New Print House for TT

[Green Lantern]

FWIW, you're right on point Mike. It has been discussed to death and the magazine is operating as efficiently as I've ever seen. Kudos to Todd.

The cost of publishing Toyota Trails is set, based on the paid memberships we have. It's cheaper to print more than the exact amount needed because that's the nature of printing.

About 2400 of our 3400 members don't participate in events, they don't participate on MUD, and they don't go to the TLCA website. Most of our members WILL NOT participate in any kind of poll. They see Toyota Trails as a pretty magazine focused on their favorite kind of car. So, TLCA continues to publish Toyota Trails because all but a very few people enjoy having it. The $40 a year pays for it and to me, it's worth $40. Folks that don't like Trails simply don't renew.

TLCA has also given money to Birfield.com and Blue Ribbon Coalition. Yet, there's no denying that most of the money going to TLCA pays for the magazine.

I've heard other folks say that TLCA should spend money developing new events and helping land rights groups. But, events and charity are best done at the chapter level. I can't think of anyone that wants a national organization telling them how to conduct an event or which charity to send money to.

I sincerely believe this forum and BOD should leave Toyota Trails alone.
My two cents,
Happy Trails!
Nick

There seems to some diffculty selling them for $5..... just saying.....

I'm not a current member (for reasons I won't air here) so I don't expect my comments to carry any weight with the BoD or anyone else..... Didn't carry any weight when I was a member for that matter.

It may be time to find out what y'all's membership (past and present) want from TLCA. If they join just for the magazine, if they would be happy with an online version of the magazine, just to go wheelin' or both. This would give y'all an idea how many magazines you actually need to print plus some for the store so y'all can get TT costs set. You can find out how many folks would join just to go wheelin' to determine how many folks you could bring back into TLCA so they go to events with anyone else gettin' their panties in a bunch over insurance or whatever folks get their panties in a bunch about.

I can't be the only one out there that just wants to wheel.

I know all this has been discussed, no doubt to death, in other threads and even more on bodreps, but instead of everyone fussin' 'bout why it can't be done, just do it! Simple post cards with an emphasis on "the results of the survey will determine TLCA's future" then follow through with the results.

Again, just my 2 cents........

 

[66fj40x2]

Postcards - $0.28
Size limits:

• Minimum: 3-1/2 inches high by 5 inches long by 0.007 inch thick
• Maximum: 6 inches long by 4-1/4 inches high
• Additional postage required for larger postcards

.28 * 3400 (members) = $952

SurveyMonkey.com = $59.85 for 3 months.

I'd be game for a short survey like you are suggesting. This one has been together for several months now, just did get the blessing to send it out.

And you are more informed than most...who do you think you are kiddin...

How can you reach past/expired members with an online survey? You really need to reach out to these folks as much if not more then current members. You've already got the income from the current members..... You NEED the income from the expired / disenchanted members.

Good grief, they just gave ya the go-ahead??? You've had this in the works for several months, what 5 or 6 now? ..... Hey Woody, were's the :headshaking: smilie..... I'm a little beyond the :eyesrolling: one here

 

[66fj40x2]

FWIW, you're right on point Mike. It has been discussed to death and the magazine is operating as efficiently as I've ever seen. Kudos to Todd.

The cost of publishing Toyota Trails is set, based on the paid memberships we have. It's cheaper to print more than the exact amount needed because that's the nature of printing.

About 2400 of our 3400 members don't participate in events, they don't participate on MUD, and they don't go to the TLCA website. Most of our members WILL NOT participate in any kind of poll. They see Toyota Trails as a pretty magazine focused on their favorite kind of car. So, TLCA continues to publish Toyota Trails because all but a very few people enjoy having it. The $40 a year pays for it and to me, it's worth $40. Folks that don't like Trails simply don't renew.

TLCA has also given money to Birfield.com and Blue Ribbon Coalition. Yet, there's no denying that most of the money going to TLCA pays for the magazine.

I've heard other folks say that TLCA should spend money developing new events and helping land rights groups. But, events and charity are best done at the chapter level. I can't think of anyone that wants a national organization telling them how to conduct an event or which charity to send money to.

I sincerely believe this forum and BOD should leave Toyota Trails alone.
My two cents,
Happy Trails!
Nick

Thanks Nick. I don't think I'm advocating dumping Trails, although I guess it could happen. I know the e-zine has been discussed, tired membership as been discussed...... Probably every other idea has been discussed and beatin' down for one reason or another. Just doesn't seem like anything will change for the better.

My fingers are tired now...... I'll let y'all be now.

 

[Hottrod81]

If you want more people to join TLCA, you need to also focus on Mini's, FJ Cruisers, and Tacomas. That will bring in a younger generation that will carry TLCA forward.

 

[woody]

About 2400 of our 3400 members don't participate in events, they don't participate on MUD, and they don't go to the TLCA website.

Per the IH8MUD.com database, there are approximately 2500 'MUD usernames showing TLCA numbers in their profile. (current or valid is another question....there are also a few hundred with ? or 'don't know' stated too)

 

[Green Lantern]

Thanks Woody!
I stand corrected.
Happy Trails! N

Per the IH8MUD.com database, there are approximately 2500 'MUD usernames showing TLCA numbers in their profile. (current or valid is another question....there are also a few hundred with ? or 'don't know' stated too)

 

[nuclearlemon]

Per the IH8MUD.com database, there are approximately 2500 'MUD usernames showing TLCA numbers in their profile. (current or valid is another question....there are also a few hundred with ? or 'don't know' stated too)

cool info...thanks woody

from the one who has a lower tlca number than you

 

[wngrog]

Per the IH8MUD.com database, there are approximately 2500 'MUD usernames showing TLCA numbers in their profile. (current or valid is another question....there are also a few hundred with ? or 'don't know' stated too)

Yeah but I bet only 1/2 of them are active in TLCA.

 

[Bossman]

Yeah but I bet only 1/2 of them are active in TLCA.

Yep - and then there are those who didn't bother to put a TLCA number in their profile....like me. Who knows how many are frequent users of IH8MUD? I suspect more than you think. I, for one, appreciate ya' Woody!