VOA Membership Why are YOU not contributing

[ACR-ISH]

Okay okay calm down... TONS of you ARE. So this isn't for you. Look, I'm the FNG so what do I know? But here's what I see. I see a TON of people on the forums. TONS of responses. TONS of posts. TONS of people using the things that all of our memberships pay for. TONS of vendors giving us discount just because you're here! But honestly, it goes much deeper than that...

All memberships are given, partially, to local regions as well. These contributions are what keeps the club alive. It keeps us funded. It keeps us able to get together. Most of us who sit on the board (I'm running for Nor Cal Chapter VOA President) spend our own time, our own money and spend time away from our families to put together the events, cruises, get togethers, fund raisers, freebies, national events, etc. Which is fine, because we love doing it. For me, this is the BEST thing I've EVER been a part of. Honestly. I love the people and relationships I've developed and will continue to develop.

So my REAL questions is : Don't YOU want to be a part of this? I mean a REAL part. A contributor, not an observer or even a "user". (Hey, I wanna gonna say leach... but think better of you guys!)

Look, if you can't find it in yourself to contribute at even the lowest level of membership ($115), then maybe it's not important enough to you... which is kind of sad. Because here you are, reading this. There are two membership levels and to be honest... I'm not even sure they cover the free stuff you get! Lanyards, VOA magazine (which Maurice does an AMAZING job of putting out for us!), stickers, pens, terry cloth towels, lol... all the cool little nick knacks we love getting!

Most importantly; when you contribute: YOU BELONG. So come on: stop watching all the cool stuff around you happen and do your part. It's NOT about YOU. It's about this club. For two years (going into three) we have not had a new Viper roll of the assembly line, so we have no "new" members unless we do our part, recruit and inspire. So get involved! Get into it! Support your buddies! Do it for some one who can't afford it! Do it for some one who needs it. Mostly, do it to keep this AMAZING thing we have; ALIVE!

If you're only excuse is lazy or don't know how... I got you: https://driveviper.com/join/

If you read all the way through, thank you. If you're joining or joined. Thank you! Hopefully this resonated with some of you and inspired something bigger than you.

ACR_ISH... OUT!

[Viperenvy]

Okay okay calm down... TONS of you ARE. So this isn't for you. Look, I'm the FNG so what do I know? But here's what I see. I see a TON of people on the forums. TONS of responses. TONS of posts. TONS of people using the things that all of our memberships pay for. TONS of vendors giving us discount just because you're here! But honestly, it goes much deeper than that...

All memberships are given, partially, to local regions as well. These contributions are what keeps the club alive. It keeps us funded. It keeps us able to get together. Most of us who sit on the board (I'm running for Nor Cal Chapter VOA President) spend our own time, our own money and spend time away from our families to put together the events, cruises, get togethers, fund raisers, freebies, national events, etc. Which is fine, because we love doing it. For me, this is the BEST thing I've EVER been a part of. Honestly. I love the people and relationships I've developed and will continue to develop.

So my REAL questions is : Don't YOU want to be a part of this? I mean a REAL part. A contributor, not an observer or even a "user". (Hey, I wanna gonna say leach... but think better of you guys!)

Look, if you can't find it in yourself to contribute at even the lowest level of membership ($115), then maybe it's not important enough to you... which is kind of sad. Because here you are, reading this. There are two membership levels and to be honest... I'm not even sure they cover the free stuff you get! Lanyards, VOA magazine (which Maurice does an AMAZING job of putting out for us!), stickers, pens, terry cloth towels, lol... all the cool little nick knacks we love getting!

Most importantly; when you contribute: YOU BELONG. So come on: stop watching all the cool stuff around you happen and do your part. It's NOT about YOU. It's about this club. For two years (going into three) we have not had a new Viper roll of the assembly line, so we have no "new" members unless we do our part, recruit and inspire. So get involved! Get into it! Support your buddies! Do it for some one who can't afford it! Do it for some one who needs it. Mostly, do it to keep this AMAZING thing we have; ALIVE!

