Membership Idea.... your feedback wanted.

[ne715]

For land use funds could it be done like your tax forms? On the bottom of every registration, not just a specific tier. It would be optional.

Example:
I would like to donate $5.00 to the following:

___ Save Tellico

___ UFWDA

___ BRC

It could also be broke down by regions, and causes nominated by that local region such as:

National

____ UFWDA

Eastern

____ Save Tellico

Western

___ Johnson Valley

This would allow members to donate to areas and causes that affect them. Then the TLCA could send the money quarterly to the specified place.

Just random thoughts, not enough sleep and too much coffee.

Pam

[Trollhole]

Originally Posted by Rzeppa

Official hijack: We (TLCA) have been super concerned over the years I have been around these discussions that the name puts off Mini/Taco/Runner/FJC members and potential members, and have been super-concerned with courting them and keeping them. Since the non-Land Cruiser Toyota 4x4s outnumber Land Cruisers by about a zillion to one TLCA should change and cater much more than we have. But during so many of these phone conversations, these folks either owned or used to own old school cruisers, and even the FJC owners knew where their rig's heritage was and it wasn't a problem.

I see where it's easy for many of our more prolific posters to write about where they think TLCA should go and what the name should be. I challenge each and every one to spend a couple dozen hours per month chatting on the phone with our members.

I don't suggest we alienate mini/Taco/4runner/FJC members at all, but my personal conversations with Joe TLCA member have not resulted in anyone saying that they thought TLCA was too cruiser-centric. Quite the contrary. I had a fellow tell me the other night ('08 FJC owner) that he wanted to see more FJ40 articles in Trails. Non-scientific poll is that we are doing fine in both our name and in how we embrace all Toyota 4x4s. And, you can't please everyone.

Happy cruisin'!

I agree with what your saying. I honestly don't think any current Land Cruiser owner would want to see the name change. I don't want it to. But that is because I'm a cruiser owner. I would also expect old members to be into cruisers. In fact I would expect all the TLCA members to be into cruisers. But that is the reason why numbers have stayed stagnant the past few years. There are only so many of us out there. If you want to continue to support a gold plated magazine then your gonna have to gain more members and more money.

While I think the two membership levels will gain more members I don't think you will gain more money. I'm also willing to bet that by decreasing your printing quantity of TT you won't significantly decrease your cost. It's the setup of the job on the press that is the expensive part. Paper and quantity are not the big percentage factors. Would be interesting to see what it would of cost to print last years TT with 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000, per press run. That would be a good way of determining how many full and partial members you would need to run the ship.

I could be wrong though because I don't know the cost involved for the partial members.

Another thought would be to pool up with another organization and form an National Toyota association with them. They handle all the other Toyota trucks and TLCA handle the cruisers. Then print one magazine. Except have two covers flip it one way and have TLCA go one way and flip it the other way and have the other trucks on the other side. I willing to bet that would appeal to the LC's and give the association a better chance of gaining more members.

The biggest issue I see with gaining non cruiser people is with the name.

When you say Toyota Land Cruiser Association to a Land Cruiser owner is a easy association and an even easier sell

When you say Toyota Land Cruiser Association to a Tacoma person it's not so easy to associate the name and it makes the sell that much harder. Not that it cannot be done but it is harder.

Question is do you want to be a Land Cruiser Club or something else?

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by Gumby

The TLCA needs to define it's mission and let people know what benefit it is to them to be a member.

I appreciate everybody works hard, but that's not a reason for me to support it. You have to work hard with a purpose. I'm not sure what that purpose is anymore.

Hi Gumby, our purposes and mission are stated quite clearly in our bylaws. Membership benefits are widely distributed. I have elaborated on that, and developed and shared a comprehensive plan for achieving our goals for our organization, which I have shared on BODREPS mailing list. If you are in a chapter, your chapter delegate should be sharing this with you, and if you are not in a chapter, your IR will.

Happy cruisin'!

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by Trollhole

I agree with what your saying. I honestly don't think any current Land Cruiser owner would want to see the name change. I don't want it to. But that is because I'm a cruiser owner. I would also expect old members to be into cruisers. In fact I would expect all the TLCA members to be into cruisers. But that is the reason why numbers have stayed stagnant the past few years.

