Club dedication

[Trainnut484]

I once belonged to an HO modular group. The politics rubbed me the wrong way then, and after I left the club. I wasn't a sloucher in the group. Even though I didn't own a module, I paid my dues, attended the meetings, and helped set up and tear down the layout at shows. I also witnessed the problem of not all the members showing up, me excluded, to set up/tear down the layout. [V][V]

Another problem was that the members were not watching/monitoring their trains running on the layout. There would be a derailment and members wondering "Where's my train." Those exact members would be at the other end of the layout bs-ing with other members and not paying attention. It's bad when you have a member of the public come up to you and say "There's a wreck over there (points to part of layout and noone is around)." The term would be "rocking the boat." It was addressed in later meetings, but that should've been established on who's gonna be at the controls at a certain time, and monitor your train when it's running at the start-up of the club.

Now, certain members have branched off and formed their own clubs. There's also problems about meeting at the original club site. I'm glad I'm no longer a member of that club.[:D]

As mentioned before in this thread..POLITICS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE MODEL RAILROADING HOBBY.

When my wife and I buy/rent our first house. I plan on having a lounge type of place along with my layout in the basement for operating sessions. The ONLY rule would be..."Leave your ego at the door."

[Trainnut484]

I once belonged to an HO modular group. The politics rubbed me the wrong way then, and after I left the club. I wasn't a sloucher in the group. Even though I didn't own a module, I paid my dues, attended the meetings, and helped set up and tear down the layout at shows. I also witnessed the problem of not all the members showing up, me excluded, to set up/tear down the layout. [V][V]

Another problem was that the members were not watching/monitoring their trains running on the layout. There would be a derailment and members wondering "Where's my train." Those exact members would be at the other end of the layout bs-ing with other members and not paying attention. It's bad when you have a member of the public come up to you and say "There's a wreck over there (points to part of layout and noone is around)." The term would be "rocking the boat." It was addressed in later meetings, but that should've been established on who's gonna be at the controls at a certain time, and monitor your train when it's running at the start-up of the club.

Now, certain members have branched off and formed their own clubs. There's also problems about meeting at the original club site. I'm glad I'm no longer a member of that club.[:D]

As mentioned before in this thread..POLITICS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE MODEL RAILROADING HOBBY.

When my wife and I buy/rent our first house. I plan on having a lounge type of place along with my layout in the basement for operating sessions. The ONLY rule would be..."Leave your ego at the door."

[BRAKIE]

In my earlier post I forgot to mention the other things that makes the club I belong to a success.We do not count rivets..As long as your locomotive and cars have KD couplers,wheels are in guage and correct coupler height you are most welcome to run them on operation night..Now,all of our equipment is pooled..Any member or invited guest can run them.We make the new member (s) and visitor(s) feel welcome and at home...We always have free hot fresh coffee in the pot and ice cold pop for 50 cents...We as a club go rail-fanning,visit hobby shops,dine out,and go to train shows as a group...Above all we are friendly and not serious about the hobby as a rule and we do our best to put fun in the hobby.BTW politics's not allowed nor wanted...There is no big I's-and little yous..The member ship runs the club by popular vote.We do have officers that sees to the business of the club..BTW the officers have no more say then any member...

[BRAKIE]

In my earlier post I forgot to mention the other things that makes the club I belong to a success.We do not count rivets..As long as your locomotive and cars have KD couplers,wheels are in guage and correct coupler height you are most welcome to run them on operation night..Now,all of our equipment is pooled..Any member or invited guest can run them.We make the new member (s) and visitor(s) feel welcome and at home...We always have free hot fresh coffee in the pot and ice cold pop for 50 cents...We as a club go rail-fanning,visit hobby shops,dine out,and go to train shows as a group...Above all we are friendly and not serious about the hobby as a rule and we do our best to put fun in the hobby.BTW politics's not allowed nor wanted...There is no big I's-and little yous..The member ship runs the club by popular vote.We do have officers that sees to the business of the club..BTW the officers have no more say then any member...

