OK, this is Part 2 of 3. The letter in it's entirety, didn't come through,
maybe too large. The danger is that any of these three posts, if not read
together, can likely be taken out of context.
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Good morning Howard!
I understand there is a heated discussion on the NASS list and that you've
published a post stating the facts regarding VTR and NASS. Thank you for
that post, you are spot on. As of now, VTR has NOT made any proposals to
any of the independent model clubs because we first want to find out from
them what THEY WANT from VTR, if anything. As you and I have discussed
privately, VTR is, of course, NOT looking to raid your treasury, take over
your club, or anything of the sort. It's fairly easy to assume there are at
least ten members of NASS that are also VTR members, thereby qualifying NASS
as a chapter. But as another single-model club had pointed out, the chapter
moniker is inappropriate for single model clubs since they are National in
scope and could not be serviced by a Regional Coordinator in the traditional
sense.
At the Board Meeting in Valley Forge, the VTR board, at my behest, and after
consult with several single model clubs, created a class of membership
called "Affiliate Club" for the purpose of exploration only. We repeatedly
stressed to everyone at the membership meeting that in no way is VTR
interested in being an "umbrella club", but rather, our hope is to have
Affiliate Clubs be regarded as EQUALS to VTR itself. It's merely a way to
gain clout with regards to vendor parts quality issues, clout with insurance
companies, etc. Instead of VTR going to a vendor selling a problematic part
and saying "we represent 2,600 members", wouldn't it be great if we could
say "we represent 4,000 members of various clubs?" (Incidentally, VTR is
establishing a "Vendor Liaison" position, but I digress.)
With specific reference to the 48-hour Spitfire rebuild at NATC2008, I
thought it might be a super way to gain exposure for NASS at the venue. The
Stag club has had a table at each of the past six or seven VTR conventions
and has certainly gained members as a result. I'm hoping NASS would also
place a table manned by your members attending the convention with the
purpose of publicizing all that NASS has to offer its members. There's not
much more I or VTR can do to demonstrate our desire to HELP the single model
clubs. I'll be making the same offer to TRA and 6-Pack as well. Hopefully
they'll follow the Stag club's lead and realize they CAN benefit from a
strong presence at VTR.
Continues...
(PART 3 TO FOLLOW)
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