eh, never been a club member. I support a lot of the members of various car and m/c clubs and try to go to their shows...besides, it's a good excuse to shoot the crap, drink some beer, listen to some music and hang around hot rods and motorcycles. I don't have a desire to have a club jacket or pay dues from my already-strict budget. But I still like a lot of the folks and willing to lend any help I can give if'n they want it. I've seen too many clubs have some fall-out and then another club forms and etc., etc....too much drama. I just like motorized vehicles. I do appreciate the clubs out there of guys/girls who really get it and don't let drama get in.
I agree....I have seen some drama and have heard about a lot and I don't understand why. You are a club about cars & buddies, but some think they are joining a gang, which I am against. I don't want to rumble, fight or whatever with other clubs. I am not against being in a club, I just think it should be very laid back, no politics (or as few as possible) and you do what you can, when you can and have fun with it. I think when you start getting too political and start naming people as officers you start to get jelousies from others. I know some clubs work well like that though, so what do I know???
The minute you let someone who is not in your immediate circle of friends into your club, it's over. Even great people can ruin a club experience. Then there's the assholes... SNUGGLERS© for life!!!!
i was in car club which shall remain nameless... a good majority of the guys in there were cool except for a few, they wanted my car a certain way and i just could not get along with their asshole personalities. so, i was asked to leave, even though i was kicked out i still have the support you local blankity black car club sticker on the back of my daily driver, because i have a GREAT deal of respect for the national club, just not for a few of the local members. whats really funny is that the local club is no longer together. now my moto is CLUBS ARE FOR SEALS AND YOUR STEERING WHEELS...
The problem with clubs is that they are comprised of people. Now, anytime you have a group of people, you have a high potential for problems. Inevitably, there will be a good core group, but then in comes someone who wants to make a sociopolitical statement, as in this thread, to which they dont have any/accurate knowledge thereof. Then, theres someone who stands up in the middle of the club gathering and announces their need for bodily functions, like in this thread. The good folk either get tired of this behaviour and get gripey or quit, and the numbers of those exhibiting aberrant tendencies begin to cluster around one another, forming a "direction changing" clique. The cycle is self generating. Occasionally, a really good core group gets, and stays, together and has a great club with lots of fun stuff happening. More power to em!
When I was 16 I joined Modesto Area Truckers, great bunch of guys. It was started by two friends from HS in the early 70's. What was good for me is I learned so much from the "older" guys. We had dues, we had good fun going to car shows all over the place, poker runs, BBQ's, runs up into the foothills just for fun. We didn't have jackets, just plaques on the back of the windows of our trucks. Some of the best summers in my life was cruising with those guys.
I was involved with car clubs and then the bickering began with where to go, who goes, who does what, how do we finance events, who will be club president? and the list goes on and on...... I had enough and went solo and hook up with buddies to do the cruises and stuff.... much better.... the only thing we worry about is who has the smallest gas tank and where do we stop for gas!!!!
I joined a club to relax and have fun with others who enjoys cars and working on them. I became the Secretary (didn't wear a dress), and ended up doing all the flyers, internet websites, and basically got dumped on with work that others couldn't do. So much for relaxing. I quit and I'm much happier. Don't see a reason to be in a club anymore.
I can't devote that much time and effort to a woman, and I especially cant devote that much time to a or group of men..... plus 90% of the dudes in the clubs around here know it all and think there shit dont stink. Clubs were cool in the 50's
I'm a quitter! If I wanted a bunch of self-righteous a**holes to tell me how to build my car, I'd go on the HAMB! Oh, wait......
Here in Australia our government are hell bent on putting us all into Priuses and the noose is tightening! we are going to need to be very organised to fight this, and if our clubs aren't strong we are stuffed. I don't think that as individuals we stand a chance!
I would be all about a club but every club I have seen is usually on opposite ends of the spectrum. There are the guys who drive the 71 plymouth valiant 4 door on red steel wheels complete with torched springs, blasting johnny cash at the burger king drive thru, OR... the guys who only own clothes that were infact from WWII, flight jackets, goggles, etc and won't even talk to you if your head gaskets weren't NOS. For some reason the guys who get it usually don't sign up for a formal club. Dont get me wrong, I said usually. Some of the incredible shows and races we attend along with some of the most gorgeous traditional cars in a magazine are in fact products of very organized and prominent car clubs. They get it, but not alot do. I guess that's what makes them the stand out clubs they are.
I have the dubious distinction of being thrown out of a club. By the club president, in violation of club by-laws. He didn't have the authority........ But that club was a total clique, and I failed to follow orders.........LOL Quit another MOPAR club, didn't like the politics, and the underhanded way they deal with things. Ran a show with them for many years, the majority of the members would not even come to the show let alone work it. Turned out most of the members just joined in to get cheaper car insurance because the insurance company told them they had to be in a club. I'm in a local Corvair club........we mainly talk Corvairs, work on our cars, have a few meetings to handle business, but mostly we get together with our cars. Pretty low key, so works pretty well. But even there there have been incidents where personalities conflicted. Also in another club I joined several months ago. Interesting club. You have to be asked to join, and have to be approved(voted in) and your membership has to be re-approved every year. You MUST work the car show, and attend a minimum amount of meetings and club events. Everyone participates, no freeloaders. So far I like it. They also run a car show that had over 1000 cars last year. And ran it well.
They are not my cup of tea, but then again I don't like tea either. Do like the car shows some of them put on but I can only imagine all the argueing and politics inviolved in that.
That sums it up right there! I prefer just hanging out in the garage - No rules, no pressures, no worries, no problems (unless the beer runs out)... If someone comes over, fine. If not, fine. And if I want to go for a spin, I go!
i just kind of quit my club, it wasnt for hot rods since mine doesnt run yet, had a ordeal with a freind of mone that was in the club, i stopped talking to him, and stopped going to the mettings. im daving money now!
Still in a club. Joined when I first got my car to hang out with people with the same interest. I've met some lifelong friends and learned a lot and did some great roadtrips with them. Was an officer for a while did the newsletter and took it from print to electronic etc. Had a great time. My kids got older and into other stuff and I have had to bail on the majority of the activities but I make what I can. We've had do nothing officers and do great thing officers. I'll stay in and do what I can when I can. I busted my butt for about 5 years as an officer so its someone elses turn and I'll sit back and enjoy.
My parents help start a club when I was very young. We went all over as a club and many of the original memebers are still good friends. I have been thinking about trying to start one in my area but just have not had the time to make it happen. Any advice on starting a new club? We have plenty in our area, but most members are in their 60's and I am looking for something for us like minded car freaks with young families.
Everyones different. I've been in one club for 5 years (still in), one for 30 years (still in), another for 33 years (still in). One just 1 year and quit that one. Have worked on the board of directors in 2 of the clubs several years & several times, then sometimes I'm not at meetings for months. Things change. But I did marry a gal club member, so they are not all bad. Had members help me on projects. Went on many road trips with members, and still do. Have employed club members at my business. I like em'...
I havent read through this entire thread, but just my 2 cents, I dont think being in a club makes you any more or any less of an enthusiest, it just means you have more time on your hands. I have been playin with hotrods for around 12 years now and I have lots of good friends in the hotrod comunity, none of which were met from being in any club. For those who have time in there schedule for a car club, I guess I could say im envious, cause I cant even find time to work on mine anymore.
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