[Anonymous]

I guess at some point, you and your group will have to come to that fork in the road regarding staying with your club or to move on. Which is more painful, working with these individuals or starting over? If you stay in this group of unmotivated individuals, you are throwing good money after bad. I'm not that informed on how clubs work, but I would assume that the modules that have been built stay with the club? Or are they the property of the person who designed and built it? Clubs and organizations flourish and are successful when everyone is on the same page and have a common vision of where they are going. But, all of this is easy for me to say, I haven't walked in your shoes.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever your decision is.

Judy
Dallas, TX

[Anonymous]

I guess at some point, you and your group will have to come to that fork in the road regarding staying with your club or to move on. Which is more painful, working with these individuals or starting over? If you stay in this group of unmotivated individuals, you are throwing good money after bad. I'm not that informed on how clubs work, but I would assume that the modules that have been built stay with the club? Or are they the property of the person who designed and built it? Clubs and organizations flourish and are successful when everyone is on the same page and have a common vision of where they are going. But, all of this is easy for me to say, I haven't walked in your shoes.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever your decision is.

Judy
Dallas, TX

[Anonymous]

One of our biggest problems is that the slackers own key parts of the layout. If they are left out, we can not set up. They do not care about the "presentation" we give the public. Their modules are either very ratty looking or not seniced at all ( I do not count some green foam sprinkled around as sceniced). The people with completed or with modules that show progress, can not build more to phase out the dead wood.
I hope discouragement caused by a club would drive people from the hobby but I guess it sometimes does. Some of us have talked about starting a new club. But we have too much invested and refuse to leave it to the dead beat members to "reap the benefits". ......that is if they even care!

[Anonymous]

One of our biggest problems is that the slackers own key parts of the layout. If they are left out, we can not set up. They do not care about the "presentation" we give the public. Their modules are either very ratty looking or not seniced at all ( I do not count some green foam sprinkled around as sceniced). The people with completed or with modules that show progress, can not build more to phase out the dead wood.
I hope discouragement caused by a club would drive people from the hobby but I guess it sometimes does. Some of us have talked about starting a new club. But we have too much invested and refuse to leave it to the dead beat members to "reap the benefits". ......that is if they even care!

[Anonymous]

It sounds to me like we have a good cross section of people with good and bad experiances in clubs. It is said that time heals all, we'll see. For now all should do what is right for them and what they feel comfortable with. Please do remember though, Model Railroading is supposed to be fun and when it is no longer, thats the time to leave it and seek something differant that is satisfying. I hope no one leaves the hobby but when it's time, it's time. It's not yet that time for me but politics and clicks are bad for this or any other hobby and I think that all would agree they have no place in our Model Railroading. It will only drive the younger people, just coming in, right back out again. Enough said...[:(][:(][:(]

[Anonymous]

It sounds to me like we have a good cross section of people with good and bad experiances in clubs. It is said that time heals all, we'll see. For now all should do what is right for them and what they feel comfortable with. Please do remember though, Model Railroading is supposed to be fun and when it is no longer, thats the time to leave it and seek something differant that is satisfying. I hope no one leaves the hobby but when it's time, it's time. It's not yet that time for me but politics and clicks are bad for this or any other hobby and I think that all would agree they have no place in our Model Railroading. It will only drive the younger people, just coming in, right back out again. Enough said...[:(][:(][:(]

[Anonymous]

I can see both sides of the coin on this issue. Last November I was looking to join a club for N-scale or Z-scalers. This group met every Saturday. However, Saturday is my only day off. Going down there every Saturday sort of messed that up. I didn't want to join something that I wasn't sure if I could give it my best.

