Eric the Knuckledragger writes:
> >> Anybody else care to weigh
> >> in on why your region went to SCCA-members-only?
I'm a little behind on this subject, but I don't think anyone from San
Francisco Region has weighed in...
1) SFR went to Members only a couple of years ago. We were over 300 at
Regional events and with darkness at 5:00 PM, the turnout was a problem.
2) We had problems with bounced checks for membership and entry fees... So,
instead of just collecting for an entry fee, then we had a member who didn't
pay for their membership.
3) We had problems with people doing donuts, etc. Usually the "drop-in"
entrants. Very seldom members...
So, the answer for us was to require existing membership. No, you can't just
show up and run. No, you can't join at the event. If you want to enter a
bicycling race, or swim meet, or most other competitive events, you have to
plan
ahead. We discussed the problems, and possible solutions, at length. We
decided this was our best solution, and it has worked. You can call our Region
office on Friday, give them a credit card number, and they will fax you a
temporary membership until your card arrives. And if a member wants to bring a
guest, the member can do so and the guest can compete. The member is
responsible
for the conduct of the guest.
We also realize that this may not work for other Regions. Lots of Regions
don't have a "club office" with a paid staff. Other Regions need to encourage
Solo 2 entries. So, the same things will probably not work in many other
places...
Charlie Davis
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