TCA re-up or not?

Find myself caught in a somewhat similar quagmire. Wonder if folks with a membership who allow it to lapse would be able to attend York as a guest???

Farmer_Bill posted:

I seem to miss every other York.  Thought as I matured I would have more free time but the opposite seems to be the case. 

Got a TCA notice and I'm seriously wondering whether to renew, delay, or quit altogether. 

Used to be an advocate of the Museum but lately it seems to be a huge drag on funds.  Haven't been in a few years and keep hearing about the big bucks that have been spent and so much more needed to keep the place solvent. 

Between work and family and travel and too many hobbies, I'm having a tough time justifying my contributions to each and all of them.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Usually I see these posts and say "Not Again" but Farmer Bill that was a pretty good post.  I would tend to say maybe it's time to give it up.  Sounds like a lot is going on for you and the $50 may not be worth it for you anymore.  I am pretty much feeling the same way about the museum but am impressed with some of the communication coming out of the TCA recently. 

It sounds to me you've made up your mind and just need that push.

If you do not get any direct benefit from belonging to an organization, then it comes down to this:  You either want to support TCA and its efforts to promote the hobby or you don't.  If you are not interested in trying to keep the hobby as strong as possible, then I concur with MartyE and drop your membership.

I belong to many different organizations that I seldom interact with, but they are advocates of things that I support and I want to see grow.  I belong to TCA as well as other model train organizations for this reason.  York is an added benefit.

Usually I see these posts and say "Not Again" but Farmer Bill that was a pretty good post.  I would tend to say maybe it's time to give it up.  Sounds like a lot is going on for you and the $50 may not be worth it for you anymore.

I would go in the opposite direction.

I would look at the $50 as a fee to keep alive a hobby and a group that you care about so that, against the day you're able to get to York again, it will be there.  If too many drop out, about 10 years from now, everyone will be saying "Gee, now that I have the time, I'm sorry that the TCA went under and there's no more York."  

I don't mind spending the price of one boxcar each year 1) to get the TCA Quarterly (an almost erudite publication), 2) to allow me to attend York when I have the time, 3) to allow me to attend the regional NETCA shows (which I enjoy), but mostly, 4) to continue in some small way to make sure that an organization that serves a hobby I care very much about continues to exist.

Even 5) the TCA HQ News (the little newspaper publication), which is mostly worthless to me in terms of content, is still something I enjoy receiving.  This little newspaper reminds me that there's still a pretty darn good train club out there and they're still trying to promote the hobby.  Every time I get the TCAHQ, I leaf through it, just as a means of touching base with my hobby.  I note which vendors are still advertising, I see the comings and goings of members.  And I always zoom right in to the new members from my area to see if I know anyone.  

I belong to a collector car organization that is facing similar issues as the TCA.  My opinion is that both clubs' issues are not an result of mismanagement or short-sightedness on the part of leadership, but rather it's an issue of demographics.  Stated bluntly, the oldest members of our hobby are meeting up with history.  If anyone else who remains still wants their hobby to have a grand, organizing umbrella of a club, they need to support that club.

Online forums and eBay alone don't do it for me.  I take comfort in knowing that there are thousands of other yahoos* out there with the same passion I have who care enough to band together to be a group.  I like meeting up with them regionally and every now and again at York.

Maybe it's just me, but helping to keep that group alive seems like it's worth $50 a year.  Anything else I get back beyond that is just gravy.

Steven J. Serenska

* I use this term with the utmost respect and affection.

I don't get any reward out of the museum living here in Ca. and a trip to York is no bargain,been to four and then there are the local division dues of $40 so that is $90 for annual dues,I am going to York in October and that will be it for my membership.

Mikey

Steven, extremely well put. Although, I enjoy going to York the TCA is more to me than just York. It's all the things you mentioned. 

