TCA Dues to increase - Your thoughts

So the thread didn't get locked like you demanded, so now you resort to name calling.

I didn't "demand" anything, I only suggested something, which thus far has not been implemented.  Who really cares?

I will, however, demand something now:

The forum police have spoken.  No one is entitled to an opinion that doesn't fit their agenda.

Please look all of us in the eye and explain how calling people who make comments the "Forum Police" is not name calling.

...Hello, Mr. Pot.  I'd like you to meet Mr. Kettle...

I'll end my participation in this thread with a quote from Marty E.: 

Pretty simple folks, if you don't think it's worth it, don't renew.  If it has value, renew.  I find value in it.

SJS

quote:

Emulate them no.  Look at what others are doing?  Yes.  It never hurts to take a look around and see what other organizations are doing to keep their membership alive and well. 

 

While TCA may have 3x more members or what have you, it would be wise of them and all organizations to keep an eye on what can improve their membership base.  It's not about being like the LCCA or any other organization but it never hurts to step back, re-evaluate yourselves, and improve upon your base.  That does mean listening to your membership. 

 

While I won't ever claim I have all the ideas, it only could take one good idea or thought to make a positive change. 

That's pretty much how I see it. I much prefer to see quality (dedicated members) over quantity (total number of members).

Membership is gradually shrinking and it will continue to do so. As I see it, that is simply a fact, and it's pretty much irreversible. There are no easy solutions, but a good start is with a leadership team that accepts reality and has sufficient vision to prepare for the future and the willingness to make hard but reasonable choices and decisions.

Marty & CW,

You're so correct. Instead of finding fault, think of a way to contribute for the good. TCA has changed it's mission statement at least three times that I'm aware of. Each time it allowed more of those who do nothing but complain. Maybe they should have left it alone in the first place.

The LCCA has over  14,700 members currently.

Al Kolis

I think the TCA is starting to get with the times. I have been getting an email "newsletter" type thing from them rather frequently, and they are getting ready to issue everyone usernames and passwords for their website. I will guess that that will mean they are getting ready to start offering member's only sections of the website. That is in addition to the swap list and the pay your dues section.

I am sure an electronic membership would be popular and a way to reduce costs. By that I mean offer a discount on the dues in return for not receiving a printed copy of the publications. (I prefer hard copy, especially for the Quarterly, but I think a lot of members would go for the electronic subscriptions)

Or, how about this idea: If you don't want one or both publications mailed to you (and they are still available for download from the TCA website), make it to where you can opt out of having them printed and mailed to you. Then allow the TCA to apply that savings toward the upkeep of the museum.

Just a few ramblings; hope I don't offend anyone by them...

J White

The TCA web site does have a members only section. One of the interesting items hosted there are pdf's of back issues of the TCA Quarterly magazine. There is also an online swap board for members only.

I think the TCA has been giving people the option of not receiving mailed publications, but I think its an all or nothing proposition, with no membership dues discount. The idea was to reduce mailings to people with more than one member at the same address.

I just received my National Headquaters News yesterday. There are very few items in the swap section, as opposed to what there was in years past. If they made a digital edition available online, I'd probably opt to stop receiving it. However, I would like to continue to receive the TCA Quarterly magazine. I save those.

Edit: Back issues of the National Headquaters News are online. But I did not see the current issue.

I agree.  They're a treasure.  In fact, receiving four old issues of Train Collectors Quarterly was the main thing that spurred me to join the TCA.

Anything is possible, I suppose, but I sure don't see it happening. The core group of members interested in far more than just the ability to attend the York Meet, is not apt to grow by any measure I can imagine. Would be great to be proven wrong.

Fortunately, I don't have to worry much about it one way or the other. This hobby has been good to me for a great many years, and I have tried to be good to it in the ways I am best equipped to do so. I can pretty much rest easy in my sunset years.

They are best to trash after reading them. How about a digital edition, the TCA could save a small forest.