Jeff,
Even if you were the only one there, you probably;
1. have been voted in as a member.
2. Now have a July El Mirage Duty.
3. Have been nominated for Club Office.
4. now owe Club dues.
Tom
Jeff,
I have to agree with Tom on most of his points.
1. have been voted in as a member.
This may not be a correct statement. Normally you’ll have to attend a minimum of two meetings in order to get voted into the Sidewinders. There are a couple of exceptions where you can be voted into the club on the first visit but I’ve yet to see anyone voted in without any members being present, maybe I just missed that meeting!
The twelve clubs (maybe now 11) that comprise the support structure of the SCTA are, all, willing to accept new members. In fact all of the clubs need new members in order to survive. Without new club members to offer fresh ideas, new perspectives, and yes, additional revenue any club would eventually fade away.
2. Now have a July El Mirage Duty.
Yes, Tom’s correct. You will be asked to sign up for club duty, at El Mirage, once you become a member of the Sidewinders.
The SCTA is an all volunteer organization. The members of the supporting clubs are the backbone of the organization and without club volunteers pulling “duty” at El Mirage, there would be no racing. So yes, club duty is important to us and we expect our members to pull their fair share of duties each year so racing can continue at El Mirage
3. Have been nominated for Club Office.
Again, Tom’s right. There is opportunity for any club member to hold a club office, though I really don’t see that as a negative. The Sidewinders are run by the club officers and the members, again all volunteers. If a club member wants to offer his or her time in support of the club as an officer or SCTA club representative then that opportunity is available, no matter how long you’ve been a member.
4. now owe Club dues.
Tom’s right on the money (yes, pun intended) with this statement. You will be asked to pay club dues if you want to become a member of the Sidewinders. Not sure how the finances are handled at Tom’s club but the Sidewinders want, and need, to be cash positive for a number of reasons.
The dues you’re asked to pay are for, Sidewinder club dues and SCTA dues. The SCTA dues allow you to participate in the events at El Mirage and support other needs the SCTA has in order to remain an all (again) volunteer organization.
The Sidewinder annual dues support the members, and others, in a number of ways. The dues help in financially supporting two club events each year. An annual club picnic each fall and an annual club banquet each winter after the racing season ends. The dues also support the cost of having our meetings twice a month.
In addition to supporting our club, your dues go toward support of other organizations as well. To name a few, the Sidewinders donate money to; Save the Salt fund, The SCTA Scholarship fund, Friends of El Mirage and others as the need arises and the expense is justified. All donations are voted on by the Sidewinders general membership.
So like I said before Jeff, go to a few of the area clubs meetings and see if one group or another has a better feel, where you will be comfortable an feel a part of the club.
Join up soon and come out to El Mirage and enjoy the racing.
Buzz (Ron Buzbee)
