VCA Membership update
Discussion
Just found this on the VCA Forums... I'm not sure of the UK costs, but I do note that they have decided to try and tempt Tom in with a new Venom membership package... Which is nice...
From VCA site said:
Memo to VCA Membership
From: VCA National Officers and Executive Board
Re: 2008 Dues
Friends,
As you are probably aware your National leadership has been working hard over the last couple of years to bring accountability, solvency, and improved business practices to our ever growing organization. We have instituted better accounting practices, renegotiated vendor contracts, vastly improved our website, classifieds and vendor advertiser programs, created a new VCA merchandise site (VCAGoods.com), and constantly reviewed new ideas and concepts to improve club revenues. All of the latter improvements have been done without a single dollar of VCA dues being available to the National treasury! That’s correct: The existing dues go directly to membership costs (VIPER magazine, badges, etc.) and the balance fully transferred to the various VCA Regions – not one single penny every sees the National treasury.
To be sure, our successful members-only raffles remain the financial lifeblood of our organization, but profit from those comes at high investment and requires a fairly consistent return. Unfortunately, the costs do not remain consistent, but continue to escalate. To insure that the VCA continues on its upward trend, the National Board has approved a very modest dues increase. You will note that VCA dues have not been increased for over 7 years, despite our friends at Chrysler/Dodge doing their best to keep up support for the club in every way fiscally possible. What then is the increase, what will it be used for and how will it be implemented? Well, we saved the best for last!
First, how much?
Well, about the same price as a couple of Caramel Lattes and a pastry at Starbucks:
Cost of VCA 2008 annual membership - $115.00 (a modest $15 increase)
What will the additional fee be used for?
First our National liability insurances have risen over $10,000 per year (insurance which covers regional events as well); recent increases in postage and handling for VIPER magazine and VCA Notes will be funded; increased accounting costs to insure better fiscal reporting to the membership; and the remainder will be put into the National Treasury with special consideration being given to anticipated additional costs that would relate to the next Viper Owner’s Invitational. Yes, VOI 10 is under active discussion right now with Chrysler and we sincerely hope to have some very positive news for the club shortly.
How will the increase be implemented?
The increase will be immediately implemented but it does have some special features. First all NEW members who join the VCA by December 31, 2007 will pay the existing $100 membership fee - $115 starting January 1, 2008.
For all existing members, the renewal will include the modest $15 increase.
Now comes even more exciting news. While we humbly hope that the membership appreciates our effort to keep the increase to the bare minimum, we are also coupling this action with the announcement of an exciting option for those members who would like to add a few more bells and whistles to their already great VCA membership.
Welcome to the VCA VENOM MEMBERSHIP OPTION!
What the heck is the Venom membership option?
First ,it is NOT a separate VCA group or subdivision - not even close. What the Venom membership is however, is a special opportunity for members to enhance their VCA membership with some additional services, features, raffle and merchandise discounts all while providing the club with some much appreciated additional financial support.
Here’s how it works:
By choosing the Venom membership option, a VCA member gets the following additional benefits:
Special Venom badges
Special Venom avatar identification on these forums
Venom member 10% discount on merchandise purchased from VCAGoods.com
Inclusion on special Venom member page in VIPER magazine to acknowledge Venom membership
Special Viper raffle ticket discount to enable purchase of five (5) tickets (per raffle) for $500.00
Special Venom decal
Cost? Just $150.00 for the annual upgrade (inclusive of the base $115 dues)
Your National Leaders understand that not everyone will want to take advantage of this program, but it is our sincere belief that the added value justifies the modest $35 premium for those that choose it. Your National Board discussed this at length and felt that offering an optional package for all of our members to choose if they wished would strengthen the volunteer nature of our club. Indeed, the more important feature is it provides your VCA with some additional needed revenues. We hope many will consider the Venom membership option as a simple way to further help the club and make it a little easier on the dozens of dedicated volunteers who put in thousands of hours of uncompensated time for our club.
Something else to consider: The Viper Club of America still offers one of the best car club values anywhere. The Ferrari Club has annual dues of $135, the Corvette Club (or at least one of the largest chapters) charges $150 for driver and spouse (not to mention a secret ballot to even be accepted as a member), and Aston-Martin charges from $130 to $183 per year, depending on the level of membership you choose. It might also interest you to know that seven years ago gas cost $1.65 a gallon and the Viper GTS stickered at $73,425. Needless to say, your VCA membership still remains one heck of a bargain!
On behalf of the entire National Team, we thank you for your support and look forward to continuing to serve our membership with honor and distinction.
Bob Carroll
National VCA President
From: VCA National Officers and Executive Board
Re: 2008 Dues
Friends,
As you are probably aware your National leadership has been working hard over the last couple of years to bring accountability, solvency, and improved business practices to our ever growing organization. We have instituted better accounting practices, renegotiated vendor contracts, vastly improved our website, classifieds and vendor advertiser programs, created a new VCA merchandise site (VCAGoods.com), and constantly reviewed new ideas and concepts to improve club revenues. All of the latter improvements have been done without a single dollar of VCA dues being available to the National treasury! That’s correct: The existing dues go directly to membership costs (VIPER magazine, badges, etc.) and the balance fully transferred to the various VCA Regions – not one single penny every sees the National treasury.
