Club activities

[cngnyec@pipeline.com (Richard Davis)]

Dear QClub, 
  I am writing with some observations/concerns that I have seen in the
direction of the club since I became a member a few years ago.  
   I have owned 4 quattros covering three different models over the years
and currently drive a 15 yr old TQC that is probably one of the first if
not the first quattro registered for use in the U.S. and have a strong
desire to see an organization like the Qclub succeed in spreading the word
about these great cars.  In the last Quarterly, you sent along a sheet
asking how many people we have turned to the Audi marque, I can point to 6
individuals who have purchased quattros as a result of experiences in my
cars. 
   I think a quick overview of membership demographics would be a great
thing for members to have.  I have attended only 1 event, the safety
session at Lime Rock last year.  It was alot of fun and I had a great time.
 I looked forward to Watkins Glen and the Rock again this year until I
opened the slick new issue and saw the nearly 20% cost increases!  With all
of that ad space I thought for sure the club was making enough to hold the
line on what some consider to be already excessive event costs. 
   While I saw about 1/2 dozen S4's and S6's at the Rock last year, I would
say that the average Audi in attendance was at least 5+ yrs old, (your
records can confirm or refute this), my point being that not all members
can afford the costs of the newer Audis(myself certainly included), with
the 3yr maintenance package, nor can a lot of enthusiasts afford the large
event fees.  $260 will get me my coveted big brake caliper upgrade, some
new tires or a timing belt water pump replacement.  This is before I have
to factor in overnight lodging rates and food for those of us who indulge
in sleep and eating.  Throw, on top of this, the 3rd day social and you may
be alienating some of your target audience. 
  In this price range  I may find myself on the 3 day social plan, where I
go to fraternize and talk Q's for a couple of days without being able to
run in the track.  Lets see, 80 participants X $260 per is over $20,000 for
2 days of track rental and insurance that is far in excess of other #'s I
have heard this venue should cost.  If I joined 2 + yrs ago and am member
#1173, I assume you have at least 1,000 members at $36 per thats at least
$36,000 in member fees, ads must run a minimum of $5,000 per Quarterly etc,
in total I would guess your renvenues must exceed 1/4 of a million dollars.
   Where does the money go if not to help subsidize member events?  (the
little bio on page 5 did say the club was nonprofit?) 
   In the Presidents letter of the last Quarterly, he cites the hope that
increased ad revenues will hopefully offset printing costs.  The inverse of
that is to reduce printing costs.  Well hell, we could digitize the
Quarterly and have no printing or mailing costs at all.  On the more
practical side, I certainly don't need a 2 color publication with tons of
pictures and coated paper and fancy typeset to get what I want out of the
newletter, after all, we are a car club not "european car". 
  Thiss also mentions losing money on the safety seminars with a goal of
having " the regional chapters sponsor and run all safety seminar events
sharing the profits with regional chapters."  I'm not sure what this means,
but if an event is sponsored regionally, profit and loss should flow to
that chapter ditto for "national" events.     Thiss goes on to say that
Board position votes, as provided for in the by laws, will be upcoming.  I
never saw the by laws and wouldn't mind a peek.  You could post them here,
(if Dan doesn't mind) and save the postage to club members who are also on
the list. 
   With regard to regional clubs, I caution you that this can easily be
translated as breakaway clubs who are discouraged and confused as to QClub
USA's purpose and mandate.  With 2 world class track facilities in my home
state of N.H.,(that regulary sponsor open events for less than $100/day) it
is very tough to justify the rising costs of Q events. 
  I'm also not sure why he seems to be in a quandry over the voting
process, 1 share 1 vote works swell for corporate America, 1 paid
membership 1 vote works for me!  Since you run a newsletter directly sent
to the membership, I'm confused as to why "How to publicize...such
elections"  would present a brain teaser to the President! 
  As a card carrying member of the Q club, that's the only reason I know my
member #, I would be happy to donate my time and expertise in helping match
cost and revenues and money management toward the end of club
profitability, or "Accounting Break Even" (regardless of what the bio
says). (that's what I do in real life!)  As a paid up member I think we
should all see how revenues are generated and spent as a matter of course. 
This letter was posted and possibly even read in an open forum and I of
course look forward to your thoughts and others about the subject matter! 
Thanks for your time and effort in slogging through this! 
Mike Del Tergo  Member #1173