First, I am not in this hobby for any other purposes than to enjoy myself,
study history in a little different light, and meet others who have the same
interests.
If that is your opinion, fine, but that has been the traditional problem of
every (unsuccessful) large organization of enthusiasts in the country- an
eventual effort or surreptious current of opinion to exclude certain members
because of their thoughts or opinions. Fine, recommend we don't attend the
events. What happens to the events? They go away. Last time I was at a
national, several dealers complained about the lack of customers and
attendees. There is a reason. You don't need to attend an event to buy
your parts any more. You can call Peter DiBella, George Baxter, Daryl
Bensinger, Sam Winer, etc. and buy them. Supply Line would not have a
reason for publication if it wasn't for them. The dealers would not exist
if there wasn't an interest in military vehicles, and if there was not an
interest in military vehicles, there would be no MVPA. No MVPA, no
national. But I am sure that some one would fill in and arrange for a
national rally. Maybe another national organization, maybe a confederation
of the local chapters (Please, don't read anything into the choice of words-
SERIOUSLY). When an organization fails to keep the needs of its members
ahead of its own internal politics, it is doomed. The MVPA needs to change.
Big budget, low results, in my opinion.
If you want an example, consider a national organization I chose to belong
to ( I have chosen not to be a member of the MVPA). Look at the
Experimental Aircraft Association. Large national organization, lots of
money, and they act as an ADVOCACY group for their members. They stage
large public events which increase the interest and public awareness in
their causes. They invest large sums of money in projects which increase
the commerce, safety, and enjoyment of their members' pursuits. They know
the organization exists because of the support of their members. They know
it is not the other way around. Another little fact to notice is that the
EAA doesn't stage airplane crashes (car crushing with tanks) at its events,
because they know that such events only detract from their ultimate purpose-
which is the public's participation in recreational aviation (public support
of military vehicles). For any large organization to engage in any kind of
public behavior which suggests any purpose other than safety, safe use of
equipment, and conventional practices, it is inherently risky and will never
present an overall good public image.
Let's look at the facts. Various organizations have chosen to not affiliate
themselves with the MVPA.
There is plenty of commerce out there not driven by the MVPA to show that
the MVPA has competition- Military Vehicles, Military Trader, the
combination airshow/military vehicle shows, the gun/ military vehicle shows,
re-enactments, etc. I don't have to go to MVPA events to get my "fix," or
required parts, etc. The MVPA really needs to keep this in mind, as well as
its members best interests, and get more creative in its approach to
garnering public support for its members (beyond crushing cars with tanks).
I really hope that the organization continues as a positive force in our
hobby, but recent events ( and old organization history) certainly cast that
in doubt.
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