Younger Membership of AMCA

[shelbyinparadise]

Shelby,
There have almost always been issues available for promotional purposes. You need to ask for them though, and shipping is on you. I have given some out along with membership applications at events in the past with mixed results. I've seen folks ask for one, walk away flipping through it, and drop it in the next trashcan they come to.

Thanks Robbie, I will check on it with Bill Woods or whoever is in charge. I know what you mean about glance and toss, that is why I said gauge their interest. If some one shows a true interest in the Magazine or AMCA it is worth a few dollars to get new Chapter members. Several of our members always rents the booths because we want to be there. I feel certain the National could recover the shipping costs with a few members gained each event per year, but I would pay out of my own pocket.

At Arlington last weekend we had a steady stream of people introducing themselves as new Texas AMCA members or just people that saw on the forums that we would be there. It is sad to say more people use other general forums than this one for information on a wider range of event postings, but I will post where we have the widest possible response from all sources. I feel some will take that last comment negatively but I mean it from a marketing point of view not the quality of this forum. We have to be so Politically correct now, never know when a lawyer will take something wrong way. Shelby

[wlwood]

Shelby:

We can--and do--make magazines available for promotion at Nationals and other events Chapters may attend/host. We ask everyone to be reasonable about their requests, because shipping can be pretty pricey (these things weigh a lot!). But I can get you a quantity if you'd like.

Also, to follow up on the comments about newsstand sales, this was tried by the Club before we came on as the editorial team in 2008. The economics of it didn't work well. That agrees with the experience we had at the AMA before doing this magazine. You have to print lots of extra issues to sell just a few, and the distributors demand big money to get your magazine into stores, then sell all the most desirable locations on the racks for even more money. We couldn't justify it with 300,000 members at the AMA, and with about 10,000 members, it's a lot harder.

Bill Wood

[shelbyinparadise]

Hello Bill and Thanks for the Reply. Fred Davis said do what we can when a prospective new member shows genuine interest at these Meet and Greets, and that is how we have signed up about 125 new members in the last 18 months. We have been giving out the AMCA form, till I ran out. Even at our Road run we had some of our own copies of magazine to show people, and now that it is 6 times a year I believe there will be even more demand for it and that makes it a better recruitment tool.

Please PM me best way and time to contact you. Shelby

[Knotthed]

For what it's worth, I would suggest a small fee like $1-2 for the mags, that way you eliminate the dumpers, but it's still palatable for the person interested. Most magazines on the shelf are $5+

Bill Wood,

Interesting to read the background.

Maybe a change in the business model? Instead of using the traditional method for magazines, why not try to get them into the independant vintage bike shops??? We already have people that are interested in old bikes that frequent these shops. Why not have some issues there? Does the AMCA have any presence in local vintage bike shops? Maybe a poster instead of the magazines?

You already have your target Audience at a place like that. Internet links on these people's sites would also help, like on Carl's Cycle Supply http://www.carlscyclesupply.com/links.php

[Spag]

I attended this past weekend the AHRMA sponsored Vintage Cross Country and Moto Cross events at AMCA Member Tom McKee's Sky Ranch in Terra Alta WV. I had the pleasure of meeting Jack Penton, one of three children of off road legend, John Penton. John Penton was the designer and manufacturer of a legendary off road bike from 1968-1977. A group of dedicated owners formed the Penton Owners Group.

During my conversation with Jack, I brought up the subject of the need to attract younger members into the AMCA. Jack indicated that his group has the same concerns and we had a good conversation about how to accomplish this goal. At the outdoor banquet, I was asked to say a few words to the group. After a few informal comments about the AMCA and the Allegheny Mountain Chapter National Road Run in Elkins WV, I decided to ask the group if they had any concerns about their aging membership and the future viability of their organizations. WOW! I was really surprised by the response during my presentation and afterward. Apparently this subject is being discussed by many motorcycle groups and clubs and not just the AMCA.