I will renew mine come January, I just joined this past January but my reason not before well I was honestly living paycheck to paycheck with no credit card bills or things like that but things have changed and I look at it as supporting a hobby I really enjoy, I also look at it this way I waste more money fixing and then selling some trains than that a year probably closer to 20 fold but it's gives me something to do that I enjoy. I'm not up there with marty or gun in repairs but most prewar/postwar I can fix or get help with fixing by a friend that has the presses etc. I want to look at getting the tool for spreading a E-unit and try my hand on a couple of them and need to sit down with some one to understand replacing the breaker and whistle control on a ZW but can do other things. 

So to me it's worth renewing if nothing more than to support the hobby but if your in a money crunch because of other obligation then I completely understand as been there, done that. Best of luck on what ever is your decision as to me your the only one who can make that decision. 

edit: I have not been to York and probably will not as with my PTSD I do not do well with large crowds or enclosed large spaces.

 I want to look at getting the tool for spreading a E-unit and try my hand on a couple of them

Reproductions of the original Lionel ST-303 spreader tool run around $3.50

Farmer Bill, You know you will renew your membership. You can't stay away from York. If you can't afford it, I will pay it for you.

I've pretty much stopped buying the new production stuff and stick to Postwar and MPC (stuff I can fix without a degree in computers). So for me York is the main place to buy the things I want. The museum is about an hour's drive from me and I get there on occasion to look at the trains, plus I get info from the library that's available nowhere else. I enjoy the Quarterly and always learn something interesting, or, in the case of the Headquarter's News, I get a fair idea of the value of items I have or am looking for. So, yep, for me the $50 a year plus the fee for York is worth it. 

Hey, this is my lifetime hobby - what else would I blow my money on?

I look at the $50 as part of the price for going to York.  So it's gas money for 3442.7 miles, some wear and tear on the car, York admission cost, RV fee, and then add $25.00 for TCA.  If I stop going to York, then the need for TCA membership is very questionable. 

Sounds expensive to go to York, but I would have to attend about 38.27 of the large, all gauge, national, well-attended shows to equal the "O" gauge that I can see at one York show.   So if the large national show costs more than $5.33 for gas, admission, and parking, then the York show is a better value.  Plus I get all the shopping done in one week and have ample opportunity to comparison shop.

So the TCA membership gets me to York.  Now I am going to try and go the next couple of Yorks at least, cause given all I read about the declining attendance at York I don't think the show will last past 2017.

It's hard for me to make York so I let my membership cancel.  I feel that I get more from this forum and it's members than I ever got from the tca.  

Fifty bucks ain't what it used to be.  I buy my grandkids (each) a book of tickets for rides at the boardwalk and it's way more  than a year in the TCA and going to York.  My wife and I only go Thursday (to York) and it's part of a Spring -Fall getaway every year.   How much is a good time worth?  

I wish they'd sell lifetime memberships and York tickets.  Only complaint I have is making the transactions.  

The TCA has partnered with Nationwide Insurance recently.  If you have a Nationwide Insurance policy and you are a TCA member, you can save on your auto insurance.  Maybe the savings would pay for the membership??  Something to look into, perhaps.

woojr posted:

Fifty bucks ain't what it used to be.  I buy my grandkids (each) a book of tickets for rides at the boardwalk and it's way more  than a year in the TCA and going to York.  My wife and I only go Thursday (to York) and it's part of a Spring -Fall getaway every year.   How much is a good time worth?  

I wish they'd sell lifetime memberships and York tickets.  Only complaint I have is making the transactions.  

"I wish they'd sell lifetime memberships" 

Isn't that one of the reasons they are in the current financial situation? Selling Lifetime memberships for only $100 years back? Seems awfully, awfully low for anyone younger than 90 at the time!

All non profit outfits usually cost money for staff.   I would like to see what salaries are being paid and the expenses to keep it running, maybe a way to cut operating cost is to only open Friday, Saturday, and Sundays.

I worked at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum as a contracter , The staff there depended on the , volunteers,  and contractors to do the work.  they paid the city workers to sit around and chat all day.  

