Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: njpatera on September 30, 2019, 08:54:38 PM
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Just received the October bulletin today and was taken aback after reading about the budget short fall. Obviously there’s a number of factors that brought about the situation. It was great to see the donations made to try and somewhat offset the numbers. That said, it is what it is and suggestions have been asked for...my 2¢...
I’ve read many times in past posts people saying, “what do I get?” if I join the club. You can’t really put a price on the help and assistance in answering questions but individuals simply like “things,”or as I’ve asked myself...does the club have any official SWAG? Stuff We All Get! Would it be possible for the powers that be look into offering official T-shirts, hats, key chains, hoodies with the club logos or KF and Willy’s pics on them. We buy, club makes money on the purchases. Many of us can’t make it to National meets, but would love to buy Swag and help advertise KF when not able to get the cars out there...
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That is a good idea and the club does sell nice cloth patches for jackets or hats and one group sells license plate frames with your year car and name on them. Another chapter sells key chains and belt buckles. T shirts are available at each National Meet but none are sold by the club. Maybe jackets and t shirts would be good sellers. Different chapters have sold them in the past. How many of you would be interested in having a club jacket or t shirt?
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I’d be interested in a couple shirts and hats😎
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The patches are advertised in the KFOCI MONTHLY BULLETIN. They are a fund raiser for the National level.
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I'd definitely be interested.
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I’ve read many times in past posts people saying, “what do I get?” if I join the club.
You get award-winning publications: the Monthly News Bulletin and the Quarterly, which includes a beautiful full-color calendar. You also get the CD Handbook, with nearly 1400 pages of photos and data on the vehicles built after 1945 by Kaiser-Frazer, Graham-Paige, Willys Motors, Kaiser Motors, Kaiser-Willys, Willys Overland, IKA, and Kaiser Jeep ~ which was highly praised in Old Cars as a valuable feature they had not seen offered by any other car club.
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You also get full access to this fine forum that constantly answers your questions about your Kaiser, the KFOCI or any other Kaiser Frazer Willy history questione answered by qualified people who have been in the hobby for many years and also jim Betts circleKf website with copies of nearly every piece of Kaiser Frazer literature ever published. No other car club offers the help that this club does and all for a very reasonably priced annual membership fee. Give it a try!
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Going to steer this thread back to its original intention...SWAG...
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Going to steer this thread back to its original intention...SWAG...
SWAG stands for "Stuff We All Get"... typically the free promotional items (pens, prizes, etc) one gets when attending an event.
SWAG items in the Welcome bags at the National this year included 2 very nice stylus pens: one with the club name/logo, and one from Kaiser Bill, along with a CD of his Restoration book. Bags also included a tape measure or flashlight, and back-scratchers with Kaiser or Frazer decal logos were also distributed.
I wouldn't consider items (shirts/hats/jackets/hoodees/keychains/cup cozy/etc) that you must purchase as SWAG, so what specifically are you asking for the club to provide you for free - without attending a club event?
Over the years there have been no less than 3 members selling clothing items - either screen-printed or embroidered - with prices ranging from $15 (hat) to $55 (sweatshirt) plus shipping. Are you willing to pay those prices? I don't know if they stopped advertising because they ran out of stock, or because the response was poor. I could contact them for feedback to see if it's worth the club doing as a fund-raiser. If it looks viable, it might be something to try but only IF we could get sufficient paid pre-orders to cover the cost. What would you order?
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Hmmm... I made sure that was clear in the initial post! I made NO mention of the club providing anything free! I’ve no idea where that was interpreted. FYI: swag is just another word for merch. All swag is not free! As I made clear in the initial post. Many members don’t/can’t go to a National meet for whatever reason, so therefore it would be nice to support the club with “official” (since that’s the new buzz word)items to purchase. Where did I mention free? This is not the way to address ideas to help the club...it’s clear it’s needed. As others have mentioned, I’ll just observe as things decline. Again...where did I say free? Smdh🤦♂️
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Hmmm... I made sure that was clear in the initial post! I made NO mention of the club providing anything free! I’ve no idea where that was interpreted. FYI: swag is just another word for merch. All swag is not free! As I made clear in the initial post. Many members don’t/can’t go to a National meet for whatever reason, so therefore it would be nice to support the club with “official” (since that’s the new buzz word)items to purchase. Where did I mention free? This is not the way to address ideas to help the club...it’s clear it’s needed. As others have mentioned, I’ll just observe as things decline. Again...where did I say free? Smdh🤦♂️
I saw "buy" in your initial post twice.
