Interim MSVP/Action Committees Forming

[packman73]

Hey, Art here! It was approved for me to be the interim MSVP for the remainder of the year tonight on the TLCA BOD call. So for those of you who made the call, thanks for your support! And for those of you who didn't, here's what was discussed in regards to this position.

First and foremost, I think the biggest issue is that we need more "active member" participation in the clubs future direction (we all know we can find an hour or two if we WANT to). What needs to be done is a massive undertaking and can't be done by a single person. However, the effort needs to be organized and led by someone, the MSVP. I have recommended that several committees be formed, 2 or 3 people on each, that would meet with the MSVP and build a plan around each of the items outlined below:

"Umbrella Committee", Purpose: Work to build relationships with the other Toyota 4WD Clubs in the US and Canada

"Marketing Committee", Purpose: Work with our TLCA.org Webmaster (Mark VM) and our Advertising Manager (Chris H) and others to develop a wider approach to our marketing while keeping costs to a minimum.

"Event Marketing Committee", Purpose, work with clubs to assist in the marketing of their clubs events.

Short term plan (next 2-3 months)

Committees are formed, each committee will have a chair person. Initial meeting will take place. This initial meeting will be for the committee to work on brainstorming of ideas, nothing will be shot down. The second "meeting" will be the formalizing of the plans and ideas that the committee thinks will work and are not cost prohibitive. A six month action plan will come out of the committee and any requests for monies will need to be approved by the board before proceeding.

Provided I'm elected to the MSVP role in December (I'm not taking the election for granted)


Jan/Feb

Action plans will be presented to the board for approval and if approved, the plans will be put forth in action.

March: Base assessment of whether the action plans are working, are our membership numbers up at all? Web site stats? etc. If not, we will need to discuss what is working and what is not working as intended, and refine.

April/May, Refined action plans are put forth in action.

June/July, Re-examine the last six months, what worked, what didn't...refine, rinse and repeat.

Some marketing ideas:

1) Refer a friend...put a coupon in each issue of trails that would allow a member to give it to a friend that would receive a $5 discount on their first years membership.
2) Put a "YouTube" ish commercial together for the TLCA, concept is completely stolen from Heineken... YouTube - Heineken Premium Light "Share the Good" We would have people passing a TT from one person to another, our rigs in the background, etc. It's odd, but the song does really fit, we all wouldn't be here if we didn't love this. And the name of the commercial, "Share the Good" is fitting as well.
3) Merchandise: There have been many suggestions made over the past few years, we need to act on some of them in SMALL quantities to see how they sell, and then make some decisions from there. One idea that I don't think has been brought to the table publicly is one that was made to me by Bill Wright of Cascade Cruisers, have "young artists" come up with shirt designs and then TLCA members could vote on the winner. The winner would have their shirt printed and sold and receive a little something from the TLCA as well. (Thanks Bill!)
4) The TLCA has 1 event every year, the Rubithon. Should we look into having a East Coast TLCA event, and a Midwest TLCA event as well?

So, for ANY TLCA member that is interested, please contact me at my e-mail address and let me know where your interests lie and what committee you'd like to be a part of, if you don't have the time to be on a committee, please submit your idears!

Thanks for the opportunity to serve you ALL!

-Art

packman73 @ gmail.com

Also listed in the last 3 or 4 issues of Toyota Trails.

 

[hatfieldcb]

Maybe after Mark implements the new web site and things settle down a little for him we can hae a little "Marketing Committee" meeting.

 

[Hulk]

Art, there is a private forum here on the TLCA portion of Mud for a "Marketing Committee." I created it during the few months I was MSVP (I stepped down to take on the webmaster job). There is some good discussion in there, and it was a useful tool for batting around ideas before presenting them to the entire TLCA BODs. You should ask Woody to give you access.

 

[packman73]

As of right now, I've got absolutely little to NO response on this...which makes me believe that there isn't much interest in seeing this organization succeed moving forward. I KNOW THIS NOT TO BE THE CASE...so PLEASE, post here and volunteer to help out. We need people for these committees...this is a volunteer organization, we are not asking for 40 hours of your time, maybe 1-4 a month tops (if that).

Let's see some of that TLCA camaraderie that we see at the events we attend!

Thanks again,
-Art

 

[hatfieldcb]

Hang in there, Art.

 

[pjohnson]

Art,
I currently have a lot of responsibilities that make time extremely scarce, However.... I am interested in helping on the Event Committee. I don't think I can chair it, but could be a member.

I have been the TLCA Admin VP, am currently VP of MTA with event and membership responsibilities.

My first suggestion is to create a standardized program of event support activities that TLCA can offer to Chapters hosting events. Along with this would be a regular cadence of proactive communication out to the event Chairs to offer assistance. Perhaps even inviting them to attend a committee meeting to talk about thier event and the issues they are challenged with. the committee could then offer focused and specific help.

