Hi Everyone:

I hope I’m not overstepping my position, but I’d like open a constructive dialog on the Junior Membership idea.
Please provide feedback, & reply to all.
I believe this is a good idea & am willing to help this effort in any way possible.

1) Concept:
Allow someone younger than 18 join the club.

Starting them in the club at a young age will help to:
a) Draw more young people to the club
b) Promote our healthy family-oriented activities
c) Ensure the Club lives-on long after we are gone

2) Precedence:
Others have already started to get kids involved.

a) A club in Ohio exists that helps kids to Drag Race their Power Wheels.
Link: https://dragchamp.com/2019/bracket-racing/power-wheels-racing-the-next-big-thing/

b) “Take a Kid to a Car Show” is promoted by the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO).
Link: https://www.facebook.com/Take-a-Kid-to-a-Car-Show-276405101742/
-This concept falls in line nicely with our proposed Jr membership.
-Jr Members will be attending car shows with a friend or relative that belongs to our club.
- After scrolling through the above FB page, is there any doubt that we need to do this?

c) Charity: We already support a Driver’s Training class for young people-this aligns nicely, but gets the kids involved earlier in life.

d) Our Website: We already have a “Corvettes for Kids" page on our website.

3) Benefits:
I see many benefits to both our club & kids.

a) We are planting the seeds of the future leaders of this club
Our club & our cars will carry on into the future thanks to the little motorheads we help today.
(A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. Greek Proverb)

b) We are more closely aligning our charitable efforts & giving with our membership efforts.
We give money to several “Kid focused Charities”, so why not involve kids in our club

c) We can expand the scope of our club events. I envision:
- A new class of car at our Cavalcade (Jr Member Corvette). This may be a gas, electric, solar, or pedal car.
- Expanded Cruise Nights. Folks can bring their kids & their Power Wheels to the show. (Fun for the whole family)
- Inclusivity: There aren’t a lot of women driving Corvettes, but I’m sure we’ll get some little girls with a Ride-on Barbie Vettes at our shows. (We’ll be trend setters)
- Drivers Safety Classes (our club sponsors this class) will be more meaningful having young people already in the club.
- Possible Show & Tell /Career Day events at local schools could become commonplace once are younger members start talking (ie: take a few vettes to school for discussion/demonstrations).
- We can advertise our Junior Membership Program at local shows, Website, Facebook, etc. I believe we will have a good response.

3) Fees:
To become a life member someday, you have to have paid yearly dues.

a) I believe we shouldn’t charge an adult fee to a youngster. They won’t attend meetings or most events.
b) I suggest a fee for kids under 13 should be about $10/yr. They could receive a Membership card, T-shirt & Hot Wheels Corvette ($10 should cover that).
c) I suggest a fee for kids between 13-17 of $20/yr.Ages 18+ is a normal Adult membership.
d) Their years in the club count towards lifetime membership. I believe this will help to retain these kids in the future.
They will have a vested interest in the club which was bestowed upon them by grandparents or parents.

4) By-Laws:
A necessary part of the bigger picture.

a) A Junior Member should have some type of Ride-on Corvette (gas, electric, solar, pedal power). A Hot Wheels model, Remote Control car or plastic model doesn’t count.
b) If needed, we can update the club by-laws to include any decisions made on this concept.
This idea shouldn’t be scrapped due to the need to update the bylaws.
Car Clubs are “old-school” & we should understand that constant change is necessary to keep this club alive.