Marshall, I humbly disagree with that assertion. Call a few dozen TLCA members around the country and I would bet you would come to a different conclusion. When you speak with Joe TLCA, who seldom or never comes to events or hangs out on boards, you might find that none of them has a problem with the name.

Originally Posted by Trollhole

There are only so many of us out there. If you want to continue to support a gold plated magazine then your gonna have to gain more members and more money.

Indeed, that is what we've done successfully in the past and can work in the future.

Originally Posted by Trollhole

While I think the two membership levels will gain more members I don't think you will gain more money.

Run the numbers and it is a business model which either sustains our current budget or enhances it and brings TT back to where we'd like. Back in December I put a model out to our board which allowed them to put in their own "what ifs?". Have you tried this model yet? You might be surprised.

Originally Posted by Trollhole

I'm also willing to bet that by decreasing your printing quantity of TT you won't significantly decrease your cost.

We've already done this and are ready to decrease further if that's what it takes to stay solvent. We wouldn't have gone in this direction if there wasn't a significant cost saving, several thousand dollar per issue.

Originally Posted by Trollhole

It's the setup of the job on the press that is the expensive part. Paper and quantity are not the big percentage factors.

Actually paper and print quality are huge, and we have cut where we feel that we still deliver A-Plus content but made the most impact at cost savings.

Originally Posted by Trollhole

Would be interesting to see what it would of cost to print last years TT with 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000, per press run. That would be a good way of determining how many full and partial members you would need to run the ship.

The printing costs are exactly the same whether we run 100 copies or 6000 copies. We have looked into this extensively, and the real savings is from mailing costs. Thus the online content membership.

Originally Posted by Trollhole

I could be wrong though because I don't know the cost involved for the partial members.

That's what I am trying to clarify here.

Originally Posted by Trollhole

Another thought would be to pool up with another organization and form an National Toyota association with them. They handle all the other Toyota trucks and TLCA handle the cruisers. Then print one magazine. Except have two covers flip it one way and have TLCA go one way and flip it the other way and have the other trucks on the other side. I willing to bet that would appeal to the LC's and give the association a better chance of gaining more members.

We have been looking into this. If this meets the wishes of membership, then so be it. And if it helps us stay viable, so be it.

Originally Posted by Trollhole

The biggest issue I see with gaining non cruiser people is with the name.

When you say Toyota Land Cruiser Association to a Land Cruiser owner is a easy association and an even easier sell

When you say Toyota Land Cruiser Association to a Tacoma person it's not so easy to associate the name and it makes the sell that much harder. Not that it cannot be done but it is harder.

Again, after many hundreds of phone calls, I have not found a single instance where this has been an issue.

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Originally Posted by Rzeppa

Again, after many hundreds of phone calls, I have not found a single instance where this has been an issue.

I'm assuming you are calling people that have let their membership laps? Their indifference about the name may be because they are not involved and dedicated to the TLCA... I would say, get the opinion of the people running events, and chapters. They are the ones that we can not afford to loose. :cheeres:

[ne715]

Why do these threads always get hijacked to "we need to change the name" thread or "what can TLCA do for me thread" Hasn't most of this been hashed out here: http://forum.ih8mud.com/tlca-discuss...d-thought.html

Can we get back to the topic at hand?
See below incase you forgot.

Originally Posted by Clutchee

Folks I wanted to see TLCA & non members feedback to this idea
Currently you pay yearly dues to the TLCA of 30.00 a year.
This gives you a TLCA number, dash plaque, Trails, and options to be able to goto TLCA events depending on their sanctioning.

What I'm wondering is should we broaden the membership option.........

Have various levels of membership:(these are ideas....ONLY!)
Basic-$20.00 year(TLCA number,no issues of trails,dash plaque,able to attend TLCA events)
Silver-$30.00 year(current membership status)
Gold- $95.00 year (all the above & one TLCA event registration included)
Land Use Member $300.00 year(maybe majority of this would goto UFWDA or BRC
Broken Birf- $500.00 Lifetime membership (for your TLCA career you will not pay again)
Iron Butt Member $2500.00 Lifetime member & no registration fees ever to TLCA events


Folks I'm just trying to get folks thinking about the TLCA & how they would like to PARTICIPATE in it...... if you could taylor your member ship & help the TLCA & make it also go to the part you use or would like-------it would be better for everyone.