Perhaps membership of this committee could be solicited from the ranks of chapters who have successfully hosted events, rather than just throwing it out for volunteers. I suggest limiting the number to no more than 7, figuring consistent attendance will likely hover around 4 or 5.

Does committee membership have to come from the BOD ranks or could regular members be on committees?

Phil

 

[packman73]

Art,
I currently have a lot of responsibilities that make time extremely scarce, However.... I am interested in helping on the Event Committee. I don't think I can chair it, but could be a member.

I have been the TLCA Admin VP, am currently VP of MTA with event and membership responsibilities.

My first suggestion is to create a standardized program of event support activities that TLCA can offer to Chapters hosting events. Along with this would be a regular cadence of proactive communication out to the event Chairs to offer assistance. Perhaps even inviting them to attend a committee meeting to talk about thier event and the issues they are challenged with. the committee could then offer focused and specific help.

Perhaps membership of this committee could be solicited from the ranks of chapters who have successfully hosted events, rather than just throwing it out for volunteers. I suggest limiting the number to no more than 7, figuring consistent attendance will likely hover around 4 or 5.

Does committee membership have to come from the BOD ranks or could regular members be on committees?

Phil

Phil,

First, thanks for your interest! It's much appreciated. I like the ideas that you've presented and have some ideas we can discuss as well. In regards to who can be on the committee, I personally think that it should be anyone who is a TLCA member. I don't see why the BOD Representative from the chapter also needs to spend time on a committee as they are already volunteering their time to be on the calls. That's just my .02 on that. Nick, if you're following this thread, are there any rules or regulations in the bylaws that would prohibit such participation from at large members?

Thanks,
Art

P.S. Please PM your direct contact information so I can start putting the committee contact lists together.

 

[packman73]

So far, Phil and Greg B have stepped up. We are still in need of a few more brave souls. Anyone? Bueller? You don't have to be a bodrep or board member...ANY TLCA MEMBER is welcome.

-Art

 

[packman73]

Anyone else interested in joining in? We have the event's committee covered.

Thanks,
Art

 

[Rzeppa]

So far, Phil and Greg B have stepped up. We are still in need of a few more brave souls. Anyone? Bueller? You don't have to be a bodrep or board member...ANY TLCA MEMBER is welcome.

-Art

We will be relying heavily on Art Schramm as MSVP and Timm Buchanan as EVP to make sure events have TLCA representation. We will have event packets consisting of TLCA Applications, Banners, Toyota Trails and stickers for chapter delegates to promote at TLCA events. Timm is our point person to be in contact with event chairpersons, and Art as our point person to assure that events have their TLCA delegate promoting TLCA, and that memberships and merchandise is promoted. We will need everyone involved in the event, and all of us on the BOD to make a major effort to see to it that TLCA is promoted at events.

Hats off to Art and Timm for being excited and involved in promoting TLCA!

 

[Uncle Ben]

We will be relying heavily on Art Schramm as MSVP and Timm Buchanan as EVP to make sure events have TLCA representation. We will have event packets consisting of TLCA Applications, Banners, Toyota Trails and stickers for chapter delegates to promote at TLCA events. Timm is our point person to be in contact with event chairpersons, and Art as our point person to assure that events have their TLCA delegate promoting TLCA, and that memberships and merchandise is promoted. We will need everyone involved in the event, and all of us on the BOD to make a major effort to see to it that TLCA is promoted at events.

Hats off to Art and Timm for being excited and involved in promoting TLCA!

Outstanding!!!! Thank you all for your efforts! I can already feel a ripple in the force....keep it up you are all very appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[65swb45]

I don't have a lot of ideas to contribute necessarily, but I would be happy to be a sounding board for other's ideas, especially on marketing. I have some insight into how vendors see things.

BTW, I JUST saw this thread for the first time.

Not that I get to the new TLCA website much either [once, about a month ago] but maybe something about this should be posted there as well. Heck, for all I know, you've already done that! Guess I'd better go look.

 

[packman73]

Thanks Mark! Once we get some things taken care of on the board and we can move forward, I'll post some items out here for discussion. I hope to be able to do that after the BOD meeting this month.

 

[Rzeppa]

I don't have a lot of ideas to contribute necessarily, but I would be happy to be a sounding board for other's ideas, especially on marketing. I have some insight into how vendors see things.

BTW, I JUST saw this thread for the first time.

Not that I get to the new TLCA website much either [once, about a month ago] but maybe something about this should be posted there as well. Heck, for all I know, you've already done that! Guess I'd better go look.

Hi Mark,

At this time there is no shortage of ideas, what we need are many willing hands to implement the ideas which have already been incorporated into our plan. Not that new ideas are unwelcome, but we have a ton on our plate right now, and chapter delegates like you are among those we really need to help share the load.

Thanks and happy cruisin'!