Folks, I would like to provide an update to our fellow COG members on our NCM efforts, so I will attempt to summarize and
recap what has been going on.
The original idea discussed at the NCM-C4 gathering last year was that as a group, to raise funds and purchase a bench
in the name of the COG, with a etched drawing of models of Callaway Cars and a plaque to recognizing the names of the
contributors.
When talking to the Museum about the bench idea it became apparent that future bench sites were to continue to be placed
heading away from the main entrance of the NCM and closer towards the rear loading dock areas. Reeves mentioned that he
would match our fund raising efforts if we pursued something else other than a bench. So a committee of four of us was formed
to help move forward this NCM effort.
In further discussions with the Museum, a unique opportunity was presented which was tied to the upcoming Museum
expansion.
After reviewing the NCM addition plans, we changed the idea of the bench for the opportunity presented to us. While
the cost of this is relatively high (for our group which is strictly a voluntary organization), we felt that as a group we
would be able to raise the cost of this, particularly with a matching donation from Reeves/Callaway Cars.
To further add value to the opportunity at the center of our discussion, as the first group to undertake the Museum's
opportunity program for the expansion several other benefits came along with the donation:
- Press Release about the first group to participate in the program
- Group participation in the Museum symbolic ground breaking and ribbon cutting
Because of the amount required for this, we decided that a two tier donation program was required. A plaque would be
provided to us by the museum as its sponsor recognizing the COG and Callaway Cars. Furthermore, we
want the names of the individual donors to appear on the plaque in alphabetical order (by last name) for each donation tier, the
with names of the higher cost tier appearing in a larger font. Additionally to help increase the number of donors in the higher tier,
I will offer to provide donors in the higher tier a custom 3' x 5' poster that I created to commemorate the 20 years of Callaway
Corvettes as a take away, aside from having your name on the NCM plaque.
We want to begin the fund raising effort ASAP since we need to have the full donation to the Museum in place by June 30th.
We were anticipating to start fund raising efforts Feb 14th if an agreement was in place.
Aside from the above mentioned benefits, we additionally asked to have Callaway related documents to be included in the
"initial display" within the NCM which is part of the new expansion, to showcase typical items which could be
found within the NCM. We also requested a photograph of the group during the NCM ground breaking event
to accompany the plaque to highlight the program.
We feel that this represents equitable value (since it is a sizeable donation for the COG). We thought that both the NCM and
our committee were in full agreement per the conversation. We drafted an agreement document with these terms outlined but
after it was sent, the feedback was that it was further from what was discussed and were are currently awaiting additional
review from the museum at this time or even a counter offer agreement. We have not heard back from them for almost one week now.
We feel strongly that these items need to be in writing and not as per a telephone conversation because as I have mentioned
the total amount of the donation is large. I truly hope that we will have more information soon, that the effort remains positive
and materializes since we have worked very hard on this, with several weeks worth of effort. It would be a great opportunity to follow up Reeves' recent nomination
to the NCM Hall of Fame and to garner additional recognition of the Callaway Owners Group and Callaway Cars.
Wish us luck with the ongoing effort.
Best Regards,
Luigi
:cool
