National Association - FOR

[Tad McDonald]

I think Walt's comments about a national association are spot on. However, there is one compelling reason to 'go national' and has nothing to do with organizational structure or conduct. Simply put, there is strength in numbers.

We ('rich' yacht owners) represent a demographic that folks would bend over backward to satisfy. My local Cape Dory group gets special discount nights at West Marine, for instance. As a group, we may be able to negotiate discounts on all sorts of things: transient slip rates, credit cards (with our logos), chandlery items (BOAT/US, West Marine, etc.), repairs and so on. Like AAA or AARP we could publish lists of "authorized" repair facilities, marinas and restraunts.

Granted, we may have to provide some information about ourselves (income, habits, etc.) but we could do so anonymously. Our newsletter advertising space would represent a precious commodity to folks of all ilk to reach folks of our ilk(s?)...not to mention a rather healthy revenue stream for the organization. We could do reviews of boats and new technology (like Cruising World and Sail only on a smaller scale) and still maintain a certain closeness being associated with just one kind of boat.

Given the fact that small but well organized groups can and do greatly influence the political process in America, we could become a force to be reckoned with from a polital sense as well. BOAT/US has shown some decent results over the years as they have lobbied Congress; we could be another voice representing boaters as well.

Having said that, I'd certainly be the first to agree that like politics, all boating is local. I don't think a National Organization should or could displace local chapters or clubs but 'going national' is something we might consider.

Anyway, call me a capitalist but I'd be happy to proffer my name as a candidate for First Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the National Cape Dory Owner's Association.

Tad McDonald
Marieusz, CD30 #242
Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association (#153)



tadmcd@worldnet.att.net

[Robin Meigel]

As posted before, my biggest concern with a national association is fragmentation of information. I do not want to lose the one-stop-shopping benefit of one message board. The arguments posted elsewhere about lobbying strength of a national organization are not compelling to me. There is a surfeit of discount programs as well - I can't keep track of them all. If someone wants to research quality marinas and vendors on their own, more power to them, and we welcome the info on a central message board. If they want me to finance it with dues that are unnecessarily high to support the additional overhead, forget it. I agree with Walt - local energy is best directed to local gatherings.

rlmeigel@aol.com

[Ed Haley]

I agree with Robin that messages would be more beneficial, thorough and reach more people if the Cape Dory message board was located nationally on one site such as the CCDOA. Certainly requests for specific responses would have the potential to reach more people qualified to answer. CCDOA is an extremely useful site for Cape Dory owners but leave it as is. Don't change it. AOL used to have a good message board for Cape Dory owners but they changed the formatting so often that readers such as myself got frustrated when they had to learn how to negotiate the site over and over.

The usefulness of a regional Cape Dory Owners Association would come into play when CD rendezvous are planned during the sailing season as well as get-togethers during the off-season.

There are good reasons for both national and regional associations. How to have the benefits of both realized needs to be planned.



eghaley@dreamscape.com

[Tad McDonald]

I'm wondering how a proposal to investigate the formation of a national organization (in this case, a virtual organization) degenerated into a concern that this central message board would somehow disappear as a result. To the contrary, unlike most lists/boards/sites around, this seems to be the best of the lot. Why would anyone want to change that?

Again, the adoption of a "national cape dory association" moniker and the formation of a virtual organization (who said anything about paying dues?) might enable us to become eligible for discounts, special privleges, etc. "Perception is reality."

I know we're all rich but I for one could use a break at the boat store...



tadmcd@worldnet.att.net

[Mike Everett]

I agree with those who want to keep the current bulletin board. Most Cape Dory issues are not limited to regions, and it makes sense to have one information clearinghouse instead of many.
I also would be reluctant to be affiliated with a group involved in lobbying - whether politically or commercially. There are enough "special interests" out there already. In my view, the virtues of a local or regional association would be mostly social.



everett@megalink.net

[Walt Bilofsky]

I'm wondering how a proposal to investigate the formation of a national organization (in this case, a virtual organization) degenerated into a concern that this central message board would somehow disappear as a result. To the contrary, unlike most lists/boards/sites around, this seems to be the best of the lot. Why would anyone want to change that?

