Yesterday, Gary Brierton stated: "Among the factors that
have kept these clubs apart are:
a.. a genuine desire by many Healey enthusiasts to have available the
choices offered by several clubs presenting different events, different
magazines, lots of tech talk, etc.; That's the reason for local/regional
chapters
b. the absolutely huge distances involved that not all Healey drivers
want to tackle on a regular basis;
c. the (perceived) different "flavor" or "feel" of the existing Big
Three;
d.. the notion that these are clubs, for fun, and how much effort should
be spent trying to blend together some things that repeatedly seem to want
to stay apart?"
My response--which didn't make it to the general list--is this:
No, Gary. The answer remains towering egos. I can respond to the oft cited
issues that you present:
a. Choices? That's the reason for Local/Regional chapters.
b Distances? Same as above: Local/Regional events sponsored by
Local/Regional chapters. (Do the Aussies have multiple national clubs?)
c. Flavor? Again, Local/Regional chapters offer diverse flavors. And the
flavor of the publication? Merge the flavors in one publication. I would
rather pay one membership "dues" and get one comprehensive magazine that
encompasses multiple flavors than pay multiple dues that--in
aggregate--would cost me more. (As well as eliminate some of the redundancy
in published technical articles.)
d. We all belong to ONE community--that of Austin Healey enthusiasts. The
Local/Regional chapters are the "clubs" that can spend as much effort as
they want in blending events and activities.
I believe the strength of the Austin Healey community is in the local clubs.
They provide the events and publications that meet the needs of their
constituency. I'm not sure why the Brits are having a difficult time; seems
pretty straight-forward to me.
Pacific Center went national (some years back) and did away with their
chapters (some years later). Some of Centre's chapters (Golden Gate?)
affiliated with AHCA. The current Austin Healey editor is moving to Healey
Marque taking with him his Centre influences. Folks, the merger is already
taking place.
I'd be interested in knowing the state of memberships in each of the
respective Big Three. Is membership increasing? Or decreasing? The median
age of Healey ownership is increasing. I would surmise that--at some
time--from an active membership perspective, the clubs will have to merge to
survive.
Oh, yes. The merger will happen. Let's get on with it.
John Rued (Of Flatwater)
BN1
BT7(MkII)
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