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Not quite 2 years ago I started a program with National Board Presidents blessing or permission to see how small local Chapters or groups of AMCA members starting a new chapter like us, could overcome the inherent problems dealing with large areas, long distances apart, lack of effective communication and a host of other problems keeping small Chapters energized. From this original point the following has evolved with the Cherokee Chapter, it works in our area and modified could work in other wide spread areas.
A very active group of North Texas AMCA members took up the challenge, and while trying to explore different ideas from addressing the original problem, We reached out to the existing Cherokee Chapter, which was originally set up to cover Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas with the chapter located in the Austin Texas area. A few emails exchanged with Cherokee leaders and members, and an invitation was extended to our group to attend their annual December general meeting and board meeting.
After a great question and answer session with their members, they acknowledged that they had fallen into the same problems of tired leadership (from lack of new volunteers to be leaders), smaller and fewer events ill attended with the exception of National Road Runs they had done very well. The talks were all inclusive, riding, restoration, swap meeting and other social events for the fun of it.
The outcome of this meeting was a reorganization of the chapter with the North Texas group becoming Members, Board members and officers along side of existing Cherokee Leaders. A clear majority embraced the concept of a Out Reach program to get clusters of AMCA Members not to duplicate the formal structure of the Cherokee Chapter but to expand our Board to include our reach to other areas, Chapters and States. We built a website and expanded the newsletter to get the word out about local and National events, Both AMCA and non AMCA events such as Davenport, and Barber to name a few. New clusters of Members were formed for local socializing and events.
Over the last 18 months we have grown from 38 members to over 175 now, we have made friends with other Vintage and Antique Clubs at the local level, and started organizing events on the Regional level that are inclusive and gain us members, Both to the local Chapter but also the National AMCA. Our Meet and Greet Displays in new venues has been a success, giving our members more activities all over to attend
With the total success of our April Road Run spreading the word that the Cherokee Chapter has a proven plan for Regional Outreach. Our Efforts have now yielded a huge step forward with our inclusion in the Pate Transportation swap meet 2015. This will be our largest event yet and an opportunity for AMCA Members from all over the south have a 4 day event to attend.
The Cherokee Chapter is working hard for a better AMCA with these efforts. Shelby Withrow Membership and Events Director
A very active group of North Texas AMCA members took up the challenge, and while trying to explore different ideas from addressing the original problem, We reached out to the existing Cherokee Chapter, which was originally set up to cover Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas with the chapter located in the Austin Texas area. A few emails exchanged with Cherokee leaders and members, and an invitation was extended to our group to attend their annual December general meeting and board meeting.
After a great question and answer session with their members, they acknowledged that they had fallen into the same problems of tired leadership (from lack of new volunteers to be leaders), smaller and fewer events ill attended with the exception of National Road Runs they had done very well. The talks were all inclusive, riding, restoration, swap meeting and other social events for the fun of it.
The outcome of this meeting was a reorganization of the chapter with the North Texas group becoming Members, Board members and officers along side of existing Cherokee Leaders. A clear majority embraced the concept of a Out Reach program to get clusters of AMCA Members not to duplicate the formal structure of the Cherokee Chapter but to expand our Board to include our reach to other areas, Chapters and States. We built a website and expanded the newsletter to get the word out about local and National events, Both AMCA and non AMCA events such as Davenport, and Barber to name a few. New clusters of Members were formed for local socializing and events.
Over the last 18 months we have grown from 38 members to over 175 now, we have made friends with other Vintage and Antique Clubs at the local level, and started organizing events on the Regional level that are inclusive and gain us members, Both to the local Chapter but also the National AMCA. Our Meet and Greet Displays in new venues has been a success, giving our members more activities all over to attend
With the total success of our April Road Run spreading the word that the Cherokee Chapter has a proven plan for Regional Outreach. Our Efforts have now yielded a huge step forward with our inclusion in the Pate Transportation swap meet 2015. This will be our largest event yet and an opportunity for AMCA Members from all over the south have a 4 day event to attend.
The Cherokee Chapter is working hard for a better AMCA with these efforts. Shelby Withrow Membership and Events Director
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