APBA Membership Half Off!

[guedo499]

Below is my reply to a newbies comments of potential half-price, first-year membership:



I REALLY like this idea. I was on the board of a Private Christian School where tuition was about $11,000 per year. The last year I was on the board, was about the time everybody seemed to not have $11k laying around anymore...

I researched how other private schools had been successful in enrolling kids in a down economy; not many solutions were out there. But when thinking about this out loud, I just applied what I would do in my own business when I'm dealing with repeat orders - cut down the cost of entry - I'll make my money back the next order.

So I proposed to the board that we cut tuition in half for first year students - that's a $5,500 break. Needless to say, I was not popular, but I pushed on with the idea. In the classroom, there's room for 20 students; if we only had 17 students in a classroom, adding one more student, even at half price, is a gain; our fixed costs were not affected. We discussed this for a few board meeting, but finally I won the board over and we approved the proposal.

When the information was presented the public, is was very well received and the program, to this day is still a success: it increased enrollment, brought back students that had to leave a few years earlier and second and third siblings were now able to also attend the school. Once they were now students, it was very unlikely that they would change schools in the near future.

This same process can be applied to APBA - once we get the newbies in, they aren't going away any time soon.

[bill van steenwyk]

A very good idea, and one that could stop the membership slide and contribute to new boat racers again.

What someone in APBA should have thought of years ago, but sometimes you get "fat, dumb, and happy," when things are going well, but those days are over.

Great Thinking, Guido!!

[bill van steenwyk]

OOP"S

Just had a thought. If implemented, it might cause a problem with the revenue stream, affecting the 'Digital Project'.


But still a GREAT idea, and more like it needed!

[guedo499]

Just had a thought. If implemented, it might cause a problem with the revenue stream, affecting the 'Digital Project'.

Nope, only thing it will do is add revenue. Remember, these are individuals that did not participate last year, but will this year.

In the classroom case, we capped enrollment to the class at 20 - we weren't going to add one more student and then have to hire a new teacher (doubling our fixed costs).

Also, all fees were still at full-cost; For example, book fees, building fees, sports fees. In our boating case, club memberships would still be at full price along with entry fees

[bill van steenwyk]

As stated, I think it is a great idea, but I have seen others like this that did not make the light of day because of backward thinking.

Having seen other posts by you and watched you race the last few years, I am sure you are very capable of "defending your position", but be prepared for arguments of this kind from those who are not as forward thinking as you, as this (the "unknown" expense mentioned) could very well be brought forward as part of the argument against it (potential loss of revenue) if one is made against it. There are many of us who have been around longer than you and have the benefit of "hindsight" where foreward thinking ideas such as this are put forward.

After all, (and this comment is not meant to "bash" ANYONE) if the cost of the digital plan is so hard to come by, is it even known?

Good Luck, and I hope you are able to see this implemented, as I think it is a great idea.

[hydroid]

CBF 'Youth' membership

To promote family and youth(<19) racing, CBF took the initiative in 2012 to create a reduced youth category annual membership fee, reducing from historical $125 to $65/yr. The super membership was reduced from $135 to $75 for <19.


This encourages families where new equipment costs are to be bourne, multiple siblings are entering the sport, where youth and parents are both racing, especially when new equipment acquisitions are required, or to move up a class( eg: J to ASH, ASH to 20SSH, 20SSH to CSH). Kids will quickly outgrow cut suits/jackets, the reduced fee helps parents swing the membership fee savings to new safety gear.

CBF also reduced first year(only) membership fee for adults from $125 to $50, for the same reason of having to pay for new equipment, and get them hooked.

This has worked tremendously well to asssit newbies, families entering, and with kids moving up in the sport.

Join CBF TODAY!....Oh, given that US$ < CDN$,...we'll sign you up at par

[mark5pa]

Yea, my idea was at least a few bucks off, maybe not half. Make it a bit more enticing for the new racer. Speaking of demographics, the J programs are great, but we should be targeting the perspectives with disposable income, mid 20's and up. A CSH/R boat to have for a drivers school would suck in more new members. Let them teach their kids how much fun it is. While I'm at it, I have read 'all' the posts about Propeller costs. My 2 cents, keep it online, and have each division do an "at cost" print only news letter snail mailed. I like to hear what is going on in other divisions, but SO is my spot. Have each region get local info & results, put together a print only mailer. I would love to see what my race mates are doing, even without pix.

And it's Rookie, not Newbe.

[mark5pa]

Almost forgot, if anyone wants to flame my post, pm me, or call me first, 570-881-7184. Be nice to keep this thread positive. I'm just a rookie with some brain farts.

[Team 12R]

great suggestion john

that's a fantastic idea john. as another option possibly have a "single event credit" plan. if a newbie shows up and races someones boat "try a race in my boat" and wants to buy a boat or race more that first year, we credit their first annual membership that amount they paid for the single event weekend. give that new member the pay for it before march 1st amount also.

[raceright]

why not

If you guys think the cost of membership is keeping a newbie from entering the sport why not lower the costs to be a stock outboard member and allow newbies to enter for free. Just saying

[krazy karl]

Top O&quot;

The Top O' in Michigan lets first timers run for free. Hopefully they will come back for more (punishment, fun or ?)
kk

[Hutch06]

Keep the good stuff coming

If you guys think the cost of membership is keeping a newbie from entering the sport why not lower the costs to be a stock outboard member and allow newbies to enter for free. Just saying

What are you trying to say Pat?

[Jean Mackay]

that's a fantastic idea john. as another option possibly have a "single event credit" plan. if a newbie shows up and races someones boat "try a race in my boat" and wants to buy a boat or race more that first year, we credit their first annual membership that amount they paid for the single event weekend. give that new member the pay for it before march 1st amount also.

We (APBA) currently have a similiar plan in effect where single event memberships are applied to racing membership.

Jean

[Ron Hill]

How Far Back?

John,

How far back would you consider a member to be new? Not being a member for 3-5 years???

Excellent idea!

[mercguy]

the idea....

I have brought up the "discounted" race fee for the last 10yrs, with no success..........maybe its time to finally act on it.......what do we have to lose?????