To be sure, our successful members-only raffles remain the financial lifeblood of our organization, but profit from those comes at high investment and requires a fairly consistent return. Unfortunately, the costs do not remain consistent, but continue to escalate. To insure that the VCA continues on its upward trend, the National Board has approved a very modest dues increase. You will note that VCA dues have not been increased for over 7 years, despite our friends at Chrysler/Dodge doing their best to keep up support for the club in every way fiscally possible. What then is the increase, what will it be used for and how will it be implemented? Well, we saved the best for last!
First, how much?
Well, about the same price as a couple of Caramel Lattes and a pastry at Starbucks:
Cost of VCA 2008 annual membership - $115.00 (a modest $15 increase)
What will the additional fee be used for?
First our National liability insurances have risen over $10,000 per year (insurance which covers regional events as well); recent increases in postage and handling for VIPER magazine and VCA Notes will be funded; increased accounting costs to insure better fiscal reporting to the membership; and the remainder will be put into the National Treasury with special consideration being given to anticipated additional costs that would relate to the next Viper Owner’s Invitational. Yes, VOI 10 is under active discussion right now with Chrysler and we sincerely hope to have some very positive news for the club shortly.
How will the increase be implemented?
The increase will be immediately implemented but it does have some special features. First all NEW members who join the VCA by December 31, 2007 will pay the existing $100 membership fee - $115 starting January 1, 2008.
For all existing members, the renewal will include the modest $15 increase.
Now comes even more exciting news. While we humbly hope that the membership appreciates our effort to keep the increase to the bare minimum, we are also coupling this action with the announcement of an exciting option for those members who would like to add a few more bells and whistles to their already great VCA membership.
Welcome to the VCA VENOM MEMBERSHIP OPTION!
What the heck is the Venom membership option?
First ,it is NOT a separate VCA group or subdivision - not even close. What the Venom membership is however, is a special opportunity for members to enhance their VCA membership with some additional services, features, raffle and merchandise discounts all while providing the club with some much appreciated additional financial support.
Here’s how it works:
By choosing the Venom membership option, a VCA member gets the following additional benefits:
Special Venom badges
Special Venom avatar identification on these forums
Venom member 10% discount on merchandise purchased from VCAGoods.com
Inclusion on special Venom member page in VIPER magazine to acknowledge Venom membership
Special Viper raffle ticket discount to enable purchase of five (5) tickets (per raffle) for $500.00
Special Venom decal
Cost? Just $150.00 for the annual upgrade (inclusive of the base $115 dues)
Your National Leaders understand that not everyone will want to take advantage of this program, but it is our sincere belief that the added value justifies the modest $35 premium for those that choose it. Your National Board discussed this at length and felt that offering an optional package for all of our members to choose if they wished would strengthen the volunteer nature of our club. Indeed, the more important feature is it provides your VCA with some additional needed revenues. We hope many will consider the Venom membership option as a simple way to further help the club and make it a little easier on the dozens of dedicated volunteers who put in thousands of hours of uncompensated time for our club.
Something else to consider: The Viper Club of America still offers one of the best car club values anywhere. The Ferrari Club has annual dues of $135, the Corvette Club (or at least one of the largest chapters) charges $150 for driver and spouse (not to mention a secret ballot to even be accepted as a member), and Aston-Martin charges from $130 to $183 per year, depending on the level of membership you choose. It might also interest you to know that seven years ago gas cost $1.65 a gallon and the Viper GTS stickered at $73,425. Needless to say, your VCA membership still remains one heck of a bargain!
On behalf of the entire National Team, we thank you for your support and look forward to continuing to serve our membership with honor and distinction.
Bob Carroll
National VCA President
Paul,
Do we have any idea of UK costs yet? And also whether we are able to upgrade to Venom membership over here?
http://forums.viperclub.org/vca-members-only/60712...
Edited to add:
Just rung VCA and renewed my membership for next year, Venom Membership is available in the UK, so have gone for that as well...
Do we have any idea of UK costs yet? And also whether we are able to upgrade to Venom membership over here?
http://forums.viperclub.org/vca-members-only/60712...
Edited to add:
Just rung VCA and renewed my membership for next year, Venom Membership is available in the UK, so have gone for that as well...
Edited by RT/10Dave on Tuesday 23 October 14:28
No info on the membership yet there will be Venom membership available in the UK (or out of USA) but at present no decision has been made, I am emailing Bob and Chris with some ideas and they are due to get back to me later this week (22nd Oct).
As yet no one in the Uk is a Venom member credit cards have been taken but none will be charged until the whole thing is decided.
Will post as soon as I have the necessary info.
As yet no one in the Uk is a Venom member credit cards have been taken but none will be charged until the whole thing is decided.
Will post as soon as I have the necessary info.
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