TLCA and you

[Ebag333]

There's been some (okay...a lot) of discussion on the TLCA BodReps e-mail list about TLCA and how it affects folks.

So, here's a thread for you to voice your thoughts, comments, concerns, opinions, etc. I'm looking for everything and anything, so if you have a brilliant idea, then share it. If you have a concern, then put it out there. If you have a question, ask it.

If you read this and think "well I don't even know what TLCA does for me!" then post that! I will do my best to answer any questions/comments you may have, but for some I may need to get an answer from the folks over at TLCA, so please be patient.

 

[CJF]

Honest answer?

The only reason I'm a member is that it's a requirement for our local club. I understand they do good things for "our sport", land use issues, etc. But I never even read the darn Toyota Trails magazine, and I don't wheel near as much as you guys; I'm mainly interested in social activities/connections and (stock) tech support. Both our local chapter and MUD fill those needs much better than TLCA in general does.

Curtis

 

[Ebag333]

That's exactly the sort of feedback I'm looking for. Thanks Curtis.

Anyone else?

 

[jmkfj60]

I for one would not know of Mud or JSC if was not for the TLCA. I enjoy Toyota Trails and all the ariticles. If it was not for the TLCA would there be runs like Moab, Mcgrew, and the Rubithon. Want I mean by that is, would info flow about when and where the runs happen to the rest of the country.

My own 2 cents, Mud will be the death of the TLCA if things fail to change. Just like Curtis said Mud has everything, Tech, Runs, instant chat ability and everthing that it offers. TLCA was first, it was before the LCML, it helped start it, I'm sure. Would we even have Mud if was not for the TLCA. Here is an idea, (People will not like this) Have your TLCA membership grant you access to Mud. Do away with all this free information. Offer a grandfather clause to Mud members already, but if you want the info now make it part of a TLCA membership. My TLCA membership is important to me and I signed up 5 years in advance, and will continue to do so. So what does the TLCA do me, I have made all sorts of new friends (I think), new tech advice for a mechanic, shown all sorts of new runs, and most important a place like us cruisers heads chat and solve problems because I don't think that we would have Mud if not for the TLCA.

Josh

 

[tblume]

get ready; 'cause this aint funny..

I for one would not know of Mud or JSC if was not for the TLCA. I enjoy Toyota Trails and all the ariticles. If it was not for the TLCA would there be runs like Moab, Mcgrew, and the Rubithon. Want I mean by that is, would info flow about when and where the runs happen to the rest of the country.

My own 2 cents, Mud will be the death of the TLCA if things fail to change. Just like Curtis said Mud has everything, Tech, Runs, instant chat ability and everthing that it offers. TLCA was first, it was before the LCML, it helped start it, I'm sure. Would we even have Mud if was not for the TLCA. Here is an idea, (People will not like this) Have your TLCA membership grant you access to Mud. Do away with all this free information. Offer a grandfather clause to Mud members already, but if you want the info now make it part of a TLCA membership. My TLCA membership is important to me and I signed up 5 years in advance, and will continue to do so. So what does the TLCA do me, I have made all sorts of new friends (I think), new tech advice for a mechanic, shown all sorts of new runs, and most important a place like us cruisers heads chat and solve problems because I don't think that we would have Mud if not for the TLCA.

Josh

I agree and I don't. Lemme try to 'splain: Somehow Woody and the Mods get some kind of pay for doing what they do, Yes? what they do reaches many, many more people than the TLCA Trails mag ever will, and dollars to doughnuts you can bet the paid staff at TLCA Trails gets proportionately more money. in other words, the silver star members of 'MUD pay for 'MUD, (site upkeep) and only really get the added benefit of being able to post more pictures at a time, right? so the ads in 'Trails and the subscription fees get the subscriber what? another page of ads? What's the overhead on a slick quarterly Vs. a website/chatroom/what-have-you?

one caveat; things never fail to change: the TLCA is currently failing to change with things.

this is a common overarching 'problem' with the world today; instant access to information.
I agree that 'MUD will be the death of the TLCA, the same as cable news will be the death of regional local news, the same as USA Today will be the death of local papers, the same as tv will be the death of radio, the same as radio will be the death of the newspaper. etc...

