New CCDO Membership Policy? Request for Comments

[Walt Bilofsky]

Folks:

The California Cape Dory Owners Association is going to need to review our unlimited policy of accepting members and mailing our occasional newsletters for free. We're having a float-in this weekend (Aug. 9-10) and will discuss this. In the spirit of the Internet, I'd appreciate suggestions from the group on this message board.

I'd appreciate opinions from anyone, especially from members outside California. Do you like the idea of "being a member" even without a newsletter? If you are a member and have been receiving the newsletter, are you reluctant to give it up? Have you ever used your copy of the membership list for anything?

(None of this affects this Web site, which is gladly provided for the use of all Cape Dory owners, members or not, and will not change.)

Due to the success of the Web site and the recent article in Soundings, the CCDO membership is approaching 100, and most of the new members are outside California.

We don't have any bylaws, so all Cape Dory owners are welcome to fly the burgee and wear the cap. But it's nice to "belong" if you're going to fly the flag.

The only other benefit of "membership" is to be on the mailing list for the newsletter - which is published irregularly, and is getting to be more of a burden as the membership grows. We could ease that burden by charging dues and paying someone to print and mail the newsletter, but that would be even more work. The newsletter isn't real interesting for Internet users anyway, because most of the interesting stuff gets posted on the Web site too.

Other than the newsletter, having members outside California doesn't affect CCDO much, but personally I would rather see other local groups start up and do float-ins and stuff. Another alternative for those who really like getting a newsletter (and have a sailboat) is the Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association, which has activities on the Chesapeake, charges dues ($40/year), and publishes a bimonthly newsletter. (Click "Where to Look" at the top of the main message board page.)

Some of the possibilities that occur to me are:

1) Restrict membership (and newsletter mailing) to California residents.

2) Anyone can be a member, but if you want to receive the newsletter you must meet some other requirement. Possibilities are some or all of the following:

a) Be a California resident
b) Have purchased a burgee or a cap.
c) Be a member of another local group that wants to start up, but isn't ready for its own newsletter.

Feedback will be appreciated.

- Walt Bilofsky
Commodore, CCDO



bilofsky@toolworks.com

[Paul Saltzman]

Folks:

Walt here's some of my thoughts;
You said:

Some of the possibilities that occur to me are:
1) Restrict membership (and newsletter mailing) to California residents.

I feel that you have lots to gain by leaving membership open. Some sailors do get around to the other side from time to time and when they do it's nice to belong to a group of familar names.

2) Anyone can be a member, but if you want to receive the newsletter you must meet some other requirement. Possibilities are some or all of the following:

a) Be a California resident

I hope not!

b) Have purchased a burgee or a cap.

Yes why not. I did and I am proud to fly it.

c) Be a member of another local group that wants to start up, but isn't ready for its own newsletter.

That's helpful and along that line I say again. Keep the membership open, feel free to charge for the news letter, look for contributors from around the states for news worthy stuff for the news letter, that would help bring the two shore lines closer together (Sorry Gulf no offense meant, but the gulf should be considered as well.

IN short what I am saying is that if another group forms in another location they should follow the same format. When we had S2S bulletin board for sailoros and boaters there where 7 or 8 different sights that all followed the same set up. So if you were in Toronto and logged on it would be familar to you.

When things got financially tight I asked for contributions rather than dues and I think those that cared gave and the others drifted away.

Personally I would love to helm a CDOA in the NY, CT area. But at this time need a bit more help on how it gets started.

I hope will continue to contribute what I can and if I can be of assistance let me know...

paul

Feedback will be appreciated.

- Walt Bilofsky
Commodore, CCDO

saltzma@ibm.net