Board Policies

[Loren L.]

I understand the Board's policy against selling parts, etc. I may not totally agree, but I understand.
The question that comes to mind is could the Board be used as a CONTACT POINT for members to trade LIKE ITEMS directly FOR LIKE ITEMS. My example is Blue Flame Special magazines of old - I'm missing some issues and have some HOLES in what I have - would it violate Board policy if I listed my extras and offered to trade them for my wants in Blue Flame Specials?

[Brian M.]

Re: Board Policies

It's OK with me.

[Al Corelli]

What are "Blue Boy" magazines? *NM*

[Mike M.]

Re: What are "Blue Boy" magazines?

Blue Flame,not blue boy. Blue Flame mag was magazine the vintage corvette club put out( Ed Thiebaud was originator, existed from late 60's up until shortly before NCRS began in june 74.) mike

[Geoff C.]

[Grant M.]

Re: Board Policies

Goeffrey,

Speaking of old Corvette News magazines, some years ago I bought a two-inch thick, hard cover book entitled "Best of Corvette News", which seems to contain selected articles up to about 1975 or 76. There's a topic area index as well to help look up specific items. Are you aware of any others being published, ie: later versions, like a Volume II, etc?

grant

[Richard G.]

Re: Board Policies

Loren

I agree with the Boards rules regarding not selling items. I use the Board to read about the questions the members have and the answers that people are willing to contribute. Having said this; I also believe that the NCRS should consider assembling a database that can be used to trade/sell among the members real time. If people could list the items they have and members have the ability to trade/sell them to other members, not dealers, I strongly believe that that would be a great asset for the whole membership. For example; I know an individual that has a large stock of NOS parts but would only offer them to collectors within the NCRS, not dealers, and you can't expect the membership to list all of that kind of stuff in the Driveline for each issue; hence the use of a database. Another example, last week someone posted a 69 427 block with someones vin on it. If there was a database, that block has a better chance of getting married again with its original car.

Just a couple of thoughts since you asked

Rich Grant

[Loren L.]

Thanks, but I've got Vol 7. Best. *NM*

[Rob M.]

Re: Board Policies

If needed I would be more than willing to assist in building such a database (and corresponding web-pages).

greetings,
Rob

[Jack H.]

This is the wrong place....

to air desires for change. The NCRS BoD (Board of Directors) pondered/diliberated setting up this discussion board (club pays the cost) and approved it WITH the caveat it be used for the exclusive interchange of technical knowledge/help. The club already has a 'forum' for parts sales.

That's called Driveline magazine. Yep, it's in published form and distributed by snail-mail, but it's been up and running for years. An electronic forum would be potentially competing and a 'duplication' of effort/cost....

So, about five years ago, the BoD put together a committee to study the feasibility of an electronic forum for parts interchange. It met in private using closed door chat room facilities of this web site and THOROUGHLY debated what such an electronic forum should look like (Open to non-NCRS members? Allow pictures to be posted? Allow movies to be posted? Allow sound tracks to be posted? Who would control access? Who would author/maintain the parts interchange website? Would it exist in parallel to Driveline or replace it?)

After lengthy discussion, a minimum cost electronic parts forum was proposed to the BoD that would parallel Driveline. The BoD had a separate committee out looking at how the club's membership might receive such a forum. In the end, the BoD voted to 'table' action for a number of reasons (each director was swayed with his/her own opinion).

But, some issues that were listened to were:

(1) A MINORITY of the club's +15K membership then had internet access (roughly 15%).

(2) Those without internet access STRONGLY objected to being 'forced' (their perception) to get it in order to have equal access to parts.

(3) The majority of members survey liked the concept of ALL parts offerings being in writing allowing them to peruse in bed, the bathroom, the shop, Etc. vs. being 'tied' to a computer screen.

(4) There was ALREADY such a forum in existence (eBay) that was cost free to the NCRS membership.

So, if you want to 'reinvent the wheel' by proposing an electronic medium for parts interchange, this forum is the WRONG place to air your opinion.... The RIGHT way to get the job done is to write your elected Regional Director, circulate petition(s) and submit them to the BoD, Etc. In other words, WORK THROUGH, NOT AROUND, the existing political structure of the club. In the end, the power to make change lies with the BoD. This is OUR CLUB and we DO have a say in what goes on the 'they' is 'us' and we have a mechanism to create change. But, making easy to write posts to this effect on this forum is NOT the way to get from here to there!

[Richard G.]

Re: This is the wrong place....

Jack

Maybe I'm being sensitive here, but my post was a response not a complaint and if anything else a suggestion. I'm overly surprised that our club membership is so far behind the national average of having internet access, WOW, members might be motivated to understand what the internet has to offer.

Further, I don't believe that a database should replace the Driveline venue but a database would give people access to certain parts that are specific to a certain car, i.e. block, tranny's etc. Last year I had the opportunity to visit a very reputable restoration shop that was able to find, after many years, the original block for a 1967 L-88, a real documented car. The owner found the block in FLA. With a database, he might have found that block years earlier. I believe that venues like ebay are perfect for buying "Parts" even "Cars" but certain parts, especially ones that contain Vin#'s would make certain owners very happy to find. These are just thoughts and maybe I will call our regional rep. Was this decission published in the Driveline or the Restorer?

Finally, I'd just like to say this board is terrific, a fantastic venue for members to learn more about their cars and the opportunity to have people help solve their problems. You've been a great contributor to this board and so I say thanks.

All the best

Rich Grant

[Mike Cobine]

One Problem with Internet Databases

is that there seems to be everyone setting up one. As such, you can search and search and unless you stumble ont he right one, you still never find anything you want.

If we had created the database on cars, VIN-stamped items, and such 5 years ago, we could be THE place to look. But now, we would just be another in a long list.

Instead, you should keep an eye on this place:
http://www.vettesite.com/traces.asp

and also here

http://www.corvette-resto.com

Trace Previous Owners

[Rob M.]

Re: This is the wrong place....

Hi Jack,

This seems to be a higly sensitive topic.

I was just wondering if the mentioned 15% is still actual. In the Netherlands we have reached a respectable 85% of the Dutch population to us the internet on a daily basis with appr. 50% having a broadband connection...

greetings,
Rob.

[Patrick H.]

Re: This is the wrong place....

If I recall, the survey stated that 15% of our members used the internet as a place to look for information on restoring their Corvette. That is FAR different than only 15% having access. Unfortunately, some took it to mean that only 15% WOULD use the internet if such a site were developed. So, that Chevrolet survey helped kill any further NCRS internet site development.

Patrick

[Rob M.]

Re: This is the wrong place....

Patrick,

It might be worthwhile to repeat such a survay since the world did change during the last couple of years...

greetings,
Rob.