Bold Plans for a Thriving Future in 2025

As we approach the end of the year, I’m thrilled to share the bold vision our leadership team has crafted for 2025! Our club is at an exciting turning point as we implement transformative updates and lay a foundation to keep our love for Mustangs alive and thriving for future generations.

Your Board of Directors at the Gulf Coast Regional Mustang Club has been hard at building a growth framework reflecting our shared passion and commitment to this community. Since September, we’ve focused on increasing membership, expanding charitable giving, and organizing community events. Already, these efforts are yielding results: from January to September 2024, we welcomed five new members, and since September, we’ve added 15 more! Some found us through our growing online presence on social media and the Mustang Club of America regional map, while others joined through personal outreach and events.

Our club’s growth is built on visibility—online, in our communities, and through our actions. We are creating a vibrant, welcoming, and impactful club by showing prospective members that we care deeply about our chosen charities, organizing fresh monthly events, and conducting ourselves with maturity and safety on the roads.

One of our most significant initiatives is updating our bylaws. Initially drafted in 1980, the bylaws have never been formally updated. While the traditions and values that have guided us for over four decades remain at the heart of our club, the world has evolved. Accountability, trust, and effective communication are more critical than ever in this digital age. Our updated bylaws are designed to reflect these changes, ensuring our club remains relevant and sustainable.

The updates include adding a Membership Director position to focus on recruitment, engagement, and retention and more precise guidelines for board member roles, including measures for accountability and transparency. Members will be expected to uphold club rules and responsibilities, fostering a respectful and collaborative environment. Starting January 1, 2025, membership dues will increase for the first time: $40 for new members and $30 for renewals. These changes will allow us to operate efficiently, enhance member experiences, and invest in the resources needed to sustain our growth.

We understand that a dues increase may raise questions, and during a recent meeting, this topic sparked a healthy discussion. The consensus was clear: the increase is essential to ensure our financial stability, improve member benefits, and help us continue delivering on our mission.

We want to express profound gratitude to our legacy members as we embrace these changes. Your wisdom, service, and contributions have built the strong foundation we stand on today. Your guidance and support will remain critical as we move forward together.

Our vision for 2025 and beyond is ambitious yet grounded in our shared passion. We aim to grow—not just in numbers but in the strength of our connections, the welcomes given to new members, and the impact we make in our community. Mustangs may bring us together, but the sense of community sets us apart from other clubs. With this new leadership team, we are ready to expand our reach and ensure the Mustang legacy thrives for future generations.

We’ve already begun reaching out to neighboring Mustang and car clubs, including the Emerald Coast Regional Mustang Club, Shoal River Mustang Club, Bay Mustang Club, Mississippi Coast Mustang Club, Mobile Mustang Club, and Pensacola Jeeps. Members should look forward to exciting multi-club events and fresh collaborations in 2025.

We’ll also uphold our tradition of giving back by amplifying our charitable efforts with renewed energy and purpose. These updates and changes will allow us to make an even more significant difference in the communities we serve.

As we enter 2025, I encourage you to embrace these exciting changes with an open heart and a spirit of optimism. Together, we can shape a club that honors its past while boldly moving into the future. This club belongs to all of us, and with your continued support, we can make 2025 a landmark year for the Gulf Coast Regional Mustang Club.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s make 2025 unforgettable! If you have not joined the club as a paying member, you can do so now online.