News from
National…
Changing Our Focus for
2009
I believe each of us has
been affected in some way by the downturn in our economy.Some of us have been
hit hard: losing our jobs, our retirement, and even our homes. At the very
least, we can all say we know someone that has been hurt by the recession to
some degree.
So this year we need to
change our focus back to riding and having fun and getting away from the
fundraising. There has been a lot of criticism from Members who say
their
Chapters always need money
for something, be it a charity, a rally or some event that is going to cost them
money out of their pockets. Even just a dinner ride can cost money that some may
not have.
GWRRA is trying to
assist Members in every way we can. We have implemented a splitpayment plan for
membership renewal. A Member can now make two payments, one each month, instead
of paying the entire amount at one time. We’ve also added some very nice
discount programs with Avis/Budget Car Rental and Office Max, and we are
continuing to look for discount insurance and
health programs. We have continued to give a $15 discount for three year renewal
with Rescue Plus and our new recruiting program is giving $5 gift certificates for every two new recruits. We
know that Chapters need money to operate. But let’s look at some other ways we
can raise money without cost to
Members.
1. Go to local businesses
and get them to advertise in Newsletters.
2. Cut back on dinner rides
and do a picnic or potluck ride instead.
3. Join forces with another
Chapter or organization to help your Chapter charities so
it is not solely out of one
Chapter’s pocket.
4. Have bike washes and/or
windshield washes at rest stops.
5. Have 50/50 drawings every
other month instead of every month.
6. Use Office Max for your
supplies and receive the GWRRA discount.
7. Stop mailing the
newsletters to everyone. Only mail to those who do not have access to a computer. This will not only save on postage
but on ink and printing.
There are lots of
other ways to raise funds that are not even listed here. Send me your
ideas and I’ll get them posted so we can share
them with everyone. We
need to change our mind-set and get back to the FUN of GWRRA.
Thanks for your usual and
welcomed support.
Ed
