NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

[Wendell S.]

Thought I would share this with you. If I counted correctly, there have been 30 members of the NCRS do a post concerning the NCM thread.

Of that 30 NCRS members, 16 were also members of the NCM.

14 were not.

[Dick C.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Thought I would share this with you. If I counted correctly, there have been 30 members of the NCRS do a post concerning the NCM thread.

Of that 30 NCRS members, 16 were also members of the NCM.

14 were not.

Wendell,
How many e-mails have you received regrading the NCM display subject?
Dick

[Wendell S.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

14 personal emails.

Three have been real strong with comments like they will never do anything for the NCM again.

Four have voiced complete and total support for me and the NCM and they know whatever is decided they know it will be the right decision.

Seven expressed concern as to what they had heard about the display being removed and asking if that was true and if so why.

I have answered each of them, but do have a few others to catch up on. However, nothing was more of a priority for me than the relationship between the NCM and the NCRS.

[Tom S.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Wendell
I sent you a private e-mail. I am a member of the NCM, NCCC, AND NCRS. I do not think it is reasonable to force any of us to make a choice on any of the clubs. I am a NCRS member first. If for some reason one of the other clubs interfere's with my NCRS membership that club will have to go. I certainly hope you will re- think your decision to remove the NCRS and NCCC DIPLAYS! Tom Stanton #41491

[Eric J.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Wendell, I am not sure the purpose of your NCRS/NCM survey. Are you using this as an example of why the static displays are leaving?

Doesn't that strike you as a tremendous potential source for new members? Rather then distance NCM from the NCRS perhaps more NCRS/NCM involvement. There is no better fit then NCRS and NCM period. We are working very hard to preserve Corvette's and you are working hard to share the history with as many visitors as you can.

How is this information determined? I am not sure if I ever provided my NCRS affiliation when I applied.

Because of this issue next time there is a thread like this there will be even less % of NCM members. Is that what you really want? Just remember every Corvette ever made will one day be part of the NCRS judging process, Our potential pool of membership will never drop. Someday when Chevrolet stops making Corvettes (and they will) and the new C6, C7, C8, C9... clubs dry up we will still be here restoring showing and enjoying them. It is a great oportuinity don't waste it. It is not to late. Eric

[Joe L.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

I really fail to understand why there is an issue here. Here are the facts as I understand them:

1) The National Corvette Museum is being enlarged and re-modeled;

2) As part of that effort, ALL of the displays in the area where the NCRS display currently resides will have to be removed;

3) During the work period and while all displays are removed from the area, planning will take place regarding what displays, exhibits, etc. will occupy the new space created by the expansion/remodel;

4) An NCRS display or recognition of some sort may be part of the future displays or exhibits.

IF there is an issue to be upset over, that issue does not arise until we get to step 3 or 4. We are not at step 3 or 4 yet and will not be there for quite some time. Members so inclined getting involved in the process at the step 3 stage might help ensure satisfaction at step 4.

Frankly, I think that the appropriate place for NCRS recognition in the founding process for the museum would be on the brass plaque dedicating the museum or any such plaque added at the completion of the expansion project. Recognition in this way would be more "low key" and, by its nature, a PERMANENT sort of thing.

As far as exhibits or displays go, I think that any "permanent" NCRS exhibit or display would tend to get "stale" and "dated". After one or two visits, folks would ignore it. Even for the vast majority who might only visit the museum once, such a display might not be something that would constitute much of an "attraction".

[Dick C.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Joe,
When and if the time comes, I hope that the museum will let NCRS play a major role in the design of any display/exhibit which recogizes NCRS and its role in the creation of the museum and of its continuing support.
Whatever is done it should be a permanent exhibit or display.
NCRS may not be known by everyone but NCRS's impact on the museum and the Corvette is part of Corvette history should be told.
Lets hope that the NCM and NCRS directors can agree on a future NCRS display/exhibit that will please each other.
Sorry for the ranting but its how I feel.
Dick Capello

[Clem Z.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Joe,
When and if the time comes, I hope that the museum will let NCRS play a major role in the design of any display/exhibit which recogizes NCRS and its role in the creation of the museum and of its continuing support.
Whatever is done it should be a permanent exhibit or display.
NCRS may not be known by everyone but NCRS's impact on the museum and the Corvette is part of Corvette history should be told.
Lets hope that the NCM and NCRS directors can agree on a future NCRS display/exhibit that will please each other.
Sorry for the ranting but its how I feel.
Dick Capello

dick if the NCM is that important to the NCRS why not have the NCRS have a campaign to get their members to become members of the NCM ??

[Dick C.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Clem,
At our chapter meetings, our chapter NCM ambassador give a museum report and is always recruiting members to join the museum. I would hope that other chapter do the same. I would hope all Corvette groups do the same.
Even with this NCRS display issue going on I do my part and send in my NCM membership renewal on Monday.

