Rubithon nets 51 renewals

[TRT2]

TLCA board members and other SAnctioned event chair folks...

Year before last, I began adding a line item on the Rubithon registration form to include TLCA membership. I asked our Admin first before doing so, and agreed to certain actions on my part to ensure the information was forwarded promptly to TLCA to avoid any lost info.

I am pleased to note that this year, 51 Rubithon attendees took the opportunity to renew their membership while registering. This included a few new members, quite a few Expired members and many current members who simply add the time to their current expiration date. This will equate to $2025.00 for TLCA in membership dues alone.

I believe the time has come (OK, long passed) to begin having all Sanctioned events support TLCA member renewal on their registration forms. Remember, Sanctioned events are open to TLCA members only. Here are folks that technically are already members and this is simply providing them another 'easy' way to renew or continue their membership. This also provides Non TLCA members an opportunity to join and comply with event rules that we have chosen to loosely enforce.

I am rather proud of this statistic. I know for a fact that PMC has consistently provided TLCA members an opportunity to join or renew at their Swap Meet and many members simply use that event as their reminder to renew. It is not uncommon for the Swap meet to take in a couple hundred dollars in membership revenue for the association.

The key here is that the information and funds must be forwarded to the TLCA admin promptly. The problem that lead TLCA away from this approach was folks failing to forward the information, then a new TLCA contacts the admin wondering where their Trails is, and the admin has no knowledge of the new member because someone dropped the ball.

Be sure to contact our TLCA Admin in advance, and then help our current members and potential new members join the greatest and largest Toyota specific association in the free world.

Just thought I would pass that along.

Be safe! Be Happy! Be TLCA!

[pismojim]

One of the 51 here.

Very convenient and yet another reason to attend Rubithon!

Thanks for the effort Tony!

[woody]

nicely done!

[pismojim]

Originally Posted by pismojim

One of the 51 here.

Very convenient and yet another reason to attend Rubithon!

Thanks for the effort Tony!

Sweeeet....



Prompt Service!!!

[Mace]

Gotta say something..

The only reason I got my TLCA membersip was due to fact that I wanted to run the rubithon. And, at the time, I felt it was a bit screwy that I had to pay to become a member of two organizations (TLCA and the club that I bellonged to at the time) just so I could run a trail with some people that I knew..

From my standpoint. The TLCA renewal being attatched to the registration is a reason not to renew. I know that it can be benefical to TLCA by reminding individuals that their membership might be lapsing but seriously. Members that are renewing will renew anyway..

I guess I don't really know what the indication or renewal application was. Was it simply a box that gets checked?
Another sheet in the package?

I would say that if it is fairly low key (like a listing in the T shirt/Dinner raffle/Dinner box) instead of another form than I am not against it. I KNOW that TLCA is not making money hands over fist and that they have to strive to keep membership up. However, geting barraged with "Sign up now" things is not what makes me want to keep renewing..

Does tha make sense?
Or am I rambling again...

(BTW, I will renew next year. Not bitching, just saying)

[pismojim]

Originally Posted by Mace

Was it simply a box that gets checked?

Yep

Save the cost of writing two checks, it extends your renewal date another year. Simple.

Glad you agree.

[65swb45]

Originally Posted by Mace

Gotta say something..

The only reason I got my TLCA membersip was due to fact that I wanted to run the rubithon. And, at the time, I felt it was a bit screwy that I had to pay to become a member of two organizations (TLCA and the club that I bellonged to at the time) just so I could run a trail with some people that I knew..

From my standpoint. The TLCA renewal being attatched to the registration is a reason not to renew. I know that it can be benefical to TLCA by reminding individuals that their membership might be lapsing but seriously. Members that are renewing will renew anyway..

I guess I don't really know what the indication or renewal application was. Was it simply a box that gets checked?
Another sheet in the package?

I would say that if it is fairly low key (like a listing in the T shirt/Dinner raffle/Dinner box) instead of another form than I am not against it. I KNOW that TLCA is not making money hands over fist and that they have to strive to keep membership up. However, geting barraged with "Sign up now" things is not what makes me want to keep renewing..

Does tha make sense?
Or am I rambling again...

(BTW, I will renew next year. Not bitching, just saying)

Not knowing how many people may or may not make it to this little forum, I just don't want to take a chance on letting this go. Mace, you KNOW this is not personal.

1. The Toyota Trails is a HUGE benefit of membership. I'm sure you've enjoyed it, as do most. REALLY, this consumes the vast majority of our tiny budget, turned back out to the membership in tangible form.

2. Membership dues also go to cover things like our insurance, sponsoring off road events, which as we were all recently reminded, can carry some fairly significant costs.

