Straight Talk May/June 2026
Straight Talk from the “Mann” Cave
Bruce Mann
Happy Spring! If you all remember in my last article, I indicated that I would t ell you some of the things we had on our agenda at the annual NAMGAR Board meeting. One topic rose above the rest: membership. While our membership is right at about 1600, we need to have, as I have called it, “A proposal to Strengthen Membership and Engage the Next Generation of MGA Enthusiasts.”
Our discussions were detailed and we came away approving an additional staff person and we are calling this position Membership Chairperson. Please welcome Robert Kuhn of Rochester, Minnesota, as NAMGAR’s new Membership Chair. Rob has been a member of NAMGAR since 2019 and is a member of the Minnesota MG Group. This position will be dedicated to growing and energizing our member base, helping NAMGAR evolve while preserving the passion that has defined it for decades. Rob will report to the Chairman of NAMGAR.
The Board also explored opportunities to connect with younger enthusiasts through education, including a proposed partnership with McPherson College’s renowned automotive restoration program. McPherson College is located in McPherson, Kansas. While the idea of donating an MGA to support hands-on learning was met with enthusiasm, the college declined due to space and resource limitations. Though disappointing, the effort underscores NAMGAR’s commitment to investing in the future of our hobby.
As we look ahead, one thing is clear: the road forward is about more than preserving the past, it is about building a bridge for the next generation. With fresh ideas, new leadership opportunities, and a growing calendar of events, NAMGAR is well-positioned to keep the spirit of the MGA alive for years to come.
To encourage existing members to refer new members, NAMGAR offers a referral bonus. This is how it works: a new member indicates that he or she was referred by an existing member, and if the existing member’s membership is currently valid, both the new member and the existing member have six months added to their memberships. The new member will be notified as part of the acknowledgement process via email or a letter.
On another point, we have increased the gift fee to Regional GTs, to continue to grow and support NAMGAR Regionals. We feel the more regional events we have throughout the country, the more exposure there will be to NAMGAR. This year marks an exciting milestone, with five regionals scheduled, the most ever in a single calendar year, highlighting the strength and enthusiasms of our community across the country. We also can report that we have our GTs scheduled out through 2028. GT-52 and GT-53 are in the books, and planning has already begun.
Please read the overview in this magazine regarding membership decline and the need to strengthen membership. This is just the beginning that your Board believes can be an uptick in registrations. We welcome all ideas about what NAMGAR can do to grow our membership.
In other developments, members will be pleased to know that dues will remain unchanged for 2026.
We need an Editor for our magazine as well. This issue is the third one put out by our hybrid team. If there is any interest in being considered for this position, please notify one of the board members. Thank you.
Remember: the road to success is always under construction.
