They're thinkin about increasing the BCA Dues to $5.00 a year. Times are tight and to me it makes no sense in any way. But that's my opinion. I'm paid for 3 yrs. and if they want me to back pay I'm out. Yeah $15.00 doesn't seem to be much but it's the principle of it all. They are also going to add 16 pages to the Bugle to go along with it. I've no idea what will encompass the new pages. I read the thread on the AACA site. On another note.... that end of year begining of year Members Roster...Has anyone thought of the fact that most of this information published comes under the privacy act of 1974? I know I don't want my address and phone number to be a public/published thing. Sorry, but I just think of Social Engineering and how identity's are stolen. Call me paranoid, but I'm not going to or want to take the chance. It's your call as to what you want to do. I know what I am going to do. This is all just info.... nuff said... -SGM
You won't be back-charged for dues. That would be idiocy if they tried to do that. The club is already within a few cents per person per year at operating costs for the $35....it only makes sense to increase dues. It can't be $35 forever.
I feel compelled to reply to this since there is nothing I hate more than spreading incorrect information. In fact, the BCA Board of Directors voted to increase the dues $5 per year for members beginning in the new fiscal year of July 1st. At NO time has it ever been stated that this is a "retroactive" increase that will be assessed to all members. Anyone who has joined in a multiyear membership is not going to be charged extra, AND anyone who joins or elects to do a multiyear membership until July 1st will be able to join at the current membership rate. Membership dues have been at $35 a year for twelve years without an increase. With the new postal increase it was estimated that there will be a minimum 33 cent loss per member, without figuring in other rising expenses. A $5 increase was thought managable and reasonable to the membership. Anyone is welcome to disagree as that is your opinion. But I will fight very hard to have a fiscally responsible club that has dues that cover the basic expenses. As far as your information being published in the Roster (or for that matter new members are also published in the Bugle) I'm honestly baffled why this would bother you. I'm not saying you do not have the right for privacy, but I don't understand why you would join a private organization and then feel uncomfortable that your information is published with the rest of the members for private use? The Roster is not public information. It is for club use only. I certainly think if you contact the BCA office they can probably remove you from the Roster database or whatever, but why? I can tell you from personal experience that the Roster is a great way for people to contact others who have the same models for advice or questions, or find others in the local area who have the same passion for Buicks that they do. You will miss out on some wonderful opportunities to make lifelong friends from all over the country and possibly the world simply because they also love Buicks. I'm going to guess that perhaps one of the reasons you joined the BCA, and evidently for three years no less-that's a great committment, was because you felt the club had something to offer you and you enjoy Buicks. I sincerely hope you still feel that way because it does. If there is anything I can do or if you have any other questions please feel free to contact me, I'd be happy to help you in any way I can.
Well said, Kris. I just want to add one thing about the roster: I drove an unkown car that I bought this Spring - from Austin, TX to St. Louis, MO. I brought my roster with me because if I had any problems with the car on the way home, I could look up the folks in that particular state, and find someone relatively local. Well - that roster came in very handy! I was stranded at 9:30pm on Super Bowl Sunday in the middle of nowhere (or so I thought) Texas. Fortunately, a local member, Pete Phillips (who also happens to be the editor of the Bugle) lived a few miles down the road. He cam out at 10pm and got me back on the road. Not only did he get me back on the road, but he had me follow me back to his shop and have me a tour of his place at 11pm!! Joining the BCA was probably one of the best moves I've made, and I will never walk away from this club. I feel the exact same way with my local BCA chapter, and the BPG. There is so much you can gain from being involved with clubs like this.
