rancar
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,719
- Location
- Cambridge, New York
- Tractor
- JD425 lawn tractor; JD4710 CUT; JD JX75 Walk Behind
To Muhammad and all other TBNers,
I'm a new member to TractorByNet and want to say Muhammad has done a marvelous job of creating a website chock-full of incredible information. He's created a networking forum whereupon hundreds of tractor owners gather, some religiously on an every day basis, to generously share their knowledge on issues related to compact tractor manufacturing, ownership, operations, safety, and financing. This is much needed. With my imminent purchase of a new JD4710, I sought out a website such as this to obtain greater knowledge of compact tractors for the simple purpose of educating myself. When I registered as a member, my knowledge of compact tractors was maybe a 2 on a scale of 10. After spending countless hours reading and researching the numerous threads, I'd say my knowledge has improved to about a 5. Before I order my new tractor, I hope to increase this knowledge base to a 7 or 8 if not more. So, thank you Muhammad for your time and resources and to all TBNers who freely and generously share their knowledge and experiences.
Knowing that Muhammad is now conducting a survey of members to find out how better yet our needs could be served (eg, subscription magazine as well as other things), I'd like to offer the following suggestion as a possible major next step as TBN evolves.
FORMALLY ORGANIZE AS AN ASSOCIATION
Logistics to set this up may be time consuming and time lines are flexible. Likewise, organizational rules and by-laws (formal, informal, etc) would have to be fully explored. Here though are some pertinent roles and benefits.
Organizational Intent
Formal organization would provide an official voice that supports the membership in their efforts to enhance understanding of and to influence compact tractor manufacturing, ownership, operations, safety, and financing. Serve as an information resource, providing advocacy on tractor issues involving manufacturing, ownership, operations, safety, and financing. Offer various networking opportunities and other services to it's members.
Benefits, Products, and Services
o Political/Legislative Lobbying: Broaden and intensify efforts at state and/or federal levels to enact legislation making it easier to own and operate tractors and related equipment. An example may be making a concerted organizational effort to work with states' respective legislative leaders to lobby for and obtain tax-exempt sales of tractor purchases. [Side Note: I don't know of other states, but Muhammad in his book suggests that most states require imposition of sales tax on tractor sales. But here in New York where I live, tractor sales are tax exempt provided they are used in commercial farm production. This includes ranching, nursury, greenhouse, orchard, vineyard, or other operations that produce agricultural, horticultural, or floricultural commodities. While I personally don't farm, we rent our tillable land to a tenant farmer. My local JD dealer says no problem. I would qualify for tax exempt status provided I complete a pertinent exemption certificate. For me, this represents a savings of a little bit over $2K when I place my order in another month or so].
o Industry Lobbying: Lobby farm equipment industry for improvements in equipment quality, safety, and efficiency. Seek association discounts (ie, similar to corporate membership discounts granted by some companies for sales of their products or services) from manufacturers and/or authorized dealers for members on tractor and related equipment purchases.
o Regional/State Chapter Meeting: While the TBN website discussion forums are a great way for networking, they're somewhat impersonal and don't fully capture the many nuances of communicating face to face nor does it provide time to fully explore pertinent issues in a personal way. Chapter meetings (formal or informal) may provide greater opportunities for personal and small group networking, camaraderie, and time to delve more fully into issues of concern to the membership.
What I see happening here at TractorByNet is incredible. There are so few sites that offer what TBN is offering. All of you folks have countless years of knowledge and experience, and what's nice is you so freely share it. This just seems like a communications vehicle that has far greater latent potential to evolve into something even far greater than what it currently is.
Well, I throw all this out for discussion. What are your thoughts?
I'm a new member to TractorByNet and want to say Muhammad has done a marvelous job of creating a website chock-full of incredible information. He's created a networking forum whereupon hundreds of tractor owners gather, some religiously on an every day basis, to generously share their knowledge on issues related to compact tractor manufacturing, ownership, operations, safety, and financing. This is much needed. With my imminent purchase of a new JD4710, I sought out a website such as this to obtain greater knowledge of compact tractors for the simple purpose of educating myself. When I registered as a member, my knowledge of compact tractors was maybe a 2 on a scale of 10. After spending countless hours reading and researching the numerous threads, I'd say my knowledge has improved to about a 5. Before I order my new tractor, I hope to increase this knowledge base to a 7 or 8 if not more. So, thank you Muhammad for your time and resources and to all TBNers who freely and generously share their knowledge and experiences.
Knowing that Muhammad is now conducting a survey of members to find out how better yet our needs could be served (eg, subscription magazine as well as other things), I'd like to offer the following suggestion as a possible major next step as TBN evolves.
FORMALLY ORGANIZE AS AN ASSOCIATION
Logistics to set this up may be time consuming and time lines are flexible. Likewise, organizational rules and by-laws (formal, informal, etc) would have to be fully explored. Here though are some pertinent roles and benefits.
Organizational Intent
Formal organization would provide an official voice that supports the membership in their efforts to enhance understanding of and to influence compact tractor manufacturing, ownership, operations, safety, and financing. Serve as an information resource, providing advocacy on tractor issues involving manufacturing, ownership, operations, safety, and financing. Offer various networking opportunities and other services to it's members.
Benefits, Products, and Services
o Political/Legislative Lobbying: Broaden and intensify efforts at state and/or federal levels to enact legislation making it easier to own and operate tractors and related equipment. An example may be making a concerted organizational effort to work with states' respective legislative leaders to lobby for and obtain tax-exempt sales of tractor purchases. [Side Note: I don't know of other states, but Muhammad in his book suggests that most states require imposition of sales tax on tractor sales. But here in New York where I live, tractor sales are tax exempt provided they are used in commercial farm production. This includes ranching, nursury, greenhouse, orchard, vineyard, or other operations that produce agricultural, horticultural, or floricultural commodities. While I personally don't farm, we rent our tillable land to a tenant farmer. My local JD dealer says no problem. I would qualify for tax exempt status provided I complete a pertinent exemption certificate. For me, this represents a savings of a little bit over $2K when I place my order in another month or so].
o Industry Lobbying: Lobby farm equipment industry for improvements in equipment quality, safety, and efficiency. Seek association discounts (ie, similar to corporate membership discounts granted by some companies for sales of their products or services) from manufacturers and/or authorized dealers for members on tractor and related equipment purchases.
o Regional/State Chapter Meeting: While the TBN website discussion forums are a great way for networking, they're somewhat impersonal and don't fully capture the many nuances of communicating face to face nor does it provide time to fully explore pertinent issues in a personal way. Chapter meetings (formal or informal) may provide greater opportunities for personal and small group networking, camaraderie, and time to delve more fully into issues of concern to the membership.
What I see happening here at TractorByNet is incredible. There are so few sites that offer what TBN is offering. All of you folks have countless years of knowledge and experience, and what's nice is you so freely share it. This just seems like a communications vehicle that has far greater latent potential to evolve into something even far greater than what it currently is.
Well, I throw all this out for discussion. What are your thoughts?