If you're only excuse is lazy or don't know how... I got you: https://driveviper.com/join/

If you read all the way through, thank you. If you're joining or joined. Thank you! Hopefully this resonated with some of you and inspired something bigger than you.

ACR_ISH... OUT!

Well said! It is a lifestyle. Not a space taken in the garage

[Bill Pemberton]

Great post and with the history , tech data, and functions with like minded individuals it is hard to understand why everyone does not join and contribute. You are just protecting your own self interests, because being a member helps ensure the information so many need will continue well into the future and be there when each of us need it.

[Drummerviper]

I lazily let mine lapse . Tried to re-up this morning and the page was stuck on “processing” and never went through.

[Fatboy 18]

Sadly i think a lot of people are addicted to Facebook,
Using the forums is becoming a thing most don't do, taking a picture on a mobile phone and instantly adding it to a WhatsApp group or a facebook page is easy compared to using a Host site to store pictures and get the image code. I store some of my pictures on Flickr but now Im charged $79.00 per year just so I can share pics on forums! And If I choose to leave Flickr then all my image posts will no longer be displayed

Instagram is another media many of the younger generation choose to use.

As for members who join the Club and get a magazine. For many it seems that's all they want!

If I get more than 4 members turn up at an event it's a flippin miracle!

I know many of my members seldom frequent the forums. The UK has 18 members, I will be amazed if I see more than 6 of them in 2020!

Here's a perfect example, the aim of the Club and regions is to promote the club and help members get the most out of their cars....So I have organised a Club Stand at the Indoor London Classic Car show end of Feb, the show runs for 3 days and I will have to get my car to the show on the Wednesday before show start and set up the display (clean the car etc), then make my own way back out of the city and the next 3 days commute back and forth to london, stand on the stand all day for the 3 days talking to people. I also asked if any members wanted to display their car
I sent emails out to all my members informing them of a ticket discount code.....To date I have been informed by the exhibition marketing team that no tickets have been purchased by members.

Has anyone offered to assist me? Nope! I did get a message from the Region Vice Prez that he might Visit on the Sunday.

Pathetic really isn't it

[jrkermode]

One simple answer may be that folks don't need a Viper to join the forum, they do need to own a Viper (thank you Bill P) to join the club.

I was quite active on the forum when I was new to the Viper (2002) and had a lot to learn. But, that's when we had a single, main club; Viper Club of America (re-unification would be nice....).

[Bill Pemberton]

DrummerViper,

I had trouble last year, but I just went back to the old method and called 888-778-1545 . The young lady who answered is super nice and it was a pleasant experience signing back up!

[COI]

I've been a member of one or both clubs since 1996 until this year. I haven't been active in the club in years but still contributed to maintain the legacy of the legend. The club has lost its focus in my opinion and I no longer feel my membership $'s have anything to do with preserving the legacy. I still love the car (I own multiple Vipers) and believe it to be the best American muscle car ever built.

[Black Adder]

Interesting....
The club has lost its focus in my opinion and I no longer feel my membership $'s have anything to do with preserving the legacy
Can you expand on your comment, we cannot fix anything unless we know what to fix?

[Viperenvy]

.....And stay tuned to a NVE4 announcement that just may be a wonderful first step.....to what.....I'll let others judge

[PatrickB]

Fatboy touched on an issue in his post that I've noticed over the last several years. With as popular as Facebook and the like are these days, folks simply aren't coming to the forums near as much. This wasn't the case when I first joined the club in 2013. We've had discussions within our region about how and where to post information to and our team does a good job in posting information not only to the forums but the Facebook groups and pages as well. I don't think there is one area you can post information to now that covers everybody.

All that being said, I've noticed what I believe are people who consider themselves part of the VOA simply because they joined a VOA-related Facebook group; I honestly don't know if they even realize there is an actual club at driveviper.com or if they simply want to join the "free" Facebook group. I don't know if they are aware of the benefits membership has to offer or if being a member of a Facebook group is good enough.