If some other Cape Dory group wanted to start its own Web site, I would want to have links to their site from this one, so people would be directed there for local events. (We have always posted <a href="http://www.toolworks.com/capedory/ccdol ... o">contact info for the existing Cape Dory groups</a>.)

I would hope other groups would link to this site for the message board and other Cape Dory information that doesn't need to be duplicated. I wish existing groups would make more use of this message board to post info about their events, so they could reach more prospective members.

Again, the adoption of a "national cape dory association" moniker and the formation of a virtual organization (who said anything about paying dues?) might enable us to become eligible for discounts, special privleges, etc. "Perception is reality."

Does "virtual organization" mean we would be Internet-based? The one useful thing a national group (and I would prefer a national confederation of local groups) could do would be to reach off-line Cape Dory owners by publishing a national newsletter. And that would take dues, or some form of financial support. (It would also make it easier to start local groups.)

I know we're all rich but I for one could use a break at the boat store...

If you want a discount at the boat store, join <a href="http://www.boatus.com/">BOAT/U.S.</a>. They have a participating marina program where members get discounts on fuel and at chandleries. They also do some great lobbying in Washington. Why reinvent all that?



bilofsky@toolworks.com

[Don Sargeant]

Oh Gee, I'm sorry I started such a contoversy. In my wildest dreams I wouldn't think of doing anything to compromise this BBS. I think it's the best source of true information on any subject on the web. Having read all the comments and opinions, I agree that the BBS should stay national and local folks should localize their interests locally.
Don Sargeant CD25D#189 (I think I'll go hide now) :~{

I'm wondering how a proposal to investigate the formation of a national organization (in this case, a virtual organization) degenerated into a concern that this central message board would somehow disappear as a result. To the contrary, unlike most lists/boards/sites around, this seems to be the best of the lot. Why would anyone want to change that?

If some other Cape Dory group wanted to start its own Web site, I would want to have links to their site from this one, so people would be directed there for local events. (We have always posted <a href="http://www.toolworks.com/capedory/ccdol ... o">contact info for the existing Cape Dory groups</a>.)

I would hope other groups would link to this site for the message board and other Cape Dory information that doesn't need to be duplicated. I wish existing groups would make more use of this message board to post info about their events, so they could reach more prospective members.

Again, the adoption of a "national cape dory association" moniker and the formation of a virtual organization (who said anything about paying dues?) might enable us to become eligible for discounts, special privleges, etc. "Perception is reality."

Does "virtual organization" mean we would be Internet-based? The one useful thing a national group (and I would prefer a national confederation of local groups) could do would be to reach off-line Cape Dory owners by publishing a national newsletter. And that would take dues, or some form of financial support. (It would also make it easier to start local groups.)

I know we're all rich but I for one could use a break at the boat store...

If you want a discount at the boat store, join <a href="http://www.boatus.com/">BOAT/U.S.</a>. They have a participating marina program where members get discounts on fuel and at chandleries. They also do some great lobbying in Washington. Why reinvent all that?

don@cliggott.com

[Walt Bilofsky]

Oh Gee, I'm sorry I started such a contoversy. In my wildest dreams I wouldn't think of doing anything to compromise this BBS. I think it's the best source of true information on any subject on the web. Having read all the comments and opinions, I agree that the BBS should stay national and local folks should localize their interests locally.
Don Sargeant CD25D#189 (I think I'll go hide now) :~{

Don -

Calm down. Breathe deeply. Stay away from sharp objects.

You started a good discussion. Your suggestions aren't compromising the board, and if they did, it would only be because whatever you suggested was thought by most people to be better. This is the Internet: "Let a thousand flowers bloom; let a thousand schools of thought contend."

Besides, this is a lousy time of year to hide. Wait 'till spring when you can go sail.

Regards,

- Walt



bilofsky@toolworks.com

[John]

I think Walt's comments about a national association are spot on. However, there is one compelling reason to 'go national' and has nothing to do with organizational structure or conduct. Simply put, there is strength in numbers.

