Current VCA Members

[viper paul]

Just had confirmation of the following members who have renewed membership of the VCA for 2010 :-

Dr Bob

Viper

N GTS

Viper Paul

Ginja

Madmax-UK

GTS Dave

Viper Dave

That completes the list last year we hade 21 members so for those that wish to renew please send me a cheque before the end of February.

I have to do this as all the charges and chance of the currency changes I will have to pick up personally.

Could I also remind you that there is in effect no UK club and if you are claiming an insurance discount by being a club member then you are not.

I have also been asked if it is possible to exclude people from UK events we get invited too if they are not VCA members, these events we do attend as members of the VCA and our documentation and stand promotes this.

Also members who shortcut the UK by joining other regions have an effect and may also be excluded from events as this has been viewed by many as a one finger salute to the UK, but they still attend UK events, if you wish to attend events then go to that region, not ours.

Very sorry for the changes that have occured but the US HQ is now enforcing far more rules than it ever used to and I must pass them on, I am sure you will all understand.

Edited by viper paul on Tuesday 9th February 11:33

[VPRMAN]

Sorry Paul, had a busy couple weeks, will get a cheque in the post this week

Colin

[Dr-Bob]

NOT EVEN 10 MEMBERS!!!!

Quite anoying considering everyone wants the cheap insurance via club discount (Yes the insurance company did ask for proof)
Cheaper parts from the USA via VCA discount inc Tators/Parts rack and others......
And everyone posts on the VCA weather its just chatting hosting pics or asking info and guidence....

Edited by Dr-Bob on Tuesday 9th February 11:58

[Viper]

I have also been asked if it is possible to exclude people from UK events we get invited too if they are not VCA members, these events we do attend as members of the VCA and our documentation and stand promotes this - tell them NO !



i dont like like the sound of this bit at all theyre trying to enforce, its gonna be pretty crappy meets if only 10 members come along... i know plenty of UK viper owners that arent interested at all in joining the VCA, our club isnt big enough to make these sort of demands and if it comes into effect my opinion is we may as well knock the VCA bit on the head

Edited by Viper on Tuesday 9th February 13:23

[GTSDave]

viper paul said:

Could I also remind you that there is in effect no UK club and if you are claiming an insurance discount by being a club member then you are not.

I have to agree with this, firstly, to anyone claiming a discount for being a 'Club Member' who is not a VCA member, this can be seen as insurance fraud and if looked into by an insurance company following an accident would be enough grounds for them to cancel your insurance 'ab initio', which puts you in a position of being uninsured! Do not risk this!

viper paul said:

I have also been asked if it is possible to exclude people from UK events we get invited too if they are not VCA members, these events we do attend as members of the VCA and our documentation and stand promotes this.

This seems more than fair, for many events which we have been invited to, we are invited as members of the VCA, (which as far as I am aware includes the Germany trips for the last two years), it does not seem fair that 'Non-VCA-members' be able to attend VCA/Club-Invited events, this will need to be discussed.

viper paul said:

Also members who shortcut the UK by joining other regions have an effect and may also be excluded from events as this has been viewed by many as a one finger salute to the UK, but they still attend UK events, if you wish to attend events then go to that region, not ours.

I am not sure if anyone has actually done this or not, but if they have, I don't they will be able to do this next year, if I read the email, which Paul posted up the other day, properly then you will have no choice but to join the region in which you reside. See below:

VCA said:

The National Board approved and adopted the following membership processing policy at the January 21, 2010 meeting.
VCA HQ will directly accept funds and process Member Applications (new and renewal) only from USA Members. Non-USA Members would be processed as follows:
• All Non-USA memberships, new and renewals (Member Applications) are processed and funds collected by the Non-USA Region.

Dr-Bob said:

NOT EVEN 10 MEMBERS!!!!
Quite anoying considering everyone wants the cheap insurance via club discount (Yes the insurance company did ask for proof)
Cheaper parts from the USA via VCA discount inc Tators/Parts rack and others......
And everyone posts on the VCA weather its just chatting hosting pics or asking info and guidence....

Highly disappointing... As noted above, Parts suppliers such as Chuck & JonB etc, give us some great discounts for being VCA members, and I doubt very much that to date they have had a list of UK VCA members, but I am sure that the discounts have been given on parts etc. If this is the case it seems very much a take, take, take, situation... Especially when coupled with the advice and assistance given by Chuck.

