Hi Bob: I can not blame someone who has spent alot of time like Tom
Hall, and many more for trying to promote their club, but there is a
reality that exist.
I live in Maryland, don't know or will never see a STOA club meeting,
or for that matter a CAT meeting. My local club is TE/AE for my
personel contact with Tiger members.
I don't like this, JOIN MY CLUB, OR I WILL NOT GIVE YOU INFORMATION,
attitude. It is just so much horse stuff.
Your comment of CAT parts through other suppliers is valid, and
reasonable. My idea is that if you belong to a Tiger/Alpine club,
then you should have access to other club stuff, but at a added value
cost that is reasonable.
If a local club is looking for a free ride on out of state member
dues, of those people who will never come to a local event, you will
not have my dollar.
I was the Sr. VP of a national trade association for 18 years, and
with 18 years of experience in volentary groups as a living, I learned
that you attact more flies with honey than vinigar, just like my
Grandmother said. (We increased membership 300% in 10 years, with a
89% retention)
Give some away, to get more in return. The people on the West coast
learned that the East Coast and Middle States had basically the same
problems, and oppertunities, and they found a real value in joining,
and sharing information. The concept is older than dirt, and still
works.
I understand that Tiger Tom, and others tried to get a national club,
and a sharing of information going several years ago, but there was so
much local and inter club stuff, that it never worked, and they just
gave up. Too Bad!
I also was told that some of the old timers will have to die before
there is a national movement. Too bad, on both accounts. A loss to
everone, including themselves.
But, if anyone wants to look at a national group, there are many
examples that have worked successfully for other groups, for lots of
years. Could even be easier with so few Tiger's owners left, and the
internet.
Larry
Tom are you out there?
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