AVA at a Crossroads

[vega1860]

AVA at a Crossroads

Once upon a time VODCA, the precursor to the AVA, was an actual association consisting of real people who got together in person to enjoy their boats. VODCA published a newsletter for its members that became so popular it was subscribed to by Vega owners far beyond the Chesapeake Bay. The newsletter consisted primarily of letters to the editor asking questions and letters to the editor with answers to the questions posed in the previous issue. The newsletter was more successful than the original association to the point that by 1990, far more people outside the Chesapeake Bay area subscribed than ever got together for VODCA meetings. Maybe someone can fill in some detail about VODCA for us. For me, it was never anything more than a newsletter that I looked forward to receiving every monthor every other month or just once in a while.

Sometime in the `90s I guess the original club just faded away leaving only the still popular newsletter. Sidney Rosen, in his seventies, soldiered on, apparently alone producing the newsletter and mailing it out to about 200 people scattered all over the world. This is when the name changed to the more appropriate "American Vega Association". I remember Sid asking for someone to please take over but no one did. Then one day in 2000 we received an uncompleted newsletter from Sid's daughter along with a note letting us all know that Sid had passed away. Frankly, I felt a little guilty. I had published newsletters before and I knew I could have stepped up when Sid had asked, but I figured someone else would do it. Fortunately, Sid's last newsletter included the annual membership list so I got a second chance to keep the newsletter alive.

Meanwhile, Tom Hamill founded the Yahoo Albin Vega Group. Sid was a frequent poster in the beginning, always closing his posts with "Fair Winds". I chose "Fair Winds" as the title for the re-born newsletter. At first, I got a LOT of mail and continued Sidney's tradition of making the mail bag the bulk of the content in the newsletter with a little editorial content just to tie it all together. Over the next few years, however, the mail trickled away to nothing and I found that the newsletter tended to consist entirely of my own writing. No need to wait for snail mail when you can get an answer to a question almost immediately on the internet. I doubt that when Tom founded this Yahoo Group in the late nineties, he realized that he was killing the newsletter. When Tom passed away, Steve Birch and I were able to secure joint ownership of the Yahoo group and appoint several moderators to ensure that it could be kept active.

Subscribers to the paper newsletter dwindled to less than a dozen by the time we ceased publication in 2007.

Well, this is the 21st century and we are not the only organization dealing with the changes brought by the tech revolution. The Yahoo group is undeniably a vast improvement in the dissemination and sharing of information over the old paper newsletter. There is simply no comparison in speed of deliver, cost or accessibility. The website, Albin Vega - The American Vega Association Home , was just the logical next step. It might have been better to incorporate the forum into the website but we follow the dictum "If it aint broke, don't fix it", avoiding the choice of either closing down the Yahoo group or having two forums competing for posts from a small group of people. I intended the website to consist of member contributions and event notices, and to act as a repository for all the accumulated knowledge of VODCA and the AVA. I wanted to avoid it becoming "Chuck's Vega website". That's what Voyaging Under Sail, Cruising Lealea Home is for. I hoped that people would contribute more but there have been no new member contributions in years. In point of fact, there never were except for a very few submissions for the "Voyages" page and one essay for "The Quarterdeck" pages. The great value of the web site is in the newsletter archives (We were able to get all the newsletters published after 1990 digitized), and the VORM. These two areas are password protected because the material there was contributed entirely by members. Real, dues paying, actively participating members which brings us to the point:

I am unable, while cruising, to handle the necessary chores related to "membership" such as timely replies to inquiries, welcome email and password issuance to new members and maintaining the member list. My ability to manage the website is similarly restricted but daily attention is less urgent. I am willing to continue as webmaster, but something needs to be done about membership.

I see two options:

1. Someone steps up and takes over either the membership chairman duties (responding to inquiries, sending out welcome emails and maintaining the membership list) only, or the entire responsibility of "Grand Poohbah", web site, funny hat and all.

2. If I continue as webmaster and Grand Poohbah (The hat is a size 7 btw) I would have to eliminate the membership list and passwords, opening the entire website to the public unless I can figure out how to automate the process. The worst thing we could do is continue to invite people to join, then not respond promptly when they try.

Thoughts? Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?

Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Honolulu

 

[j.hunter9999]

Hi Chuck,

I'd be willing to take over the membership duties. Except for a few weeks a year, I am not cruising full time. However, I have absolutely no experience acting as a webmaster, and even less time under the hat of Grand Poohbah. So, although I might be able to share those responsibilities, I don't believe I'm ready to assume them in whole.

Jack
Bella - V2620

 

[geminidreams27]

Chuck,

As a new, less than a year, Vega owner I appreciate all your effort.

