OT: MTFCI Ballots and thoughts...

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Like others, I just received my MTFCI magazine which included the Ballot for choosing Board Members. While I realize this is going to seem biased and slanted, I truly believe there is something that needs to be discussed because it affects the future of the MTFCI club, -which is also a club that has been losing membership AND has been losing money for the last several years of its operation. As a former Treasurer of the MTFCI, this deeply concerns me.

I often hear/read about how the Model-T club members are dying off -and there is not any young people interested. I think both statements have merit HOWEVER there ARE young people very much interested in owning and in club participation with Model-Ts ...however, unfortunately not so much with the Club in its current direction. This is not good!! For those that 'do' social media (Facebook, X, YouTube, et/al), then you realize that social media platforms are full of young Model-T enthusiasts. So there are plenty of potential members however being a club member is not perceived as a value to them or their family. THAT needs to change!

I have a son (Blake Terry) who is running for this year's MTFCI BoD because he understands what the future of this hobby needs. Back in the early to mid 2000s, past MTFCI Presidents 'Red' Hall and Jack Zimmer had a vision to get the youth involved in Model-Ts, -and so they built their kids a cool Model-T. The vision caught on quickly with other kids and became the Speedster craze that was so prevalent on tours for years to follow. I know this all too well because I built a speedster for my daughter in '08 when she turned 16, and because trucks are cool in teenager's eyes, Blake & I built him an Express Pickup in 2010. The bond that was created by these kids all driving their own Model-T together on tours has created friendships that have lasted for several decades now. Arguably, many of these former speedster participants are no longer participating in the hobby because the MTFCI club membership no longer interests them. After many hours of discussions, Blake and others now realize that there needs to be new ideas that can cater to the Digital age generation while participating beside the existing club members who have no desire to follow the digital path.

So the bottom line for the younger generation people they spoke with was, that many of them would participate again if it was fun again for them and their family. So with the mindset of becoming more digitally friendly and hosting events for younger generational families, Blake and several present board members chose to form a Fordy & Under chapter to specifically promote, encourage, and cater to these Model-T owners who are 40 y.o. and under. This has been a need since even when I was a BoD, and it has now come to fruition. Because of Blake's background as a former MTFCI Youth Editor, as a 3rd generation Model T restorer, a MTFCI Judge, a Model-T Tour coordinator & host, -and as someone who has continually promoted participation with the younger crowd, he was elected by his peers to be this new chapter's President. There is excitement in the air and this has been a real shot in the arm for attracting young families to the hobby. Now they have many new and excited members who are ready to hit the ground running to take the club to the next level. Blake has already taken to task to coordinate and host a MTFCI sanctioned Fordy & Under tour in 2025 where this multi-day event will cater to things that younger generation families want to do. This includes visiting places which will entertain and educate the tour participant's younger children. Make these tours fun and educational for these new members (-and potential new members) where it is not a hard sell for a young family man to talk his wife into buying a Model-T, join into this hobby, and begin touring as a family. This also means designing tours that fits these younger generation's family budgets. We as older adults have an opportunity to promote and assist these new members, but more about that at a later date.

So bringing this to a close, I would encourage each of you that will be voting for MTFCI BoD candidates to strongly consider and choose 3 candidates that you feel can/will attract other new members within this age group. As I mentioned above, it is my opinion that if this club does not attract new members, it will likely be bankrupt in the near future. Therefore, please vote for and support those board candidates that have a proven track record of attracting younger members, ...and more specifically for those who have proven by their past efforts that they have the best interest for this club's future, and have a vision for the future of this hobby ingrained in their hearts.