Here are my thoughts, take 'em or leave 'em.
Yes, there can be benefits to a national organization especially in the avenues of helping with legislation/legalization of certain hobbys and activities. Like they say, "There's strength in numbers". When an activity such as ours is presented in a way that demonstrates responsible use by the membership the law makers can and often do respond favorably.
Sponsorship of events can also help in promoting public awareness of what we do and to show us in a favorable light. All of these are unarguably good things.
The drawback, at least as I see them which is based on previous experience with several national organizations is that eventually they manifest into a business with the foucus more on making money than doing what they were originally intended for.
Being the curmudgeonly old cynic that I am I questioned one particular head of one of those National organizations about where did all the money go. There were membership fees, event entry fees,the entry fees charged to spectators, huge amounts of advertising dollars that came from the monthly magazine, and paid by vendors who wished to hawk their wares at one of the sponsored events. I did some rough math and was amazed at the apparent profits garnered by that organization and then looked closely at what my benefits were by being a member. Not much. I got a monthly magazine that was nothing more than a catalog of who was selling what, a calendar of events and a few photos and a few paragraphs on event coverage. I got a windshield sticker, a hat pin and a t shirt. All that, and it only cost me $45.00 a year.
When I questioned this the answer I got, and this was the current head of that organization, was; "It takes money to run an organization this big." Huh?
So, yes, there are some good things, but be aware that eventually, someone will find a way to turn the National Motorized Bicycle Association, NMBA, into a profit making endeavor. That's when I'll divorce myself from it and go about my merry way and enjoy my hobby without having to pay to do it. Just my thoughts.
Tom
