I couldn't agree more, Dave. One thing that would absolutely stay in place is that regardless the name of the site, the non-paying public would still see all the areas that the paying public would (forums, white pages, service bulletins, etc...)
This is 100% different from every other plane site on the planet (AOPA, EAA, COPA, LOPA, CPA, MMOPA, etc). They all have 'members only' areas. Mine won't.....ever.
The yearly donation would be a sort of 'thank you'. You get a sticker, and maybe the first time you send in your check you get a laminated card with your RVOPA member number (I get #1, so don't ask.
).
Maybe once a month or so we do a random drawing using the membership numbers only for a prize (set of plugs, case of oil, etc. Whatever I can get various vendors to donate). Calling them as Doug from the
RV Owners & Pilots Association might get more stuff.
My gut instinct is this would be a positive thing for the builders/owners, and the instict has worked before (white pages, yahoo groups, forums, Land of Enchantment Fly-In, etc)
Maybe this is all a lousy idea, but I kinda like the idea of having a signature line like...
John Doe
RVOPA #576
RV-8 Flying
Dallas, Texas
...and a cool sticker on my truck. What's usually the case about these kinds of things (historically for me) is that sooner or later some unexpected use comes up for the 'new setup' and because it's in place what we want/need gets done easier. Case in point: Information now goes out instantly in the forums...as opposed to the the Yahoo groups which sometimes take hours/days to get information out.
Oh well, enough typing. It's Friday and I wanna rest <g>.
Best to all and have a great weekend,
Doug Reeves
RVOPA #1
PS: I ran the idea by Tom Green at Van's a few months back and he thought it was a good idea (the idea and the name (RVOPA)).