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Hmmm... I made sure that was clear in the initial post! I made NO mention of the club providing anything free! I’ve no idea where that was interpreted. FYI: swag is just another word for merch. All swag is not free! As I made clear in the initial post. Many members don’t/can’t go to a National meet for whatever reason, so therefore it would be nice to support the club with “official” (since that’s the new buzz word)items to purchase. Where did I mention free? This is not the way to address ideas to help the club...it’s clear it’s needed. As others have mentioned, I’ll just observe as things decline. Again...where did I say free? Smdh♂️
You asked "what do I get" from the club when I join which, to me, implied "what comes with" paid membership. You also defined SWAG as Stuff We All Get which (again to me) implies items that "come with membership and we all get." At this point, the answer is: award-winning publications, the CD Handbook, and the support of fellow members. More than some clubs provide, less than others.
Yes, you asked about "merch" to buy. There have been some in the past - different items by different people in different styles, costing $15-$55 + $5 average shipping. That was 2006-2008. Obviously prices have gone up since then, especially postage. I checked online for a cost estimate on a simple, good quality single color T-shirt, both screen-printed and embroidered. Assuming a quantity of 100, in a mix of sizes, using a first-time promotional code (25% discount + free shipping), and adding $ for club profit, the cost per shirt would be $25 for screen printed and $30 for embroidered, plus another $8 per item for insured shipping to you. How many of you are willing to pay that?
As for not getting a Convention T-shirt because you couldn't attend ... there have been some that we could not attend, but we were able to get a shirt by contacting the hosts to ask if they would mail one, sending in the Registration form, paying for the item and adding for postage. Where there's a will, there's a way.
Often members want the club to do something for them without considering it may have been tried before or doesn't seem to have enough other support or is not in the realm of what is possible at this time. The club has to weigh the risk and reward, and judge whether we have the resources - financial, as well as manpower - for each venture. Personally (not speaking on behalf of the club) I don't think this is the right time for the club to take this on ... but if you are serious about wanting it, and willing to help, step up and send a detailed proposal to club management.
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Noah
You can refer to SWAG however you want but the common usage of the term is as Barbara has already stated - free stuff you get by going to a convention or joining a club as an incentive. It does not mean to encompass buying anything. That term would be fund raiser.
I thought this topic heading might lead to a discussion of the club finances but it has not. There are very few interested members on this forum. As a member of 2 other old car clubs, I know one of them had to raise dues 11 years ago to $50. They also recognize donors.
For that club - the Buick Club if America - the national meet is now a cash cow. They can make money even on a small meet. A small National meet equals 135 cars and 300 participants. I helped run a local festival car show for a few years and we always cleared hundreds of dollars after trophies. I have to believe the KFOCI National meet can make some money. But I am not in the know on that subject. I donated a small amount to be dedicated to this website. I can donate some more.
I would look into mergers with other clubs but that idea has been knocked down several times.
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1)You need to Read the initial post! I did NOT say what do “I” get! If there was any reading comprehension I clearly stated I’ve read other people stating it!!! I then proceeded to give a suggestion to help the club create, “SELL, swag to help with the remarkable financial problem...if thats not clear, sorry, that is on the reader as it is clear. I’ve been a teacher for over 20 years and it amazes me the how people distort things...wow, just wow!
2)As for swag “only” meaning free... try again. And stating again, as written in the initial posting, I made that clear with examples to be purchased. You are flat wrong. There are more sources than Wikipedia...lol. Sorry, I’ve dealt in swag for over 20 years with touring bands in the music industry....and nothing is free! Also, in the right circles back in the day it also means bad pot.😂 I’ll just chalk this up to a generational gap!
The sad thing I learned is when you try to help, you get attacked, reading comprehension has declined even when the text evidence is clearly stated, there probably will not be any apologies after pointing out multiple times the examples and nothing will change. My dads club i was excited to be a part of is nothing like it was and for that it’ll be tough to continue.
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Noah, please take a breath and calm down. You gave your opinion, we gave ours. Just because we differ does NOT mean you were "attacked"
ps: my definition of SWAG did not come from Wikipedia, and my reading comprehension is excellent.
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Initial post...I attempted to redirect the thread to the original thought, yet someone continued to banter. No apologies, I got it. Again, you missed the part of “we buy.” Arguing doesn’t help and your’re still in a financial hole...congratulations on another member being spoken to like—————————.
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Participation on this forum requires a degree of "correctness" to which a lot of us have grown tired .
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Initial post...I attempted to redirect the thread to the original thought, yet someone continued to banter. No apologies, I got it. Again, you missed the part of “we buy.” Arguing doesn’t help and your’re still in a financial hole...congratulations on another member being spoken to like—————————.
What do you think requires an apology? * And why do you think selling SWAG is the answer to the financial problem? * Please give direct & relevant answers.
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I would like to thank Barbra, and all the rest of the club officers for the fine job they all do for our club and the countless hours they put in to achieve this. That said it seems some people who use this forum only like to stir up discord among us, please don't ruin the club for everyone that enjoys it. It's easy to hid behind a keyboard and post damaging remarks, sometimes more wisdom is shown by keeping quiet. I don't post very often, but read the forum daily. Thank-you for reading, have a good day
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A good and needed posting.
