Thoughts on raising TLCA dues???

[65swb45]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

Jesse Combs is aware of the TLCA. She came to the Roundup two years ago.

TJK

It was last year. Butch and I gave her a little 'ride' she won't soon forget!

[woooody]

Mark, if it was you, I'm sure it's a nightmare she relives too often. Probably wakes up in a cold sweat

[Kaderabek]

Originally Posted by 65swb45

It was last year. Butch and I gave her a little 'ride' she won't soon forget!

She may have been there last year as well but she welded with Hawley the year I'm talking about. Two years ago. Was she there last year also?

Roundup....

TJK

[65swb45]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

She may have been there last year as well but she welded with Hawley the year I'm talking about. Two years ago. Was she there last year also?

Roundup....

TJK

That was last year too. 2005 is last year.

[65swb45]

Originally Posted by woooody

Mark, if it was you, I'm sure it's a nightmare she relives too often. Probably wakes up in a cold sweat

I think that part involved Frydaddy! He was DEFINITELY putting the moves on her!

[Kaderabek]

Originally Posted by 65swb45

That was last year too. 2005 is last year.

Allow me to re-phrase, counselor: two Roundups ago.

TJK

[PScottBx]

I think $3-$5 is a drop in the bucket for what we get IMHO.


As the Bayou State Land Cruisers (BSLCA) starts up (thanks much woody) we hope to be signing new folks as well.. every one counts.

Thanks again.
I like the online version of the magazine to save a few $$$.
Many periodicals do this... but hey, I'm just s spoke in the wheel!

Scott

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by PScottBx

I like the online version of the magazine to save a few $$$.
Many periodicals do this... but hey, I'm just s spoke in the wheel!

The problem with the online version is that TLCA gets zero, nada, zilch to offset your viewing our premier publication online. We pay a lot to produce this work, and the only compensation TLCA gets is from MEMBERSHIP dues and ad sales.

Toyota Trails needs to continue to be a membership perk. It started out as a newsletter and has morphed into a world-class publication, but making it entirely available for free online diminishes both it's quality and our financial ability to produce and distribute it.

If you and others with a similar viewpoint want to read Toyota Trails online without paying your dues to save a few bucks, it will be gone. While "many" periodicals do this, we are not one of "many" periodicals. Toyota Trails is the official publication of the Toyota Land Cruiser Association, it is not a newspaper, portal or generic publication. If we were to offer it entirely online for free, Trails would cease to exist. Do you want that?

Happy cruisin'!

[cajun65]

I'm a new member but I've read enough of the history of this club and seen the evidence in Toyota Trails to know that an membership fee increase, if needed, should be done.

I'm for it.

[TUFFTORQ]

I could be wrong but after reading the BOD emails and most recently published TT rag, I could have sworn that this was already voted on and dues were approved to be increased. I think this is a dead issue for all intents and purposes.

Originally Posted by cajun65

I'm a new member but I've read enough of the history of this club and seen the evidence in Toyota Trails to know that an membership fee increase, if needed, should be done.

I'm for it.

[cajun65]

Well, sorry about that. I just got my Nov/Dec issue and saw it. LIke I said, I'm new to TLCA.

Good job - it's all worth it.

[PScottBx]

Originally Posted by Rzeppa

The problem with the online version is that TLCA gets zero, nada, zilch to offset your viewing our premier publication online. We pay a lot to produce this work, and the only compensation TLCA gets is from MEMBERSHIP dues and ad sales.

Toyota Trails needs to continue to be a membership perk. It started out as a newsletter and has morphed into a world-class publication, but making it entirely available for free online diminishes both it's quality and our financial ability to produce and distribute it.

If you and others with a similar viewpoint want to read Toyota Trails online without paying your dues to save a few bucks, it will be gone. While "many" periodicals do this, we are not one of "many" periodicals. Toyota Trails is the official publication of the Toyota Land Cruiser Association, it is not a newspaper, portal or generic publication. If we were to offer it entirely online for free, Trails would cease to exist. Do you want that?

Happy cruisin'!

Zepp,

I may not have stated it clearly, but I don't think you got what I was implying. I, in no way, want this to be free. I can promise you that any of the online journals are not free to read. You have to have registered and have paid dues to the journal to have access. The ones that I know of give readers the option to have it mailed or to read it online to save them printing, mailing etc...

Now, this may be too complicated to do and not worth it in the long run, but I was only trying to say that it could possibly save the TLCA a few bucks in the long run. Also, I don't mind the increase for what we get in return. I love the mag. Keep it right next to my thinking chair (aka....toilet). I do consider it a "perk".

Sorry if I misspoke.

Scott

[Crruisercharlie]

Originally Posted by Mace

Eh, the people with first class postage only make it that much more exciting for those of us cheap bastids who have to wait for their stuff.


30, $35 not so bad. Kick it to $50 and I think you will lose a buncha members..

I know I let my CA4WD go after it went to $40. I'm on SSDI and am trying to live on $752 a month. Makes it hard to participate in anything. I love the mag so much that I'm willing to fork out the $25. I would go $30, but after that.... PS Also the guys at CA4WD don't remind you that your dues are due and dummies like me forget until 5 months after they expired That's another reaon I llke the multiple year signup.

[Crruisercharlie]

Originally Posted by phishtaco

I have driven and wheeled 4wd Toyota trucks for the past 15 years or so...I had heard of TLCA but had absoultely no idea that a magazine came along with it until I joined. I was reading a thread on pirate if there was a toyota specific magazine available and Chris Geiger replied by saying TT. This was about 2-3 years ago and then I joined b/c of the mag.
moral of the story....I don't think that everyone knows that the mag comes with the subscritpion.

