NG Needs Committee Members

[Lori]

I'm not sure I'm following your idea with the chapters and the registration fees. Could you explain that in a little more detail? It almost sounds to me like each chapter would be responsible for a certain amount of money, regardless of attendance. I'm pretty sure I'm misunderstanding something and would like a clearer picture. If we were to have every participant register through their chapter, I'm afraid it leaves too many people responsible for too much, and there's too much chance of error. Maybe you could explain how that would be better than having everyone register through one system, as it's currently done. I'm interested, just confused.

As for opening registration sooner, we always strive for that. We used to be able to open it in December. Sometimes tracks, insurance, etc., don't get finalized until March. It just depends on the tracks. This year took a lot longer to finalize, for personal reasons that I just don't want to get into. I told you in my post - I failed this year. That being said, most tracks won't even discuss 2017 until December or January when they get their new contracts written for the next year. We do the best we can. Also, sometimes changes to the system are required. That takes time, too. But we always open it as soon as we can. That's one of the reasons I'm already talking to tracks, different groups, etc., about next year.

[stealthee]

Each chapter has a user database. Maybe it means cleanup of those databases, but quite doable. I like the idea of collecting reg fees through the chapters because all you have to do is say how much it is going to be way way in advance and you talk with chapter presidents for their member log that paid and the money for the chapter. Also, it might be helpful if registration opened as soon as location os picked and insurance is figured out and race events are picked and tracks are picked. The problem with registrations being opened only a few months prior to the NG is it is hard to budget 3 months out when we don't know exactly what we need to budget for.

Not all chapters are super organized. The 3SPA "chapter" is definitely one of them. The last time PA had an actual organized event was 7 years ago. There have been small mini-meets and the like since then, but nothing major. PA doesn't have officers like a chapter president.

As for the shootout idea, I can't see that as working either. The shootout is no longer the DSM Shootout, it is the Buschur Shootout. GTR's and other cars are big at the event now. I've never been to the shootout (actually going to shootout this year), or NG but I can't see it as working. An event like the shootout trying to change itself around to accommodate the NG would be a logistical nightmare. If NG decided to go and race and spectate they wouldn't have an issue, but they couldn't do something special just for us. I also think adding us to the DSM shootout would only hurt numbers even more

[Uniuno]

I'm not sure what the fascination with joining the shootout is all about. Last year I went to both the NG and the shootout. They're entirely different events. There were only a couple 3Ss there, that isn't enough that it's hurting NG numbers. There certainly aren't enough 3Ss attending either event to warrant the shootout changing up their schedule on our behalf. They have a hard enough time getting through all their other classes, and that's even with two days of drags.

It seems like anymore the majority of NG attendees least favorite even is drag racing for fear of breaking. The shootout is a drag-centric event. (I'm one of the few that still likes to drag, for the record)

So how would the NG joining the shootout be a good thing?

[Uniuno]

BTW, I wish I could step forward to be a committee member, I don't have the time to work on my own cars as it is, I'd never be able to make it to NG with one of them!

[Maximal]

I don't think there are many organized chapters left any more. The only one I can think of is 3SNY and I don't even think they're as organized as before.

The DSM shootout is just a bad idea. We'd simply be a class (if we're lucky) in a huge event. It's basically just like getting a bunch of 3S's together than an actual independent gathering. They're also lacking the road course aspect of it.

I'm not sure how to fix the attendance problems. It seems like the core group of people that went to gatherings in the past are busy with kids/increasing career demands/houses/etc (at least that's my story). I have no idea why the next generation isn't stepping up and going to these events like we used to. We can pull the "these cars are no cheap and attracting cheap owners" card but I remember being a broke college student and pulling together enough money to go to the NG/ECG/whatever else I could. It seems like the only gathering really blowing up is BRG and I think a lot of those people who don't go to other gathering's due to family commitments go to it because the emphasis is more on hanging out than it is car events...something much easier to do with a toddler.

I'd be interested to see the real reason people with less life commitments aren't going. I know it's been asked before and the typical it's too expensive/too far comes up but there are even people a few hours away not going so I don't get it.

And sorry if this further side-tracks a thread that's about getting new committee members.

[Alan92RTTT]

I'd never be able to make it to NG with one of them!

I tried to resist, I really really did..........