I found some people in the group receptive and some just outright aloof and unfriendly. Perhaps it was because I"m a woman and they didn't want me in their boys club, but I really don't like to play that card. I just wanted to learn more about scenery. This club was really in trouble. I got to hear the scoop from both camps on what was wrong with the club. Both sides had very valid points. But the problem was that both sides were so far apart on their vision for the club and unable to meet somewhere in the middle. Eventually, the ones who wanted to see more organization and a better product put out at train shows left to form their own club. And quite frankly, one other reason that I didn't really want to continue with the current club was because the group that was left had no desire to put a quality product out at train shows.. Their modules were ratty looking and torn up. It's like living in a house for 15 years, you think everything looks great until you go to sell your house and the realtor hands you a reality check.

I'm still not in a train club, choosing to work projects as a joint effort with my boyfriend.

To the Ironhorseman, your comments about leadership came off a little heavy handed. I'm sure this was not your intent, but could be perceived as such. As a restaurant manager, I have to tell people what to do all day long. It's not always so much what you say but how you say it. Everybody wants to be treated with dignity and respect. I deal with teen-agers who have landed their first job right down to working with the Hispanics in the kitchen who have limited English skills and can have a real problem with a woman as an authority figure. The same guys who busted my chops 2 1/2 years ago now call me "tia" or aunt.

On any given day in any given group of people you will always have the worker bees and the slackers. Some people show up and they are just there, try to do as little and possible and pass off what they can to others. Then there are those who show up on time, leave on time - do no more or no less than what's expected. Then there are those who work hard, take on extra jobs and assignments. Learn more than what's expected. That's the way the world goes 'round.

Anyway, that's my dollar's worth. I may someday join a club, but for now I'll stay on my own.

Judy

[Anonymous]

I can see both sides of the coin on this issue. Last November I was looking to join a club for N-scale or Z-scalers. This group met every Saturday. However, Saturday is my only day off. Going down there every Saturday sort of messed that up. I didn't want to join something that I wasn't sure if I could give it my best.

I found some people in the group receptive and some just outright aloof and unfriendly. Perhaps it was because I"m a woman and they didn't want me in their boys club, but I really don't like to play that card. I just wanted to learn more about scenery. This club was really in trouble. I got to hear the scoop from both camps on what was wrong with the club. Both sides had very valid points. But the problem was that both sides were so far apart on their vision for the club and unable to meet somewhere in the middle. Eventually, the ones who wanted to see more organization and a better product put out at train shows left to form their own club. And quite frankly, one other reason that I didn't really want to continue with the current club was because the group that was left had no desire to put a quality product out at train shows.. Their modules were ratty looking and torn up. It's like living in a house for 15 years, you think everything looks great until you go to sell your house and the realtor hands you a reality check.

I'm still not in a train club, choosing to work projects as a joint effort with my boyfriend.

To the Ironhorseman, your comments about leadership came off a little heavy handed. I'm sure this was not your intent, but could be perceived as such. As a restaurant manager, I have to tell people what to do all day long. It's not always so much what you say but how you say it. Everybody wants to be treated with dignity and respect. I deal with teen-agers who have landed their first job right down to working with the Hispanics in the kitchen who have limited English skills and can have a real problem with a woman as an authority figure. The same guys who busted my chops 2 1/2 years ago now call me "tia" or aunt.

On any given day in any given group of people you will always have the worker bees and the slackers. Some people show up and they are just there, try to do as little and possible and pass off what they can to others. Then there are those who show up on time, leave on time - do no more or no less than what's expected. Then there are those who work hard, take on extra jobs and assignments. Learn more than what's expected. That's the way the world goes 'round.

Anyway, that's my dollar's worth. I may someday join a club, but for now I'll stay on my own.

Judy

[Anonymous]

How would i find a club that has operations other than on a night that i have to work. I want to get back into the hobby. And I live in Lubbock, TX.

[Anonymous]

How would i find a club that has operations other than on a night that i have to work. I want to get back into the hobby. And I live in Lubbock, TX.