That's just a thing I've noticed, I might be the only one; and other than spreading the word, I don't know what we do about it.

[ACR-ISH]

Interesting....
The club has lost its focus in my opinion and I no longer feel my membership $'s have anything to do with preserving the legacy
Can you expand on your comment, we cannot fix anything unless we know what to fix?

I'm in agreement here. This is an open forum and there are a TON of issues getting resolved. We may not resolve them all. Again... contributing isn't about the magazine, the forum, or the local clubs and chapters... it's about the VIPER OWNERS ASSOCIATION as a whole. It's bigger than any single aspect. That's the point.

We own Dodge-Fukkin-Vipers. Show me some one who can't afford $100 and I'll show you some one who isn't being honest about the real reason they aren't contributing. If you're here AND own a Viper... you should be contributing. Period.

I've seen people join and pay BEFORE taking delivery of their Viper. That's some good shit right there.

- - - Updated - - -

Fatboy touched on an issue in his post that I've noticed over the last several years. With as popular as Facebook and the like are these days, folks simply aren't coming to the forums near as much. This wasn't the case when I first joined the club in 2013. We've had discussions within our region about how and where to post information to and our team does a good job in posting information not only to the forums but the Facebook groups and pages as well. I don't think there is one area you can post information to now that covers everybody.

All that being said, I've noticed what I believe are people who consider themselves part of the VOA simply because they joined a VOA-related Facebook group; I honestly don't know if they even realize there is an actual club at driveviper.com or if they simply want to join the "free" Facebook group. I don't know if they are aware of the benefits membership has to offer or if being a member of a Facebook group is good enough.

That's just a thing I've noticed, I might be the only one; and other than spreading the word, I don't know what we do about it.

Then it's our job to spread awareness!

[BSLSK]

I joined shortly after I got mine just because of the amount of info I learned from here. Still haven't had a chance to go to an event yet. Would be nice to meet some members soon and see a growing group of enthusiasts of a dying breed.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

The Oregon club that I founded back in 1993 (4 guys) grew into Pac-NW Club, OR-WA-BC by 1996. We had over 100 active members in the region, a cold-wet-place with few Vipers. All Verts til 96.5! But we had lots of neat events, as Viper Quarterly displayed. ORECA raced here! So did ALMS. Dodge Motorsports came. Vipers Paced Indy Cars! Team Viper brought mule cars here to testand Members got to ride! Members felt they got their money's worth. Some Natl BOD members actually seemed jealous....

As 1st Natl Secty I helped grow the club to 2000 members by 12/31/99. No dealer-paid 'Cool' program. Only 12,000 Vipers had been built, so 16% of cars were members. [16% would equate to 5000+ paid members today.] Even better % then, because lots of members had 2+ cars.

Warm Climate States and populous States have Less Problems motivating activities and adding value. Proof? MULTIPLE clubs exist in several warm or populous States. Cold/wet/less populated States? Not so much. How to motivate? Show Value?

This website adds value to all enthusiasts, owners, and to sponsoring and some non-sponsoring businesses. Hint: sellers here should all pay for the privilege. Fair? Add value to paying sponsors in the same way you try to show value to paying members. Fair? Or, Simply urge supporting your sponsors, as many here do. (Thanks)

The OR club fell apart during / after the PURGE years. Those owners still exist, but now have 'no home.' Same problem as MANY other 50-State, non-metro Viper Owners. Several of those OR/WA owners were very active in 1996-2010. So what does Viper Quarterly display for my original OREGON REGION to inspire these owners to join or re-join?

A DOG, that's what. Great motivator. Oregon is now a dog-club, send your dues. I consider it yet another personal VQ insult. Most recent is VQ22 P69.