The fact that Baz, (an avid VCA supporter), who puts up alot of his time, advice and assistance for UK owners, feels strongly enough to voice his opinion on this should hopefully convince a few more people to re-join, but at the end of the day you can draw a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

I am aware that many UK owners feel that they don't really get much for their money from the VCA, but, Standard UK membership is $60, which at todays rate of exchange is £38.00, let's face it, that's not a great deal of money to support the VCA who in turn assist in supporting people such as Chuck, and provide 'us' with the information and assistance that many people come here to the Pistonheads Viper Forum to gain from the 'Viper Club'. That £38 is probably less than the discount you are getting on your car insurance by being a 'Club Member' (about 10%), includes the quarterly magazines, VCA notes, full use of the VCA website, invites to VCA events, the option to buy raffle tickets for the annual VCA raffle, and a few other things including Supplier Discounts on Parts, Memorabilia and Apparel.

Please give this some serious thought... Thank you for reading.

[viper paul]

Very true also Viper but, then they must belong to a car club perhaps, last 2 years we have been to Germany for VCA events which were also subsidised by the VCA payments.

My only point is why should you have to pay and others get into events on our back such as Silverstone and Germany representing the VCA in the UK and pay not even half a tank of gas for the year.

The claim with the insurance company that they belong to the UK club and expect me to write to the company that they do.

No I think that over the past years people have been getting stuff on the cheap, Tators and Parts Rack discount and its payback time and god knows how many of then post on the US Forum, who pays for that??

I am more than happy to continue with the VCA after all whats the alternative, ten members who belong, at one show/event and thirteen at another.

I offered to resign over this with the US President but lots of the words he used made such good sense, it stops people from getting the Viper experience on the cheap.

[Phoenix Viper]

GTSDave said:

viper paul said:

Could I also remind you that there is in effect no UK club and if you are claiming an insurance discount by being a club member then you are not.

I have to agree with this, firstly, to anyone claiming a discount for being a 'Club Member' who is not a VCA member, this can be seen as insurance fraud and if looked into by an insurance company following an accident would be enough grounds for them to cancel your insurance 'ab initio', which puts you in a position of being uninsured! Do not risk this!

viper paul said:

I have also been asked if it is possible to exclude people from UK events we get invited too if they are not VCA members, these events we do attend as members of the VCA and our documentation and stand promotes this.

This seems more than fair, for many events which we have been invited to, we are invited as members of the VCA, (which as far as I am aware includes the Germany trips for the last two years), it does not seem fair that 'Non-VCA-members' be able to attend VCA/Club-Invited events, this will need to be discussed.

Not everyone uses the Viper club as a freebie to events nor does everyone use the Viper club for discounted insurance.
If we where to work on the same rules that the US wish to enforce would that mean that any events organised and worked on by non VCA members could exclude VCA members????????
Yes it's pathetic i know but this rings serious alarm bells for me from the CCUK from many years ago.

Look, Think, Leap. not Leap, Ouch!, Look, Think.

Not i situation i wish to be, or will be in.

I have fantastic respect for everyone that takes the time effort and personal expence to organise any event but the VCA is 4000 miles away and want to aware of the fact that as a tight knit group we all contribute in our own ways.

Just my 2pence worth

[GTSDave]

Phoenix Viper said:

Not everyone uses the Viper club as a freebie to events nor does everyone use the Viper club for discounted insurance.
If we where to work on the same rules that the US wish to enforce would that mean that any events organised and worked on by non VCA members could exclude VCA members????????
Yes it's pathetic i know but this rings serious alarm bells for me from the CCUK from many years ago.

Look, Think, Leap. not Leap, Ouch!, Look, Think.

Not i situation i wish to be, or will be in.

I have fantastic respect for everyone that takes the time effort and personal expence to organise any event but the VCA is 4000 miles away and want to aware of the fact that as a tight knit group we all contribute in our own ways.

Just my 2pence worth

Sorry, I may not have worded it very well, I wasn't suggesting that 'Everyone' is using the Viper Club for those means, but it is happening. I don't want to see our numbers dwindle, far from it, I just don't fully understand it.

As I had already said, the 10% discount on your car insurance for being a club member is worth more than the £38 for membership, so in effect it has paid for itself already.

