WOW. New IPMS Journal arrived, what a HUGE improvement!

[Zoom Zoom]

As many of you know, ACME is an IPMS-chartered club. The journal was formerly (for 17 years) produced by a car guy. He recently was ousted from his position, and in the last journal made it clear he was not happy and we'd all be hearing a pack of lies about him. IPMS positions are unpaid, but whomever made the decision to go with another editor/publisher realized that a better job could be done for 1/2 the price. Hmmmmm. I knew that things could get interesting.

Today I received the first of the "new" Journals, and I must say I was blown away w/the quality of the new magazine. It's very nearly a "real" magazine now, far and above the "professional club publication" that we formerly got. It would fit properly on any magazine rack now; it's that well done. It also came wrapped.

There's a good article w/color shots of a car model, and also of a motorcycle model. It's not just planes. The quality of photographs in all articles is fantastic. Graphic layout is professional. The new editor has magazine experience, and it definitely shows.

I hope this isn't just a flash in the pan; if it stays w/this level of quality then IPMS may see an increase in renewals or new members; often people didn't stay w/IPMS if they felt the Journal wasn't worth what they were paying (even though membership is more than just getting the Journal).

Congratulations IPMS. Change is not only good, in this case it's stunning.

[The Prez]

:eek: :eek: I to recived my copy of the IPMS journal. I thought I had recived
a comp copy of a British publication. I echo Mr. Zoom's coments. I hope that
this is the first step for the IPMS to become what they often profess,a
organization of all modelers.:)

[Dino Scuderia]

Did it include a stolen model hotline number?

[freakmech]

Did it include a stolen model hotline number?

LOL, good one. IPMS can shove it, MAMA is a due free club with no politics and thats how it should be. Not to mention they get more money from me in donations then any "dues" club would in yearly's. Sorry, I dont mean to offend anyone, but i was once an IMPS member and it was donkey, and completely unsupportive of car modelling in my region. And yes, MAMA is IPMS but you would never know it.

[Zoom Zoom]

I'm all ears for all the anti-IPMS folks to make suggestions as to whom to contact for our show's and club's monthly meeting liability insurance if we decide to drop IPMS affiliation. Also please suggest how we can cover the cost differential; as ACME is a dues-free club with a dues-free forum for ACME members and a few guests. The cost differential between mandatory IPMS memberships for the officers ($100) plus the $10 charter fee per year is a pittance compared to what an individual show liability policy would cost the club (we paid several hundred dollars for show coverage before we were IPMS affiliated, and that was well over 10 years ago). That insurance coverage alone is support enough for "our" end of the hobby, just in dollars and cents. But please let us know if you have a better suggestion that can save the club the IPMS expense and politics. In these days of rabid liability without the insurance the club and the show could easily disappear with just one claim. We could always incorporate and get our own policy; lots of hidden costs/beaurocracy to deal with if we do that. I doubt anyone would like to stick it to the club members for what that would cost the members, what it would cost to increase all of our show fees for every attendee, participant, and vendor. But of course I'm all ears to suggestions.

Just because IPMS has been predominantly military modelers doesn't preclude us from being part of a large national organization to get some of the perks from that affiliation. IPMS isn't perfect, but they allow small clubs like us to put on shows and club meetings with a level of protection that non-IPMS clubs either pay a huge amount for, or do not have.

If there is a better way, please advise.

[freakmech]

Thats the response i was hoping not to get Bob. Liability is the plague of this nation and im one lawsuit away from moving to Australia LOL> Seriously though, ive never been an officer in any club though i know that there are plusses to being IPMS and my biggest turn on to ACME is the fact that your also strictly cars and run your shows NNL style. I said many a times that if i wasnt such a huge Saints fan i would move to Atlanta in a heartbeat just to be involved in your club. Lucky i was displaced near MAMA. Pre-Katrina and having moved around alot, ive found most IPMS based clubs in this country to be absurd and almost abusive towards car modelllers. Certainly ACME is an exception just as much as MAMA. Needless to say i wont be in KC this year but i will be in ATL as a virgin. I just wish there was an alternative to this solution of hosting a show. In fact i dont understand why a venue for a show wouldnt cover the insurance needed for such an event. Sorry, my involvement with IPMS has been a bad one to date and im just glad to no there is possibility for a good club to exist without all the BS. Sorry, really, i should not have spoken on the subject at all.

[Zoom Zoom]

I think ACME is probably just like MAMA and MCCM and the other "all-car" IPMS charters; we're IPMS due to necessity to be part of a national organization but we operate with our own agenda and w/o the beaurocracy that's so prevalent with any organization that's so heavily military-based. We follow their rules to the letter and they pretty much let us do what we do best. We have a show that caters to cars; we don't need an "all-category" IPMS contest to thrive. IPMS could learn a lot from car clubs that put on NNL's. Whether they will or not, who knows? If there was a car-based organization w/the same benefits of course we'd be there. But the only one that had a chance (AMS) fizzled out. There are plenty of people w/bad IPMS experiences; mine are relatively neutral. If the US society wasn't so litigious then we wouldn't have to worry over those matters. And even though the IPMS nationals was a glitchfest in Atlanta last year; it was a fun event (except to a couple of people who left their models out all night after the show and they weren't there in the morning). Not worth driving halfway across country, but great for a show to commute to. You won't ever see that many different models on display from all disciplines and of such incredible craftsmanship. Too bad the NNL East isn't a 2 or 3 day event; it's a shame it's all over in a matter of hours. Go to IPMS Nat's or Salt Lake where the competition is keen and you have several days to acclimate, shmooze, and enjoy the hobby. And don't forget the GSL is IPMS as well.

