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The Difference Between

the

PRE  Charter Member (*)

and a

Regular Charter Member

The Pre Charter Member can be a Charter member

but

A Regular Charter Member cannot be a Pre Charter Member

The PRE Charter Members (*)

There are but 2 of the original 5 PRE Charters surviving as of 2026. A truly very unique status of club member in club history that trumps any other membership status. Currently none of these survivors are current members and in reality deserves a special club recognition for without them this club may have never been possible. These 3-5 paved the path for all of the future  members and officers that would later deny a permanent record of those very people and the times that today permit them to be officers.
 
These were the original people (*) that breathed air into the idea of a Corvette Club in Waco. This handful of young and highly motivated individual's were the original "Pre Charter Members" that are seldom if ever referenced in club history that made it possible for such very early programs such as the Charter Member Program and other early programs such as the annual Presidents Trophy, etc.
These are the few that conceived the idea and actually breathed life into that idea and did the real, hard work of establishing the club enjoyed today.

The Regular "Charter Members"

The program was put into place by the PRE Charter Members. The original 3 PRE Charter Members were the 1st Charter Members and club officers with the next 10 becoming the 1st Charter Members. That record is challenged by one that believe they should be include.  One mea member was married the wife automatedly became a member as well The program was adopted prior to incorporation and initiated on the same day as the club officially opened January 1, 1968.  The new Charter Members of which the PRE Charter members belonged would receive a one of a kind membership certificate to commemorate their membership. The only means of positively identifying ones Charter status is by way of this document. 

Our club began its long journey in the summer of 1967. Some six months was required to get everything prepared such as establishing by - laws, club graphics which are still employed to this date, designing flyers, hand circulating them, incorporation, etc. After all of the hard work was complete in January of 1968 the doors were officially opened for business. It was decided by the founders to develop a "Charter Member" program and declare the first 10 members plus the original 3 to achieve the official "Charter Member" Status. Those that had done the hard work and paved the way for the club, referred to as the "PRE Charter Members" were awarded the 1st Charter status (*). Charter Member Certificates and membership cards were scribed with the text "CHARTER MEMBER" and dated January 1968 and signed by Lewis Ellis in orange ink (see below). Regrettable we did not possess great enough insight to number each certificate so the real number of certifiable "Charters" has been allowed to expand by others to accommodate their agenda and inclusion to this esteemed group of members. The best method to ever reestablish the actual number for inclusion of course would be to submit a copy of the awarded certificate or membership card and even then one must be very careful to try to make sure the copy is not a counterfeit with technology being what it is today. As time would have it time has taken away from us some of those numbers so this may never be verified. If you have an old club membership certificate you may submit it for display. The PRE Charter Member (in yellow) are in order and the true veterans of the trenches that brought forth the Genesis of this great club that members enjoy today. Below are a few of the original names normally regarded as "Charter Members". There exist a few others that claim to be "Charters" but have been unable to find anything in an old newsletter to support the claim and have asked some of the early members and they do not remember so it must be assumed they were not a "Charter"
 
"PRE - Charter Members *(1967) "
 
1. Lewis Ellis    * 1968 President
2. Randy Todd   * 1968Vice President
3. Sherry Todd   * 1968, 1969 Secretary/Treasurer
4. Paul Wadle     * Honorary
5. Sharon Wadle * Honorary (Wife of Paul)

 
"Charter Members (1968)"
 
These are names that are commonly regarded as "Charter Members". There may be some others but unable to locate any verification in an old newsletter so is not verifiable. Do not wish to exclude anyone here so if you have certifiable credentials please submit to web master.
 
Lewis Ellis   *
Randy Todd  *
Sherry Todd  *
Paul Wadle    * Honorary Charter Member, The only one to hold that title
Sharon Wadle * By way of husband being a honorary member 

In no particular order -

1. Don Osburn
2. Mickey Adams
3. Fred Binner
4. Ronnie & 
5. Barbara Conder (Wife)
67 Roland Duty
8. Jim Voyles
9. Bob Batson
10. Jerome Carter
 
Anyone that may have been omitted here is welcomed to supply a copy of their Charter Membership Certificate to webmaster for inclusion here.

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