It's just a shame that's all... I'm not suggesting in any way that we should be segragating the club, but events such as Germany, which are part funded by the VCA, and are also VCA invite could well be an issue unfortunately.

[500 RAM]

I only wish we could join the VCA but as we only have the engine bit we can't. Could somebody clarify our postion within the group, Andrew

[viper paul]

Andrew and Mich,

Well the rules are meant to be broken or stretched for you guys, you contribute so much to the group that you belong automatically.

The people who we/they are trying to stop and the ones that organise nothing pay nothing contibute nothing in event running and come and go as they please.

So no more vehicle valuations or insurance letters from me except for genuine or associate members, whom are not chosen by me or anyone else, they just attend, get stuck in and organise or offer help.

And for info memberships:-


Mopar Group £27.00

UK Corvette £35.00

AACC £17.95

AAC UK £25.00

VCA Standard £38.00 and as Mitch pointed out your mag has to come 4,000 miles, not bad value.

[GTSDave]

I think we can happily also include Brett & Karensa in that little group too...


Just for info purposes
I just looked at the cost of Viper Magazine Subscription:

$38 subscription, plus $35 for overseas costs = $73 = More than the cost of being a VCA Member with the Mag thrown in...

http://www.vipermagazine.com/subscribe

[Viper_Larry]

I am only talking for myself here, but you may find a few people (myself included) have held out renewing this year because of all the fuss the VCA has caused over the UK membership. Now it seems like the position is clear, then people might join again.

I addition, I've been a member every year since having the car, but the current financial situation is making me look at EVERY expense, including VCA membership. The car has not even moved since October and for the first time in the 7+ years since I've had it, it missed the annual service last year.

[Phoenix Viper]

viper paul said:

Andrew and Mich,

Well the rules are meant to be broken or stretched for you guys, you contribute so much to the group that you belong automatically.

The people who we/they are trying to stop and the ones that organise nothing pay nothing contibute nothing in event running and come and go as they please.

So no more vehicle valuations or insurance letters from me except for genuine or associate members, whom are not chosen by me or anyone else, they just attend, get stuck in and organise or offer help.

And for info memberships:-


Mopar Group £27.00

UK Corvette £35.00

AACC £17.95

AAC UK £25.00

VCA Standard £38.00 and as Mitch pointed out your mag has to come 4,000 miles, not bad value.

I know that we are back to this situation again and i have no wish to ruffle any feathers but i'm sure that most people would agree that the most sensible thing to have would be a UK funded Viper club membership.
Now i know that this has been voiced many times before and even in a recent thread.
I can see that there are many people that love the VCA mag and i see no reason why people if they wish should continue this.
But mags can also be published online and sensible contributions from all members could be posted via a web master (i know very little about the difficulties involved in this so you will have to excuse my nievety).
So if it ever does get off the ground count me in for a UK Viper club membership (mag or not)

On another point i do understand that many of us have received a discount for parts for our cars but many of us and some more than others have stood shoulder to shoulder with our main parts supporter and for that i have great respect and my personal thanks.

As to membership i think there are many more that could be added to that list for all of us there is an unsung hero in our wives and girlfriend who put up with our Viper whims.

time to stop now i'm begining to sound like Tom on his soap box.

[Viper]

500 RAM said:

I only wish we could join the VCA but as we only have the engine bit we can't. Could somebody clarify our postion within the group, Andrew

im sure that could be sorted now Andrew with a few emails from Paul, as i know of a few official 'VCA associate members' in other regions who dont even own a Dodge, they are just viper nuts but are allowed to go to VOI

must admit this is the first ive heard about the Germany trip being subsidized by the VCA, fair play to them then for sorting that out, i can understand that should be for VCA members then, or non members contributing a little more. Though none of the recent Silverstone meets have been every owner going has always paid there own way just like all our other events

like Paul i dont beleive there's a need for a UK mag far to much hassle, as everything go's up here on this forum anyway, so its all up to date and not weeks old news

Edited by Viper on Tuesday 9th February 17:51

[viper paul]

Appreciate that Mich, but with a UK club and only 25 members then we need a newsletter or magazine to help non computer people keep touch, who will do that?? the bank charges may well be more than the annual membership and thats assuming we can get at least 25 members, would it not be easier to pay just a few pounds more and get the glossy Viper mag and Viper notes and nice membership cards and a gift each year( which may be crap) and regarding wives firlfriends and mistresses, well they get included for free with the VCA.