For me & my family...... we usually goto 3-6 events a year....... if I could have a member ship where I paid my TLCA dues & also didn't have to worry about registration fees it would rock.

Again just trying to get the hamsters moving in folks brains

[Clutchee]

Originally Posted by ne715

Why do these threads always get hijacked to "we need to change the name" thread or "what can TLCA do for me thread"
Can we get back to the topic at hand?
See below incase you forgot.

Thank you

[ginericLC]

I've been absent from this thread for awhile and it seems I stirred the pot a little.

TLCA is doing something for the events. They provide very reasonable insurance to the events. And yes it can be argued that some of the events don't need insurance because they are held in private off road parks that require their own insurance. Last year my non-TLCA club hosted a one day event for 30 participants due to the place we were holding the event we were required to have insurance. For a one day event the insurance was just shy of $2000. The chapters who hold multi-day events are not getting charged that much for their insurance through TLCA. I don't know what it is currently but I know it was less than $500 for a 3 day event in the past, the low $400s seem to ring a bell in my head. By having every person at an event be a member of TLCA it creates a different legal tier of liability. Basically the law says that if you are a participating member of an organization at a member event you are partially responsible and liable for what goes on there. This is the same for chapters and by requiring memberships on your trail rides you are creating a different set of legal rules which would greatly help you should an accident occur.

You also get TT, which to some folks like Pam, isn't much of a perk. You used to get decent discounts from vendors, but as of late anyone can negotiate a deal on their own. So you really can't argue those as pluses of membership. As far as there not being any tech for you, I disagree completely. Very seldom is there any tech in TT that I can use (historically it has been for older LCs mostly 40 series) and I've always been a wagon guy, yet I read every word and file it away. I read the mini truck stuff too. Several times I have remembered this information and it has been helpful to me on the trail as it has got someone else off the trail that day. Last summer I came upon a HS kid stuck in the mountains with a broken down Toyota pickup. I remembered something about the EFI relay and wire in the early EFI trucks. Sure enough we found an undersized wire that caused the EFI relay to overheat. I happened to have one for my Cruiser that would work and we got him back on the road. So even if it isn't useful to you personally for your rig it might be useful to you someday.

TLCA has done a lot for land use and it is a respected organization. I went to a Blue Ribbon Coalition meeting a couple of years ago and the speaker spoke about how TLCA has been influential in their organization and helped with land use projects. The speaker was using TLCA as an example of how organizations could help. That does a lot for all of us, or at least the members in the US. I won't speak to how it helps those overseas as it probably doesn't and there has been mixed reviews from Canada as what it does for them. So part of your dues are contributing to that.

As for you think of me implying someone doesn't belong because of money, that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm amazed at how a diverse group of people can come together to form clubs and an even more diverse group of people can come together at an event. These people come from all walks of life and are bound by their interest in Toyota 4wds. I come from pretty humble means myself, I certainly wouldn't want to encourage monetary restrictions on people.

The only time I've ever witnessed Land Cruiser owners being elitist is when they are with a mixed group. Toss a bunch of Cruiserheads in with Jeeps and you'll see what I mean. Or even mixing of the different series of Land Cruisers, and you'll get some friendly rivalry.

My comment about it not being a huge part of the expense is based on my experiences in attending events. $30 for TLCA membership shouldn't keep anyone away from an event. If that is straw that is breaking the camel's back. They are probably riding the wrong camel. Hotels, food, camping, FUEL, registration fees, raffle tickets, broken parts, initial preparation of the vehicle, etc... are far more limiting monetarily wise than a $30 membership fee. And I agree some events are getting outrageously expensive for their entry fees. But you have to remember they have fees too, like renting a place to hold the event, BLM and Forest service fees, and all the other expenses to ensure participants have a good and safe time.

And why should you be able to attend a TLCA event for members only if you aren't a member? You shouldn't. Non-members aren't entitled to anything. You have to pay if you want to play. If you aren't interested in joining why attend our events?