[ironhorseman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bfsfabs

ironhorseman,
Regarding your 5) Resposibility

Do not forget to assign the adequate amount of authority necessary to accompli***he given task. Ya know, helpers, weapons, funds and a key to the club room. Like that.

Responsibility is way too often assigned WITHOUT the required authority. Leading directly to frustration and failure.

good point. i have had good and bad experiences in my orgaizations. sometimes one person would do all the work and complain that nobody helped. the next time we worked on spliting up responcibility until it worked.

i couldn't think of everything or include everything. we need more people to chime in on real examples that work. bascially, be a leader, get skills, and tweak it until it works.

i'm open to more corrections/criticisim/additions. i stand by my words but if something is wrong or needs to be changed i'm open to suggestions. i just want to point people in the right direction.

[ironhorseman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bfsfabs

ironhorseman,
Regarding your 5) Resposibility

Do not forget to assign the adequate amount of authority necessary to accompli***he given task. Ya know, helpers, weapons, funds and a key to the club room. Like that.

Responsibility is way too often assigned WITHOUT the required authority. Leading directly to frustration and failure.

good point. i have had good and bad experiences in my orgaizations. sometimes one person would do all the work and complain that nobody helped. the next time we worked on spliting up responcibility until it worked.

i couldn't think of everything or include everything. we need more people to chime in on real examples that work. bascially, be a leader, get skills, and tweak it until it works.

i'm open to more corrections/criticisim/additions. i stand by my words but if something is wrong or needs to be changed i'm open to suggestions. i just want to point people in the right direction.

[bfsfabs]

ironhorseman,
Regarding your 5) Resposibility

Do not forget to assign the adequate amount of authority necessary to accompli***he given task. Ya know, helpers, weapons, funds and a key to the club room. Like that.

Responsibility is way too often assigned WITHOUT the required authority. Leading directly to frustration and failure.

[bfsfabs]

ironhorseman,
Regarding your 5) Resposibility

Do not forget to assign the adequate amount of authority necessary to accompli***he given task. Ya know, helpers, weapons, funds and a key to the club room. Like that.

Responsibility is way too often assigned WITHOUT the required authority. Leading directly to frustration and failure.

[ironhorseman]

LEADERSHIP.

If anything, that's probably what some of these clubs I read about above lack the most. I've been to many model RR shows and once in a while I see members in a club layout not get along, and I'm not talking about the guys that joke with each other sarcastically.

Here are some options:

1) RECRUIT SOMEONE into the club that has leadership capabilites and likes to model railroads. Someone that knows how to organize a group, communicate, motivate, and resolve conflicts. They don't necessarily have to be the president of the club but could at least give advice and show the way. But DON'T pay a professional to come in because 1) you'll risking wasting club money for 2) someone that's not interested in the hobby and won't give you the results you desired.

2) LEARN TO BE A LEADER. Maybe you can't find someone that's a natural leader, but there are, ocasionally, leadership workshops. If you live in or near a big city or university or even a community college find out when and where leadership classes or conferences are going to be held. The best ones don't have to cost hundreds of dollars, they're usually free or require a very small fee. If it's a college course you might have to pay the credit/hour tuition, but this is well worth it.

3) RETREAT. Corporations, organizations, office groups, etc. take a weekend retreat once every year or two years. This is a way for everyone to spend some time away their work and distractions in a foreign environment and just get to know each other, have fun, and work on GOALS and OBJECTIVES.

4) GOAL SETTING. What does your club hope to accomplish? Is it to organize for the next train show? open house? buy equipment? finish a certain portion of the layout? Set DEADLINE for these accoplisments.

5) RESPONSIBILITY. Divide up the chores.1st, let people volunteer for each chore. If that doesn't work you then start assigning duties. This way everyone feels included. Some people don't really care which job they do, they're just happy to help. They do better being told what to do than trying to think of something. It's like, in my family, when givin a choice of where we want to go out to eat no one can make up their mind or agree where to go. Too many options. But when someone lays down law and says "where going to eat here" nobody gives any argument. Find out if and who these people are in the club and work with them accordingly.

