The Steering Column Left Hand Drive from our President

There were 27 members present at the October Natter ’n’ Noggin. What a change from just a few years ago, when a typical turnout for this event was less than half a dozen members!
And there have been other changes, too. Some of these are behind the scenes – most members don’t even see the changes, but the benefit is there.
The membership processing function is now running smoothly, back under the control of the club Secretary, which is where the club’s charter says it belonged all along. Several new members have joined the club through innovative recruiting techniques, such as using national club mailing lists, and new members get a warm welcome including a new member package. And we have provided a local home for MGA owners by affiliating with their national club, NAMGAR.
The club newsletter now arrives near the first of the month for most members, due to the advantages inherent in a new technology and a new way of producing the newsletter; and with lots of color photos, too! Members now also receive regular email updates on club calendar items and unforeseen changes to club plans.
The club management benefits from a computerized financial reporting system administered by the Treasurer that now has five years of accurate club accounting data available, on everything from dues payments to postage stamp expenses. Club members get reports on those financial items at an annual meeting that now meets the requirements of an Illinois non-profit corporation (which we are).
Club members have access to some new benefits: we are now trying to get old MG parts to “a good home”, wherever it might be, rather than sending them into the dumpster, by providing a clearinghouse function for member’s parts donations. We will soon provide members with an opportunity to buy club regalia online with a wide range of color, size, and style choices through an “on demand” regalia program. Club members have been introduced to some of the better car shows in the Chicago area by being encouraged to enter their MG. And, who knows? Perhaps we will see some new members some day because a bystander saw one of our MG’s at a show and decided to get his(her) own. We will soon be “live” with a “social networking” site on Facebook, offering both members and prospective members one more way to connect with the club and club activities.
This year’s Halloween Rally had nine cars and 26 people involved; at one Halloween rally a few years ago, no one showed up for the event! Driving events are fun, and this rally (as well as the Land’s End Rally) showed how a good recipe can deliver the goods. There was a time when rallies of this type produced over 20 entries on a regular basis - hopefully, we are on track to bring back this level of enthusiasm in the future. Quality products like these are one of the keys to building enthusiasm.
The club has experienced many positive changes in the past, with more to come in the future. Hope you will be with us to enjoy them!

And if you haven’t been to a Natter ‘n’ Noggin recently, plan to join us soon!
Safety Fast, -- Jim Evans