TCA Sponsorship Question

[corton]

First off, let me stress that I'm not necessarily knocking it, just trying to understand it.

From lurking on the York discussions, I've come to realize that TCA still requires sponsorship from two other members in order to join.

Why?

I was aware of this back in the early 70's when I was first interested, but never joined. I guess I'm just bashful or something. Let's face it - here in the DFW area, hobby shops don't live on every corner, and those that do don't sell trains, let alone Lionel. So, I have a credibility issue walking into a Lionel dealer and saying, yeah, I've bought stuff from you, but you don't really *know* me, but will you sponsor my TCA membership? If it's just a rubber-stamp, what does sponsorship provide?

I guess I thought that with the penetration of the internet into all of our lives that a simpler way of doing things would have been realized...

Thanks for any insight you provide;
Carl

[msacco]

Carl,
In theory, and let me stress the theory part, two sponsors are supposed to verify your character with the overall goal of the association to only take in members of good character.
Now, that's in a perfect world. Does it really work? I don't know, but it's their organization and their rule. Want to join? Get the signatures.
There's a really hot thread on the TCA on the OGR board. Building rapidly. Worth a look for entainment anyway.

Mike Sacco

[Anonymous]

I agree with Mike. It's one of the requirements the TCA has for membership, and has pretty much had since the get-go. All who currently belong to the TCA had to go through the same process. If it's something you don't mind doing and you really want to join, then have at it. If you don't want to join, that's sure your choice to make, as well, and the two-signature rule will have no impact one way or the other.

[corton]

So, then, if one wants to join, and no one knows him, how do you do it?

Show up at Friday's on Thursday and beg? [:p]

[Anonymous]

First, ask a dealer in your area if he knows of any TCA members. If he's a dealer that sells O gauge toy trains--and there must be at least one in an area the size of DFW-- chances are good he'll know one or more individuals who are members, and he may be one himself.

The area you live is a well-populated one, so I imagine there are many hobbyists and even TCA members in the area.

Looking through my 2005 TCA Directory, I see there are 34 members in the Dallas area, and 17 listed in the Fort Worth area. I imagine one or more of these folks also read this forum, and it's likely that one (or more) of them may get in touch with you to help you out if you're interested in joining. If you actually live in one of the smaller towns in the immediate area, I can probably provide a few names for you to contact yourself since the membership is broken down by the town they live in and some small ones may have only one or two members. There are nearly 10 columns of names for Texas alone, presented in small phone-book-style type. That's a good number of TCA members!

[MartyE]

In this day and age the 2 signature rule is just dumb. Why? Well with folks volunteering to sign yer form at York gatherings in local eating establishments, in line at the fairgrounds and anywhere else why bother. They don't know you from the next guy so how can they vouch for you. It no longer makes sense. Let the folks sign up and use the probationary period do the weeding out job. Hey anyone want signed up? I have a ton of applications and a stamp with my signature and TCA number. I'm sure we can find another person who doesn't know you to sign. I applaud the folks that want to help gain members but it seems signing blindly is not the spirit of the requirement so loose it.

I know it's their rule. Fine but it still doesn't make sense.