These are just some of the building blocks for a successful organization. There are many books on the subject at libraries and book stores. I have been on at least three different organizations while in college and I was an athlete for four seasons in college and combined with my people skills I gained while working at my campus job for four straight years surrounded by exceptional advisors, coaches, and supervisors I feel I know enough about working in and getting along with members of an organization to say all this.

I was just recently invited to join model railroad club and hope to join in the coming weeks at their next formal meeting. I met some of the guys the other night and they seem like a good group. I'm not the best model builder, but I hope to learn from some experinced hobbiest and I look forward to meeting the challeges and obstacles of the club hobby. If anything that I do have to offer, I'm confident I can provide my organizational skills when and if they are needed.

NEVER QUIT: when you refuse to give up you turn around the forces against you to your favor.

Jeff Smith
B.S. Criminal Justice
Wichita State University

[ironhorseman]

LEADERSHIP.

If anything, that's probably what some of these clubs I read about above lack the most. I've been to many model RR shows and once in a while I see members in a club layout not get along, and I'm not talking about the guys that joke with each other sarcastically.

Here are some options:

1) RECRUIT SOMEONE into the club that has leadership capabilites and likes to model railroads. Someone that knows how to organize a group, communicate, motivate, and resolve conflicts. They don't necessarily have to be the president of the club but could at least give advice and show the way. But DON'T pay a professional to come in because 1) you'll risking wasting club money for 2) someone that's not interested in the hobby and won't give you the results you desired.

2) LEARN TO BE A LEADER. Maybe you can't find someone that's a natural leader, but there are, ocasionally, leadership workshops. If you live in or near a big city or university or even a community college find out when and where leadership classes or conferences are going to be held. The best ones don't have to cost hundreds of dollars, they're usually free or require a very small fee. If it's a college course you might have to pay the credit/hour tuition, but this is well worth it.

3) RETREAT. Corporations, organizations, office groups, etc. take a weekend retreat once every year or two years. This is a way for everyone to spend some time away their work and distractions in a foreign environment and just get to know each other, have fun, and work on GOALS and OBJECTIVES.

4) GOAL SETTING. What does your club hope to accomplish? Is it to organize for the next train show? open house? buy equipment? finish a certain portion of the layout? Set DEADLINE for these accoplisments.

5) RESPONSIBILITY. Divide up the chores.1st, let people volunteer for each chore. If that doesn't work you then start assigning duties. This way everyone feels included. Some people don't really care which job they do, they're just happy to help. They do better being told what to do than trying to think of something. It's like, in my family, when givin a choice of where we want to go out to eat no one can make up their mind or agree where to go. Too many options. But when someone lays down law and says "where going to eat here" nobody gives any argument. Find out if and who these people are in the club and work with them accordingly.

These are just some of the building blocks for a successful organization. There are many books on the subject at libraries and book stores. I have been on at least three different organizations while in college and I was an athlete for four seasons in college and combined with my people skills I gained while working at my campus job for four straight years surrounded by exceptional advisors, coaches, and supervisors I feel I know enough about working in and getting along with members of an organization to say all this.

I was just recently invited to join model railroad club and hope to join in the coming weeks at their next formal meeting. I met some of the guys the other night and they seem like a good group. I'm not the best model builder, but I hope to learn from some experinced hobbiest and I look forward to meeting the challeges and obstacles of the club hobby. If anything that I do have to offer, I'm confident I can provide my organizational skills when and if they are needed.

NEVER QUIT: when you refuse to give up you turn around the forces against you to your favor.

Jeff Smith
B.S. Criminal Justice
Wichita State University

[cmrproducts]

When ever a visitor comes into the club we try and make them feel at home. Usually more than one member will thek them on a tour of the club.