We said there was two ways that you could not have to work anymore.

1. hit the lottery.

2. get a job being employed by the city of L.A.

According to the most recent treasurer's summary report (5/31/2016), the TCA is in the black for the first ten months of their fiscal year.
I'm not certain what this has to do with whether Farmer Bill or any one else should let their membership lapse.

The way I figure it... I like the magazine... I can go to York (I usually don't)... I like trading and dealing with fellow TCA members.. there's an accountability there... AND last but not least;  I am contributing to an organization that caters to one of the few things in life that brings me GREAT joy. 

People might be more willing to give, or belong to non-profits if they would have on the website, updated at least once a quarter, a report from the CFO.  I think this should be a requirement, because they are paying NO TAXES.

The TCA issues a financial report to its members from time to time. They must be providing the government with whatever reports are required to maintain their non-profit status.
I don't think its the business of non-members.

Farmer Bill, I can understand the sentiment.  I let most of my other expensive hobbies go in favor of trains.  Hard decisions to be sure, and I still miss them sometimes.

Just wanted to say that if you do decide to part ways with the TCA, I will miss seeing you at the OGR Thursday gatherings and around the fairgrounds.  For me, the TCA has been more about the people than the trains -- although the trains don't hurt... unless you drop one on your foot. 

Andy

Bill, stop.  Just stop it already!  It's simple, just drop all the other non-important hobbies and distractions and get to the York Meet and see all your forum friends, buy some trains, bring them home and run them.  Trains are much healthier than any other hobby!

BobbyD posted:

woojr posted:

Fifty bucks ain't what it used to be.  I buy my grandkids (each) a book of tickets for rides at the boardwalk and it's way more  than a year in the TCA and going to York.  My wife and I only go Thursday (to York) and it's part of a Spring -Fall getaway every year.   How much is a good time worth?  

I wish they'd sell lifetime memberships and York tickets.  Only complaint I have is making the transactions.  

"I wish they'd sell lifetime memberships" 

Isn't that one of the reasons they are in the current financial situation? Selling Lifetime memberships for only $100 years back? Seems awfully, awfully low for anyone younger than 90 at the time!

Sorry, just a selfish thought.  I don't recall the offering, when was it?

I just signed up one time so I can attend York this October just to se what there is to see.  Not sure if I will buy anything as my layout seems pretty complete except for an MTH J611 PS3.  Maybe york will have one at blowout price. If not, shoulder shrug.

Awaiting notice of when to buy tickets for me and wife.

So when membership comes up I am not renewing as don't see any value.  But thats just me.

You don't buy tickets for York.

So just show your TCA card and you are in??  What about spouse?

rrman posted:

So just show your TCA card and you are in??  What about spouse?

You register either via mailing in a registration form or going on line to do so.  Mailed out booklets from Eastern Division TCA are normally a few months before the meet.  I don't know when they turn on the on-line registration for October, but it's probably a little sooner.

You will then receive a badge for yourself and spouse if you register your spouse too.

Eddie is right that technically they are not "tickets".

If you want to wait on a long line on your first day, you can show your TCA card and pay the (higher when registering in person at the meet than if in advance) fee for your admission.  Better to do it in advance either on-line or via mail.

-Dave

Since you have never attended, your name might not be on the mailing list.

Go to the TCA website and look around. There was a York link near the front page.

You can get the registration forms there or register on line.

I just do not understand this "problem". Anybody on this forum, taki ng OGR, is into trains. If into trains, they have a few shillings tied up in them, so $50 is chicken feed to help support and perpetuate a hobby many have enjoyed since childhood, and many think should endure. With all the other history and antiquity preserved, by organizations, why not memories of happy childhoods, that can be enjoyed as adults? TCA can preserve that for the future . The museum exposes the hobby to tourists, and make some aware.  

