As you can probably tell I've been making a few changes to the site and I was just wondering what you guys thought about them. I'm trying to debate whether or not to have the site more forum based so that people can change things around more interactively, and doesnt require someone else (me) in order to change something posted up in write-ups or their setup. However to some degree this does make the site look a little cheaper, but im not sure how many people use the rest of the site at all. Fact is I dont have the time to make the site the way I want to, and its hard to find the drive as much as I love the Prelude when I have no flow to put into the site.

If possible, I'd ask the members of this club to actively seek out new members and sponsors for the WPC, as this club as much mine as it is yours. By having more members it will give the club more buying power, which could mean big savings for us all. That and the fact we can have larger meets :). Also if someone would like to take a more active role with regards to WPC such as web development or promotions by all means come forward.

In the long run, id probably like to set up some kind of paid membership so that people can feel they have something invested in the site, and it would also allow us to hold WPC events. Of course the question of what is the difference between someone who pays and someone who doesn't. Likely what will happen with this is that only sponsoring members will have access to groupbuys, special offers from sponsoring companies, and so forth. This of course is just an idea I'm putting out and leaving it open for club discussion because to date i've only got sponsored by slo mo (oh and i cant forget Mr. Ludes yummy fry) and I can't do groupbuys with him because he already has half the toys i want :huh:

anyway... post your ideas and thoughts about where you would like WPC to go... as it is only our first year starting out... i just wanna make sure it goes the right way

I like what you've done with the site Jer. I'd prefer it to not be totally forum based.

I'd have no problems finding sponsors for the site. Sponsors mean advertising though. Personally I'm not a big fan of ads all over websites. It would be nice if it was more of a club supported site, rather than just me and Jer putting in the cash. I have no problem giving money to something I feel has value. We spend thousands of dollars on our cars, what's a small donation for a WPC membership to meet other prelude owners, have club events, groupbuys, a website w/ forum, affiliate pricing and to gain knowledge from others.

I'd like to see this site grow into something like the Toronto Prelude Club. I can remember being on the site a few years ago when there was a small prelude community there and since then it has grown exponentially.

This site is awesome jer and i am forever in your debt for making it :bow: . It has given me a way to meet new people that have the same love as i do. Cars...... and more importantly, the love for the Prelude. I would be more than willing to put some cash into the creation of this site and to help cover the costs of running it. I don't know how much help i could be in anything to do with the web design of development of it as i am not that well educated on the exact runnings of a web site. But i am willing to help out where i can. At first, when the club started i barely ever came on the forum, just always went to the heights, but now i spend about 3-4 times as much time on the WPC forum as i do on the heights, this place rocks!

Steve

As far as seeking sponsorship, I think it'll be easier once we start to grow in number. This is all fairly new still and people are not aware of it yet. It's also to fresh to be established as something that won't phizzle (yes you've been zinged and you'll love it..) out. I think once we've grown to a nice fat size we'll have more pull and people will be more willing to strike a deal. Just my thoughts on this I'm no expert at all in the field of getting sponsorship although I did used to run a free magazine and it's hard to find people willing to deal with organizations they've never heard of before.

As for seeking out new members... they will come with time. its only the middle of june.. two more months and I think our members list will have doubled.

Im not sure about making this a must pay site.. but asking for donations at the next meet would really help you out. You cant really justify the difference between someone who pays and who doesnt.. hopefully most of the guys will pay. We're not as big as some of the other clubs to ask for a fee in exchange for membership. For now.. I think it should be donations.

I personally like the sites that are more forum based.. I dont know how much 'interactive' we can get other than the Member Rides area. Thats just my opinion.. some of you may like browsing through stuff other than forums.

Like you said its only our first year.. we'll grow as a club for everything will take time.

Thanks for the compliments, Im constantly trying to improve the site, but i do need feedback and suggestions on what you guys would like to see. Good to hear that you have become slightly addicted to the site steve :)

I'm also no expert at sponsorship, and I do agree that this club and site is fairly new, but at the same time i dont think that should make us take things slow. This thread of mine is just to see if people are really on board with this club, and seeing where and if people are willing to help out with the site. This year I'm running the site fairly cheap, and as you've noticed there has been a few times the boards have been down, and this i have no control over since im running this site such a low cost, also Im able to use some of my university accounts for hosting, but after i graduate from my masters i wont have this luxury (this of course isnt free.. just a hidden cost)... so in a year hosting will likely go to 10-15bucks/month, which isnt very much, but I'm not going to cover this on my lonesome...

as for seeking out new members.. i do agree they will come in time.. i was just hoping that people that are already on the site.. if they see a lude on the street they will make some effort in going to talk to the owner or put a small paper on their windshield telling them about the site... i never said i wanted to make this a must pay site, its just a sad reality that the internet is not as free as people seem to think... so people willing to help out with costs id like to be able to provide some services for them.. be it discounts at selected stores or repairs...

in terms of donations or being a sponsoring member... if you donate now you will get WPC membership when we have more services to offer our preluders.. so your membership would start say next april and be good for a year.. but the earlier you donate the sooner you would be able to get deals.. we in the process of setting up some affliate companies.. but like i said in my first post... id like to hear if any members have connections to some of the import/car stores in the city....

anyway.. thats my bit for the week.. lets hear some more ideas :unsure:

everything about the club is going great...the site i being managed and the forums are moderated the way it should be...and i have been really active in recruting more members...especially 3rd gens!!! :hellzya: in just 3 days i got six 3rd gens...ive actually got to talk to them what we are all about and encouraged them to register in our site...that way i see it we are growing fast and with great management we will get far...

we may not have any big time sponsors yet...but as a club we should all contribute in making this to call our own...if we are going to be generating funds from members we should get someone to manage the money and maybe have a bank account of some sort to keep and save it...

now that ive finished school for the year and only a weekend job to worry about...maybe i could help on the development of this site...making it more resourcefull and marketable in time...i got a shaw account that has a spare 30MB of space...not much but i could store some pictures and other files to help free up your university account...

just let me know how i can help out jeremy...

to answer ludemonkey, I have a connection with a distributor. He told me he can beat any price quoted.

Since this past February, he's constantly been getting me parts cheaper than I can find anywhere else and within 3 business days.

And I mean he can get everything......... so I wouldn't mind helping anyone get the parts they need.

I don't make a cent off this, I am just passing on a great deal, without this guy, I'd probably still be stock. I'm placing another order next week if anyone's interested.......... We'll have to get in touch if anyone's interested. If so, I'll give you my number.

Only thing is nothing can be for resale (no dealers), that's his only concern.

And I can get deals for other cars too, not just preludes.

Sounds like the future of the WPC is pretty DEAD....

guess so... it was nice while it lasted...