Chapter dues are something each chapter decides upon. So there is a huge variety in due structure. I've heard of as high as $80 a year to as low as $10 a year. Some include TLCA dues while most do not. What the club's needs and desires to do as a club are what drives the dues. All TLCA chapters agreed that all of their eligible members would become TLCA members (TLCA Bylaws Article 4 section 3). This is something they agreed upon when they went to TLCA and asked to be a chapter. If you are joining a chapter you are agreeing to play by their rules. I would still imagine even joining the most expensive clubs would still be a very small percentage of a Toyota 4wd owner's annual expenses. Do the math!

And then there are members like me that would probably still belong if there were no events and no TT and not contributions to land use. We belong because we feel a sense of community in the TLCA and we want to belong to that. For us, it is more than just a club, it is what binds us to our friends.

I'm all for a tiered dues structure. That way those who wanted to belong but didn't want TT or to attend events could do so at a reasonable rate. I'm also thinking that this whole voucher and coupon system could just become a big headache. I'd like to see TLCA membership stay independent from the events. It just sounds like a lot of added work for not a lot of added benefit.

I don't think you'll find a better group of 4wd people in the world than the members of TLCA. If you own a Toyota 4wd you are most of the way there, why not join? Give it a shot. You might just like it.

[D'Animal]

Hey Clutchee

I like your idea, add a poll to this thread and get a vote going.

It would be Un-Official of course but we could at least see the general thoughts.

[Deny]

Originally Posted by ginericLC

Chapter dues are something each chapter decides upon. So there is a huge variety in due structure. I've heard of as high as $80 a year to as low as $10 a year.

Even lower! $5 Canadian to join the Swamp Donkeys!

I sorta like Pam's Idea of the checklist to donate extra to the landuse causes. As a Canadian, I don't mind contributing to those causes a bit (will wheel in US very rarely), but it would make it much easier for people to donate, plus it would make the TLCA look a lot better if they give more, but at the same time not raising dues.

Cheers,
Deny

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by 2ndGenToyotaFan

I'm assuming you are calling people that have let their membership laps? Their indifference about the name may be because they are not involved and dedicated to the TLCA... I would say, get the opinion of the people running events, and chapters. They are the ones that we can not afford to loose. :cheeres:

Hi Jerod,

Yes, your assumption is correct. However when I've spoken with these folks, I get a better sense of what they want from TLCA, and what it means to them. These aren't people who hang out on boards, these are just regular TLCA members.

I am in contact with chapter delegates and event chairs on a routine basis, that's part of my job. I do get their opinion. What I have been doing over the last 6 years is phoning members who are not chapter members to let them know that we at TLCA care about them, are interested in their views and welcome them.

Happy cruisin'!

[Rzeppa]

FWIW, liability insurance for chapters who hold an event is currently $264. Like Eric wrote, do the math. When I was Commander of Rising Sun I tried to find a deal anywhere close to this for our own chapter for our own club events, and and couldn't come anywhere close to those low premiums.

[Drunk Monkey]

As an expired member getting ready to make my stand to help the TLCA once again I think the simpler you make it the better. I do feel however that we could use a little more public exposure besides just the trails. This is a great mag, don't get me wrong but It would be cool to tell people outside the club what we stand for. There must be a million FJ cruisers on the road and I think if they were focused on and made the membership easy as in a simple flier stating what the TLCA does and how they can help would be great. It would also be really good if we could get Toyota to hang banners of the TLCA in the show rooms and send fliers to all TLCA events to get there help. I feel that we are looking at this all wrong. We need to get people to feel there doing something instead of what there getting...

NEW:

For $30 a year you will be sponsoring a membership to help in the preservation and the ability to enjoy the outdoors and learn how to wheel and have fun. If you join one of our fine TLCA sponsored clubs around the world, the club will also be able to host your own event with TLCA insurance that saves the club money and keeps them safe.. So please come out, buy a sponsorship and have fun while preserving the great outdoors. When you sponsor the TLCA we will send you a Magazine called Toyota Trails and you can keep up with other club runs, land use issues, how to's, and much more. Make a diffrence..... join the Toyota Land Cruiser Association.

old:

For a $30 membership to the TLCA you will get a magazine, Insurance for your club.
We will also provide or pay for lobbyist to save the land.


I am joining right now, I talked myself into it with the new one. BTW I took my lunches to work for a 6 days to pay for the TLCA last time.