That being said here are my suggestions.

1. Go cruising enjoy life and don't feel tied to the internet for someone else's benefit. If there is not enough traffic on American Vega to pay for the site and YOUR time let it go. When things are a hobby they are fun! When the are work it is detrimental to the reason you first started.

2. Post the data on the message board under the title of "Last update from AmericanVega.org or similar so that we know what it is. I understand the early members contribution and payment of dues, but the current free enrollment has opened the door for public posting.

3. Move the Vega Logo Shop to a link on the Yahoo group. But keep it on the American Vega site until you take it down. I added a link to increase traffic and sales for you to my site.

4. Keep your blog as up to date as possible and continue to contribute by the e-mail list. A one make board such as the Catlina or hunter boards exist because of multiple models and many more owners. Stay with your philosophy of if it aint broke don't fix it. And by your letter you are saying the AVA is broken (your simi-retirement from it). From my experience doing a small registry for Hartge BMWs about 10 years ago it is overwhelming the amount of time needed to respond and update the information. I closed that board 7 years ago due to LIFE. and I still get emails from time to time of people wanting information.

5. The thing that makes the VAGB work and the other European groups is what we are lacking. Distance between the Vegas. Think how well we would do if all the vegas were between New Orleans and Wachington DC. How do we get from Florida to the Pacific NW? or from Oregon to Massachusetts? Our country divides us by shear size and lack of water between destinations.

6. Go Cruising enjoy life, have fun! Blow a conch horn at sunset and think, "I've done my part"

Wes

 

[pjacobs55]

Chuch,
Thanks for the background on the AVA ... very interesting.

Are there pre-1990 newsletters around? I'll volunteer to digitze them if they're available, add them to the already digitized ones, and return the originals to whoever supplied them. I think it's important not to lose any of the information that was on printed media.

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

 

[pjacobs55]

Ooops .... that's "Chuck" not "Chuch" :-0

 

[mphalv]

Hi there Peter. I happen to have all or most of the newsletters dating back to about 1984. I had mentioned this to Chuck several years ago and was going to send them to Brian who was going to scan them to a disc. As it turned out, I was unable to locate them--we had been live-aboards for several years and had stuff stored at various relatives' homes. I have since retrieved them and would be delighted to send them to you to transfer to disc. Then I guess you will need a list of current AVA members from Chuck in order to send them out.
If you will e-mail me your address, I'll send the newsletters to you. Thanks!

Melanie Halvachs
V1826 Double Fantasy
Holden, Maine

 

[pjacobs55]

That's great, Melanie. I'll scan them and forward the files to Chuck, or do whatever he thinks is right for them. In this age of sharing information I think they should be available through the Yahoo site as well, as it is the most popular meeting place of Vegatarians.

I'll send you a personal message with my mailing address, and also await direction from the Grand Poohbah.

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'

 

[k_setchfield]

Hi Chuck,

I am a webmaster and internet marketer by trade, and I am able to take my work with me while I cruise. I would consider taking responsibility for maintaining the AVA site, including the membership duties. I considered starting a vega site myslf when I got Wee Happy, but after finding the AVA site and yahoo group, I decided not to. So at this point I can offer to take over for you. I do see benefit to having a specific vega association website, and I also see that the yahoo group is the defacto forum. I find both useful.

Kristopher
aka Capt'n K

 

[vegatern]

Like you felt when Sidney asked for help, I feel a bit guilty also. I am not in a position to offer anything other than some financial support if needed. The AVA site is well done and worth keeping if possible but I agree that you should not be tied to it and certainly it should not interfere with your cruising. Sidney would agree.

Craig V1519 Tern

 

[vega1860]

In response to my email, I received the following (edited) from VODCA founding member Sam Amoss:

