Starting a Car Club or Chapter is not always as easy as it may seem. I’ve learned this first hand. It takes a lot of patience, careful detailing, commitment & major planning, but can also be a lot of fun. The reason for this is to show just what all and can go into a car club and why things aren't as cut and dry as the members of them may think Here are some of the basic fundamental key steps to making your club or chapter a success, should you decide to start one.

1.) Decide what type of car club you want and what perks and incentives you want it to offer.

2.) Recruit honest, reliable, trustworthy visionaries to work with you as your officers, partners or staff.

3.) Research all avenues for other clubs and or names like the one(s) you’re planning. If no one else has it, register the name as a business or DBA (Doing Business As). You can also choose to register your club with your state as an LLC, Corporation or Non-Profit. Check with your city or state on business laws and requirements.

4.) Register a Tax ID/EIN (Employee Identification Number) for tax purposes. Check with your city or state on tax laws and requirements.

5.) Open a P.O. Box at your local Post Office (unless comfortable using home address).

6.) Open a Business Checking Account and set reasonable budgets.

7.) Design a logo for your club or with permission a preexisting one. Register it as a Service Mark with your state and also have it copyrighted with the US Copyright Office. Check with your city or state on Service Mark laws and requirements and the US Copyright Office on copyright laws and requirements.

8.) Begin networking and obtaining knowledge, ideas and recommendations from other clubs and reputable businesses for either links exchanges, discounts and sponsorships. This can help you determine what to charge for membership dues “if you decide to do so”.

9.) Begin researching prices for a web-site, business cards, window decals and t-shirts, all depending on what you want your club to have and offer (this can become expensive). Try to find local printing companies near you who may be able to sell you shirts and other items at discounted prices. You can also purchase the necessary software and supplies and do it yourself with a home computer and printer.

10.) Prioritize your budget from expensive to least expensive on what items you will be purchasing. Drawing up a detailed checklist of all items can be very beneficial as well as crucial to future projects.

11.) Begin researching areas for cruises and or events as well as prices. Also attend other car club events to gain information on how they are staffed, organized, conducted and maintained.

12.) Once up and ready begin advertising that you’re looking for members at every avenue, such as links exchanges, fliers, business cards, magazines and papers. In this area patience is required.

13.) Once your club begins to grow you can learn how active your membership becomes by polling them about cruises, gatherings & events. This can help you determine how large scale you would want your event(s) to be, if you decide to have them. Consecutive interactions between your members, other clubs and organizations are the best ways of networking and obtaining resources. This can be very fun.

14.) Keep all records, receipts & emails of all transactions with your members, clubs & organizations.

In some cases you may be able to start a chapter in your area of a particular club that’s in another city or state that may help supply yours. This option can eliminate certain steps and save you lots of time & money in start-up costs. This too may give you the information that you may require in starting a new club. But also try not be deterred by negative criticisms of other clubs & chapters this happens from time to time.

Some car clubs have not completed any of these fundamentals nor do they ever attempt or plan to use them. Some are a huge success while some others are managed poorly and their activities are not conducted properly. These usually do not succeed for long and are ill advised to join.

There are many more exclusive aspects and steps that can be utilized and some may not be required, pending your needs and how your club’s set up. Remember a lot goes into running a car club or chapter so go a little easy on those who run them. However if you always keep in mind that the major keys of having reputable car clubs or chapters are research & commitment then yours too can be a lot of fun and a huge success.

By
Thomas B. Johnson II