MTFCA Membership

[Harry Lillo]

Recently the MTFCA raised its membership fees and I was tempted to allow my membership to expire as costs approach $85 Canadian dollars with the exchange.

I had been looking for a particular item for quite some time and exhausted all my leads. Two hours after posting on the MTFCA Classifieds I had my item; hence my case for membership.

However, I have an issue as I look at the names of advertisers in the classifieds and posters on the forum I see fewer and fewer names in BOLD print. My understanding is those in bold print are current MTFCA members. Some who are not are prolific posters. If you look at the names on the classifieds today very few are shown as current members???

While I don't subscribe to making this a member's only site, I do believe those who post regularly and are not members should consider supporting the organization.

This is not a new subject as my good friend Stan Howe (RIP) brought it up a few years ago.

[AndyClary]

I see many names I know are members. Probably didn’t bother completing their profile.

Andy

[walber]

I totally agree for those who primarily use the site as a marketing venue. At the same time I would hate to see it be a member only site limiting access for those new to the hobby and those just seeking or offering advice.

[Quickm007]

Recently the MTFCA raised its membership fees and I was tempted to allow
my membership to expire as costs approach $85 Canadian dollars with the exchange.
I had been looking for a particular item for quite some time and exhausted all my leads.
Two hours after posting on the MTFCA Classifieds I had my item; hence my case for membership.
However, I have an issue as I look at the names of advertisers in the classifieds and posters on the forum
I see fewer and fewer names in BOLD print. My understanding is those in bold print are current
NTFCA members. Some who are not are prolific posters. If you look at the names on the classifieds today
very few are shown as current members???
While I don't subscribe to making this a member's only site, I do believe those who post regularly and are not members should consider supporting the organization.
This is not a new subject as my good friend Stan Howe (RIP) brought it up a few years ago.

I can't be more agree with Harry, that bother me too. Again the goal here is to be more supportive of MTFCA. Mission Statement: The Model T Ford Club of America strives to preserve and promote the Model T Ford for future generations by educating people of all ages in the history, lore, and skills of maintenance of the car that put America on wheels. Without support we will lost our history. Also maybe some members forget to renew MTFCA membership, if it is the case, please do it because it matters.

[J1MGOLDEN]

Many sellers have items of no interest to the general public and then give a rare item to a Model T owner that has looked everywhere for one.

The way I always looked at membership here is it costs nothing, if any of the other benefits or information items are available here and helped a new member get a Model T properly running.

[Bruce Compton]

Thanks for the wake-up call Harry. I was a member for years, got away from T's ,and then got back into them. For the last few years I've been going to re-join (tomorrow) while feeling somewhat guilty about delaying. I just renewed a few minutes ago and I feel better already. Everything you said was right on. This is the best old car site ever. Thanks again; Bruce

[Bryant]

I also agree the price for membership amounts to nothing. The amount of resources on this site are worth a lot more! If you’re name isn’t in Black change that today! Support the MTFCA
Bryant

[Les Schubert]

I wish they would let us receive the magazine as a digital copy only. Especially for us “foreigners”. As Harry points out it costs $85.00 Cdn. A significant part of this is related to shipping the magazine to us!

[Rich Eagle]

When I look at other things we pay for, that isn't that much for a year. I pay dues to a few other clubs too. Even issues that I look at once and find room on the shelf for, it is great inspiration to see others doing things I like. There were years that the $8.50 was hard to come up with but now it's gone I don't regret spending it. (66 years of them and counting)
I find the bold print helpful in finding my own posts and also noticed members who don't have it.
It's a good thing to do.
Rich

[Norman Kling]

It is my understanding that the exchange rate of money between countries is based on the value of what that money will buy, so if that is true, the value of the membership would be the same from country to country. However, it might cost more to mail items across international boundaries. I also want to be able to buy Model T parts from anyone who has them, especially if they are old stock or original parts. If advertisers are required to be members it might result in those things being hauled to the dump.
Norm

[A Whiteman]

Interesting point.
I am a member of the Model T Ford Club of New Zealand, which is a chapter of the MFTCA (https://www.mtfca.com/chapters/#nz).
So, belonging to a chapter only should exclude me from posting here too?

[Harry Lillo]

I want to make it very clear that I am not advocating any ban or action against those who are not MTFCA members. Nor do I hear anyone else advocating for those actions.