[ginericLC]

One other thing I forgot, as a member of TLCA, you can join United 4wd for $25 instead of $30. United works on overseas land issues as well. Man, I'm getting old. I can remember when it was $10 to join United.

[packman73]

Originally Posted by Drunk Monkey

As an expired member getting ready to make my stand to help the TLCA once again I think the simpler you make it the better. I do feel however that we could use a little more public exposure besides just the trails. This is a great mag, don't get me wrong but It would be cool to tell people outside the club what we stand for. There must be a million FJ cruisers on the road and I think if they were focused on and made the membership easy as in a simple flier stating what the TLCA does and how they can help would be great. It would also be really good if we could get Toyota to hang banners of the TLCA in the show rooms and send fliers to all TLCA events to get there help. I feel that we are looking at this all wrong. We need to get people to feel there doing something instead of what there getting...

NEW:

For $30 a year you will be sponsoring a membership to help in the preservation and the ability to enjoy the outdoors and learn how to wheel and have fun. If you join one of our fine TLCA sponsored clubs around the world, the club will also be able to host your own event with TLCA insurance that saves the club money and keeps them safe.. So please come out, buy a sponsorship and have fun while preserving the great outdoors. When you sponsor the TLCA we will send you a Magazine called Toyota Trails and you can keep up with other club runs, land use issues, how to's, and much more. Make a diffrence..... join the Toyota Land Cruiser Association.

old:

For a $30 membership to the TLCA you will get a magazine, Insurance for your club.
We will also provide or pay for lobbyist to save the land.


I am joining right now, I talked myself into it with the new one. BTW I took my lunches to work for a 6 days to pay for the TLCA last time.

Very well said! Thank YOU!

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by Drunk Monkey

As an expired member getting ready to make my stand to help the TLCA once again I think the simpler you make it the better. I do feel however that we could use a little more public exposure besides just the trails. This is a great mag, don't get me wrong but It would be cool to tell people outside the club what we stand for. There must be a million FJ cruisers on the road and I think if they were focused on and made the membership easy as in a simple flier stating what the TLCA does and how they can help would be great. It would also be really good if we could get Toyota to hang banners of the TLCA in the show rooms and send fliers to all TLCA events to get there help. I feel that we are looking at this all wrong. We need to get people to feel there doing something instead of what there getting...

NEW:

For $30 a year you will be sponsoring a membership to help in the preservation and the ability to enjoy the outdoors and learn how to wheel and have fun. If you join one of our fine TLCA sponsored clubs around the world, the club will also be able to host your own event with TLCA insurance that saves the club money and keeps them safe.. So please come out, buy a sponsorship and have fun while preserving the great outdoors. When you sponsor the TLCA we will send you a Magazine called Toyota Trails and you can keep up with other club runs, land use issues, how to's, and much more. Make a diffrence..... join the Toyota Land Cruiser Association.

old:

For a $30 membership to the TLCA you will get a magazine, Insurance for your club.
We will also provide or pay for lobbyist to save the land.


I am joining right now, I talked myself into it with the new one. BTW I took my lunches to work for a 6 days to pay for the TLCA last time.

Hi Drunk Monkey,

The flier idea has been done in the past and was moderately successful, and is super-cheap. I believe Art was going to be working on reviving that? What we did was get MAF, SOR, CCOT and others to put a flier in with every order.

I'm not sure about banners in every showroom, but I am purchasing banners for each and every TLCA event. TLCA doesn't have the money, and I just barely do.

Art has initiated a referral program where an existing member can get $5 off their next renewal for each new or old renewing member they sign up. Up to 6 members, the referrer can get their TLCA membership for free if they really work it.

I like your verbiage under "new". I hope you don't mind if we end up using it or portions of it. Thanks and happy cruisin'!

[Drunk Monkey]

Go for it, I am all in for the TLCA. My point was this, It wasn't we need to do fliers out to people buying parts, but flyers or adds in other Mags to gain the publicity From new members. I try to spread the word as much as i can but it seams that outside of the trails and mud TLCA does not exist. We are dependent on the clubs to spread the word. Maybe have a small sponsorship with some Off road events like the Oriellys shows and local Baja , Sponsor FJ forums other than mud. The main problem I see is outside the TLCA sponsered clubs and Mud there seems to be no life to the TLCA. This is something that I feel is Hurting more than the lack of resigns. If you have this then they will come back. I may just be blind and don't see them or do not know of any other. If so just say. But I see the most at a TLCA event in which case most are already members.