It's probably too late now, but it would have been cool to distribute some free copies at the Tacoma Take Over event at hot springs this weekend. maybe we are?

I know the free issue thing could get out of hand but... I've often wished I could give away issues when I tell people about the club. Wich (sp) also reminds me about the TLCA courtesy cards that are available (??) I had trouble getting mine, but I use them all the time- They're great for parking lots-or as a reminder for people I talk to when I'm out and about.

[Crruisercharlie]

Originally Posted by pismojim

Kowboy you may be on to something. I've been thinking about this thread, not just about raising the dues, but increasing TLCA membership numbers. I've been planning on writing an intelligent essay when I get a chance, which hasn't happened - so here goes...

Basically, the theme evolves around face to face participation.

I've come to the conclusion that the Internet is hurting TCLA membership. (thanks a lot Mr. Al Gore) It started with the Win 95, 56K modems and the LCML and has led to broadband, Google and streaming video. In the "old" days cruiserheads needed the TCLA to find each other and to keep in touch. They needed it to advertise and coordinate trail rides or events, share tech info and find cruiser oriented vendors. Now days you don't need TLCA to do all that. All that is available 24/7 for free, anytime, anyplace.

It's a strange dilemma.

The TLCA was/is an association of local cruiser clubs (plus individual members like me.) In the "old" days when a cruiserhead (like me) found the TLCA or a local cruiser club at the neighborhood pizza parlor they would experience a euphoria. Suddenly they would find out they were not alone, they found others with the same problems that had been there and done that. They shared their parts hordes for the benefit of the cruiser lineage.

Now, with broadband Internet, IH8MUD, Pirate4x4, LCML, vendor websites, and Google, cruiserheads don't need the the TLCA.

Its no surprise that many people identify the paper and ink of the Toyota Trails as the best perk of being a TLCA member. I mean, (thankfully) most people haven't figured out how to surf the net for Cruiser Tech while perched on the porcelain throne. Fortunately, the tactual feel of paper and ink hasn't been fully replaced with liquid crystal displays yet.

OK, so I'm depressed now. And, I'm not giving up my DSL.

The TLCA needs to offer something different, ADDED VALUE if you will.

What can this be? Well, I'm thinking it is face to face meetings at events and real life tire kicking. (You think Kowboy is a trip on-line, you should meet this guy face to face!) Making new friends in real life not "virtual" friends with phony screen names. I'm talking about real cruiserheads directly sharing tech info with one another. I'm talking about an experienced cruiserhead standing next to your rig or you next to his. Hey, 640x480 jpegs are great but nothing beats running your fingers over a sweet fillet weld or dimple die punched plate.

In case you haven't noticed just about all the vendors and clubs have their own websites, often with forums, and almost always with pictures, trip reports and tech write-ups. Now days, it's not just the computer geeks who have websites or blogs for trail reports. Let's face it, everything you need is on-line and FREE for everyone and anyone at any time.

The TLCA needs to re-define itself in this brave new world and I think the answer will be going back to its roots. I think TLCA's salvation is dependent on people touching flesh (and no I don't mean spooning Georg), crawling under rigs and looking under hoods.

So... Kowboy you're my hero.

Attend events people. Form a chapter. Have local meetings. Get together, go on a trail run. Help your neighbor install those lockers. Eat some pizza.

Sorry for rambling, looks like the ice is melting in my margarita, gotta go...

Oh yeah, raise the dues all you want, I'm still in.

Cheers,

WOW! Whole lotta thought there. I'm another guy whose never been to a TLCA event. Looked for a toy specific club in 1971 when I bought my first cruiser. Didn't find TLCA until 2-3 years ago. Now I'm almost 60 and income isn't what it used to be. It would be much better for me if event reg. fees were not so high. As for the internet boards, I've "met" a lot of people and found parts and tech info that would never have been available to me otherwise. I agree that "pressing flesh" is a great way go, but it's not always possible. Thanks for letting me . Having said that, anyone in the bishop/mammoth area interested in starting a chapter? Give me a call- 760-872-7194

[nuclearlemon]

[quote=Crruisercharlie;1656119] Now I'm almost 60 and income isn't what it used to be. It would be much better for me if event reg. fees were not so high. QUOTE]

i'm not 60 and it's still hard for me. nice thing is, a lot of people will show up to the event and just run non event trails, that way, you still get to hang with the guys, you just don't wheel with them.

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Charlie, just find someone to ride along with, you don't have to drive, or worry about breaking your stuff, or register..... Of course driving is super fun, and half the reason to go!

[TUFFTORQ]

Although I'm usually up there for the opener and a few other times a year from So Cal, I for one would like to wheel the Bishop and surrounding areas. Any interest in gathering a bunch of cruiserheads for a trail run? Maybe suggest a new thread on this board.

Mark

Originally Posted by Crruisercharlie

WOW! Whole lotta thought there. I'm another guy whose never been to a TLCA event. Looked for a toy specific club in 1971 when I bought my first cruiser. Didn't find TLCA until 2-3 years ago. Now I'm almost 60 and income isn't what it used to be. It would be much better for me if event reg. fees were not so high. As for the internet boards, I've "met" a lot of people and found parts and tech info that would never have been available to me otherwise. I agree that "pressing flesh" is a great way go, but it's not always possible. Thanks for letting me . Having said that, anyone in the bishop/mammoth area interested in starting a chapter? Give me a call- 760-872-7194