Does National simply keep 100% of any regional dues from homeless members, as with the 15-state owners with no designated home club. Hint: Since they have NO HOME Reqion, maybe they would join/respond to some other offer? If National now keeps, maybe even escrows some of 15+ State's dues? ie No club to give it to. perhaps offer something?

Sure, a guy in ID, NM, ND, etc etc can select the closest club as 'home', but will that really provide annual worth/value to that non-metro member? [It Makes VQ benefit $28 per issue.]

Was this a rant? With some hidden advice perhaps? Please remember, I still suffer from Club PTSD.

[ACR-ISH]

I'm sure the VOA would work with homeless members. The lazy thing to do is to simply stop paying and think the problem will rectify itself and suddenly stop affecting people. I'm sure if those people banded and spoke up we could find a resolution.

Thanks for the insight and advice Jon. Everything is fixable WITH COMMUNICATION. So we have step 1.

[jrkermode]

With respect to the previous posts about club "focus" and the mention of "FaceBook", I don't think of marque clubs that way.

I have plenty of ways to connect to gear heads and find things to do, Viper-wise and otherwise. But, there is one thing a marque-specific club excels at; marque knowledge.

There have been many times in the past and there will be many times in the future when it was knowledge gained by connecting with Members (via forum or live) that helped find a part or fix a problem. I see my dues as insurance that we'll always have that knowledge and that is will remain accessible.

[ViperTony]

1,353 members....where is everybody? We used to be over 1,800+.

[Murpowa]

1,353 members....where is everybody? We used to be over 1,800+.

Like anything else in life, people get bored and move on. Likely driving a different brand..

BWTFDIK

[Rocfela]

I cant speak for the masses, but Im currently looking for my first snake and am only an enthusiast because I dont have a vin. When I contacted one of the admins last year about going to NVE she said no dice without a vin. This was slightly off putting because I would have joined immediately as I really want to go, plus VOA has so many other perks. If any of the above info is incorrect please let me know as I would love to sign up now!!

[Patentlaw]

The Oregon club that I founded back in 1993 (4 guys) grew into Pac-NW Club, OR-WA-BC by 1996. We had over 100 active members in the region, a cold-wet-place with few Vipers. All Verts til 96.5! But we had lots of neat events, as Viper Quarterly displayed. ORECA raced here! So did ALMS. Dodge Motorsports came. Vipers Paced Indy Cars! Team Viper brought mule cars here to testand Members got to ride! Members felt they got their money's worth. Some Natl BOD members actually seemed jealous....

As 1st Natl Secty I helped grow the club to 2000 members by 12/31/99. No dealer-paid 'Cool' program. Only 12,000 Vipers had been built, so 16% of cars were members. [16% would equate to 5000+ paid members today.] Even better % then, because lots of members had 2+ cars.

Warm Climate States and populous States have Less Problems motivating activities and adding value. Proof? MULTIPLE clubs exist in several warm or populous States. Cold/wet/less populated States? Not so much. How to motivate? Show Value?

This website adds value to all enthusiasts, owners, and to sponsoring and some non-sponsoring businesses. Hint: sellers here should all pay for the privilege. Fair? Add value to paying sponsors in the same way you try to show value to paying members. Fair? Or, Simply urge supporting your sponsors, as many here do. (Thanks)

The OR club fell apart during / after the PURGE years. Those owners still exist, but now have 'no home.' Same problem as MANY other 50-State, non-metro Viper Owners. Several of those OR/WA owners were very active in 1996-2010. So what does Viper Quarterly display for my original OREGON REGION to inspire these owners to join or re-join?

A DOG, that's what. Great motivator. Oregon is a dog-club, send your dues. I consider it yet another personal VQ insult.

Does National simply keep 100% of any regional dues from homeless members, as with the 15-state owners with no designated home club. Hint: Since they have NO HOME Reqion, maybe they would join/respond to some other offer? If National now keeps, maybe even escrows some of 15+ State's dues? ie No club to give it to. perhaps offer something?