Can you see my point or am I on the wrong track...

[66fj40x2]

I'm still waiting to see the direction TLCA will be taking but I would be up for a $20 membership. Trails does not hold my interest but I do like to attend events. We had a blast at the Roundup.

I too have to take exception with the whole notion that if you can't afford $30 we don't need/want ya...... That's BS! The local clubs are what makes up TLCA..... TLCA doesn't make up the local clubs. In most cases it doesn't even support the local clubs. Once y'all get that figured out you'll be makin' head-way. I've not renewed for various reasons and money is one of them. By the time your local club dues, TLCA dues/magazine subscription, magazine subscriptions that ya do want, event fees, park fees, camping fees fuel, food and so on it adds up, no doubt about it. I don't fuss much about event fees because it goes to the local club. I'll drop a hundred for raffle tickets, because it goes to the local club. I'll send my money to BRC, UFWD or any other land use group because it supports a cause I believe in. I won't drop $30 for magazine I don't need or read.... and I've not missed it!

Don't get me wrong TT is a greatt publication and Todd does an awesome job with it but my wheeling and my rig have outgrown it.

Y'all figure out the $20 membership option that doesn't add to my recycle bin and I'll sent y'all check, PayPal or whatever and be damn happy to do it...... Because I'll be signing up to attend events with friends from coast to coast..... That's really the only reason I've renewed for the past few years anyway.

Mike Costello

[Drunk Monkey]

So I see ya point but the mag is not what the TLCA is about. I can understand why you do not want to join or need to join. I guess the whole think is that we really do not know what the TLCA does except providing insurance and Trails. Can some one make a list of what the Tlca does with all the members moneys as a whole.

thanks

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by Drunk Monkey

So I see ya point but the mag is not what the TLCA is about. I can understand why you do not want to join or need to join. I guess the whole think is that we really do not know what the TLCA does except providing insurance and Trails. Can some one make a list of what the Tlca does with all the members moneys as a whole.

thanks

Hi Drunk Monkey,

Among the issues we deal with in TLCA leadership is your first sentence.

We have a VERY diverse group, who have different desires and interests. Some are armchair wheelers. Some are people who own old cruisers, have no interest whatsoever in recreational wheeling and their 4x4 Toyota is their work truck, farm truck, plow truck, whatever. Personally, the reason I first got a Land Cruiser was to get around in the snow up here in Colorado. I joined TLCA to find out where and how to maintain and fix my old junk. Some like to lock in the hubs to get to camping and hunting and fishing spots you can't get to with lesser vehicles. For some, their old Toyota 4x4 was bought new by Dad and they have many happy memories of all the great times and fun places he took them in it when they were growing up.

And for a fraction of TLCA members, they want to go wheel, and many want to modify and wheel hard. Go to events, break, roll, whatever. They love the libations over the campfire at the end of the day and the story swapping.

It is important for leadership to understand these different segments of our club.

We know darned well that we can't please everyone. But a TLCA membership is a unique product, unparalleled in the world, with a unique mix that offers something to each of these segments. There are other magazines, there are other web sites, there are local clubs, there are forums (like this, thank you Brian!), and lots of places that offer some of what TLCA offers.

But there is no place other than TLCA that offers the combination of the printed magazine, the TLCA web site (which we are working on really hard!), the connection of members, local clubs, national events, and comaradarie and member benefits that TLCA does.

Addressing your last sentence (a question) we are a private, non-profit corporation, and as such do not report or finances publicly. However, we DO report them to the entire board of directors on a regular basis, and all TLCA members are entitled, empowered and encouraged to inspect them. If you are in a TLCA chapter, your chapter delegate can provide them to you, and if you are an individual member, your Individual Representative can provide them to you.

Happy cruisin'!

[D'Animal]

Originally Posted by Drunk Monkey

So I see ya point but the mag is not what the TLCA is about. I can understand why you do not want to join or need to join. I guess the whole think is that we really do not know what the TLCA does except providing insurance and Trails. Can some one make a list of what the Tlca does with all the members moneys as a whole.

thanks

I don't see how the question was answered.

