NATIONAL CLUB SPOTLIGHT
NCCC Youth Program drives toward future
Getting youth involved in the collector car hobby is a growing concern among car enthusiasts, but it's nothing new for the National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC).
The NCCC has been beating the drum for youth involvement for over 17 years, beginning with the creation of the Future Corvette Owners Association (FCOA) in 1991.
"Kids are the next generation of enthusiasts," said Pat Kelly, program director of the FCOA. "When you get them involved in the hobby, everybody wins."
That certainly was the feeling at the '91 NCCC National Convention, when introduction of the new youth program resulted in an initial membership of 76 kids. The club now boasts over 2,700, including many second-generation members. Over 3,900 youth have been in the FCOA at one time or another.
Members "age out" when they turn 16, and those FCOA graduates are then encouraged to join the NCCC. Three of the first four original members – Jennifer Dolan, Sarah Dolan and Catherine Parks – did exactly that, and Pat said they are still active in the hobby. Girls, by the way, are easy to find on the FCOA membership list.
"There are as many young girls joining the club as boys," said Pat, who has been FCOA Director since 1997 (following in the footsteps of past directors Marleen DeZeeuw and Karen Port).
FCOA members take part in fun youth activities at shows and participate in contests that promote cars, in general, and Corvettes, in particular. In a 2003 contest called "My Dream Corvette," they drew, painted or wrote essays about the Corvette – real or imagined – that they dreamed of owning. The top six entries were awarded a trip to Corvette's 50th Anniversary Celebration in Nashville. FCOA members have also had an opportunity to win trips to Bloomington Gold or snag a pedal car.
For a one-time fee of $5 – which hasn't changed since 1991, thanks to the sponsorship of businesses like Mid America Motorworks – club members receive a membership card, patch, newsletter and other specialty items. Prospective FCOA members must be related to a member of the NCCC in order to join.
NCCC Sponsorship Director Debbie Lindsey said she isn't surprised that kids are interested in the FCOA. She is taken aback, however, by just how large the club has grown. Debbie's sons, Colin and Brent Lindsey, signed up the very first day back in 1991. They were member Nos. 31 and 32.
Debbie said Pat deserves much of the credit for the huge growth in membership.
"I never dreamed that it would get this big," Debbie said. "But Pat has taken it to a different level. She has a lot of energy, and it takes those bursts of people getting involved to push it forward."
Look no farther than Florida for proof of that. Glenn Hutchinson, the Florida region's new executive (president), and Patsy Shearer, its membership director, have joined forces to increase their FCOA membership by more than 100 members since last year.
"They've got kids excited about Corvettes, and that's the whole purpose of the club," Pat said. "If you get them excited and keep them learning, they want to own their own Corvette some day – and they'll carry on the hobby."
Led by the Midwest Region, the FCOA currently has members in 48 states and Washington, D.C., as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Guam and Trinidad. There are also members at APO and FPO (military) addresses.
Inquiries about the Future Corvette Owners Association have increased so much over the years that the club now has its own website (www.corvettesnccc.org/fcoa1.html) and e-mail address (FCOAkids@aol.com).
The FCOA's push toward youth involvement is already being felt by the NCCC.
"Other clubs' average age is 55 to 60," Pat said. "Ours is 42 and a half."
That perfectly illustrates Pat's point that everyone wins by getting youth involved in the collector car hobby.
"I'm actually surprised that more clubs don't do it," she said. "It takes time, effort and money, but it's worth it."
For more information about the National Council of Corvette Clubs, visit www.corvettesnccc.org.