Younger Membership of AMCA

[AFJ]

AFJ,

Now that you have contributed your own ad nauseum content.

What would you suggest is the best way to get non-motorcycle family kids interested in two wheeled machines?

I say non-motorcycle family kids, because the people that have bikes will likely introduce their kids to them and they would not be the target audience in my mind.

Don,

I think that trying to get children from non-motorcycling families interested in motorcycling or antique motorcycling is not relevant to the issue of “growing the AMCA membership” or even increasing the numbers of younger (adult) members in the AMCA. Motorcycling, of any sort, for young people has always been a tough sell to non-motorcycling families.

Antique motorcycling enthusiasts begin to a large extent as motorcyclists. They get interested in old motorcycles at some stage in their life. Perhaps early on because all they can afford is an old bike. Maybe they like the challenge of rebuilding/restoring a treasured relic. Or they have a desire to get back into motorcycling with a bike like they used to have (or would have liked to have had). Or they are looking for a hobby, investment, want to recapture lost youth – whatever. It is my contention that motorcyclists (current or former) - at all adult ages - are the AMCA’s best potential source for new members.

It is also clear to me that the AMCA has, for some years now, studiously neglected to encourage motorcyclists, in general, to become active in antique motorcycling by joining the AMCA. The statistics show this. There are over 8.5 million motorcycles registered for road use in the USA. The 2013 US membership in the AMCA was around 9,300 full members. That is 1 Antique Motorcycle Club member for every 914 street-licensed motorcycles. In Britain, with about 1 million motorcycles on the road and 17,000 VMCC members there is 1 Vintage Motor Cycle Club member for 59 street motorcycles. Even in Canada, where the climate in many areas discourages motorcycling for part of the year, there is 1 Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group member for 240 street motorcycles.

The conclusion that I make from these figures is that the AMCA’s current “market penetration” is very poor, compared to the two other Antique motorcycle clubs with which I am familiar. It is necessary, I think, that the AMCA has to look more closely at the current situation than it has with the strategic plan document in the May-June issue of The Antique Motorcycle (p49-53). It should look in detail at all particular aspects of the Club’s concepts of mission, its operations, its organizational structure and democratic representation, and as to what it does or does not offer existing and new members. I am not being critical of what the AMCA Board has put together and published, or of the individuals on that Board. But what is there is very generalized and not specific as to exactly how the AMCA, at all levels, Board, staff, Chapters, and individual members should, can or will have to work together to make the AMCA not only a growing more successful club, but also one which gives more back to each member in service and enjoyment of their old motorcycles and motorcycling.

AFJ

[AFJ]

The AMCA is not just about the preservation and restoration to "as came from the factory" machines. It is also is about the preservation of everything related to our two wheeled history. Be that the printed word, signage, aftermarket parts, historically modified machines, etc. Our museums, the judging field, and huge personal collections are full of " as come from the factory" machines. When Kevin and I got the "period modifieds" recognized it was because alot of historical modified machines were being restored and their history being lost. When the founders in 1953 started the club most the machines we have today didn't exsist. They were saving machines that mostly arrived before WW1 and were lost to the war's scrap drives. They later changed it to the thirty-five year rule to incompass more motorcycle history. We now are looking at 100 years and change of motorcycle history and their original window was rather small. What about the next fifty years? Most machines never stayed like they came from the factory. Most riders changed bars, seat, pipes, paint, etc. Everything that has to do with out motorcycle history is relevent and doesn't have to chance the tenets of our club. Change is ongoing. If it isn't or is restrained thing die. Life is strange that way. There's room for thought on this issue. After fifty years in the saddle and over thirty years a member of this wonderful club I think everything about motorcycles are part of it's history and has to be recorded and preserved for future generations.

I agree that restoration "as came from the factory" can often destroy the interesting history of a particular motorcycle. This is often seen with racing motorcycles which would lose a great deal of important detail if restored to "catalog specifications".

I have a 1933 motorcycle with an Indian military 45 Scout headlight. Not correct, of course and the motorcycle is not an Indian. The previous owner told me that during the early part of WWII he and his brother were riding back one night to the Army camp they were stationed at when they took a wrong road and went into a ditch. They made it back to the camp in time. However, the Lucas H52 headlight was beyond repair. No replacement was available since those headlights were obsolete by 1936 and there was no dealer anywhere near where they were. The camp had a number of 45 military Scouts in various stages of disrepair since the Canadian Army had decided to buy a large number of H-D WLCs. A donor Motolamp from a Scout was "found" and has been on the 1933 motorcycle ever since. It works OK and I remember the previous owner when I turn the lights on.

AFJ

[Spag]

Allan,
The article in the May/June issue of the AMCA magazine you reference on p. 49-53 is not the Board's strategic plan. This article presented the Board's analysis of the Club and set forth the its Mission, Values and Vision statements. The Board then asked for Member input in the formulation of a strategic plan. The discussion process is ongoing. Hopefully, the Board will have a strategic plan in place by the end of the year. This thread on the Forum is a part of this process also. Thanks for you insight.
Richard

[AFJ]

Allan,
The article in the May/June issue of the AMCA magazine you reference on p. 49-53 is not the Board's strategic plan. This article presented the Board's analysis of the Club and set forth the its Mission, Values and Vision statements. The Board then asked for Member input in the formulation of a strategic plan. The discussion process is ongoing. Hopefully, the Board will have a strategic plan in place by the end of the year. This thread on the Forum is a part of this process also. Thanks for you insight.
Richard

Richard,
I called it a "strategic plan document" - maybe "preliminary strategic plan document" would have been a better description.