Dick

[John N.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Clem,
At our chapter meetings, our chapter NCM ambassador give a museum report and is always recruiting members to join the museum. I would hope that other chapter do the same. I would hope all Corvette groups do the same.
Even with this NCRS display issue going on I do my part and send in my NCM membership renewal on Monday.

Dick

Dick
You can avoid the yearly membership dues by obtaining a lifetime membership to the NCM. The benefits are.
(1) helping this great museum for our hobby
(2)attend the yearly lifetime member dinner at the Strode
Family Homestead each Labor Day weekend.
(3)possibly get a tax deduction
Regards

[D S.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

I can't imagine a Corvette museum being operated by members of the board who are not car or Corvette people. That's almost a conflict of interests.

Wendell, I was one of the responders to the ballooning NCM/NCRS discussion. I am not a member of the NCM and didn't even know there was a membership until this issue came up. I don't understand your rationale for taking a poll to see who in the NCRS is loyal to the NCM via membership and who are not. When political polls are conducted there are no differentiations made as to whether those polled are of any political affiliations or not. It is an objective opinion gathering tool not intended to defend or offend. So, whether NCRS members are or are not NCM members shouldn't be an issue unless you are attempting to justify that non-NCM members shouldn't have an opinion. Are any or all of the NCM board members and staff also NCRS members? Probably not but I'll bet all of their opinion counts with you.

I agree with Joe Lucia on most of his points. What's the flap until a decision about an NCRS display is made? Clearly you've shown that you've taken the time to read NCRS members comments and hear opinions so it is obvious that you are not ignoring the issues and you are trying to work toward a resolve. Perhaps now the NCM board is hearing and reading, too.

First impressions make the most lasting impression so if hopefully the NCM does proceed to recognize the NCRS in a deserving honorary manner by a plaque or permanent display it should be done at the main entry of the remodeled NCM prominently displayed for all visitors to see before entering the NCM. I think that most Corvette people make a mental connection to the NCRS and NCM anyway. I've never been to the NCM and those I know who have visited say it's quite impressive. I always assumed that the NCRS and NCM were joined in the museum's existence.

Certainly I hope that these discussions will lead to a more positive constructive dialog and cohesive bond between the NCRS and NCM.

[Jim B.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

I am a member of both NCRS and the NCM. I had my last car, a 2007 VY Z06 delivered as a museum delivery and it was a great experience.

I think we should give the NCMuseum a chance to do its planning and show us the class act they have always been. I am sure the new facility design will be well worth a trip to check it out.

[Rick A.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Joe Lucia said it all - let's hope the NCM, NCRS, - ALL interested parties that are CORVETTE lovers join together to make the NCM what it is meant to be - a place for ALL to enjoy the history of the ONLY TRUE AMERICAN sports car

[Wendell S.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Tom, we agree 100% with your comment that it is not reasonable to force anyone to make a choice on any of the clubs. The NCM is every Corvette enthusiasts museum. That includes the NCRS, the NCCC, the WSCC, the local/regional Corvette Club/chapter and also the individual that does not belong to any formal organization. We sure wish that all of the members of those organizations would also be a member of the NCM.

Eric, my reasoning for sharing the NCM/NCRS membership survey had nothing to do with the static display leaving. You answered the question with your comment there is tremendous potential for new NCM members from within the NCRS members. Imagine how much the NCM membership would grow if every NCRS member was also a member of the NCM. Imagine the same for the NCCC, WSCC and every organized Corvette group. Quite honestly, I must also admit that a part of me was saying the same thing that NCRS says with regard to this discussion board.....if you do not care enough to join the NCRS, then you are not entitled to participate in the discussion. I am sure there was that thought in the back of my mind that if you do not care enough to join the NCM, you are not entitled to participate in the discussion. That thought was not a good one to have and for that I apologize. We want and need all Corvette enthusiasts to be a part of their National Corvette Museum that you have honored me by letting me serve as your steward.

[Wendell S.]

Re: NCM/NCRS Membership Statistic

Scott, you said that you cannot imagine a Corvette Museum being operated by members of the board who are not car or Corvette people. Other than me, they all are and I am transitioning.

You indicated you were not a NCM member and did not know there was a membership. How can we do a better job and communicate that message better and more effectively?

My rationale for sharing the survey we attembed to explain in another post this morning. Again, it mainly acknowledging there were many out there and we wanted them to consider becoming a member of the NCM. I should have explained that more, but was rushed as I had agreed to assist the Easter ***** with his visit to four grandchildren on Sunday.

We absolutely want to mazimize every opportunity and welcome everyone's feedback on doing so.

The NCM membership is tax deductible as was posted by one of our joint members.