The AMCA Vision Statement indicates the need for all motorcycle organizations to find ways to cooperate to advance our sport/hobby that includes a plan to attract younger members. I was impressed by the enthusiasm for this topic by the individuals who attended the banquet. Several who I spoke with afterward had ideas and suggestions. I suggested that this conversation continue within their own organizations and communications among concerned groups begin. I'm wondering if anyone on this Forum can relate if other motorcycle groups to which they belong have raised concerns about their aging memberships.
Richard

[Spag]

DJ,
I like your idea of an AMCA presence in Vintage Bike Shops around the country. This is a good topic for Board discussion. Thanks for your input.
Richard

[Spag]

I attended the Yankee Chapter National Meet at Hebron this past weekend. This is a very nice and layback Meet in a beautiful park like setting. Dan Margolien and the Yankee Chapter volunteers did a great job again.

Since the discussion of Youth in the AMCA has been a topic on the front burner, I tried to talk to as many people as I could about this subject and how they first got started into old bikes. Interestingly, each person I spoke with fell into one of three categories. The first were those who were introduced to old bikes by a non-family member such as a friend, neighbor or mentor in their home town. Another category were those who had a family member expose them to old motorcycles. This is certainly a lucky group because they all grew up around old bikes in the garage. The third group were those who "discovered" old bikes after riding modern bikes for years. I suspect these three categories are probably representative of the entire makeup of the AMCA.

The most interesting and informative discussion came when I engaged a long time Member of this Forum, his wife and son. The 22 year old son's comments confirm what many have said on this thread. He said he may not have ever been interested in antique motorcycles except for the fact that he grew up around old bikes because of his Dad's interest in them. Although he had a good paying job, he didn't think at his age, absent his father's influence, he would spend $5,000 or more on an antique motorcycle. Other family and personal expenses were more important. He agreed that the way to attract younger people into the AMCA was to make them feel welcome with the bikes they are building, modifying and riding even though their bikes might not be the traditional ones you see at National Meets. His mother was in agreement. His father thought the AMCA could grow smaller over the years because he thought fewer people would be interested in attending National Meets and buying parts there. He also thought that young people would not be interested in old bikes in the future because of their cost. He did agree with his son on how to attract younger people into the Club.

I firmly believe that discussions on this topic like those at Hebron and on this thread will help the Board formulate a Strategic Plan which will include a plan for attracting younger people by making them feel welcome. Other ideas and a continuing discussion on this topic is very much appreciated.
Richard

[Spag]

The September/October issue of the AMCA magazine will be arriving in your mailbox soon. This issue contains several inspiring articles relating to the future of the Club and how young people and diversity need to be a part of that future. Under the heading "Passing It On- How Can the AMCA Continue to Grow in the Next 60 Years?" are articles written by Members David Russell, Walter Michl and Buck Carson. Each brings a different perspective for the future of the AMCA. After reading these articles, I hope the comment and discussion on this thread will continue. The Board continues to solicit constructive input and comments to help formulate a strategic plan for the future of the Club.
Richard

[MartinK]

If you want to be more visible for younger people, maybe you could launch an online version of the magazine on e.g. the Ipad newsstand.
Would not be so difficult since the magazine is already digitally done.
Could help with the international visibility as well.

[exeric]

Is the AMCA doing anything to attract more old farts, or keep old farts?

[Spag]

Eric,
The AMCA Vision Statement states in part:"...Although the AMCA recognizes its heritage, it also recognizes the need to set forth a plan for the future which not only considers the interests of its current Members but also plans for the next generation of old-bike enthusiasts. To accomplish this goal, the AMCA believes it is important to reach out and inform, through every form of social media, current non-AMCA old-bike enthusiasts and those who may have an interest in old motorcycles but who are not aware of the AMCA or what is has to offer them..."

We are asking for input from anyone to help formulate a strategic plan for the AMCA. Again, all constructive suggestions are welcome. Without such input, the Board is left to its own resources to formulate a plan.
Richard

[Spag]

Martin K
The Board and the editor of the magazine have touched on the subject of a digital magazine. This topic raises many issues including whether the digital version should only be made available to paid-up members and an abbreviated version to the general public. Thanks for your suggestion.
Richard

[exeric]

Is the AMCA doing anything to attract more old farts, or keep old farts?

