Working with Saturn Dealers - Club Event Ideas?

[richm]

Our Sky-Sol car club in Phoenix now has 80 people on our email list and 32 who have become dues-paying members, in large part because of the supportive relationships we are cultivating with local dealerships. I would like to discuss what we are doing, and get some feedback about how we can work most effectively with the dealers.

1. BBQ Event: This weekend, one of the Saturn dealers hosted an Open House & BBQ, and we had 14 Skys & Solstices lined up along the street in front of the dealer (plus two more in the showroom). We met for the BBQ then went on a tour of local outdoor shopping areas and resorts. Below is a photo:


2. Winter Solstice Dinner: We are working with one of the Pontiac dealers to host a Winter Solstice Dinner at the dealership on December 21st. The president of our club has two Solstices, with license plates "Dec21st" and "Jun21st."

3. Club Invitation Letters: One of the dealers has offered to send a letter to their new Sky customers automatically within X days after they receive their car. Sending these letters is an automated procedure, but I have yet to write the letter or decide how many days after delivery to mail it.

4. Business Cards: Originally, we created a full-page color flyer for the club, but it wasn't ever distributed. More recently, we printed 1000 full-color business cards and most of our members carry a stack in their cars, plus we have given some to the dealer sales reps to hand out.

Any other thoughts on how we can work with our dealers?

[nolates]

can i ask why are there dues? we had a ride last sat.with 21 skys and sols and no dues required

[richm]

Originally Posted by nolates

can i ask why are there dues? we had a ride last sat.with 21 skys and sols and no dues required

Wow, great turnout!

We view paid memberships in our club like these forums views them. Each of the Troy's forums have both a free membership and a "supporting membership" (or will soon). Using a free membership doesn't really limit you in any way, but many will pay to become a supporting member mostly because they want to acknowledge the value they are receiving from the site, and they want to help offset the costs and say thanks to those who are doing the hard work of making this resource available. I fully intend to become a supporting member of this forum when they set that up, because I have learned dozens of things about my car from this forum that I have found invaluable.

We are not a for-profit venture, so the ONLY privilege that dues-paying members have in our club is voting rights regarding the bylaws (purpose and structure of the club) and board members (current leadership). Membership is not "required" to participate in any of our events, so dues are completely voluntary. Our dues are minimal, $5 per quarter, designed to make sure that no one person is bearing the burdon of the costs of operating a club, including:
1. Printing of promotional materials
2. Hosting the club website (www.sky-sol.com)
3. Credit card to hold lodging and facilities for events

None of our members are in the automotive industry, so we don't have someone who is "sponsoring" the club or taking a lead because it will benefit them in business. We divide the work fairly evenly, and we organize events as peers.

More importantly, the small financial commitment and structure (bylaws and board members) insures survival of the club. I have been involved in several free clubs in my life that simply disappeared when the leaders bought another car or changed jobs or moved, etc. All that momentum we created just vanished.

Also, it is important to note that less than half of our members have an ID on SolsticeForum.com or SkyRoadster.com. Many of our website users (both free and paid members) find us because our club website pops up at the top when you google "saturn sky phoenix" or "saturn sky arizona."

We are pretty isolated here. They call the mountain peaks that dot Arizona "Sky Islands," in part because we are in the middle of a great desert. The desert separates us from other major metropolitan areas like a vast ocean. Yes, we have unbelievable great weather and really awesome mountain roads, but very few people make the trek here by car (except for the annual snowbird migration).

[nolates]

thanks for the info..here is a pic of the ride..check out the sol with the lambo doors.....