This is a call for support of the MTFCA so it can continue to provide this valuable service to us all. Yes, we want new individuals to continue to come to this website without having to be a member.

I will say however, if you have been a regular poster or seller on this website you should consider the benefit you are receiving
and take out a membership. There may be financial situations that don't allow so, and I fully respect that.

Harry

[Allan]

I agree with Les about receiving the Vintage Ford in digital format for overseas members. I let my membership lapse because by the time my copy arrived, via a most devious postal route in many and varied cases, you guys were getting the next issue. The almost AU$100 cost is not insignificant.
In conversation with Chris B at the Dubbo national rally in Australia, he said it was a problem with which the board were grappling, having to weigh up reduced overseas membership costs with digital magazines, against reduced revenue for club activities, and increased costs per issue for printed copies due to lower numbers required. I don't envy them in their deliberations/decisions.

Allan from down under.

[Luke]

Some people might have noticed I've had a bit to say on this forum, and that I'm not a member of MTFCA.

There are reasons for both of the above. The first is that I'm not a formal member because I'm not into 'clubs' with all their concomitant politics etc, the MTFCA is thousands of miles from me, and I don't 'need' a club to carry out my activities, amongst other things.

However my ethos in life is to leave it a better place, and to contribute wherever I can. Thus I've tried to pay my price of admission to this forum by - as much as has been possible - freely sharing my experience/knowledge and making my posts (hopefully) useful to others, not getting into arguments, and keeping out of things that are not my concern.

I am probably getting close to breaking the latter of my personal rules in commenting on this thread, and I would like to be absolutely clear that I'm not advocating non membership in any way, far from it, but I did want to say that 'supporting the organisation' (per Harry's first post) is to me 'supporting people interested in Model T's', and that 'support' isn't always about money, or formal membership.

Otherwise I think this is a good opportunity to thank the MTFCA (and site admins) for this forum, and that they have maintained it in a way that makes it available to all comers. In doing so I rather suspect it has helped to make this a more positive and successful place than it might be otherwise.

Luke.

[John iaccino]

I have been a member of the MTFCA for more years than I can count and my name has never been in bold print. Don't know why.

[Novice]

When you look at whos on line at the bottom of the forum page. Guests usually out number members 2 or 3 to 1. But they all bring something to the table that makes the hobby better.

[BHarper]

We all like/love the Model T.
Some of us have joined the national club, but have no local chapter nearby. Others are members of a small local or regional club, but not the national club. And then there are some with no club affiliation.

And we all like the same car. We all contribute in different ways.

I joined the club in the late 60s and became a Life Member in the mid 90s.

Drive safely and often.

[RVA23T]

I have been a member of the MTFCA for more years than I can count and my name has never been in bold print. Don't know why.

Click on your username then on the next page click on "edit profile" beside your name then add your MTFCA member #, submit and then you will be more bold than before!

You can Boldly go where others have gone in a T before.

Boldly drive during rush hour.

Boldly speed at 35mph in a 25 zone.

Boldly go for a ride when it's 20 below. Nothing else comes to mine right now so .........

[Norman Kling]

I have been a member since 1990. My name is not in bold type. I don't know why it is not and others are. It doesn't bother me. Maybe one of the administrators will answer that.
Norm

[Dan Hatch]

Why not make the classified be member only? I have had people call me asking about problems and I tell them look in a issue of our magazine the answer was just discussed there. Answer I get is “ I don’t get it, I am not a member.”


They don’t know what they are missing. Dan

Must add I let my membership slip a few times, life is busy and I would forget. So when there was a special on lifetime I just did it. Maybe time for another special?

[StevenS]

Click on your username then on the next page click on "edit profile" beside your name then add your MTFCA member #, submit and then you will be more bold than before!

[Joe Bell]

I take it all with a grain of salt, as many do, there is always some one that think they know better or how to fix something and there is a lot of different ways to get to a finish. I just wanted to see if my name was in bold or not?

[Joe Bell]

Steve, you are smarter than I, I have a heck of a time just typing let alone to figure out how to go to another page with out getting lost!

[Quickm007]

Joe, you don't appear bold, but I know you are and you are a real MTFCA member. Seriously, I thought the point Harry want to make is be supporter of MTFCA. I would say, we are so passionated about T... all of us.