I made this comment because in talking with my contemporaries, they are all feeling less relevant, and more excluded from the AMCA. Any time a club caters to a specific group, other members are going to feel neglected. I have repeatedly made the suggestion that the AMCA needs to concentrate on being a good club first, because with that base line, everything else will fall in line and membership will naturally be stable. A big club does not necessarily mean a good club. I'm not dismissing social media to attract new members. Quite the opposite, I think that is important, and vital. Just remember the roots, and traditions of the AMCA, and that the best members are the ones who have stayed members through thick, and thin, and haven't let their memberships lapse in many years.

[Skirted]

I made this comment because in talking with my contemporaries, they are all feeling less relevant, and more excluded from the AMCA. Any time a club caters to a specific group, other members are going to feel neglected. I have repeatedly made the suggestion that the AMCA needs to concentrate on being a good club first, because with that base line, everything else will fall in line and membership will naturally be stable. A big club does not necessarily mean a good club. I'm not dismissing social media to attract new members. Quite the opposite, I think that is important, and vital. Just remember the roots, and traditions of the AMCA, and that the best members are the ones who have stayed members through thick, and thin, and haven't let their memberships lapse in many years.

You have brought up good points Eric. The "youth" topic is a trendy one with just about any antique vehicle club these days and I think legitimate in part from reality and maybe part from bandwagon jumping. After processing all the suggestions I have come to the conclusion that with some exceptions, youth (even if into motorcycles) just aren't interested in joining an "ANTIQUE" club as the name itself is in sharp contrast to where they are in life with too many modern distractions both in time and money. Once they mature and gain wisdom going into their 50s they begin to appreciate old stuff and will be more inclined to join and Antique club and better appreciate what it has to offer. As long as that continues to happen, I don't think its a bad thing and putting too much effort on trying get youngsters to join may not offer much return on investment. Certainly actions should be taken to infiltrate places the youth visit to get the word out about the AMCA. The benefit may not be immediate in most cases but it may very well be seeds sewn that may sprout 10 or 20 years later.

I've also been associated with youth discussions in antique car clubs. None of which have solid data on what defines "youth" or how many youth used to be in a club and what the rate of decline is if real or perceived. I keep hearing clubs are loosing youth members but have not seen any evidence in the form of factual data. So far its all what is perceived. Typically clubs do not track the age of its members. The AMCA may want to consider obtaining an accurate measurement (factual) of how the age groups breakdown within the club. I know there is a "feel" or "guesstimate" but having solid data would be most helpful. The process of obtaining ages, though it may be time consuming would provide an important and invaluable baseline so that decision making on any actions to attract future youth and equally important keeping and attracting "OLD TIMERs" can be accurately measured after implementation. Without clearly defined data for a baseline there may be a degree of trial and error and considering this is long term planning, it may be too late before we realize an action has failed.

[Spag]

Jason,
You stated: "The AMCA may want to consider obtaining an accurate measurement (factual) of how the age groups breakdown within the club. I know there is a "feel" or "guesstimate" but having solid data would be most helpful."

In 2010 the AMCA commissioned a Membership Survey which surveyed the age ranges of all respondents. The average age was 59. This was factual and has confirmed the empirical evidence that we all see at National Meets, Road Runs and in our local Chapters. We are an aging organization.

The Statement of Methodology which confirmed the statistical significance and accuracy of the survey stated in part: "The survey was sent to 10,187 individuals, which represented the entire AMCA membership at the time. Based on that total population, the 1046 responses received represents a 10.27% response rate. Using standard research practices, that results in a margin of error of plus or minus 2.87% with a confidence level of 95%. That means that if this survey were repeated 100 times, the results would fall within 2.87% of the figures in this report 95 times."

This is the reason the Board had confidence in the results of the survey and refers to it often when discussing issues such as the need to attract a younger demographic. This doesn't necessarily mean we should try to attract kids under the age of 25 only. It means we should explore all opportunities to attract members younger than 59. That is why any strategic plan should include ways to accomplish this end. Thanks for your input. Just my thoughts...
Richard