@Keith Crook 020419 posted:Sorry for the novice question, but can one just join the TCA? I wanted to join but was turned off by the language on their website about applying and going through an approval process. I think joining and being a part of a local chapter would be good, but the language on the tca site makes it seem like too much effort to join a hobby group with the language of being approved, punishment for complaints, etcetera.
Yes, anyone can join. No more "2 signatures" needed. You are still "applying", but you are basically a member.
Your name appears as an "applicant for membership" for I think 3 printings of the Headquarters News. The idea behind that is in case someone who has a history of doing bad deals were to try to join, other members could flag the application for review. (I'm not going to pretend to know that whole process, but that's the gist. Basically if you are not in the habit of screwing people over, you have nothing to worry about. Your application will have no issues, and you are a member in good standing while all this is happening.)
Similarly, one of the TCA benefits to members is to act as a mediator if necessary between members if any dispute does come up (thought it's encouraged to not make "log a formal complaint" the first course of action if some dispute does come up, it's more of a "we tried, but are at an impasse" last resort type of thing). See the comment on the application process. If you don't plan on screwing people over, you will not likely get any complaints, and there is nothing to it that you should consider "too much work". Be honest, understand the grading information that is on the web site, and represent things as they should be represented, and you should have no issues.
-Dave