[VinTin23]

I am a second generation member of the club. The MTFCA and MTFCI are both excellent organizations. Well over 65 years of continued membership between the two. Guess I need to update my profile info.

The Magazine is the clubs biggest asset, if the magazines stops, goes digital or becomes thinner, smaller or quarterly. I believe the club as we know it will be gone in under 2 years. I’ve seen it happen with 3 other large National clubs.

I used to buy boxes of various club magazines to give away to shows, and both dentist & Dr let me put them in waiting room.

Some of my best sales and purchases have been outside of club channels. Facebook & IG is where all the new T owners pop up, almost daily posts of “I just inherited” or “I just found” Tons of free T Parts offered all the time.

I believe this forum represents a very small slice of the actual T fans or owners. Enjoy!

[John iaccino]

I have been a member of the MTFCA for more years than I can count and my name has never been in bold print. Don't know why.

Click on your username then on the next page click on "edit profile" beside your name then add your MTFCA member #, submit and then you will be more bold than before!


My MTFCA member # has been there. No bold letters.

[jsaylor]

I have been a member of the MTFCA since 1967. Price increases are just a matter of fact as costs go up. One of our local clubs is having a difficult time maintaining our 50% national membership. 2nd and third generation members just use their parents or grand parents magazines. Some have sold their T's but maintain local membership for the social aspect and drive newer vintage cars. What are other local chapters doing to maintain a good MTFCA membership with their local members?

[ModelT46]

I joined the first year and have always enjoyed the great club magazine. It is full a interesting stories and photograms. I turn to the classified section first to see what is offered and then to the feature story. My main problem is that I h ave boxes of back issues. I am also any bvery early member of the other Model T club as well as both Model A Ford clubs. At my age of 90, I have the figure out what do with all the boxes of back issues. They are fun to re-read, but my time is still gtaken jus with our store and local activist.

So, thankas to all who had made this club at fine success. I do not mind at all the dues, they are small in return for the benefits.

Darel

[ModelT46]

please excuse the errors in my posting. >(and I appreciate all the other comments)

[Rich Eagle]

Being in Idaho, I was too far from the MTFCA action to benefit from it but knowing what others were doing gave us guidance on what could be. We didn't have enough owners to put a chapter together as most locals had non-T cars. Occasionally, ambassadors from the national would drop by. It was encouraging to meet them although scouting out cars and parts was their main purpose to be here. That was the in '60s.
I expect distance from the national and major chapters made a big difference to many.
Rich

[J1MGOLDEN]

Actually, the membership fee was not raised at all.

The value of what you can buy with a dollar bill has dropped a great deal!

That is just written off as inflation!

[Farmer J]

The inflation bug has even hit the MTFCA. We have not have had an increase in dues in a long time, and the cost of doing business, including the magazine and the forum, has increased. Please remember that the museum is run by donations, your dues take care of everything else. The forum that everyone, member and non-member, enjoys is financed through the generosity of our members by way of their dues. Many Model T owners have found sound advise, bought and sold parts and learned new things about their car through the forum. Be a MTFCA member and help keep this going.

[Rich Eagle]

I pay dues to several clubs. Probably more than $1500 over the years and worth every penny of it.
Just sayin'.

[RachelWHughes]

Thank you all for this wonderful conversation. It was a delight to see all the supportive comments!

The board wrestled a long time with the decision to increase dues but, as pointed out, we had to due to inflation and the rising cost of the materials necessary to publish the magazine, and other costs associated with running a Club of this size. You might be surprised to learn that the Club has just 2 full-time and 3 part-time employees. We do everything we can to keep costs low!

Thanks to all of you who are members and support the Club through your membership.

If you aren't a member but would like to support the Club and Museum, we are currently running a Challenge Match campaign and gifts made through the end of the year can be matched through generous donations made by some of the MTFCA board of directors and me! Donate through the website - mtfca.com - or by calling the business office at 765.373.3106.

Rachel Hughes,
Executive Director

[Mike Lebsack-Iowa]

Just curious test.

[Mike Lebsack-Iowa]

Hello,
What is the difference of having your name in blue versus black bold print. I have been a member since 2008 and am not sure what the differences are. Thanks, Mike

[RVA23T]

Mike, click on your username and change your group membership pull down from registered user to MTFCA member. I think that is the missing link.

[Ron Patterson]

Hary
I stumbled across the Ford Material Analysis chart I referred to above.
See attached.
Ron Patterson