The History of the Baton Rouge Corvette Club

BRCC was started in May of 1972. A checking account was opened at Louisiana National Bank in the amount of $63.33. The first treasurer was James Moody. On July 1, 1973 the account was moved to Fidelity National Bank. The second treasurer was Raymond Magnolia. The articles of incorporation for the club were drawn up on May 8, 1975 and the club was incorporated that same year. The President at that time was Tony Pittman. The January 1977 meeting had 17 members in attendance, with a membership of 52. The club was N.C.C.C. sanctioned from 1979 till December 1982. Membership dues in 1979 were $18/year with a $10 initiation fee. Dues went to $36/year in 1990, and $50/year in 2001.

The club's sponsors over the years have been:
Leon Pickard Chevy: July 1973 to March 1979

McPete Chevrolet:    April 1979 to May 1992

Brian Harris Chevy:   June 1992 to March 2000

All Star Chevrolet:     April 2000 to present

The club's newsletter has been published as:
Action News starting in '73,

Re-Action News from May '80,

unnamed from July '80 to May '81,

Glass Menagerie from June '81, and
Corvette Connection from July '82 

Some classified ads from the Dec 1976 Action News: 1966 vette convertible, $3500; 1973 vette convertible, $7200; 1973 vette coupe, $6000. Black and white photos were introduced with the July 1981 edition. The first holiday cover with special character drawings was January 2001. The first color cover was a flag representing the Labor Day Holiday for the Sep, 2001 issue. The first full color issue was Jan, 2004. The average number of Newsletters issued monthly until 2003 was 120. The most Newsletters issued in one month was 164 Newsletters. 

Some members serving as Newsletter Editor were:
1981:             Ken Jones

1982:             Lee & Barbara Kellum

1983 & 1984:  Doris Bryant

1985:             Diane Lambert

1986 to 1988: Ted & Bunny Mooney

1989 to 1995: Doris (Bryant) Mueller

1995 to 1997: Janell & Joey Smith

1997 to 2003: Dennis Rocha (8,980 issues in 74 months)

2004 to 2007: Russell Felps

The club posted its first web site on the Internet in April 2003. The first Webmaster was Russell Felps.

The first woman vice president was Maria McLin in 2001.

The second woman vice president was Diane Bocking in 2003.

The first women president was Maria McLin for 2002 & 2003.

The second women president was Diane Bocking for 2004 & 2005.

Board members went from the original number of three to six in 2003.  They were: Joe Collettie, Larry Blades, Bobby Walker, Russell Felps, Eric Von Monarch, and Desiree Luker.

The Baton Rouge Corvette Club held its first major car show benefiting St. Jude Children's Hospital in Oct, 1998. The show is held annually, with the exception of 2005 due to hurricane Katrina. As of the 2007 show, the club has raised $125,000 for the children of St. Jude. Jeff and Pat Travasos, Joe and Faye Collettie founded the show, and the 2007 show was dedicated to the memory of Faye Collettie, who passed away that year.

Some of the Christmas gifts to members have been:
1999: Club logo watches (His & Hers)

2000: Club logo afghan blanket

2001: Club logo collapsible cooler

2002: Club logo umbrella

2003: Club logo car flag

2004: Club logo portable chairs
2005: Club logo garment bag
2006: Club logo tote

2007: Club logo wheeled cooler 

This history compiled by Dennis Rocha, with amendments made by Russell Felps.