DCTraveler

I am shocked that after what PE has done to legacy members that anybody thinks that the DCA membership means anything at all -- let alone a modicum of respect. Has anyone looked into this? I have and on-line all I can see is that ER, acting in the role (or not...) as a DCA board member paid a Hawaiian man about 6k per month for quite a long period to be a lobbyist for their causes and has a storefront office in Washington, DC. Oh -- now I see why UE has to give us higher dues without limit for lobbyists to do their bidding and for lawyers to give us a re-do of our agreements. I welcome any additional information about the legitimacy that the DCA gives members about joining a club or what happens for protection when a DCA member club decides it can change all of the rules and promises. Anyone???

Please move (not remove) this post if necessary.

DCTraveler

What about my post about the nonsense of having a DCA when they do nothing and represent no members!!!

TarheelTraveler

As you pointed out, DCTraveler, this probably belongs on a different thread. The current DCA is better than nothing but absolutely could be more proactive. The promised website would be a good start. For the industry to go mainstream, I think all major clubs, including the non-equity clubs, will need to eventually offer prospective and current members financial transparency, true member input, deposit and contract protection, ownership, etc. Several newer clubs are already going down that road, and I suspect the new major entrant will also be set up along those lines. If the other clubs don't do it themselves in order to prevent alienating their members, the competition will force it on them, rather than a loosely defined membership organization like the DCA. The rising tide raises all ships. If you are going to advertise that you're like a country club, you need start operating like one. When the industry started, there wasn't a forum like this where people can really dig into the DC differences and nuances. I know personally I've learned a tremendous amount from this board. I would bet that Halogen, Sherpareport and now this forum have and will continue to influence the industry a lot more than the DCA.

Kagehitokiri

fcclax

DCA is a trade association ... it is supposed to represent the clubs, not the members ... the benefit to members comes from their attempt to police good business practices and provide for some levels of disclosure that all DCA members commit to

DCTraveler

Sorry -- I didn't mean they are supposed to represent members, but in a more roundabout way. Our clubs are members of a DCA, which is supposed to give members some faith that they have committed to (and will abide by) good and fair business practices and have some disclosure/transparency. Post-UR/PE merger we aren't getting any of that and the DCA has disappeared as far as I can tell. We don't even know if the merged entity has actually been admitted as a member, do we?