remedied the problems that were raised at the time of the change, that you consider renewing your membership with the VCA for the following reasons:
1. VPA (Viper Parts of America), the repository of much of Viper's history and a MOPAR dealer, which is 100% owned by the VCA, is now managed by a twenty year Viper tech named Keith Laxson. Herb Helbig is still providing services to VPA on an hourly basis. Chris Marshall resigned from VPA this past December.
2. The lease with the landlord who sent the letter to Chrysler is not being continued, and VPA is moving. Watch the VCA members section of our website for a special "members only" Viper parts sale on many inventory items coming soon.
3. Mary Marshall has been replaced by a new, independent management company to run VCA operations.
4. A new printer was recently hired to do the magazine. (This, in part, was the reason there has been a delay in two issues. Both of those issues are being mailed now.)
5. JonB has been reinstated.
6. An apology was given to Ralph months ago and SRT, as evidenced by the fact that Dick Winkles spoke at the VCA Central Florida holiday party, is not angry at the VCA.
7. The VCA Bylaws have been amended and, among other important changes, contain term limits for officers to avoid the accumulation of entrenched power.
8. Decision making is now based on member participation as indicated by the recent on line discussion and on line poll regarding whether to allow Viper truck owners to be VCA members.
9. The VCA is on sound financial footing, we have over $75k in the bank, and all bills are current, further, we have restructured our costs across the board, and will be announcing our first budget in 4 years. VPA has a very substantial inventory of current and hard to find Viper parts.
We have taken the steps outlined above in response to your concerns and with the desire to earn back your trust. Many more favorable changes are in the works and we would like you to join in the discussion and help us implement them.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this request. If you have any questions about this email, please contact us at: ***@vipercluborg or, if you are going to be in Daytona this weekend, please drop by and see us at the Westin Hotel in Lake Mary, Florida (
www.westin.com/lakemary) on Friday afternoon from 1PM till 4PM.