Forming a new Local based club

[cruiseroutfit]

...Good example is the leading club in state (U4WDA).

The U4WDA is NOT a club, we are an Association of member clubs. We have ~20 active clubs.

That being said, I think clubs are great. Better planning, better execution, a great way to share experiences with like minded people. Opportunites that wouldn't happen without the group dynamic. I am a member of the Wasatch Cruisers, and frankly we do so many cool things, that it would be worth $100 to me a year... if not more. Car shows, service projects, trips to Toyota's training facilities, trips to Lincoln weldings facilities, backstage SEMA passes, all kinds of cool opportunities...

Our club plans 12 runs a year, and 12 socials/lesson nights (be it a simple dinner or a winch lesson, electrical, first aid, CB/Ham, etc). One of the trips every year is a "big trip" meaning Rubicon, Silverton, Montrose, etc. Trips that wouldn't happen without a good amount of coordination and planning.

I know clubs aren't for everyone, but they sure are for some. The Wasatch Cruisers have 50+ members (thats member families ) and a good majority of the members are very active wheelers (2-3 times a month). The way I look at it, I have a plenty of invitations to go wheeling each month, how can that be bad.

On a tangent... for the anti-clubbers (James ), how do you consider RME any different than a club? Sure the common medium for communication is a bit different (well, not really the WC guys and many other clubs use BB's). People chat, there are rules, there is a membership fee to be a "full" member, people plan runs, etc, etc, etc. Same thing in my book, thus why you can join U4WDA as a RME member... its a club in my eyes.

Clubs are great, so are baseball teams, drinking buddies, PTA groups, neighborhood associations, etc. They all get people associating and involved. We are NOT an united front against bigger "clubs" like SUWA...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

... Granted they are making very good changes and doing alot better now on this issue, but still got something there I will still not rejoin.

Brent, I don't know who or what has caused you to have such a grudge against U4, but if there is someone or something you don't like about it. Come show us how to do it better, seriously. Many naysayers have taken me up on this challenge, and they turned out to be some of our best BOD members to date (Steve Jackson for example) and made some HUGE improvements to U4. There are ALOT of things we would like to do or do better, but we have a major resource problem... You have been a U4 hater for longer than I have even been involved with U4, about time to forgive & forget? What could have happened that has stuck with you this long and forced you to take a jab at U4 every chance you get?

 

[James K]

On a tangent... for the anti-clubbers (James )

never been part of a club that didn't turn into a major cluster after awhile :-\

 

[cruiseroutfit]

never been part of a club that didn't turn into a major cluster after awhile :-\

Yeah, that will happen, as it will with anything in life. But there are many exceptions... there are alot of clubs that have been active and supported for many years.

 

[James K]

Yeah, that will happen, as it will with anything in life. But there are many exceptions... there are alot of clubs that have been active and supported for many years.

understood, just not a club person.

 

[Badcop]

hey guys I didnt start this to become a pissing match, the last active club I was in was the Alaska Extreme 4x4 and it was a blast, family events, gatherings, community service, and on the upside if you ever had an emergency, fellow members were only a cell phone call away. Not that this board is any different, there are quite a few people I know I could call on, example, Hickey offereing to drive to Moab and tow my XJ and family back to town after my oopsie....

Clubs are not for everyone like it was already said, but it is for some and there are alot of people out there that like to get there hands in keeping this hobby going.

 

[James K]

but it is for some and there are alot of people out there that like to get there hands in keeping this hobby going.

so, if you're not part of a club, you don't have any interest in helping the hobby???????

 

[cannoncrawler]

so, if you're not part of a club, you don't have any interest in helping the hobby???????

you can't seriously think that your statement was an honest question, can you???

 

[James K]

you can't seriously think that your statement was an honest question, can you???

why?

 

[Badcop]

Thats not what Im saying at all, but just donating and supporting the non-profits arnt always enough. Getting a name out there with a face of good is a step up from monetary.

 

[James K]

Thats not what Im saying at all, but just donating and supporting the non-profits arnt always enough. Getting a name out there with a face of good is a step up from monetary.

I guess I kinda see your point. but if the silent masses would just do things to do them, it would make it all the better for all.

 

[scoutabout]

I guess I kinda see your point. but if the silent masses would just do things to do them, it would make it all the better for all.

How do you mean?

In reference to the other comments, positive contributions come in many forms. A responsible 4-wheeler can have a positive effect on the 4x4 community without being in a club or donating to land use, but that stuff sure helps!!

 

[James K]

How do you mean?

positive contributions come in many forms. A responsible 4-wheeler can have a positive effect on the 4x4 community without being in a club or donating to land use!!

you kinda answered your own question.

IMO too many people want a pat on the back these days instead of just doing good things just to do it.

 

[Kiel]

Watch out people will get E-offended

 

[James K]

Watch out people will get E-offended

shhh

 

[Bone Down]

Watch out people will get E-offended

thanks for the sig tag.

 

[Kiel]

no sweat I stole it from James K take it all you want

 

[Badcop]

Tony Roma's
985 E Fort Union Blvd
Midvale, UT 84047 - 1713

Thursday 7pm

 

[Kiel]

Now this is just planning etc? right. Are we having dinner there too if we want. That would be sweet

 

[olywrestle]

I also agree clubs are a good thing, thats why I started mine. I didn't really have very many friends or aquiantences (sp) that went fourwheeling. So I started a family based club since I have 3 kids. It wasn't for recognition or praise or even the napolean effect. It was simply to find more people to wheel with. I checked into other clubs before starting mine, they didn't really fit into what i was looking for. So I put up a website and spread the word, and 2 years later it is still growing and growing. I didn't make it strict or hard to join, other than some simple rules. We use the forum to gather ideas for trail runs and activites and build comraderie. And we fully support the U4WDA.

The more clubs the better. It gives people a chance to choose and find somethign that fits their needs, or find people they want to associate with. Our club, like many others, get club memebers to be a part of the U4WDA...and that in itself is good!

BUT, to each his own!

Good Luck BadCop