Recruiting & Retention

December 10, 2007
Difference Between Participating & Joining GWRRA

     ALL FOR JUST A DOLLAR A WEEK…….    

     We have all heard the comment that this organization is “all about the money”, and prevents some folks from joining the organization. They may participate with their local Chapter, but won’t take the next step in joining GWRRA.  I won’t deny that it takes money to run this GREAT organization, but let’s look at it a little closer…     
     How much does it REALLY cost to belong to GWRRA?   Lets break it down, looking at a Family Membership for just one year.  If you own a Wing, that is the most expensive option….$55 for one year for you and your entire family.  Let’s break that cost down:    
     Cost of membership    
     Per Month:  $4.50 ~ Per Week:  $1.05 ~ Per Day:  $0.15    
     So what do you get for a little over a dollar a week, which is less than the cost of one soda at your local Quick shop! (And this is what you MISS if you are only participating):    
     GWRRA Health Programs receive special premium rates and enhanced insurance coverage for yourself, your family, or your company    
     GWRRA Platinum Plus® Visa® Credit Card Introductory 2.9% Annual Percentage Rate (APR)† on Cash Advance and Balance Transfers and 3% rebate on purchases from qualified motorcycle retailers    
     Discount Hotel Program Over 9,000 negotiated hotel rates, with 1,200 vacation rental properties, Guaranteed lowest rates
     Rescue Emergency Roadside Assistance Program  As a paid Member, coverage while on any motorcycle is included in your membership. (Note: The standard Rescue Program does not include coverage for motorcycle trailers.)    
     JC Motors Transport JC Motors Transport offers Members of GWRRA a discount and has the best motorcycle shipping package on the market    
     Credit Union for a No-Monthly-Fee GWRRA Checking Account, featuring the GWRRA Visa®Check Card    
     In addition, GWRRA furnishes Wing World Magazine, the Gold Book, Rider Education, Leadership Training, Membership Materials, Chapter Life, Find-A-Friend Council, Couple Of the Year (COY) Program, GWRRA Official Products, Web Site featuring a live Message Board, Discount Custom Pin and Patch Program, GWRRA Special Interest Groups, Professional, full time Home Office staff    
     With all of this there is STILL more to tell.  And it is probably as important as all the items listed above.  As we are probably all aware, just a month or so ago fires were ravaging Southern California.  Countless people were driven from their homes and businesses as the fires continued to spread.  The following was written by the California District Directors Anita & JR Alkire regarding the ordeal…....    
     ...I know that we hear about this great big family and I got to experience it right close and personal this week. It was absolutely incredible to know that we were all in so many folk’s prayers and thoughts and we will continue to need them as we start to rebuild…  When someone comes to you and asks what you get for your GWRRA dues, start with this, the intangible until something happens and it becomes tangible to you. We may offer many tangible items that GWRRA lists on their website, but none of them can compare to the Family you get, who is there for you before you even know you need them! Some folks think its okay to “hitchhike” along with us, coming to gatherings, some even wearing our “colors”, they don’t want to make that nominal financial commitment that allows them to stand with this motto and be in the family that will stand beside you, sometimes takes the lead and who sometimes follow up the rear to take care of you and share with you all the love, kindness and caring that comes from being a family member in GWRRA...    
     We have a marvelous organization, comprised of friends from all over the world. Friends you would never have met without GWRRA. You have the opportunity to use the free classified ads in Wing World magazine, along with Technical Tips for the infrequent repairs needed for your Wing. You get discounted prices on all District, Region and National Rallies and events. I believe the question really comes down to…. why you WOULDN’T want to join.    
     Where else can you do all this for just 15 cents a day?

October 4, 2008
GWRRA Individual Membership verses GWRRA Family Membership

    In explaining the different types of membership, I think it is best to offer a true personal experience. When my husband joined GWRRA he applied for an individual membership. I accompanied him to Chapter activities and meetings and was welcomed with open arms. I even accepted a staff position of Chapter Membership Enhancement Coordinator. Boy!! I was having fun and enjoying everything the chapter had to offer. As time went on and I learned more about GWRRA and the different memberships that were offered, I soon came to realize that in essence I was what maybe referred to as a free loader. I had not realized just because my husband was a GWRRA Member did not automatically make me one. The Chapter participants may not have realized I was not a member or they were being too nice to say anything. Regardless of the reason, as my knowledge of GWRRA grew and I learned of the different types of membership, I called National Headquarters to find out how to upgrade to the Family Membership. I wanted a Membership card with my name in print. Selfish, maybe, but it sure would make me feel better. At that time I found for a minimal cost of $10.00 we could have a Family Membership. To make a long story short, we have had a Family Membership since that day.
    You may say that $10.00 is a lot of money to spend when adding yourself to the membership, but think of the savings you are going to obtain by upgrading to the family membership. When you go to Rallies, the Member can get in at one price and the non-member must pay more. We all enjoy Wing Ding and this is a prime example of cost difference when thinking Individual verses Family Membership. A GWRRA Member pays $40.00 to pre-register, a non-member pays $50.00. Our District Rallies have different cost for members and non-members ranging from $5.00 to $10.00. When attending a Region Rally, District Rally or Wing Ding the cost savings have made up for the $10.00 difference in the membership cost.
    From the Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary the definition of an individual is: “being an individual or exiting as an indivisible whole, intended for one person, exiting as a distinct entity”. The definition of a family is: “household as well as kin of the householder, a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head of household”.
    GWRRA Members are part of a family of more than 78,000 Members. That is where we will start when explaining the difference in an Individual Membership and a Family Membership. We have different types of membership to accommodate any person or persons who would like to join our GWRRA family. We offer these different types of memberships to ensure we have a membership to fit all our existing and potential members’ needs. Individual or Family Membership
    Any individual or family who owns a Gold Wing or Valkyrie motorcycle and pays the annual membership fee. The Family Membership applies to all persons living within the same household, who desire membership within the Association and are registered with GWRRA. Individual or Family Associate Membership
    Any individual or family that does not own a Gold Wing or Valkyrie, (they do not need to own a motorcycle at all), but is interested in GWRRA Membership and pays the appropriate membership fees. The Family Associate Membership applies to all persons living within the same household who desire membership within the Association. Associate Members are welcomed and encouraged to hold staff positions, but are not eligible to hold a line officer position. An Associate Member may serve as Rider Educator if properly qualified and with the approval of the appropriate Leaders. We welcome everyone and all makes and models of bikes into our GWRRA organization. We are Family.
    Is your spouse a Member? If you have an Individual membership and you have a spouse just call 1-800-843-9460 and acquire a Family Membership for only an additional $10.00 fee. You won’t be sorry.

References

Retention Program (pdf)

Recruiting & Retention Tools (pdf)

Area Reports (pdf)