A question - How many AMCA members are also members of an AMCA chapter?
I ask this because it seems to me that some of the benefits of AMCA membership are best delivered through a chapter.

Also a question - How many AMCA chapters have 50 or more members?

AFJ

[hogchild71]

Allen
Though it is a requirement that All AMCA Chapters report membership and officers once each year, not all Chapters fulfill their obligation to do so. Repeated requests go unanswered. Below you will find the complete list of Chapters reporting. (less than half) Good members are current AMCA National members, Bad members are those that have allowed their AMCA National membership to lapse but remain on the local Chapter roster. Names on the right are Chapter Presidents.

Chapter Good Bad President
Allegheny Mountain 39 7 Richard Spagnolli
Catawba Valley 27 3 Randy Horn
Cherokee 95 27 Steve Klein
Chesapeake No member report Eric Hitzel
Confederate 29 5 Bob Kenney
Diamond 13 0 Mike Thomson
Dixie 36 6 Louie Hale
Empire 59 6 Allen Sorensen
Everglades 18 8 Roy Wasson
Evergreen 52 5 Tom Deem
Gulf Coast No member report Jack Stauffer
Lake Erie 105 0 Fred Davis
Los Angeles 26 7 Craig Taylor
Maumee Valley 43 7 Nonie Vsetula
Mountain State 39 6 Rick Rogers
Neshaminey Valley 48 13 Todd Kline
Ohio Valley 53 4 Punky Wheat
Oregon Trail 36 12 Gene Walker
Perkiomem 89 26 Barry Algeo
Prairie No member report Joe Minasola
River Valley 41 12 David Marks
Rocky Mountain 42 4 Jeff Goorman
SoCal 45 6 Tim Graber
St. Louis 25 3 Rick Schutt
Sunflower 68 10 Jim Wellemeyer
Sunshine 109 15 Carl Sorensen
Viking 155 17 Ron Spargo
Yellowstone 8 0 Ed Heiliger
Yerba Buena 61 7 Curt Hanson
Highlands 23 5 Dave Hennessey

Be aware that some members may have renewed or dropped out since reports were filed.
I will encourage any Chapter that has not reported to do so very soon. As these annual reports are the only way we have to gage Chapter membership and develop programs that will benefit local Chapters.
Best, Fred.

[Spag]

Fred,
Thanks for the information. That's a total of 1384 AMCA Members in the local Chapters reporting. If all Chapters reported, there probably would be 1500+ AMCA Members who belong to a local Chapter. In an effort to help Chapters increase their membership from the existing AMCA Membership roster, the Board adopted the AMCA Membership List Communications policy. The process is simple and easy. Any Chapter can determine a geographical area to solicit new members from its Chapter's home base by selecting zip codes from that area. The zip codes are then sent to Cornerstone, the Club's membership service, and all names of AMCA Members in those areas are retrieved. The Chapter prepares a new member solicitation letter (the letter can be prepared from a form supplied by the Club in the P&P Manual or modified if desired) and the letter is e mailed at no cost to the Chapter to all AMCA Members on the geographical list.

This procedure has secured new and sometimes younger Members for Chapters that have utilized this service. But this is not the only way to solicit new members. There are many other ways but this is the easiest and most cost efficient way. More Chapters should consider using this service if there is an interest to increase their Chapter membership.

For those AMCA Members on this Forum who have not joined a local Chapter, please give it some thought. It's a great way to socialize, exchange information about old bikes and yes, ride your old iron with others who have the same passion.
Richard

[AFJ]

Allan,
Though it is a requirement that All AMCA Chapters report membership and officers once each year, not all Chapters fulfill their obligation to do so. Repeated requests go unanswered. Below you will find the complete list of Chapters reporting. (less than half) Good members are current AMCA National members, Bad members are those that have allowed their AMCA National membership to lapse but remain on the local Chapter roster. Names on the right are Chapter Presidents.

Be aware that some members may have renewed or dropped out since reports were filed.
I will encourage any Chapter that has not reported to do so very soon. As these annual reports are the only way we have to gage Chapter membership and develop programs that will benefit local Chapters.
Best, Fred.

Thanks very much Fred.
I am in the process of putting together some thoughts and comments regarding a future AMC "Strategic Plan" and will copy you, the President and other board members if interested on what I come up with.
I will be in touch with you directly in the near future as things get set down on paper after being sorted out.
Thanks again.

AFJ (aka Allan Johnson)

[hogchild71]

Allan. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. I'll be at Wauseon from Thursday morning, July 15 through Sunday afternoon, July 20. Then I will be a zombie for a couple of days. If you or anyone reading this will be at Wauseon, please try to attend the Presidents/Town Hall meeting Saturday at 9am. Fred.