Its not like you've been bringing running 3S to the NG anyway

[Boost4VR4]

I'm not sure I'm following your idea with the chapters and the registration fees. Could you explain that in a little more detail? It almost sounds to me like each chapter would be responsible for a certain amount of money, regardless of attendance. I'm pretty sure I'm misunderstanding something and would like a clearer picture. If we were to have every participant register through their chapter, I'm afraid it leaves too many people responsible for too much, and there's too much chance of error. Maybe you could explain how that would be better than having everyone register through one system, as it's currently done. I'm interested, just confused.

As for opening registration sooner, we always strive for that. We used to be able to open it in December. Sometimes tracks, insurance, etc., don't get finalized until March. It just depends on the tracks. This year took a lot longer to finalize, for personal reasons that I just don't want to get into. I told you in my post - I failed this year. That being said, most tracks won't even discuss 2017 until December or January when they get their new contracts written for the next year. We do the best we can. Also, sometimes changes to the system are required. That takes time, too. But we always open it as soon as we can. That's one of the reasons I'm already talking to tracks, different groups, etc., about next year.

For sure there is an estimation of what certain fees are going to cost based on what the trend has been over the years. I say, err on the side of caution and have fees be more flat rate that are elevated a bit rather than a concise amount and then the overages could be to cover deficiencies in other areas, raffle prizes, or maybe other small activities could be added. That way the cost can be put out there earlier in the year. There are those die hard people that have the money set aside for the gatherings regardless of the cost and there are those that need to budget for an event like this very far in advance due to other commitments or emergencies that happen throughout the year, etc. Plus with the UMG in May, which has been like this for many many years, it's tight timing to go to UMG, then NG a few weeks later (mostly for the MN3S and WI3S guys) but you still have die hards that go to both too.

I am imagining also, that insurance fees get driven down the more members that show up, unless the insurance amount needs to be increased due to more cars at the events, correct? If the chapters are marketing and driving membership numbers, then costs come down if they can get a guaranteed paid member count that are going. If the amounts are out there and the chapters communicate to their members, then people can plan farther in advance for it and make budget for it if need be. Most members are not communicating through 3SGTO, they are on their local chapter websites. If the chapter presidents are providing you with paid membership fees for members going, then all you have to do is talk to them for the money and a list people and your job is easier. If you don't hear from them, then the chapter president is responsible for paying onsite and they are responsible for the material required like badges, packets, information, etc that you supply to them.

I am also not suggesting that we try to change another event's plans either. If we can piggyback off of another event for one of the days, like suggested DSM/Buschur shootout if the location is going to be in Ohio let's say, then I see no harm in it. It's not like everyone wants to stay at the track all day, most people want to get back to the hotel and hang out and after awhile, people just go back, no worries.

Over the years, I have been seeing less and less 3/Ses show up to the NG (I couldn't make it this year because I got married shortly before the NG.) It's not necessarily a bad thing, all cars are welcomed and that's good. We need to keep that spirit alive and embrace that, and what better way to do that and piggyback off of events that are already there (if we have to as a last resort.)

I guess what I am hoping out of my suggestions is to distribute the workload and accountability instead of taking it all on. I mean, sometimes you actually go out to meet with the folks at the track and people drive the track (in years past) and you spend real dollars doing this stuff. What if you were able to reach out to a chapter in the state of where the event is being planned and have them scout it, drive the track, meet with the folks preliminarily so you aren't going out there, potentially wasted effort, etc and if all goes well, you go out there and just finalize the finer details? That brings interest back, if say, the chapter is lacking (as people have pointed out) and maybe you start to see some chapters gain momentum.

I guess, I haven't been to every NG, so I don't know every detail, story, or nuance that has occurred in years previous or in the early years of NG so maybe my ideas are easier said than done. All I see is a platform that is aging and has been declining in numbers which is due to attrition, new car interests out there, or more folks having life events that take precedence.

And I apologize in advance for derailing this thread immediately. I just wanted to get my thoughts out there.

[Uniuno]

I tried to resist, I really really did..........


Its not like you've been bringing running 3S to the NG anyway

That is true, 2013 was the last time I had a running one there. Yet I've still had enough fun to return every year since.

[stealthee]

The Shootout is always in Ohio at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk.

I do agree with distribution of the workload though. The President of the NG needs to delegate work to other people so that they, the President, can make sure everything is getting done. The more one person takes on the more they are going to get stressed. Its obvious you've been stressed out over the event over the last few years.

[Alan92RTTT]

That is true, 2013 was the last time I had a running one there. Yet I've still had enough fun to return every year since.

works for me