We ('rich' yacht owners) represent a demographic that folks would bend over backward to satisfy. My local Cape Dory group gets special discount nights at West Marine, for instance. As a group, we may be able to negotiate discounts on all sorts of things: transient slip rates, credit cards (with our logos), chandlery items (BOAT/US, West Marine, etc.), repairs and so on. Like AAA or AARP we could publish lists of "authorized" repair facilities, marinas and restraunts.

Granted, we may have to provide some information about ourselves (income, habits, etc.) but we could do so anonymously. Our newsletter advertising space would represent a precious commodity to folks of all ilk to reach folks of our ilk(s?)...not to mention a rather healthy revenue stream for the organization. We could do reviews of boats and new technology (like Cruising World and Sail only on a smaller scale) and still maintain a certain closeness being associated with just one kind of boat.

Given the fact that small but well organized groups can and do greatly influence the political process in America, we could become a force to be reckoned with from a polital sense as well. BOAT/US has shown some decent results over the years as they have lobbied Congress; we could be another voice representing boaters as well.

Having said that, I'd certainly be the first to agree that like politics, all boating is local. I don't think a National Organization should or could displace local chapters or clubs but 'going national' is something we might consider.

Anyway, call me a capitalist but I'd be happy to proffer my name as a candidate for First Vice President of Sales and Marketing of the National Cape Dory Owner's Association.

Tad McDonald
Marieusz, CD30 #242
Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association (#153)

REMEMBER ONE THING: KISS ("keep it simple stupid").

You folks in the Bay Area have a great thing going AS IS. Leave it alone and enjoy your success. We and others from around the country have discovered the site and enjoy the broad opinions and good information made available. A great thank you to Mr. Bilofsky and for allowing those of us with CD's from around the country to participate in your organization. Leave your organization just the way it is, it's terrific!

[Brad]

Don:

I was going to post a note of encouragement, but Walt beat me to it and said it so well. I'll go ahead anyway.

Ideas presented to this board and the comments that follow are the reasons I'm here. Without individuals sharing their creativity and enthusiasm, the worth of this board would be greatly diminished.

Standing by for your next brainstorm!






Brad

Oh Gee, I'm sorry I started such a contoversy. In my wildest dreams I wouldn't think of doing anything to compromise this BBS. I think it's the best source of true information on any subject on the web. Having read all the comments and opinions, I agree that the BBS should stay national and local folks should localize their interests locally.
Don Sargeant CD25D#189 (I think I'll go hide now) :~{

I'm wondering how a proposal to investigate the formation of a national organization (in this case, a virtual organization) degenerated into a concern that this central message board would somehow disappear as a result. To the contrary, unlike most lists/boards/sites around, this seems to be the best of the lot. Why would anyone want to change that?

If some other Cape Dory group wanted to start its own Web site, I would want to have links to their site from this one, so people would be directed there for local events. (We have always posted <a href="http://www.toolworks.com/capedory/ccdol ... o">contact info for the existing Cape Dory groups</a>.)

I would hope other groups would link to this site for the message board and other Cape Dory information that doesn't need to be duplicated. I wish existing groups would make more use of this message board to post info about their events, so they could reach more prospective members.

Again, the adoption of a "national cape dory association" moniker and the formation of a virtual organization (who said anything about paying dues?) might enable us to become eligible for discounts, special privleges, etc. "Perception is reality."

Does "virtual organization" mean we would be Internet-based? The one useful thing a national group (and I would prefer a national confederation of local groups) could do would be to reach off-line Cape Dory owners by publishing a national newsletter. And that would take dues, or some form of financial support. (It would also make it easier to start local groups.)

I know we're all rich but I for one could use a break at the boat store...

If you want a discount at the boat store, join <a href="http://www.boatus.com/">BOAT/U.S.</a>. They have a participating marina program where members get discounts on fuel and at chandleries. They also do some great lobbying in Washington. Why reinvent all that?

bmeilink@shentel.net