lbexj said:
I am still interested and a lot curious. MuddyXJ started a Yahoo group which I'm not sure is really necessary (sorry Muddy .. no offense intended) as we should be able to have a forum on this site without having to risk generating spam.
Through all the posts in the earlier thread, one question that really never was answered (and maybe it never was really asked) was:
How does the existence of regional chapters benefit members in a particular area? Another question is:
Are regional Chapters "sponsored" by and, if so, in what way?
I've noticed that several other Chapters exist and wonder if any of them can offer any feed back on this.
Les
I'll try to answer your questions and I also have a few in return.
My feelings are that the existence of a Chapter in a region
should be a resource and outlet for XJ/MJ owners within the region as well as transient folks passing through or visiting. In other words...things going on throughout the year besides the 'regularly scheduled'
annual events, and an opportunity for members passing through an area to wheel and/or visit local points of interest (also having a sort of 'XJ AAA' safety net in case ones junk goes bad junky while within reach of a chapter.) Another thing Chapters can do is get involved in local land-use issues and participate in trail rehab/upkeep projects, as well as supporting other groups that do these things. This benefits
as a whole by creating opportunities for POSITIVE exposure as well as promoting awareness of our club and it's activities. This
should lead to more folks joining as new members, and keep existing members motivated to renew. Chapters can be a valuable resource for
in hosting events within a region, as well as taking on special projects for the club. (Ex: SE Ch. hosting the Tellico annual summer event and helping build the Giveaway XJ)
The Chapters aren't so much 'sponsored' by
(I equate 'sponsored' to 'subsidized by' in this context) as much as they have a ready-made and proven framework with just a few common-sense guidelines/bylaws under which to operate. Each Chapter is and should be it's own entity. I always encourage Chapters to keep an eye on and stay in contact with their peers... Copy things other Chapters are doing successfully, and avoid things that have created problems for the others. Besides just offering a web forum and article space in the newsletter, another thing that
can do for Chapters is help coordinate resources for events and projects. (Ex. if a Chapter needed help getting an event off the ground, be it $$$ loaned for some merchandise, assistance with permiting,
logo items, coordination with Tread Lightly or UFWDA for support or materials etc...I think the BOD would look favorably on requests like that.)
My general question in return is wondering how big an area a prospective Chapter is planning to encompass, and how they intend to best serve the Members & XJ/MJ community within their region. 10 solid folks that work well & have fun together in a smaller area may be able to do much more good than 50 scattered across hundreds of miles?
Other pointed questions: How many interested Members does the Midwest Region have presently? How many interested non-members? (and do they have plans to join or simply participate as outsiders?)
Obviously
can exist without Chapters, and a group of enthusiasts doesn't "need"
to get together, have fun, and accomplish things... somewere in the middle of that is where the Chapters fit in IMHO.
Thanks for reading all that and looking forward to some replies.