What would you think about a WaterCooled side to the club?

[BusDriver]

I was thinking about trying to start a Watercooled side of the Volksters and calling it The Westside Watercoolers. Thinking that we could share meetings, and events etc...?? I don't know just kicking around some ideas. But I want  if we to  increase our membership and at the same time be able to represent the Westside and PDX at some of these large shows. I realized that no one, and I mean NO ONE knows who we The Volksters are beyond our immediate area. If we got some notice around here we could get some sponsership and more gigs. I could even get us in the Starlight Parade next year if we get on the stick.

Anyway post you thought here and let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions or comments.

[BusDriver]

No your right I get that, that's why I put it up for comment, instead of just starting another club. I like the Volksters and am member in good standing for life but I need more. I got in a club to do things with other like minded people. The 2 main thoughts I had for having a "Sister" club or an "Offshoot" or whatever.

First, the people around here that do know the Volksters (Including the shops) know the Volksters as an aircooled club, and in fact it is. Thats not bad but it makes it hard to attract Watercoolers from around here because the perception is,,,that this is an Aircooled Club. It's very hard to change that perception because that's what it has been for so long. The website....FANTASTIC!! start. However, when people get here it's all about aircooled, why? Because everyone but me is Aircooled and I already talk to myself, so I don't need to write it out and show you guys how insane I really am.

Secondly we don't get out enough for anyone to notice us, and one Bug, one Bunny, and a minivan does not a cruise make. Biggest Cruise in the Northwest was Sunday, there were over 18 Clubs and over 350 cars and 1 Volkster,,,in a Rabbit. Saturday was one of the largest GTGs on the West Coast people came from Montana, and Conneticut and there was me and 15 others that were there from PDX mostly Westside. So...my brain got to turning, and I thought well what if the Watercooled had it's own Representation in the Volksters. That way there is no initial hurdles to getting people over the "Aircooled" perception we as a Club get new members, we both get advertising, and event representation, etc...buy having a mini corp we have the same Treasurer, President, Officers etc and we can plan events etc together, none of that would have to change. The only thing I think we would have to have is an Officer to represent the Watercoolers. I don't know, like I said I was just burning brain cells and trying to think it out.

[BusDriver]

Well Raleigh, my single biggest concern is that we don't do anything. As the event co-ordinator I have to say it is VERY frustrating to plan an event only to have two cars and 3 members show up. The WC crowd is at every event, so I thought rather than trying to fight the battle of changing the perception (WHich we will never do if we don't start doing some things as an entire club) it would be easier just to add a new element to the club.

I do however see your point, and I think it would be easier for me in general to just be a member of 2 clubs, which is really just what I should do anyway. It makes it allot easier on everyone and I get to still spend time with you folks, and at the same time can do cruises and events, so I am happy.

[PJsInsane]

My impression was that the RCV was for both air & water-cooled VeeWees- I think thoug that it makes sense to have factions though for the purposes of tech-help, buy/sell/trade/swap & shop days (along with a friendly rivalry) I WISH I could be at the meeting tonight-

My wife and I have to attend a class for nre God-Parents this evening, even though we are already God-parents... (UGH) BUt with any luck I can be at the June Mtg!!  :?

[BusDriver]

Raleigh I think maybe you have the wrong impression here. First off the only way you would get me out of the Volksters would be to kick me out. Secondly it is not the watercooled aircooled equasion that has me in fits. My single and only reason for wanting to bring change is to get a group of people all in the same place at the same time.....so we look and act like a club...not just a couple of guys/gals that drive VWs that happened to meet somewhere on the way to somewhere and showed up.

Example: Westside Mustangs you don't see one or two you see 20, Absolutly Volkswagen not 3 or 4 but 20. Hell when I went to Seattle for the weekend shows I met 20 water coolers and we all traveled up together and by the end of the day it was as if we were a club, because we were sharing the common goal of attending an event together, when one of us broke down there were 19 people there helping get the car running again. You see what I am talking about? It wasn't aircooled or watercooled making a run it was a group of VW enthusiast's heading to one of the largest events on the West Coast sharing comradery and friendship.

To me that is a club. What I have in Rose City Volksters is a great group of like minded friends. Like the people I work with, they all love VWs and if one of us needs a hand doing something on a weekend then everyone is more than wiling to pitch in and help, but they are not going to go to any of the shows or events or whatever. I have been going to shows alone now for about 3 years, and a BIG part of the reason I joined the Volksters was to be able to be part of a group of Dubbers that did the shows and events etc...right now in our current state it is as if I am still not really in a club other than having a t-shirt and a website.

That is the point of the whole thing, sorry if you got the wrong impression, and thought this was an Aircooled v Watercooled thing.

[johnygolf]

Keep it one name. NO offshoots or sister clubs. That will only lead to a club splitting up. Air cooled-Water cooled, they are ALL VOLKSWAGENS. Keep it together, just try getting more members. I for one have not made a club meeting YET. I own a 90 golf(watercooled DUH), but have owned an aircooled vw in the past. Love it. I now prefer watercooled. So what? Both are still VW's. Getting new members should be the first concern. How should be the second. I am willing to provide my help in any way possible. I do know alot of people in the area, been here almost 30 years. I'm 37 years old by the way. so now you know I'm not some smarta** kid. Let me know if you want help with anything. Rob.

[johnygolf]

Well hopefully I'll be at the next club meeting in june. I've been trying to get to one but it hasn't worked out yet. I work for Les Schwab and don't have alot of free time during the week with both a family and a job like LS. Hope to meet you all in june if not sooner. You could always come to one of the vortex portland gtg's. This friday we'll be at the Sherwood lesschwab, and probably for the next few weeks atleast. Would love to meet some of you this friday if your interested, would also love to see some AIRCOOLED represented at these gtg's. Let me know if your interested?!? Later, Rob.

[CatBox]

i used to hang out on the vortex years ago but there wasnt any local hang outs involved.  i have since found the volksrods and quit the vortex.

anyway welcome to the site as soon as i get my bug up and runnig i plan to drag my family to a couple of shows a month.  the parking lot shows are my favorite.

i also agree with what you say about just one club.  it just takes some exposure at the local hang outs and then word of mouth will spread the rest.  the stickers for the cars are in the works and we all have tee shirts to wear.  if we coordinate our times and actually show up when we say we will, the stars will align and things will come togther for the club.

people will start looking for us instead of passing over us and things will get better.

"Thats all i have to say about that."

[BusDriver]

And shrimp soup, pickled shrimp, shrimp salad, and just plain shrimp...

[CatBox]

"that man just liked to swear a-lot"

[johnygolf]

This Friday at 8-8:30pm at the Sherwood LesSchwab. Outback there is a huge parking lot, I have obtained manager permission to gather there. I REALLY would like to see some aircooled at these gtg's. If any are interested, pm me or email me at rjc69@comcast.net. I live in tualatin and can meet anyone just off I5 in tualatin if you don't know how to get to Sherwood. We plan on meeting there every friday night untill further notice.  :D

[CatBox]

i'd like to show up but my wife is in the hospital untill further notice and the bug dont stop.  it runs it just doesnt stop.

[CatBox]

you may also want to post the schwabys get togther in the events area for the rest of the world to see.

[corradojeff]

just joined...welcome me...now there are 3 water cooled...gotta get a corrado in where ever we can  :D  and oldscool...i was with you guys at the old school gtg...me and my bud had the corrados...mine is the green one...LETS GET THIS WATERCOOLED BALL ROLLIN!

[TotallyVW]

Welcome C.J.!  Be sure to take advantage of our Gallery section and post some pictures of your car for all to see.