Gathering, Long post with a question. Options

[JoeSharp]

Gathering, why aren’t we getting the participation that we should be? We have over 14,000 members now. I can’t say as all of the last 4 or 5 events that we have had here I have considered flops as far as numbers go. I don’t understand it.
One of the reasons I enjoy gathering so much is the Brainstorming. I feel that it is very important because, we as creative individuals will be turning ourselves lose into Mother Nature’s realties in a creation of our own invention. Brainstorming with anyone that can get themselves to an event and adding their IQ to mine, I am sure that the total will be at least an IQ of 120. And who knows, they may have a totally different insight into what you are thinking about.
Just because you are here you are a unique individual. You have an affair with a car that even Volkswagen pushed off on Porsche. And for years Porsche owners have looked down on us and treated us like they had something shoved down their throat.
No matter who you are, you will find Respect at our gatherings. You will find unique individuals like yourself, interested in the same things as all of the other unique individuals there.
So my question is how can we reverse the trend and get more people to come to our gatherings?
Sorry about the long post.

[914_teener]

Ah Joe....the spiritual conscience of the 914 World (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Great topic. I am thinking to the events I have been to, the G&R sticks out and the Halloween Run last year. I would have gone to the RRC but the car just wasn't running right...I feared to lean...and didn't make it. Kinda of speaks to Mark's statement. Maybe we should encourage folks to take their other rides if the teener is on jackstands? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Mostly because of the spectrum of cars and people (including women) that were there.
Also just the general knowledge sharing(aka BSing). Nobody knows about these cars more than the folks here.

Dr. Evil's clinic got me involved initially and also just folks that have opened up their garages to work on their cars.....(seemingly a dying art).

Anyway great topic...thanks Joe.