Region dues

[dickita15]

Travis you have every right to complain but those that do the work have the right to take it with a grain of salt. I belong to a region that has an annual budget of over $750,000 and we spend about $2000 a year to pay some of the expenses attendees to 3 conventions a years. Not much effect on entry fees or dues.
The problem with those that complain that they are paying the bills and should receive more is the people doing the job are not putting a penny in their pocket.

[tnord]

Dick -

I agree. Any complaint from a person who has never volunteered their time should be met with a certain amount of skepticism. But I do disagree with the notion that event fees (club racing or otherwise), regional dues, and the financial viability of a region are separate issues. There are no separate/individual bank accounts for "typical region operating expenses," "club racing revenue," and "autox revenue."

Tom -

First of all, I have a problem with the notion that the people "volunteering" their time get zero benefit in return, and do it 100% out of the generosity of their heart. At least at *some* level, it's a hobby for those that do not drive just the same. Second, the speculation that it would cost us far more to participate in the club if we had paid employees is nothing but speculation at best. I know of another club that does pay their employees, and has the explicit mission of making money, and are at least comparable in cost to SCCA. Factually stating that our entry fees would at minimum triple is, and i mean this in the nicest possible way, oh......, i dunno, stupid??? In addition, despite your optimistic view of the operational effeciency of the club, there is most definitely money to be saved in the way we do things.

One thing i will agree with is that in a volunteer organization, yes, you do get what you get, and it's very hard to criticize those who offer up their services. But the idea that we should......damnit....i lost my train of thought....i got interrupted with something else that made me mad.

[JoshS]

But I do disagree with the notion that event fees (club racing or otherwise), regional dues, and the financial viability of a region are separate issues. There are no separate/individual bank accounts for "typical region operating expenses," "club racing revenue," and "autox revenue."

Not always! The club doesn't dictate how a region should handle its money. Here in San Francisco Region, Solo has its own money and own accounts.

[tnord]

Not always! The club doesn't dictate how a region should handle its money. Here in San Francisco Region, Solo has its own money and own accounts.

so if SFR's "autox" account ran out of money, would the region stop putting on autox events?

sure, Solo & Club Racing have individual budgets, but i have a hard time believing they won't subsidize one group with the other. i haven't done a very good job of communicating what i'm thinking, and i guess i should clarify that i'm speaking from the perspective of a large region.

[JoshS]

so if SFR's "autox" account ran out of money, would the region stop putting on autox events?

It's probably more likely to go the other way, but both sides are doing fine. However, should one side have a problem, I would imagine that a loan would probably be arranged.

And of course, we too are a jumbo region.

[gran racing]

Interesting how this turned from a discussion of whether $150 regional fee would be accepted to some other discussion. But hey, since Jake can't stay focused on fixing his darn RX7 and want some popcorn...

First of all, I have a problem with the notion that the people "volunteering" their time get zero benefit in return, and do it 100% out of the generosity of their heart.

I've seen what some volunteers do and am absolutely amazed at what they give to the club, how much time they sacrifice, and how the SCCA would be much different without them. The little amount of corner working I've done, I can't begin to wonder how they survive the conditions and am extremely appreciative. Yet at the same point, people often do things because they benefit somehow - feel good about helping others, passionate about the area volunteering for, have some type of personal connection, am proud of their what the add to the org., or whatever. While I might not necessarily agree with everything Travis says or possibly the way he says it, we're all involved in this sport because we want to. I have a hard time forgetting the several workers who I thanked for volunteering their time to only thank me for racing, because without each other neither would exist.

How this thread became about regions not doing their job or it could be done properly is beyond me. You know what, I'll still say a $150 regional due fee sucks. I personally don't think I can run things better than my region already does, but that doesn't mean I can't contribute to our club in some shape or form. Will I ever question decisions made? Absolutely. Is that a bad thing? Nope. I will also say that Travis has a point with the "old guard" protecting what they know to be true. I too have faced that attitude and became frustrated. How long ago was it the old ITAC had the same feeling? I guess it's just human nature, yet somehow, someway new ideas in life seem to keep popping up and just occasionally work.

Jake buddy, I hope you get one of those annoying kernnals stuck between your teeth. How's that popcorn now?

[tnord]

to answer the question at hand.....no, i wouldn't accept a $150 regional fee. i would either switch regions, or not have a region membership at all.

in response to Dave....i too have spent time out on the corners waving flags on a hot, hot, hot day. i can't say i particularly enjoyed it, and i would prefer to not do it again, but some really like it. why would workers from all over the country show up to work the runoffs if they didn't?

the whole conundrum with the volunteer organization is like this in my head;

1) joe runs the region/races this way
2) bob politely suggests it would be done better another way
3) joe isn't so sure that's true, and doesn't feel like expending the energy to find out
4) bob doesn't pressure joe about it, because he understands joe is a volunteer, and on some level it's not fair to criticize how a volunteer does his volunteering
5) joe keeps doing it the way he's always done it because he knows it *works* and he can expend minimal effort to accomplish the end goal, after all, he has a regular job, wife, and kids to tend to.

in the end, nothing changes. joe has done his part by volunteering, but bob has also done his part by trying to provide a solution to what he see's as a problem. nobody is to blame, nobody is at fault, but still nothing changes, and improvements that would benefit all are not realized.

[lateapex911]

Jake buddy, I hope you get one of those annoying kernnals stuck between your teeth. How's that popcorn now?

Ha! you're just jealous of my web mastery skills! I bet you couldn't get a popcorn eater to appear! Go ahead, take a crack!

I'm staying in the audience for this show, although there have been some fat pitches thrown that have been tempting! back to the grind. Tapping the flywheel awaits me.!