I like my glossy TLCA magazine as much as the next guy, but my scraping by a$$ just can't afford the "luxury" of a quarterly magazine no matter what the contents or benefits; hell, I can't pay (and haven't been paying) for any of the monthly motorcycle magazines (they still send me) for the last year... but they seem to have no shortage of ink and glossy paper, and input from other subscribers, and more to the point, advertisers, so that my continued (free) subscription is water under the bridge it would seem.

now here's an idea; the Motorcycle Consumer News Motorcycle Consumer News - MCNews.com - The most complete, most detailed and most accurate information about every aspect of motorcycling.
is a monthly that just last year went to color on standard paper- not glossy- and has been subscriber supported (no paid ads, just tech, reader and contributor provided) since '91- if the TLCA is looking for a blueprint for success in the "new world order" this might be worth a look.

btw, this is the only monthly I will pay for even though I do not have a running bike currently- and have never been a member of the AMA; the community of bikes is just that way, I can't say that the offroad scene is the same, blue ribbon coalition, tread lightly, or otherwise. sad but true.

let me also say that I know none of this first hand, it just seems to be what the state of IT is, and is going to be. I think that the future of organizations like the TLCA or AMA, or, NRA, or the ASPCA, or hell, AARP, any group that does not change with technology and adapt will be marginalized to the point of non-existence.

HTH??

 

[Ebag333]

Here is an idea, (People will not like this) Have your TLCA membership grant you access to Mud. Do away with all this free information. Offer a grandfather clause to Mud members already, but if you want the info now make it part of a TLCA membership.

Part of the draw of 'MUD is that it's open. It's easy to get started on 'MUD.

You lock that down and you take away one of the biggest draws of 'MUD. You also kill the advertising on it, because the numbers of people viewing ads will drop drastically.

And that even assumes that Woody is willing to not just work with TLCA but jump in bed with them. From what I've read and heard, that ain't gonna happen.

and most important a place like us cruisers heads chat and solve problems because I don't think that we would have Mud if not for the TLCA.

'MUD is seperate from the TLCA in basically all ways. While many people seem to think the two are connected, they really aren't (as far as I know). The survival of one does not depend on the other.

Lemme try to 'splain: Somehow Woody and the Mods get some kind of pay for doing what they do, Yes?

There are three main sources for 'MUD income (that I'm aware of): advertising, silver stars, and vendors.

I do not believe that the mods get any pay for what they do, as far as I know they're strictly volunteers. Jared could chime in if I'm incorrect.

what they do reaches many, many more people than the TLCA Trails mag ever will, and dollars to doughnuts you can bet the paid staff at TLCA Trails gets proportionately more money.

I don't know 'MUD's budget, income, etc, but I personally would not be willing to make that same bet. TLCA has done a fantastic job to close their budget in this economy, but they're not exactly rolling in the benjamins, if you know what I mean.

BTW, most of the "staff" at TLCA Trails are volunteers, or are only partially compensated.



Good feedback guys, keep it coming.

 

[TOY350]

I joined back in '96 for a discount at Man-A-Fre (which no longer applies) when I lived down south. From the Trails rag I found a business in Grants Pass and made a life long friend and Cruiser mechanic/enthusiast. I like the fact that there are TLCA sanctioned runs. This was very applicable when I ran the rubicon. It was 99% Toyota and there was a feeling of "family" since everyone belonged to the same association. I enjoy some of the articles in TT's, I like that TLCA is backing organizations that are trying to keep our trails open and educating people about treading lightly. I also like the idea of being in club that is under a larger "club" that has been around for over 25 years and that can offer us help if we need it; setting up our bylaws, advertising for us and letting us post newletters in their mag, insurance for sanctioned runs and reps that we can direct questions to on all aspects of a club.

 

[tblume]

There are three main sources for 'MUD income (that I'm aware of): advertising, silver stars, and vendors.

I do not believe that the mods get any pay for what they do, as far as I know they're strictly volunteers. Jared could chime in if I'm incorrect.




I don't know 'MUD's budget, income, etc, but I personally would not be willing to make that same bet. TLCA has done a fantastic job to close their budget in this economy, but they're not exactly rolling in the benjamins, if you know what I mean.

BTW, most of the "staff" at TLCA Trails are volunteers, or are only partially compensated.



Good feedback guys, keep it coming.

Like I said, I knew none of what I was writing, just going off the gut- sounds like both 'MUD and TLCA are more volunteer than I thought.

hats off to all of them, I'll be making an effort to get my silver star as well as my 'trails scrip pushed up on my budgetary short list.

 

[Darkrealms]

I know that when I had yotas and now have a landcruiser that Mud has been there for me in many ways. I google something and mud has people willing to help or know about the topic.
TLCA comes up in google . . . but isn't very helpful and doesn't make it nearly as easy and I just end up leaving the site.

TLCA needs to adapt, not necessarily get their own tech forums or anything but they need to become "user friendly". We are no longer in the age of magazines, word of mouth, etc. Most people hop on line and google something.
I like what I know about what the TLCA does. They support groups, help make runs and events happen, and help people understand responsibility on the trail (and I'm sure off). But if TLCA dies don't blame Mud for it. Like others have said its an adaptive problem.
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