We could have a kick ass club in Australia; but it's a loooooooooooong drive; even for most people that live there :D

[freakmech]

Thanks for understanding (and not being to harsh) and admittedly, the appeal of NNL South is that you guys are setting up a nice little hospitality room for us to hang and chat at the hotel for us early arrivers. I think if NNL East had anymore apeal it would be scary LOL, but great event that really dampened my NNL Mid-Atlantic experiences. I will be in ATL for your event Thursday night through Monday morning so i hope someone might offer a small tour of the city or preferrably there model room... hint hint.... Utmost respect to you guys, i really have envied your club for a long time, especially the group builds you guys do. Thanks guys for being such inspiration!

[Lug Nutzz]

As a CARS club officer I must admit that I've not even lifted a finger to try to contact our local IMPS/Military club so shame on me.

By the way Freak I look forward to meeting you at the "South". And anytime you want to watch the Aint's (Saints) and Toons (Falcons) play just let me know.

[Matt Wadlinger]

I received my copy of the magazine yesterday and 'bout fell over after seeing so many of the pages in color. I think it's thicker and has more content of cars and bikes than ScaleAuto does. Very nicely done.

We should really get an IROC Porsche article written and submitted.

Chad, since you will be in town a couple days early, it'd be a good chance to hang with us on Friday. That's the fun day, we visit some car shops, and grab lunch and set up the show and hospitality room.

[GTmike400]

Chad, since you will be in town a couple days early, it'd be a good chance to hang with us on Friday. That's the fun day, we visit some car shops, and grab lunch and set up the show and hospitality room.

Yep! Im so happy I dont have class on Fridays.

[Eric Cole]

Yep! Im so happy I dont have class on Fridays.


Don't be fooled by your temporary freedom...
.... soon it will be college and work and... well, you get the point!!!!

[Dino Scuderia]

Don't be fooled by your temporary freedom...
.... soon it will be college and work and... well, you get the point!!!!

He's never had class anyway, not even on Fridays.

[Zoom Zoom]

He's never had class anyway, not even on Fridays.

Glad I let someone else go with that oh-so-easy punchline :D

[GTmike400]

Surpsied there wasnt some online PE joke in there.

[freakmech]

Chad, since you will be in town a couple days early, it'd be a good chance to hang with us on Friday. That's the fun day, we visit some car shops, and grab lunch and set up the show and hospitality room.


Sounds great and i would love to help out anyway i can. So dont be afraid to put me to work. Looking forward to the show and meeting more of you guys.

[GTmike400]

Good. Chad, you can set up tables while I kick back and relax at the Hooters down the road.

[The Prez]

:D :D Well, Mikey are you going to sssssssssssSEE Amie at
Hooterville?:D

[freakmech]

Hooters??? Nevermind, ill be arriving errr.... whenever Kevin at Strada starts selling kits, "That will be $2056 dollars Chad"....;) :D

[GTmike400]

Hooters??? Nevermind, ill be arriving errr.... whenever Kevin at Strada starts selling kits, "That will be $2056 dollars Chad"....;) :D
Kevin hangs out with us on Friday usually, so you definitely need to hang with us too.

[Zoom Zoom]

Hooters??? Nevermind, ill be arriving errr.... whenever Kevin at Strada starts selling kits, "That will be $2056 dollars Chad"....;) :D

Yeah, the tab at Hooters is about that much for wings and tea :rolleyes:

Oh, and Ed Cervo/Island Collectibles will be draining your wallet too :D

[SCUDERIA-FERRARI]

:) :D Ill definetly spend money there!

[DrBob]

I can name several IPMS members who wrote articles for the IPMS Journal, sent them in, and after 15 years have never seen them published. Chris Bucholtz, the new editor is asking for articles and promises that they will not be ignored.
It seems like the IROC build might be make a good article and might bring in some new members. They dont pay for articles, so it would be a labor of love for some dedicated soul.

[Boxstock]

Can some one bring the issue to the next meeting....thanks:D :D :D

[Ferrarifreak]

As a grateful member just to be a part of the ACME club, I'm also the Pres. of our CARS club of Chatt. Tn. Having hosted 3 shows myself personally, I've done it both ways with the ins. issue. I can assure you the IPMS membership and charter is one of the best thing i've ever done to make the show go well. Sure IPMS has gotten a reputation both good and bad. Like any organization it has it's glitches. Yet the ins. is a great asset for helping the smaller clubs make it. The insurance is a necessary evil. This program makes it much easier. I'm on the fence about the rest of the benefits of membership, yet on that issue I fell off on their side!! Luckily I didn't hit my head--- or did I??? hehehehe
Danny