How is a SDC chapter formed?

[Scott]

How many people does it take to form a chapter and what are the steps?

[Commander Eddie]

Scott,
If you are inquiring in the hopes of starting a new chapter, keep in mind there are already 5 chapters here in Oregon. That being said, you may be able to get what you need from the SDC Website. Click on "Resources" then scroll down and select "New Chapter Chartering".

[Stu Chapman]

How many people does it take to form a chapter and what are the steps?

Scott, I would suggest that the first step would be to communicate with your Regional Manager, Zone Coordinator and National Director.

Stu Chapman

[Scott]

OK. Thanks.
Actually, there are 6 in Oregon, but three or four of them are within 150 miles of Portland. The one down here (Southern Oregon) covers a huge chunk of land that I believe covers an area from the Pacific coast to at least 180 miles inland and across at least 2 mountain ranges. Yes, mountains are still an impediment to travel where you don't have major interstates cutting through them. All we have is I-5 going north and south. There are also other reasons I am wondering about it.

[studegary]

I believe that the required minimum number is five SDC members.
Contact the person entrusted with chapter chartering, Leigh Morris. Contact information is on page 3 of every Turning Wheels.

[8E45E]

I believe James Bell is your zone contact. He goes by 'Bellingham Studenut' here on the Forum.

Craig

[Scott]

Also, I'm pretty sure (I could be wrong) that the Yreka area and maybe Shasta are not within any chapter. If they are they must be maybe 100 miles away from where most activity probably takes place (like Redding).

[StudeDave57]

I believe James Bell is your zone contact. He goes by 'Bellingham Studenut' here on the Forum. Craig

James is the Can-Am Zone Director, yes.
But I don't believe he would be your First point of contact though.
This link shows who your Regional manager and your Zone Coordinator are~

http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/zonecontacts.asp

They can provide you with membership information in your area, and contacts for same.
I'd start with them (and Leigh as mentioned above) before jumping all the way to the top.

[Scott]

Thanks StudeDave57! If nothing else I'll learn some new things about the club.

[Scott]

Is there a map that roughly shows the geographic boundaries of each SDC chapter? I know some members live far away from the chapter they belong to, but I am assuming there are still generally recognized boundaries for most if not all chapters.

[StudeDave57]

That would be a question for your Zone Officers Scott.
But honestly- I don't know that I would go so far to say that Chapters have 'boundaries'. I know lots of folks who belong to multiple Chapters locally and beyond. For example- there was a time when I belonged to four different Chapters in three States!!!




StudeDave '57

[Sam Ensley]

I know how you feel, Scott, about the distance. I live in north Georgia, almost in North Carolina. I belong to two clubs in Georgia and one in North Carolina. I seldom get to attend meetings because of the distance and barrier mountains. I get my Studebaker fix from Turning Wheels and the Antigue Studebaker magazine. I try to attend zone meets and international meets at least every other year.

[alex54]

I also know how you feel Scott. 5 chapters in Texas, the closest one is 325 miles away. Never been to a Studebaker meet. Only been to one MG meet about 9 years ago. Just hard to get away from work and with kids in school......

[Scott]

Most chapter meeting for Southern Oregon are not more than 40 miles away for me, but it is much worse for anyone in Klamath Falls, or Yreka, CA or extreme nothern California. I don't know if the chapter I belong to has ever done a meeting down there. I'm thinking that if the chapter wants to grow it's restricted by the fact that potential members are so remote and maybe it's time for a new chapter that really embraces extreme southern Oregon and Northern California. Besides, this chapter doesn't seem to put much effort into recruiting new members (none) and I do not see myself breaking into any leadership positions.

[Deaf Mute]

Our chapter (like a lot of others) is trying hard to recruit members without much luck. We have a website, Facebook page, and try to get on local media as much as possible. We have officers (and others) that drive up to 75 miles each way to attend our monthly meetings, but we have others that can't make a 10 minute trip to attend. www.big6sdc.com In our Zone, the Iowa Hawkeye Chapter, North Star Chapter (Minnesota) and the Wisconsin Region Chapter cover almost the complete state they are based in.