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A good and needed posting.
To which posting are you referring?
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Lol...obviously they are not referring to the initial post that was offering an idea...so they shoot the messenger even when clarified. The unfortunate status quo only means the club will end. So what are your ideas?
By the way, thank you to all the messages I received referencing they read the initial post with complete comprehension and clearly understood the idea to help in this matter. I can see why there is a deep divide in the group now...and no I did not stir any pot. I give clear rebuttal. If you take it as stirring the pot, well then, it’s your issue not mine. Not hiding behind a keyboard either. Simply offered a suggestion in the initial post. If the powers that be that make the decisions do not want to entertain, take up or act on an idea that is fine by me. If silencing or censoring ideas and members is your idea, then enjoy.
When you focus on a single word in a post that is clarified and given an additional meaning; and not the issue and suggestion for assistance offered, then there clearly is a problem in dealing with the overall issue...I have not seen a post on this thread of alternative ideas either!
Finally, here is the quote from the initial post in which I use the word “buy” meaning ‘to purchase’ 2x in order to help potentially raise money to offset the financial hole...
“Would it be possible for the powers that be look into offering official T-shirts, hats, key chains, hoodies with the club logos or KF and Willy’s pics on them. We buy, club makes money on the purchases. Many of us can’t make it to National meets, but would love to buy Swag and help advertise KF when not able to get the cars out there...”
...so, feel to bash me, knit pick words, or the idea...the financial hole remains! Or offer up your idea🤔
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The idea I have is let's all relax and agree everyone has gotten their point across. Thank you all for your input.
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After following this thread from the beginning I'd like to add one more opinion. Being an associate member I did not get the bulletin mentioned, so am not privy to any club budget expenditures/shortfall/info except for this thread.
Going out on a limb here from what I see elsewhere with print media, print media & delivery must be expensive. For instance, the local newspaper used to be quite thick, and cost a dime for the daily, now $1.50 for a third of what it used to be. I recently saw a New Yorker magazine for the first time in ages, cover price was either $7 or $9...…….I was flabbergasted. Naturally subscriptions are always cheaper than cover prices but you can see where this is going.
I still request paper billing for monthly expenses, most companies now charge me $2 to $5 per month for this "perk".
Not being loaded with cash it pains me to say this but firstly, the "Associate" membership is priced too cheap. My other suggestions are to divide the full membership into two tiers, one priced for the digital version only of the bulletin, the other priced for members who prefer the print & mailed version. Calendars on a "pre order" basis only for any member, due by the deadline for timely printing.
The club officers can crunch the numbers for the different levels, and it wouldn't be a sin to have a bit of cushion in there for the stability of club coffers. Anyone disgruntled by the reality of print expenses probably isn't going to be happy about anything else to correct the budget shortfall either.
One thing that's been mentioned before is that the club CD is becoming dated technology. For example, my household has 3 laptops & two tablets, only the oldest laptop has a CD drive. At some point the CD info is going to need to be on a flash drive to be accessible to anyone, which can be pretty cheap, but not as cheap as a stack of CDs. Yet another expense that should be calculated into the full membership.
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Mark. Lots of good ideas in that post. Maybe have the calendar available as you suggest for an extra cost for a couple of years.
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At some point the CD info is going to need to be on a flash drive
It had been considered, unfortunately the newest laptops don't have USB ports so that is no longer an option.
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If they don’t have a usb-a they must have a usb-c. A simple adapter is required. If not the majority have an SD slot.
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Can a SD card hold 1gb of data? Every search I did refers only to # photos, nothing about text files.
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Sure can...You can get up to 2TB micro cards and 1tb sd and the transfer rate is quicker. Reduce it to a Zip file to compress.
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At some point the CD info is going to need to be on a flash drive
It had been considered, unfortunately the newest laptops don't have USB ports so that is no longer an option.
Well, I was stumped by this but now I'm going to bring in a "ringer" here.
I've got a couple grandsons that's been hanging around this weekend (twins & HS seniors) that work at Best Buy summers & weekends. One in computers, one in TV's. Over dinner I asked them about this and they say that standard USB (A) ports are still on most new computers, except for a few of the very thin laptop models, and those have the USB "C" ports. USB C is supposed to be the latest, greatest & fastest port type for smart phones, computers, chargers & TV's and will at some point (supposedly) replace the type we now usually think of and become a "universal" connector.
They also showed me inexpensive adaptors already on the market to allow USB A flash drives to plug into USB C ports, as well as flash drives with the USB C type plug. So it seems the flash drive & USB port is sticking around, just with a different plug type.
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That’s an affirmative on the info they gave you😎