Sure, a guy in ID, NM, ND, etc etc can select the closest club as 'home', but will that really provide annual worth/value to that non-metro member? [It Makes VQ benefit $28 per issue.]

Was this a rant? With some hidden advice perhaps? Please remember, I still suffer from Club PTSD.

Jon,

I see you bit on the annual thread. Somebody had to. Have fun with the hating that you will undoubtedly get.

Plaw

[01sapphirebob]

This club is what you make of it. I've been in both clubs (VCA and VOA). Been an officer in both clubs (VCA/VOA OH VP. and VOA WR President and Secretary). There is always a core group of members that will participate in any club/region. Then there are some that just want the magazine. And thats o.k. When we were forming the Western Reserve region we had a simple philosphy in mind...plan quality events and the members will come. It works! Its a lot of time and effort but in the end its well worth it. The car is the social lubricant that brings people together. It's the people that make you stay. For some reason people seem apprehensive about joining a club. Not sure why. Last year the VOA had us reach out to anyone that was an enthusiast on this forum to see if they wanted to join the club. I must have sent over 50 emails to people that were within our area and got ONE person to join our region.

I may be rambling at this point but I will wrap this up by saying that there is value in joining the VOA. If your region doesnt interest you or they don't do events you like, hit up the officers and offer to help plan an event. Or better yet, run for an officer position. Change is good! People will welcome fresh ideas. I'm proud to be a Viper owner and I'm proud to be a member of the Western Reserve VOA!

[braunstein82]

It amazes me to here so many at not doing regional events at all or events that can appeal to most members. I personally know a few that left voa (not in my region) due to lack of meets and not knowing where club funds are going. We are lucky in the Carolinas we have a very active membership and lots to do in NC/SC. We will have none club meet ups as well. We have even had people who live in other states join the Carolina region because all we do. Combining regions on events has also done well for attendance. Membership really needs to speak up if they question the activity of their region or try to promote meets. Communication and participation is important to make any area grow and influence more activity. Regional officers don't be afraid to ask other regions for advice and help.

[ViperTim]

I can only speak for myself and there no benefit.
I'm located in Sweden, VOA doesn't exist here as we have VCN, Viper Club Nordic.

[Fatboy 18]

I can only speak for myself and there no benefit.
I'm located in Sweden, VOA doesn't exist here as we have VCN, Viper Club Nordic.

Yes I understand this, even the VOA in the UK is not covered by the Public liability insurance which comes as part of the American Club.
But we do get money back from Headquarters and I use some of that money to take out an insurance policy for members attending shows and events.

In Europe we do Joint events with French Club "Viper Passion", Viper Club Germany, VCA Swiss Club and Dutch Club Viper Club Benelux.

I'm going to Retromobile show at Paris Expo this weekend with members of Viper Club Benelux and Viper Passion
IMG-20200203-WA0010.jpg
IMG-20200203-WA0009.jpg
Get yourself to Paris and say hello

[ViperTim]

Yes I understand this, even the VOA in the UK is not covered by the Public liability insurance which comes as part of the American Club.
But we do get money back from Headquarters and I use some of that money to take out an insurance policy for members attending shows and events.

In Europe we do Joint events with French Club "Viper Passion", Viper Club Germany, VCA Swiss Club and Dutch Club Viper Club Benelux.

I'm going to Retromobile show at Paris Expo this weekend with members of Viper Club Benelux and Viper Passion
IMG-20200203-WA0010.jpg
IMG-20200203-WA0009.jpg
Get yourself to Paris and say hello

Yeah I know you guys are doing your things and we were invited this year to some big european meeting but the answers were needed so far ahead, almost a year in advance, and we had no way to collect all and plan that unfortinetly with the limited time we had.

Also, we want to race on tracks and party! Because that's basically all we do when we meet. Rent a track or airfield and race then afterwards post-race party.

The Oreca paintjob tho. It's so sexy it's crazy!