FYI VCA is emailing out again

[Shannon Whitehead]

#356270

We have a few members who support both clubs so rather than sending a “negative” email about VCA soliciting members I just sent out a reminder email to visit the VOA website (spelled it out for a quick hyperlink), click on the renew button and be ready for another awesome year of fun!

[Shannon Whitehead]

#356274

Was just going to post something as my mailbox fills up with FYI’s the second they send a mass email to our folks.

So it’s probably a good idea to make some mention in a communication to your members about solicitations by the VCA While the VCA mentions that people are confusing us with them… Nothing needs to be aggressive, be brief. But an FYI to your members helps so they know that old email lists are being used to solicit. While I’m still not a fan of the continued efforts to spam our folks (and indeed it does confuse them – people see “viper” and assume it’s the same club), it is what it is.

You’ll notice they can mimic our topics and even our statements. Now saying people “confuse the VOA with them”. This was a copy of a statement we made to our members previously, as the VCA was using 4 year old email lists (and of course most of those members are now VOA members) to say that it was “time to renew”. As crazy as it sounds, a percentage of people in our club do get fooled and think that their renewal notices and emails – are from us. So we need to continue to educate that there is another club, that we are by far the largest (by a vast majority), and the only one with a significant regional/active presence.

They do go further by being sure to address other points in our notifications so they can draw an equality and communicate the same improvements being made on their end (like merchandise, which we’ve created quite an impact with). And while they want to communicate that the battle with the IRS is over, they never mention the $200K+ lawsuit they just lost from their last VOI and we’ve also been contacted by another region stating that they have voted to leave the VCA. These subtleties aren’t evident to most, and lack of transparency is always a tool that has worked.

As with what we’ve done before, we’ll do nothing more than inform our folks. And while I’m well aware of the types of things they post on their forums (blows my mind how comments about our club does anything to make them look good), we’ll continue to be passive and not get into any mudslinging. We’ve certainly moved on and so have our members, but please inform them of the efforts – as it’s renewal time and that’s exactly why this email was sent to OUR members.

Thanks everyone.

– – – Updated – – –

Herrsss said:
We have a few members who support both clubs so rather than sending a "negative" email about VCA soliciting members I just sent out a reminder email to visit the VOA website (spelled it out for a quick hyperlink), click on the renew button and be ready for another awesome year of fun!

Exactly. Don’t fight them, just educate your members about it. That’s all that’s ever been needed.

[Shannon Whitehead]

#356276

Screw the VCA, I sent the email to the New England members already. Telling them not to get confused and that there is no active region in New England for the VCA so whats the point. Get a crappy magazine that’s like 8 pages long….blah.

[Shannon Whitehead]

#357302

I asked the same thing to our members and just about everyone received it. All I have to say is Damn what a data base.?!

[Shannon Whitehead]

#26077

Season’s Greetings to all Viper Owners!!!!

It’s getting a little colder now and some kind of white stuff is covering the roads. Whether it is snow or salt – neither is good for the Viper. So, it is time to put her away, just like everyone else here in the North. As for those of you who don’t have to put your Vipers away, I am jealous! Please have fun and enjoy them, as I would.

‘Tis the season for giving and receiving gifts, and VCA has recently received a very important one. The IRS audit is now complete. The IRS determined that there were no tax issues with past or present 990 tax filings – including how VPA was accounted. In fact, we have been awarded a credit, instead of an invoice. We came through with one hell of an education; and, we can continue to operate under our non-profit status. We owe Hank Raattama a huge thank you for everything that he did on behalf of VCA. Now that this is done, the club can really move forward.

So, our first step is to increase our membership numbers. You see, membership dues are the main source of Viper Club of America income. This is the money the club uses for administrative operations, as well as to provide our members with magazines, membership perks and gifts. Other income from advertising, store sales, etc. helps to offset the operational costs; but, again, it’s your support that keeps VCA operating for all Viper Owners and Enthusiasts to enjoy. The bottom line is…the more members we have, the more the club can give back. So let’s see if we can get those membership numbers up for 2017!

Another is to clear up some confusion among the Viper Community. Viper Club of America is not affiliated in any way with the Viper Owners Association. This is still a great misunderstanding that many Viper owners, and perhaps you have too. Through actual past member phone calls, we have learned that many former VCA members have been led to believe that by paying VOA dues they are still a part of the VCA Hissstory, but this is not the case. There are many similarities between the two clubs, so it’s no wonder someone can get confused. However, VCA is the Original Club, and that’s what we will always be. We will always be the only club that holds the Dodge Viper Legacy and the 20 plus years of Club Hissstory.

You were once a member of Viper Club of America, so we are reaching out to see if we can persuade you to be one again. We have made some great strides and important changes to our operations these past few years; and, we want to assure you that VCA is strong. Please consider joining us again, as we celebrate and give back to our members in the upcoming 2017 calendar year.

Here are just a few things VCA has planned:

Viper Magazine – one issue is already in the works

New Viper Merchandise – please watch our Website and Facebook page for new items to come

VOI 14 – yes, we skipped 2016 because we want to give every Viper Owner a chance to go to all National Events, not to have to make a choice. Since the VOA decided to hold theirs in the even-numbered years, we will now be hosting ours in the odd-numbered years

A Raffle – we are still working out the logistics, so we’ll keep you posted

2017 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Viper Club of America. There are so many things to celebrate, like the 25th Anniversary of the Viper itself; and, others to rally around, like the closing of the CAAP. It’s even more important now for all Viper Owners to come together on all platforms and show your support with a 2017 Viper Club of America membership. VCA is here to stay, and we hope you will be a part of it.

Happy Holidays! Semper Viper!

Bill White

Viper Club of America, President

[Author]

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