During the shows we can usually spot a potential new member as they are the ones that spend a lot of time looking at the different layouts. Then the members will take the time to begin talking to them. This breaks the ice and keeps them there a little longer. We then hand them a club application.

Our policy with potential new members is that they can join the club free for 3 months. This way the members can get used to them and the new members can see how the club operates without spending any money.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[cmrproducts]

When ever a visitor comes into the club we try and make them feel at home. Usually more than one member will thek them on a tour of the club.

During the shows we can usually spot a potential new member as they are the ones that spend a lot of time looking at the different layouts. Then the members will take the time to begin talking to them. This breaks the ice and keeps them there a little longer. We then hand them a club application.

Our policy with potential new members is that they can join the club free for 3 months. This way the members can get used to them and the new members can see how the club operates without spending any money.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[CP5415]

Stupidity & politics are what keep me from joining clubs in my area. You either have to run brass or DCC. I have one brass loco, but it needs work & it's not high on my "things to do list" & having more than 30 locomotives, DCC is out of the question.
There's one club in Scarborough, On. one guy pretty much laughed when I mentioned
Athearn. It's idiots like this that don't allow the hobby to grow. No kid I know can afford
a brass, Kato or an Atlas locomotive.
Because of this, I plan to keep to myself, my layout, locomotives & rolling stock & invite friends over for operationg sessions.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[CP5415]

Stupidity & politics are what keep me from joining clubs in my area. You either have to run brass or DCC. I have one brass loco, but it needs work & it's not high on my "things to do list" & having more than 30 locomotives, DCC is out of the question.
There's one club in Scarborough, On. one guy pretty much laughed when I mentioned
Athearn. It's idiots like this that don't allow the hobby to grow. No kid I know can afford
a brass, Kato or an Atlas locomotive.
Because of this, I plan to keep to myself, my layout, locomotives & rolling stock & invite friends over for operationg sessions.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I have felt like I needed to apologize to some of the newer members that I have recruited. They feel like they are waisting their time and money being in a "stale" club that is going nowhere. Back when the club first formed, a friend and I were invited to a meeting. At the meeting the powers in charge at the time noted that there were a few visiters. The stressed the point that "this is NOT a place that you come to run you trains" and we were basically were not welcome. Several years later, I was invited by another member who knew that I did not have a home layout (which I do now). I told him of the earlier time I attended. He said that the jerk (being nice) who thought that he owned the club was no longer a member.
I went to a few meeting and was welcomed and greeted by a few of the members (who were not around the last time). The meetings were well organized, with some silly arguements. and I ended up joining as an associate. I invited the friend that had went with me on our first visit years ago. This meeting was terrible. They were arguing over the craziest things. One was the official club name!!!!! You would think that this would have been settled a long time ago since the club had been around for 6 years or so. And during the discussions, certain members wanted to here themselves tell all about "me, me, me, I want this and that, and I have decided this is what we will do.......etc.
My friend (who finally joined this year) pointed out that many there did not care, or wanted things their way or no other way, and were not progressing. For goodness sakes... they can still not agree on a name after all this time.
Some key members with high motivation finally gave up and quit. And one of the most hospitable members toward visitors passed away. And a newer president would barely recognize guests. The meetings were unorganized and if guests were introduced, you could not hear for the private conversations.
The dedicated members now are hoping the dead beats will inprove. We don't necessarily want them to leave because we have a good set of guys. We just want some form of progress. I am the only one who has a home layout now so I expected the others to be more into the club that I am.
At our shows, I here the viewers saying this lookis the same as last time and it has not changed. Recently one of our completed modules was unavailable due to a member not being able to show and nobody wanted to take on the responsibility of hie beautiful and large module. The crowd was really disappointed when the massive bridge was not there. It is a shame when three to five modules out of 22-26 modules are the only ones worth looking at.
This is embarrasing. And I think the whole situation looks bad not only for the club but hurts the hobby. People who may want to get into the hobby are turned off. Part of the main reasons I want to have a good showing is to share the hobby with others. Get new people interested and the hobby will grow!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I have felt like I needed to apologize to some of the newer members that I have recruited. They feel like they are waisting their time and money being in a "stale" club that is going nowhere. Back when the club first formed, a friend and I were invited to a meeting. At the meeting the powers in charge at the time noted that there were a few visiters. The stressed the point that "this is NOT a place that you come to run you trains" and we were basically were not welcome. Several years later, I was invited by another member who knew that I did not have a home layout (which I do now). I told him of the earlier time I attended. He said that the jerk (being nice) who thought that he owned the club was no longer a member.
I went to a few meeting and was welcomed and greeted by a few of the members (who were not around the last time). The meetings were well organized, with some silly arguements. and I ended up joining as an associate. I invited the friend that had went with me on our first visit years ago. This meeting was terrible. They were arguing over the craziest things. One was the official club name!!!!! You would think that this would have been settled a long time ago since the club had been around for 6 years or so. And during the discussions, certain members wanted to here themselves tell all about "me, me, me, I want this and that, and I have decided this is what we will do.......etc.
My friend (who finally joined this year) pointed out that many there did not care, or wanted things their way or no other way, and were not progressing. For goodness sakes... they can still not agree on a name after all this time.
Some key members with high motivation finally gave up and quit. And one of the most hospitable members toward visitors passed away. And a newer president would barely recognize guests. The meetings were unorganized and if guests were introduced, you could not hear for the private conversations.
The dedicated members now are hoping the dead beats will inprove. We don't necessarily want them to leave because we have a good set of guys. We just want some form of progress. I am the only one who has a home layout now so I expected the others to be more into the club that I am.
At our shows, I here the viewers saying this lookis the same as last time and it has not changed. Recently one of our completed modules was unavailable due to a member not being able to show and nobody wanted to take on the responsibility of hie beautiful and large module. The crowd was really disappointed when the massive bridge was not there. It is a shame when three to five modules out of 22-26 modules are the only ones worth looking at.
This is embarrasing. And I think the whole situation looks bad not only for the club but hurts the hobby. People who may want to get into the hobby are turned off. Part of the main reasons I want to have a good showing is to share the hobby with others. Get new people interested and the hobby will grow!!!!!