Some may not like the fact that the TLCA is a 33-34 year old car club that has a magazine . For $30 per year you can join the club. No requirements, just send money. ($30 per year is not that much since most "Star's" on most boards are $20 per year and all you get is the ability to add a picture to your avitar or add pictures in threads.)

TLCA did not invent the comradery of Land Cruiser Owners and enthusiest. The TLCA does not "allow" people to restore daddy's rig, take it hunting, camping, fishing, wheeling, etc. People are going to do it and have been doing it since the late 50's. If you are into restoring them, there is a group of TLCA members that you will enjoy swapping old parts with. If you are into building them and rolling them, there is a group of TLCA members that you will enjoy swapping sheet metal with.

The TLCA opens avenues so you have the opportunity to meet other people with a similar hobby as you have.

Just like www.IH8MUD.com.

[66fj40x2]

.....any updates on this idea??????????

[pillguy]

I like the print version rather than electronic. I read many articles in PDF for my job and it is tedious. I would much rather have it in print and would pay extra for it.

Originally Posted by 65swb45

Clutchee, I think the tiered membership [electronic vs paper] member classification is definitely gonna happen at some point. Idea's been floated around for a while now. From what I can remember, a few simple issues. [Alan Loshbaugh did a good job of concisely running these down last year, which is why I remember it!]

1. Setting the cyber-version rate. What's an electronic-only copy worth?
2. Making the e-copy 'secure.' If one guy can file share it with 10 of his buddies, we lose. I don't know squat about making files 'view-only', but there are plenty of good folks here that might. Perhaps we can direct them to our webmaster for some private discussions on moving this issue forward.

3. The print copy still has a MINIMUM press run. If we offer an electronic version and a lot of folks switch over, then we've got even less $$ to pay the bills for the print copy. Capiche? We might have to bump print membership to $50, $60, or higher to cover the loss.

I don't think the GOLD or LIFETIME options are complete non-starters. GOLD and LIFETIME members would still have to register ON TIME like regular folks with event chairmen [and women], and the clubs could easily notate that member's ID number on their 'smaller' donation back to TLCA.

TLCA also has the ability to barter pre-paid registrations against insurance premiums, as far as that goes.

Thanks for starting this thread. I think this discussion is general enough to address 'in public.' There are other aspects of our plans and ideas that I think should stay on BODreps for now.

[D'Animal]

Had some great conversations regarding this while at Cruise Moab.

[Rzeppa]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Had some great conversations regarding this while at Cruise Moab.

Hi D'Animal,

What's your name? Did we talk about this at Moab? I know I had a lot of TLCA-related conversations with a lot of people, but I have a tough time connecting forum names with real names...

Happy cruisin'!

[D'Animal]

I was the one with the speakerphone during the conference call. You said you thought I was Tim Buccannon.

We talked about this over at Woody's camp the night before you were the trail guide for Fins N Things.

Originally Posted by Rzeppa

Hi D'Animal,

What's your name? Did we talk about this at Moab? I know I had a lot of TLCA-related conversations with a lot of people, but I have a tough time connecting forum names with real names...

Happy cruisin'!

[66fj40x2]

Any more discussion on this topic?????

I'm game for a basic membership..... where do I send my 20 bucks???????????

[packman73]

Originally Posted by 66fj40x2

Any more discussion on this topic?????

I'm game for a basic membership..... where do I send my 20 bucks???????????

It's being worked on...please be patient.

[66fj40x2]

Originally Posted by packman73

It's being worked on...please be patient.

No worries Art.... Just trying to keep some of the fresh ideas on top of the list.

So would a basic member still be able to be a delegate? Not sure I wanna jump back into that.... Still have a bit of a sour after-taste from the last time, but it's crossed my mind a time or two now

[packman73]

Originally Posted by 66fj40x2

No worries Art.... Just trying to keep some of the fresh ideas on top of the list.

So would a basic member still be able to be a delegate? Not sure I wanna jump back into that.... Still have a bit of a sour after-taste from the last time, but it's crossed my mind a time or two now

When you say a basic member, if you mean a TLCA member that is a chapter member, yes you can be a delegate for your chapter.

Hope Texas is treating you well!