Tim,
I've got ANOTHER new camera
I do'nt have up to save up for batteries, its rechargeable

I have been a member off and on since 1987. I was also a member of Team GTM when it started. I have owned a Rossa and a Coupe. I probably had more membership numbers over the years than newsletters, but (fairly sure) I am not currently paid up, and I don't intend rejoining again. In all those years, there has never been a benefit to me in Caithness being a member. Thats just the nature of a national club. I have no issue with it, I am just explaining my situation.

If the forum is a perk of paid up membership then I have no problem with that, more power to you. I just wont be on it. Having been a GTM enthusiast and owner for twenty years, am I to be considered a contributor to the forum, or a freeloader?

News letters ( e magazines now) were not what people joined clubs for, it was mainly to be with others of the same ilke at shows or runs and the odd club outings as a group. All matters of technical issues were generally cascaded to others in the pub over a few beers.
The subscriptions were usually for club stands and food, beer, barbaques etc that were necessary when you were on the runs or shows and for producing news letters (if no one in the club could do it for free).
I would list the forum as the pub beer talk bit.

The e magazine takes over from the news letter and those that want to go to shows as a group and benefit from free food, drink or cover if it's raining are proper club members. Clubs did, and do, get discounts for their members from insurance companies to entry to places of interest etc.
The saving on insurance was usually more than the cost of the annual subscription so was worth joining just for that, however if this is not the case (your club is in this area as well as a couple of other clubs that I contibute to) then the benefits for people who don't or can't get to shows is negligable.

Having said the above, I do realise that web sites cost money to produce and to maintain, however with so many clubs to choose from (some good some not) if you want people to be interested in your type of car and club it needs to be in the public domain otherwise the only new members will be those that go to kit car shows or the very occassional person that see's one on the road and wonders what it is.
The majority of the modern generation don't do kit cars they do kits on cars and enter sound off's and maybe go racing sometimes but you rarely see them at kit car shows.
Basically what I am saying is if you want your club to survive and the cars to be seen you need a public outlet that people can get information from about your cars. If you don't want your car shown nationally or internationally then I would suggest you never take a photo of it or take it out the garage.

I really do appologise for getting on my soap box again but I love cars and don't want to see clubs disappear through lack of interest, lack of new members, or internal wranglings.



Allen, I would suggest that anyone writing in a forum is a contributor, if no-one asked for help what would those with the knowledge and information do with it all, just keep it all to themselves? Like you if it's an issue then no worries.

Well ok Freeloader was the wrong word a rushed post whilst on lunch at work but you know what i mean. Your a contributor as you actually post you do get some people who register then may not revisit, or never post, well with some of the points raised hopefully this will let us push the club foward, Like investigating, more benefits to members we have area meets, parking at shows, our own class at Avon park, and this forum which is proving a useful tool. I will try to look into discounts with suppliers insurance companies and the like as my guess is no one has brought this up before and looked into it. I will draft up a letter and see if there is anything available.

WEST

It might be worth asking clubs with similar schemes to see how they arranged it, or for a point of contact. It might cut down on the number of letters you intend on sending out, as you can aim them at the compnies that are already offering such services.

Maybe people who already have this benefit in other such clubs would be so kind as to offer you this information?

Just a thought.

Alex

Please avoid Flux's - they're very happy to take your money, but god help you after that. (My personal experience).

It may be worth having a word with the guys and girls who run the a-serious site. They have a fair share of discounts from various suppliers. They are small ads down the side of the forum, which you can click onto to get to the various suppliers. Could be an option.

Insurance Discounts
The club used to have discount facilities with several
insurance companies. They paid to advertise in the
club magazine. The older members will remember.
One company even paid for plastic club cards which
were needed to obtain discounts from many suppliers.
Discounts were negotiated by the secretary.

I wish You'd said that earlier - now I've got both my polices with them <groan>

It's 5 or 6 years ago since I had my Marcos insured with them - so they may have bucked their ideas up since. The acid test is to phone them on their "Customer service" number and try and talk to someone about your policy AFTER they have taken your money. If you get thru to the right person within 40 mins on the phone, then they're getting better.
Then try it again and see if you get the same answer!

Got to admit I've had a bad experience with them in the past too. I still get a quote from them but only for the purposes of getting whoever I am prepared to actually do business with to beat it.

Iain

number one rule with fluxes or any insurance company make sure you get the actual cover note through,

Fluxes use to send out tempory ones that lasted a month, and would not automatically send out a new one when needed, i really had a go at them once, even tho they said i was covered i demanded a upto date cover note was sent that after noon, or i will be over to their offices demanding one the next day, they have been a bit better in recent years tho to be honest.

Just make sure yo have all the paper work

WEST

Hi,

Its a matter of balance, there needs to be plenty thats public but a paid up member expects their own private area. To get detailed technical stuff you really should be prepared to join. And talking of membership, a good way to keep costs low is to have newsletters circulated by email. There are a few clubs, for example the Shropshire Alternative Car Club, that operate entirely by email and have no membership fees.

Roger

Then they are getting better. I've 'phoned then 4 times now - and got thru' in less than 5 mins.

Problem is they keep saying "we've told the insurance co - they will sort it" - and they have not. I'll try again tomorrow.