[Anonymous]

To Paul3's responce, I guess after two 5-6 year stints in this same club and putten up with same politics by the generally same clickish bunch that think that the layout belongs to them instead of the whole club, I've had enough and unfortunatly so have a lot of other people in this area. Believe it or not, this area sports more LONE WOLVES than probably anywhere else in the country, all do to POLITICS. Sad but true.[V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V]

[Anonymous]

To Paul3's responce, I guess after two 5-6 year stints in this same club and putten up with same politics by the generally same clickish bunch that think that the layout belongs to them instead of the whole club, I've had enough and unfortunatly so have a lot of other people in this area. Believe it or not, this area sports more LONE WOLVES than probably anywhere else in the country, all do to POLITICS. Sad but true.[V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V][V]

[RicHamilton]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainwreck2

interesting thoughts and comments, I often thought of joining a club, but was afraid of just the things most of you folks have mentioned

Don't be afraid to join your local club because of what I and others have said. We all had different reasons for leaving or not liking it. I only had one option for a local club. I tried it, found it wasn't for me and left. That option is also available to you. I know the club I belonged to, you could come for two meetings with no obligations before you joined to see if it is something you would like or not. Go, take a look around and ask the questions, how long to get to this point, what does the club pay for and what is expected of members at shows inside and outside of the clubhouse. You have nothing to lose by joining your local club. You get to meet some local modellers, learn new tips and ideas and you probably will enjoy it if the club is worth going to.

Ric
Berwick, NS