3.The Association has also not hesitated, when feeling even a LITTLE flush, to turn around and donate to organizations like Blue Ribbon Coalition that support our rights to access. Trails ran an article just a few months ago about the large donation that helped to put a computer in the home of a BRC staffer who was ready and willing to work, but because of a medical problem, was not able to commute. These are things we can ALL be proud of.

4.TLCA really has no interest in making money beyond what it takes to print the TT, keep a paid administrator on hand to take care of OUR business [someone you can CALL or E-mail when you need a TLCA problem worked on, a webmaster to help attract new members [one of our own cruiserheads who's getting ten cents on the dollar for his services]and POSTAGE. That is the vast majority of the budget. I have been on the BOD for a year now and seen that firsthand! It's a tight little ship.

The reason that I bring all of this up is that I think the ship is a little too tight right now and, like some others, think it might be time to raise our dues. So this post serves as a convenient reminder to all that there's a LOT of bang for the buck in checking off a convenient little box on an event registration form.

[Mace]

I agree Mark. I was not saying that the only reason I am STILL in TLCA is because of the Rubithon, only that I only became a member due to the Rubithon.

That is all. I would not be opposed to a hike in membship dues. IT certianly would not kill me. I love reading Toyota Trails and, although I don't agree with everything (big suprise there) I do feel that the TLCA has made a significant contribution to the my life.

Like I said, a little box is a good thing.

[TRT2]

Mace...

I believe I see your point. sometimes too much can be a turn off??

For Rubithon, only TLCA members can attend, it is part of the benefit of being a member. On the Registration form, I added a single line where you can include membership directly on the Rubithon form as many folks who want to attend are Not members and usually want to join anyways. What I found was if I turned them away to join via another format, most often they never joined or followed through. For me, by adding it to the reg form simply ensured they join while it is fresh in their minds, IE, going to Rubithon.

Then we created the Premier Pack which includes TLCA membership and just about everything else I possibly have for Rubithon. Again, providing another way for folks to get additional value.

So folks now have choices and can spend only what they feel they need.

But your point is valid and I appreciate the feedback.

Spaceghost... I'm bummed. Your comments are always welcomed by me.

[ginericLC]

Tony,

That is great. I think the same thing would work if we brought back chapter renewals. You just have to have a responsible Treasurer and Secretary to make sure everyone's stuff gets in to the Admin.

Eric V.

[SpaceGhost]

Hey Tony,

Congrats on the renewals! Your hard work continues to get results! Yes I recognize there are many others contributing, but you got the ball rolling.

(this is what I reconsidered posting)
I got the impression that non members and members previously in good standing (expired) where participating in TLCA sanctioned events. Recognizing the challenge for a mostly volunteer organization to verify the status of participants in concert with the host clubs, but it is doable.

If that in fact is happening, I find that unacceptable. I also wonder what the compliance rate is amongst chapters. The local clubs are allowed to collect TLCA dues which in theory should increase the numbers, but what if the TLCA collect the local dues instead?

Just my ramblins.......................

[TRT2]

thanks for following up Mike...

I am sure both the scenarios you noted are happening. While I believe TLCA strives for compliance (I think I am speaking for all chair folks), we are also not beating it with a hammer. I know for a fact that when I was President, I asked but noted we would not 'bird dog' the chapters for compliance.

Adding the TLCA reg. to the Rubithon form was a direct attempt to provide an easy way for folks to be compliant. Compliant being 'only TLCA members at a TLCA Sanctioned event'.

But yes, your points are valid in both cases.

(always good to hear from you)

[Kaderabek]

I'll chime in here a bit.

First, this is excellent news, Tony, as are the renewals at the PMC Swap Meet. You know I've been a bit down about this lately so this cheers me up.

This is also a good opportunity to point out a misconception that Mace happens to bring up (nothing personal and I sincerely respect your opinion). That is, that people just automatically renew. They don't. They don't even after numerous reminders. Membership numbers have been in decline for quite some time now. You'll see a palpable effect of this when you get your next Trails. It'll be shorter and have less color (which directly affects the Rubithon coverage). This is someone ironic in that Rubithon is actively trying to reverse the trend that is causing them to have limited coverage. Maybe that's not irony -- maybe that's TLCA members getting busy to benefit the organization.

I also don't think it's a problem to ask TLCA members to renew at Rubithon (or any other TLCA event). It is, after all, a TLCA event.

Apathy is not our friend here, folks.

TJK

[TRT2]

thanks Todd.

As noted, and as I found during my tenure as Pres, we have to make it as easy as possible for folks to renew, including 'many' different easy ways.

