We have used the cards before, not sure when, but it was a while back, and they may have been the TLCA ones. Seems like it was in the late 90's. Very good idea. I have more than once waited for people to come out to their Cruiser and introduce myself and the club.
We have driven people away in the past, you can't keep everyone happy. We need to find out what the interests are of new people in the club and steer them to the correct "inner group". We have always did our thing and expected people to follow. The meetings have driven some away, and the quote is always the same: "we spend more time in meetings than we do wheeling" While I would love to go do Indy several times every day, not all can afford it!
Or enjoy it!
We also need to become more involved with the TLCA. Some newer chapters are MUCH more involved and get more people in areas that have far LESS Cruisers. (IE: Kentucky)
Not sure what we can do for a national run, but there should be something? While we don't have an area like Moab, Rubicon, Black Hills, or Telico, we could have a Marathon type of run where we would do a bunch of trails in a weekend. For Example- Indy, Blanca, Indy, BV, Indy, Minesweeper, Indy, Gold Camp, Indy, etc.
We actually have a bunch of trails closer to us than most chapters.
I know Rising Sun has done the maintenance thing in the past, even with EXTREME support from a Toyota dealer. We could do something like that. I know some people just need access to tools, welder, plasma cutter, heated cooled with bathroom garage space, trailer etc. In a couple months when we start calling Pueblo West home, I could host such an event. Of course it would be much more fun after a run on Indy so we could fix everything we broke!
Another thing would be a local version of the "Cruiser Assistance Club", sort of a AAA thing ran by volunteers within the club (I volunteer), to help anyone who would need help with recovery, parts, maintenance etc. I know I always mention the club when I help someone get unstuck, take a nurse to work, change a flat, offroad recovery (Indy) etc. Of course Toyotas I see along the road (although that almost never happens!) get first priority. Of course this should be for members only so as to be a "perk" or incentive to join.
When I and some others first joined the club it was for mutual info, parts, maintenance sharing. Now it can be for that, plus. There are some in our area that are more involved than most of us are now in wheeling, and national events, but are not involved in the club. Maybe we could hit up those people, as well as past members who may be interested in re-joining with all the "new blood" we have.
If one or two people could take charge of different groups or committies (or trail groups) and then everyone else support we could do a lot for the club, TLCA and mankind in general.
In a couple years when I retire I will become much more involved, until then, I can gripe and complain and suggest all I want!
Happy New Year Everyone