[Knotthed]

AFJ,

Thanks for your reply and great story on the headlight - love it!

I think one thing this thread has brought out is that increasing memebership is a very broad statement and many people have different points of view on that subject.

To be successful with a project it is important to have a very clear goal or objective and that is what should be determined first. Then and only if there is clear goal, can actions be determined and followed to achieve those goals or objectives.

I am not a member of a local chapter. Tried to be a couple of years ago - called the Prairie Chapter as that was the closest chapter to me. I was told they didn't know what was going to happen with the tax status blah blah blah........ etc....at that time I certainly was not encouraged with open arms to get to whatever they had going on. That said, I hear the Prairie Chapter has be resurrected of recently. The Badger is next closest(and they look awesome!), but their address had me thinking it was way to far for my liking and needs. Then I fell into a local club that has been around for 40 years MACMC Midwest Antiques and Classic Motorcycle Club, located under 30 minutes from me and a great bunch of guys with the same aging membership problem as the AMCA. Our club which has some AMCA national members is planning a ride this saturday to the Badger Chapter's Knucklehead reunion at the HD Museum.

One of the questions I guess I have come to wonder is what is the benefit of becoming a local chapter? Meaning, what does national have to offer a local motorcycle club to become affiliated with AMCA?

I know people don't like to be told how to do things, but perhaps a change in business structure could fix the lapsed national memberships? Example; there is a base fee to become part of a local chapter and that base fee includes your national membership? Example; Ducks Unlimited - they have many local chapter fund raising banquets and to attend those banquets the fee includes your dinner cost and the national membership fee for the year. They seem to be pretty successful - maybe national should take a look at some other successful organizations like that for some benchmarking or ideas.

Just a few random thoughts as I feel like this post has really just been an opportunity for brainstorming.

Remember until there is a clear goal or objective, it will be very hard to achieve that goal. The other thing to watch out for it to make sure the scope of that goal is not too large!

[shelbyinparadise]

Just a quick test to see if I am Blocked, 4th time to try, Shelby

[shelbyinparadise]

Timed out for some reason last 4 try's.
I just wanted to Thank Fred for posting the List. Our Chapter list has 170 now since I filed with Fred in January or February, there may still be some not renewed, But Fred was very Prompt with comparing lists to National. We did discover a lag from joining and reporting from Cornerstone to Fred when we had a bunch sign up at a "Meet and Greet" event. Fred has a tough Job, Keep up the good work Sir

I am a very strong supporter of strong chapters with more say in how things are done and a very strong supporter of AMCA in spite of disagreements over policy matters. Shelby Membership Director, Cherokee Chapter

[shelbyinparadise]

Knotthed raised some good points, I belonged to the MACMC in the 70's and early 80's and it was a great club then.

The question about Chapters, I would like to point out a few things. We all make friends at the AMCA meets and those of us that have done it long enough enjoy the time we share. When we go back home we talk to friends about the "fun' we had, but not everyone can travel. The local Chapters are a way to socialize with other collectors, riders, or just interested people. There is no requirement to own a antique machine, just an interest in them. There are no mandatory rides, meetings or other restrictions, it is just a way for people to find like minded people, to acquire knowledge and share experiences.

We are now having backyard BBQ's, local rides, events, cars shows, our website and newsletters get the word out, and a few phone calls will get a good group together. Friends bring others around, then they bring others to next event. A lot of Antique friendly motorcycle shops help get the word out. Being on the street and being approachable is key to get the younger ones. When we do a Meet and Greet, we are all available to answer questions to those that stop and look. A little friendly conversation goes a long way to the public. Shelby

[rwm]

,



For those AMCA Members on this Forum who have not joined a local Chapter, please give it some thought. It's a great way to socialize, exchange information about old bikes and yes, ride your old iron with others who have the same passion.
Richard

in todays world of work and family it's almost impossible to find 30+ people who would have the same time free. i think you guys should focus on what you have. my area has a chapter and i feel no need or want to join them. i'll bet most the guys there are 25 years older then me.
this little thing called the internet has changed how we meet people with like interest. when you have time type away. sit back and wait for an answer to your question. sure face to face conversation is great but it's that time thing again. (i read that over 70% of high school girls don't know what their neighbors house looks like inside. this is due to the internet)
if someone needs a club to urge them to ride well that's sad.maybe those should just clean the bike off and place it as art in their dinning room.

[Robert Luland]

Very well said Rob, I'm not a member of the Colonial chapter because of what those boneheads did to Harmony. I got a whole lot to offer but why should I waste my time. I have dedicated my self to revive Harmony but it won't be under the AMCA because of this chapter. I'm always open to suggestions. Bob Luland

[HD48FL]

Very well said Rob, I'm not a member of the Colonial chapter because of what these assholes did to Harmony. I got a whole lot to offer but why should I waste my time. I have dedicated my self to revive Harmony but it won't be under the AMCA because of this chapter. I'm always open to suggestions. Bob Luland

I think a chapter that encompassed Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, and Essex Counties would benefit the area.