As a founding member, the Vega One Design Chesapeake Association (VODCA) was born in the Severna Park living room of two of our co-founders, Phil and Patsy Rodgers in 1976/77. Cecilia and I had purchased our 1976 Vega, Hull 2940, and were waiting delivery from Cos Cob. The dealership where we purchased was located at South River Marina, Edgewater Maryland (just south of Annapolis). By the time we took delivery, the dealership had moved to West River Marina.
The core members had been contacted using sales data. Those members, in turn, contacted other known Vega owners. Phil Rodgers was elected President; Sid Rosen, Secretary; and I was elected Treasurer. I acquired Non Profit status and, with the help of a member who was a lawyer, incorporated VODCA. I later served as Vice President and President.
In the early years we accomplished significant milestones, the meat and potatoes being the Newsletter and the Vega Repair Manual. Ideas for improvements and repairs flooded in and, of course, Sid Rosen is credited for putting it all together. Another coordinated success was raft ups and picnics each year over the sailing season. The largest that I remember was in July of 1979. I remember it for two reasons. Our daughter had her first experience of boating at 7 weeks old. The second reason: we were the Anchor Boat of 9 Vegas. A storm, early in the morning caught us all off guard. We were starting to break the raft and then pused when it subsided. Following breakfast, the raft broke up and that is when I realized that my anchor was somewhere between the Chesapeake and China.
Over the years, membership increased. However, turn outs for our meetings, picnics and raft ups diminished. Many of the members in the Chesapeake area did not attend same. However, they did contribute to the newsletter and updates to the repair manual.
As for Cecilia and I, we had our Vega for 12 years and sold it in 1988. It was a sad day, however our familyâs interests and activities had grown âoutsideâ of sailing and cruising and it was no longer cost effective for us to keep the boat. From that day, however, I continued being a dues paying member AVA follower. People like myself are still considered boaters, just not owners. Iâm an AP and still belong to the Patapsco River Power Squadron, although Iâm not active.
I was 27 when we formed the VODCA. The ages of our founding members included those in their 30âs, 40âs, and 50âs. Iâm 61 now and many of our founding members are sailing their Vegas in different oceans. But I have enjoyed watching the never ending dedication to the boat.
...............................
I thought some of you would be interested in how it all began.

Sam also offered some advice, which I intend to follow. Thanks to everyone who responded on this thread and by email. I hope to get everything resolved shortly.

 

[trevy_kins]

Interesting - - -for some reason – now forgotten - I think I may have the Rodgers’ old Vega. It is No. 2915 – it had a red hull right out of the factory. Can anyone confirm that?



Trevor

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of vega1860
Sent: September 14, 2011 5:46 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: AVA at a Crossroads (And Historical Update)






In response to my email, I received the following (edited) from VODCA founding member Sam Amoss:

As a founding member, the Vega One Design Chesapeake Association (VODCA) was born in the Severna Park living room of two of our co-founders, Phil and Patsy Rodgers in 1976/77. Cecilia and I had purchased our 1976 Vega, Hull 2940, and were waiting delivery from Cos Cob. The dealership where we purchased was located at South River Marina, Edgewater Maryland (just south of Annapolis). By the time we took delivery, the dealership had moved to West River Marina.
The core members had been contacted using sales data. Those members, in turn, contacted other known Vega owners. Phil Rodgers was elected President; Sid Rosen, Secretary; and I was elected Treasurer. I acquired Non Profit status and, with the help of a member who was a lawyer, incorporated VODCA. I later served as Vice President and President.
In the early years we accomplished significant milestones, the meat and potatoes being the Newsletter and the Vega Repair Manual. Ideas for improvements and repairs flooded in and, of course, Sid Rosen is credited for putting it all together. Another coordinated success was raft ups and picnics each year over the sailing season. The largest that I remember was in July of 1979. I remember it for two reasons. Our daughter had her first experience of boating at 7 weeks old. The second reason: we were the Anchor Boat of 9 Vegas. A storm, early in the morning caught us all off guard. We were starting to break the raft and then pused when it subsided. Following breakfast, the raft broke up and that is when I realized that my anchor was somewhere between the Chesapeake and China.
Over the years, membership increased. However, turn outs for our meetings, picnics and raft ups diminished. Many of the members in the Chesapeake area did not attend same. However, they did contribute to the newsletter and updates to the repair manual.
As for Cecilia and I, we had our Vega for 12 years and sold it in 1988. It was a sad day, however our family’s interests and activities had grown ‘outside’ of sailing and cruising and it was no longer cost effective for us to keep the boat. From that day, however, I continued being a dues paying member AVA follower. People like myself are still considered boaters, just not owners. I’m an AP and still belong to the Patapsco River Power Squadron, although I’m not active.
I was 27 when we formed the VODCA. The ages of our founding members included those in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. I’m 61 now and many of our founding members are sailing their Vegas in different oceans. But I have enjoyed watching the never ending dedication to the boat.
...............................
I thought some of you would be interested in how it all began.

Sam also offered some advice, which I intend to follow. Thanks to everyone who responded on this thread and by email. I hope to get everything resolved shortly.

 

[schroath]

Chuck,

Thanks for sharing Sam Amoss' description of the early years of the Vega Association. (Sorry, I just got around to reading it.) I also know that the founders of Chesapeake Bay Magazine, Dick and Dixie Goertemiller, used a Vega provided by that dealership to do the cruises in the first years of the publication, which would have been just that same time.

Jody