I am not sure I really understand the problem with the VCA, yes they can be crap at admin but at least I now have access to all the records and can hopefully sort out most of the cock ups, I was hesitant to continue with this Presidency but if the majority want to go with a UK club then so be it, but organisers, secretaries, tresurers and a President need to come forward, over to the forum, for replies :-

Edited by viper paul on Tuesday 9th February 17:28

[fishboy]

well with much deliberation ,i have decided to rejoin not just because of the 10% of my insurance
(£65) but i like being a club member, and after all if you want to do club things you have to be a member.i think it only fair that if you pay into something that you are intitled to do the club events .i understand all arguments for both sides and i'm sure for those who dont wish to join the VCA will understand that if there is a VCA meet with limited places then, if they want to play they will have to pay, after all it is only £40 not even a full tank!
I personaly feal that you should get out of a club ,what you put in ,and for all those members who put something in to the club either vca or not then we are all a club with one major interest THE VIPER . i do how ever get a bit narked when you here from people once in a blue moon and they think they can just jump in and not put anything into the club but expect club privelages

[Dr-Bob]

fishboy said:

well with much deliberation ,i have decided to rejoin not just because of the 10% of my insurance
(£65) but i like being a club member, and after all if you want to do club things you have to be a member.i think it only fair that if you pay into something that you are intitled to do the club events .i understand all arguments for both sides and i'm sure for those who dont wish to join the VCA will understand that if there is a VCA meet with limited places then, if they want to play they will have to pay, after all it is only £40 not even a full tank!
I personaly feal that you should get out of a club ,what you put in ,and for all those members who put something in to the club either vca or not then we are all a club with one major interest THE VIPER . i do how ever get a bit narked when you here from people once in a blue moon and they think they can just jump in and not put anything into the club but expect club privelages

Very well put Fee... LOL

[GTSDave]

Let's face it... In a week or so this will all have blown over and we'll be back to normal, it all works as it is, everybody gets along, and that's the way forward.

VCA events aside... If Paul is happy to proceed with the VCA as is being suggested, and if we can continue loosely as a 'Club' doing what we already do, then I don't think anyone is going to have a problem with that.

I appreciate, and understand everyone's points of view, and it makes sense for everyone to consider their options.

We may all feel that we know what's best for us all, but at the end of the day it works as it is.

I completely understand what Richard has said about getting a bit narked when some people, who do nothing with the club, and have no connection other than owning a Viper turn up here once in a blue moon, usually when their car has broken down, and need advice, and/or parts and they think they can just jump in and not put anything into the club but expect us all to help and to get some kind of club priveleges, but at the end of the day there is very little we can do about that, as a club we are here to help all Viper Owners, we just need to be careful that we don't end up coming out of it feeling all used and abused, we need to come up with a plan of how we intend to deal with that kind of assistance moving forward. At the end of the day, a garage would be charging £50 an hour or more for the kind of advice and assistance we end up supplying sometimes.

Let's just carry on as before, and enjoy our cars and each-other's company as we always do... That's what this is all about!

[fatboy18]

Ive not said much till now,
Firstly I would like to thank Overseas and UK members of the VCA for helping me with finding out the details of the rather dodgy 99 Viper I almost bought! I would also personally like to thank Viper Dave for taking time out of his American Holiday and looking over my FAST RED GTS, which I did buy! Barry The Doc, for helping me with shipping and SVA and Fishboy for helping with logistics

Since owning my car, I joined the VCA and have paid until now the $150 membership to become a Venom member, my reason behind this was that I wanted to show that I supported the club. I attended some UK events and met some great people. At the end of the day we all love our Cars and that is the common interest.

I have been reading on the VCA Forums and here on PH of the changes to Membership. My personal circumstances have changed somewhat over the last few months and I now find myself in the position of not renewing VENOM membership. At this moment in time funds for me are rather tight!

I have been reading the thread that Paul put up re: Membership and was holding out awaiting the outcome?

The 'Club' scene is not for everyone, while attending Piston Heads events I have met a couple of Viper owners who are not really into it and choose not to attend UK events. But as I said its the cars that count not the personalities

So then Renewal time, am I correct in believing its £38.00 for 12 months membership with 4 quarterly VCA mags and Notes included?

[GTSDave]

See the wiki below for current renewal prices Mark, but yes $60 for standard $95 for Venom

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Membership