I have come close several times to joining, I do belong to the LCCA club.  And I caught he-- for spending that money from the person that oversees my finances.  Just affording trains is a struggle most of the year, espicaly in the winter if we are not getting snow for me to plow with my tractor.  Only my snow plowing and yard mowing funds are mine for trains.  Or If I fix trains for someone, but even that seems to be a rarity these days since Harmon's trains in Arcadia, IN closed up.   Maybe someday, York is on my bucket list, even with my social anxiety.   Mike

I just renewed mine - for the fortieth time.  And enjoyed every year of it!

Good luck on your decision.

Happy railroading,

Don

Brian, you nailed it. PRIORITIES!!!!!

Gerry

Personally I feel you already want to re-up but need some encouragement as coming here to ask if you should re-up your membership that you really want to is like a gun collector going into a gun forum and ask if he should re-new his NRA membership. wants to but looking for that little help to convince yourself. 

Dominic Mazoch posted:

People might be more willing to give, or belong to non-profits if they would have on the website, updated at least once a quarter, a report from the CFO.  I think this should be a requirement, because they are paying NO TAXES.

There is an Annual Independent Auditor Report issued annually and published in the National Headquarters News. The latest one for 2014-2015 fiscal period was in the March 2016 issue.

Ron M

woojr posted:

BobbyD posted:

woojr posted:

Fifty bucks ain't what it used to be.  I buy my grandkids (each) a book of tickets for rides at the boardwalk and it's way more  than a year in the TCA and going to York.  My wife and I only go Thursday (to York) and it's part of a Spring -Fall getaway every year.   How much is a good time worth?  

I wish they'd sell lifetime memberships and York tickets.  Only complaint I have is making the transactions.  

"I wish they'd sell lifetime memberships" 

Isn't that one of the reasons they are in the current financial situation? Selling Lifetime memberships for only $100 years back? Seems awfully, awfully low for anyone younger than 90 at the time!

Sorry, just a selfish thought.  I don't recall the offering, when was it?

I believe that it was ~1975 and was limited to 500 members. Unfortunately this concept of  having life-memberships was not thought out carefully enough. It didn't take into account the age of the member as a factor for the membership price, it should have been graded - the younger ones paid more than the older ones.

BTW - The NMRA offered Life-memberships and found that they were not fiscally sound offers and discontinued offering them.

Ron M

Thanks guys for bringing me back from the abyss.  Renewed online and even made a hotel reservation for October (twice as much as the TCA dues).  Hopefully I will make this Meet.  If not, the reservation is refundable and the dues are going to a good group. 

I will renew but feel strongly that the museum needs to be revisited financially.  Yes, TCA is in the black this year but much of the asset side of the ledger is comprised of difficult to value items (the accountants note this) and the assets that are there, even if capable of being marked with any degree of accuracy, are illiquid.  The drain on liquid resources (cash, CDs, etc) by the museum is what absolutely necessitated the dues increase to provide income to offset the overall deterioration of the balance sheet.  In my opinion, the arguments about $15 per year were not of interest to me aside from the facts that it illustrated the need for TCA to get itself on sound financial footing.  We will revisit the dues increase again soon, as it only bought some time to face the inevitable restructuring that must occur.

But I will renew without hesitation because the organization is good for the hobby, I like the newsletter, and I attend York.  Also, the TCA and ED TCA volunteers are top notch so I view it as a token of my appreciation.

I'm not a member, but I thought the TCA got into the red because of unforeseen capital expenses needed for the museum.  I'm sure the lawsuit over the Doyle book didn't help.  Glad to hear their balance sheet is back in the black.

For membership in any organization, a member or potential member needs to decides if the value of a membership meets or exceeds the cost.  This is a very personal decision, and for some folks it is a resounding yes and for others maybe not.

Jim

jd-train posted:

....... I thought the TCA got into the red because of unforeseen capital expenses needed for the museum. .........

The complications of fixing the sewer system for the rest rooms was definitely a big hit.  But it is now (finally) behind us,with full restroom facilities available in the museum itself for the last few years.

-Dave