Okay.
I still feel Tigers, and Sunbeams at large deserve a National Club. I also
feel that the regional clubs, who have carried and supported the marque
through thick and thin over the years deserve the continued support of their
memberships. Many of these clubs were founded with the hope of becoming the
'national club', but were limited by regionality, and the success of
competing clubs. How do we get a national club then, and not destroy the
membership base for the regional clubs? Remember, that CAT, STOA, and TE/AE
can only survive with membership dollars. If they go, so does CAT Parts,
STOA's TAC Program and the Technical work of TE/AE.
A national club HAS to support existing clubs. So, how?
The National Club is formed from the existing clubs-all members of regional
clubs are AUTOMATICALLY members in the National Club. A "Confederation", if
you wish. Thus, no need to jump ship from your regional club, you keep your
local orientation, the clubs keep their members and dollars, but we finally
have a National Organization. Have a National Board of Representatives from
the member clubs, which then vote in leadership. The National Club would
then send a two page "National Update' to each regional club for inclusion in
its monthly newsletter. Dues would increase per member by a small amount to
support the national club activities. Sunbeamers would finally have a
unified voice nationally-without gutting the local clubs.
National would be a 'clearinghouse', where plans were coordinated, yet the
regional clubs would maintain their local control. This way, there would not
be the huge overhead of a full fledged organization. Also, the local clubs
could 'franchise' their various specialties to the national club-CAT Parts
could be available to all national members, if CAT so chose...possibly with a
nominal charge per order to 'non-CAT members' to allow CAT to get something
too.
I have talked about this since I was the newsletter editor YEARS :>) ago for
the Pacific Tiger Club. This was tried years earlier with the STAC Accord,
but was never empowered. Many feel that SUNI could do this, with enough
effort...they already run the national meet-why not? I suggest ALL of you
going to MT next month, especially who have a role in your local club, talk
about this-this is ultimately going to have to start with the clubs in
agreement.
A national organization would make it easier to pursue the advancement of the
marque in the eyes of the public, as well as speaking with a much larger
voice to government, vendors and the media.
Hopefully brighter minds then mine will turn their attention and efforts to
this cause, and work to form a National organization. I wish them every
success.
Von Levandowski
former owner of a '65 Mark I with faded paint, torn upholstery but shiny LAT
9s...
P.S. Seems this is the only topic that ever gets me going enough to open my
yap and speak. So, count your blessings!!
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