Did Anyone Ever Think........

[Joe C.]

......that someone might have a basic disagreement with the NCRS, and therefore not wish to join, therefore not pay dues.

Just because someone posts here, and has much to offer, does not necessarily mean that that person's philosophy agrees with that of the Organization.
I do not believe that it is a matter of money, at all. At least, I hope not. I've never met the person in question, and so cannot answer that accurately . I can only hope that the person does not wish to be a part of our Organization, for whatever reason it may be. That fact should not preclude his ability to post here, BECAUSE OF THAT FACT ALONE. But, rules are rules. We are going to lose some great talent as a result of them, but we will probably shed many more "freeloaders", "pretenders", "scammers", and "bored sickos" as a result.

Don't try to shame the individual into accepting donations, because, even though I have never met him, I believe that I know him well enough to say that he is a man of integrity, and he must have a strong reason for refusing to join NCRS. Why can't we just leave it there.

I have MANY basic disagreements with NCRS, and I have thought about non-renewal more than once. But, when I think of the alternative, then I always come back "home". Difference is, that I believe that the basic philosophy.......the "reason for being" so to speak, is sound. For me, the NCRS is a great and good organization, despite all of its warts.

Joe

[Dave McDufford]

Re: Did Anyone Ever Think........

From my knowledge of the person when you mention donations he usually posts his mailing address.

I understand his reasoning when he says he does not want to pay money to give away free advice and that in reality it more complex than that.

Dave McDufford

[Jim K.]

Re: Did Anyone Ever Think........

Good post, I hope it lasts. I thought you had to be a member right along. But if it means loosing knowlwdgable people, maybe we should re-think that decision. There must be a way to tabulate (I did that at the NENG regional last year, it it really was a good experience) tabulate the numbers of past posts from paying members of NCRS and non pauing posters, no??? I would like to see that and ask for reconsideration of the new rule change. How about it people???
Jim

[Gerard F.]

I think we are over reacting on this matter.

It is not cast in stone yet. Send your thoughts to your Regional Rep, I did.

I think the NCRS Board is trying to be responsive to all of the membership and those that use this forum. If this website is to change to add a photo archive, an online Driveline, and maybe even a Restorer article archive, then those sections of website should be members only.

However, I still do think that the Discussion Board should be open to the public and not limited to purely technical stuff, part numbers and the like. Anything that has to do with the enjoyment, history, experience and anecdotes about Corvettes should be permitted, as what was the case when I joined, and I think still exists.

The Discussion Board is the main venue for new members and income generation for the NCRS Store. Can you imagine buying something from a store that requires you be a member. Maybe Costco can do that but this is an organization.

There are many non-members out there that contribute greatly to the knowledge and enjoyment of Corvettes and this forum. Even non member questions on the forum, from Corvette owners and non-Corvette owners bring out information about Corvettes which benefit the membership in knowledge and interest about Corvettes. You don't have to own a Corvette to enjoy one, and you don't have to be an NCRS member to have an original car.

Just my .09 cents. Just think, a year ago this post and many of the others on this subject would have been jerked off this forum. Things are changing.
Write your Regional Representative. Maybe the changes will be for the betterment of this forum and organization.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Kevin M.]

Re: Did Anyone Ever Think........

The ONLY reason I found and joined NCRS is because I found this site.
The best friends I have in the hobby were made when this site also had a discussion board, most of those were and are still members some are not. Those friends and myself started www.vetteheads.com because the discussion board was closed and we respected the NCRS's tech board but wanted to continue our friendships. It continues to attract members that will pay to join from current,disgruntled, banished NCRS members, and trust me the owner does not make a dime. Contrary to common belief we don't spend all our time putting the NCRS down we celebrate the awards given to our members, we admire the members that have become master judges and many of our members participate and volunteer in NCRS events. We discuss and argue over all facts Corvette and anything else and never delete or get our feelings hurt when someone has a difference of opinion.
If the NCRS site is closed to the public it will detrimentally affect the new or old Corvette owners searching the internet of ever finding the resource that has been available in the past. Have a members only section for DriveLine and maybe... Judging manuals... now that wold be worth ponying up the $35 bucks. But if all you get is the tech board I see NCRS withering at the vine.

Kevin

[Tracy C.]

excellent post, Glad we met at the National meet *NM*

[Chuck S.]

Re: Did Anyone Ever Think........

Kevin, the whole point is: The TDB IS NOT ALL YOU GET for NCRS annual dues...if some chose not to utilize any benefits except access to the TDB, it's their loss.

Don't you think it somewhat hypocritical to say that the NCRS should keep it's board open for free public posting, while you also support a closed board that charges nearly as much as NCRS dues just for posting priviledges alone!

If you believe that the NCRS will "wither on the vine" because the TDB restricts posting to members, you are using faulty logic. Vetteheads entire membership may avail themselves of their posting priviledge, but only a small fraction of the NCRS membership is involved in the NCRS TDB. The TDB is a the tip of the NCRS iceberg...Is is Vetteheads that will sink or swim depending solely on their paying members. Currently, the entire NCRS membership is paying for outsiders to post free on the TDB.

By the way, if you had happened along only after this rule change, you would still have FOUND the NCRS discussion board...you could have read the posts and seen that these guys know their stuff; perhaps you still would have joined. Maybe you haven't noticed, but since I was also here during that upheaval, I can tell you that personal commentary and shared anecdotes are again on the TDB, and happily it is not being restricted.

There is better self-regulation by members, and there is also fewer posted complaints about "non-technical" topics. Personal attacks, ridicule, and hard profanity are now almost non-existent...and without question, that is the right direction for this board. Most of the conflicts that now occur on this Board now result from interaction between older, "seasoned" members and outside non-members that haven't had the benefits of membership...the Board meeting minutes subtlely addressed both issues.