Renewing at an event is simply another Easy way TLCA provides for member renewal.
I am posting these renewal success stories in hopes all TLCA events embrace and support member renewal either via registration or directly at the event itself. This does cause an added work load for event organizers as we (the event chairs) must follow through with our Admin and ensure renewals taken get to Jenn ASAP to ensure she is not caught off guard by a member asking or saying 'But I renewed at the swap meet'.

[Metal Spice]

I just wanted to chime in while I'm remoted to my home PC from work (I can't get to Mud from work) that Tony & Cindy work really hard to make sure they have all the member info before forwarding it my way which I greatly appreciate & they do it quickly! And all the PMC Swap Meet renewals & new members have already been processed & mailed out.

[Mace]

Hey, I am a misconception..

And honestly, I am not suprised one bit that people don't automatically renew. Mostly because I am simply HORRIBLE at remembering to renew. Hapens every year. Luckily I left my wife in charge of it now so I am a lot better


I don't mind reminders, I need them in fact. But, it is a fine line between reminder and obnoxious for soemthing that is voluntary..

That is all I am saying

[Kaderabek]

Well, if Tony gets obnoxious, you can smack him. But if you smack Cindy, there's trouble!

I hear ya. I don't want to be called in the middle of the night to be reminded to renew. But if I'm already writing a check to TLCA, I'd be glad to tack on the renewal fee and be done with it.

TJK

[Land Schmoozer]

Thank you Tony and Cindy!!!

[Chef]

Hey Mace;
Thanks for your thoughts...but here is the sad truth. For about three years now, we have lost more folks than join, or renew.
Our renewal reminder efforts have included reminder forms in both second to last, and last Toyota Trails. An automated email renewal reminder. Phone call campaigns by Tony, myself, our IR's, our MSVP, and probably some things I'm forgetting. The phone call campaigns netted us 70% of folks we reached renewing, and the typical response being "oh yeah, hmmm...I wondered why I hadn't got a Trails lately."

Really...baffling to me, but true.


We've tried several different renewal incentives, and are working on more. But the fact remains, that many people are lapsing "just due to apathy."

I'm not sure what to do about that.

[Rzeppa]

Hey Tony, major props and what an excellent idea!

I don't know what to do about people forgetting to renew either. I have made hundreds of phone calls to expired members, and of the 1/4 I actually get through to, almost all of them simply forgot, despite the reminders. FWIW, I do not know if American Web is sending a renewal reminder with the second to last issue of Trails. I know I only got one in my last issue.

For Cruise Moab, we do require TLCA number as part of registration, but we do not forward the info to Jennifer to double check that they are current. We should do this next year, as well as make an effort to renew registrants on-site.

When I was Commander of Rising Sun, I did not come down hard on chapter members for their TLCA membership/renewals, but offered gentle reminders at every opportunity, and continue to do so since I stepped aside and went back to being Secretary. I recently updated our chapter application form. It used to have two lines: (1) TLCA number and (2) I want to join TLCA. I took out the second line, implying that you'd better be a TLCA member if you want to join Rising Sun. It's in our bylaws, and I remind our chapter membership of that from time to time at our monthly meetings.

[Mace]

Funny thing, TLCA has offered more in the last three years than in a while...

Sad.

I will keep signing up. I kinda like the TLCA..



Hopefully, the FJ cruiser will get a buncha new people interested in the TLCA and help bridge tha gap between the 50K "mall cruisers" and the 30 year old POS's like I have


I handed out TT at sema lst year. Is Toyota going to have a booth this year too?

[Mace]

BTW, A big thing for me would be an automated E-mail reminder,
Push this button and use PP/credit card to pay your dues.

I am quick when there is a computer reminder and I can pay online. (like this site actually) But I am HORRIBLE at sending checks..


As for the club requirement. There are clubs that are having a hard enough time keeping members without requiring them to be TLCA members. Not saying that it shoudl be overlooked, but sometimes, to keep members in a club at all, it is overlooked..

BTW, I don't think I have EVER written down a correct TLCA number on a event registration packet. Even though I am current, I just never have my card on me and have not memorized my number. TIFWIW..

[TRT2]

As Jeff Rzeppa notes, we do the same in PMC... gentle reminder but no hammer.

I think it would be a lose lose situation if TLCA forced chapters to enforce TLCA membership. I just don't see anyone winning there. Some folks simply are not going to join, why cause their local club to suffer.

what is that saying, you get more bees with honey?
you get more honey with bees?
you can bee my honey but don't buzz me off?
Your buzz is honey in my bee ear?
The honey in your bee ear is giving me a buzz?

Heck I don't know, where is Kowboy when you need him.

I will make sure Cindy reads this thread so she can see (read) the appreciation.

[Kaderabek]

I believe Tony may be buzzed....

TJK

[SpaceGhost]

Where do I get some those bees?