I have been a Model RailRoader for 32 yrs in all that time I have belong to 3 clubs. The last club I belong to was a museum in San Diego. I always received support, advice, and above all respect. I always admired the way model railroaders hadled themselves. We were always considered craftsman of our hobby. Well, untill now I thought I have seen everything in this hobby. I have been a member of my current club for 2 yrs now and I am certain that it’s not a Model RailRoad club after all. It is what you might call a way to get out of the house and away from their wives. They don’t follow NMRA standards on everything, they pick and choose what and how they want to follow. There are clicks like we all use to know in high school. It’s rather sad to think you have to brown nose to be accepted or to be a part of a commitee. I have never commented on something like this before neither have I ever encountered anything like this either. I need some advice as what to do. Should I quit or just bare it. Keep in mind the next nearest club is 40 miles away.
QUIT ! The whole purpose of joining a club is to be a part of a groupd of people that shre a common intrest and have fun sharing ideas and prodjects. Seems that none of that is happing there so quit.
I would quit. It sounds as if you desire to be in a club, but first and foremost you want to enjoy yourself. If you do not, or in this case can’t, then you are wasting your money and time. It will only get worse and even if it does not, you will make it that way in your own mind having everything they do annoy you including what they are wearing. This is not meant as a slam against you, it is just the way we humans are. Like I said, I would quit before you get upset any more. Granted they have the right to run their club anyway they choose, but you have the right to want what you want also. If they are not keen to that then you should move on. That is what I would do. I wouldn’t chew them out or run them down, it wouldn’t do anything but make hard feelings anyway. I’d just quietly not return saying it’s not quite what I’m looking for in a club.
Being in the wrong club just for the sake of being in a club is far worse than not being in one at all.
QUIT!! if you are unhappy enough to write and tell us about the problems with this particular group, and it seems like it will not get any better, then quit while you are ahead.
Well, you’ve been there for 2 years. If you’re not happy then leave. I don’t like the word Quit. It’s on your terms so simply walk away if you don’t like what you see. I don’t know the details but there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with not following ALL of the NMRA standards. If the group is having a good time and there are no fat heads that think they are superior, then you are in a good club. The idea is to be happy with the hobby you choose. If the next closest club is 40 miles it’s yoru choice. I wouldn’t drive that far when I can walk to the basement to run trains. Your call
How many people are in your current club? Also there has to be another reason besides not following ALL standards for wanting to leave. Are you having issues with another member? If so steer clear or handle it and stick around.
Sounds like you’re not happy with the club…The best advice is to quit.
As far as not following the NMRA standards or RPs that a choice a club makes…Sadly a lot of modelers confuse the difference between NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices…One can pick and chose what RP he/she will use or they can ignore all RPs…
As a example I don’t know of any of the areas six clubs that follows RP20.1 or any that has a metal wheel requirement.
As for me I don’t pay any attention to the “clicks” as I talk to all members and don’t really want to become a member of any click or serve on any committee…
W.C. Fields was once quoted “I would not belong to any club that would have me as a memeber”.
My view is similar - some guys love being in clubs, its not for me.
I currently participate in a round robin group, much better than a club. No dues, few rules, no club layout, no “committees”.
You can participate to whatever level suits you. You go to a different persons home every week and operate or work on their layout - or just talk trains.
Find 3-4 other guys with similar modeling goals and start your own round robin.
I don’t like the word ‘quit’ either, but I would politely leave. I have just left a group that I belonged to for many years but I didn’t enjoy it any longer and had issues with the direction the leadership was taking the group. Sounds like you have some ideas on how a group should function and, if you are willing, find some similar minded people and start your own.
I agree with Harolda. Do not quit in a huff. Resign politely, either in person or in a letter. Do not burn the bridges behind you. The situation may change. I belong to a club that is 45 miles one way from my home. Easy going club. Two former members wanted to turn the club into an NMRA showpiece complete with 100% NMRA membership, follow NMRA standards and anything else dictated by the NMRA. None of the membership wanted it, so they left abruptly at a business meeting and began a hate campaign and are now banned from rejoining.
Since you have given the club a 2 yr trial and still aren’t happy, I would suggest just stop attending. Don’t burn your bridges, some of the contacts may prove useful later. If folks question your absence all you have to say is that it wasn’t quite fitting your thoughts and needs at the moment.
How often does the club 40 mi away meet? How long does it take to get there? If your desire to be in a club is strong, is it worth going the distance. Certainly from your current experience, if you do go to that club, give yourself a good look at the “polotics” of the club before committing.
The round robin group idea sounds like a nice alternative. Their may be other modelers in your area that also feel uncomfortable at the club. You folks could get together and give each other some support.
Sounds to me like you’re in a group of guys who like to get out of the house and have some fun messing around with trains. While you want a group more focused on accomplishments and improving your craftsmanship. Since you’re not a fit, I suggest you find or start a group that shares your interest.
Sounds like you joined a Volunteer Fire Department! [(-D]
Not sure how your dues work, but I would just refuse to renew my membership by not paying my dues. I have done this with other organizations I have belonged to. A few have “thrown me out” because I didn’t renew my dues or submit a letter of resignation. If you aren’t happy, then leave on your own terms.
I think you’re thinking of the Grocho Marx quote: “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.”
and another good line of his concerning clubs: “I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it.”
Clubs are what the members want them to be. You should be mindful of this if you are shopping around to join one. Participation is the key to a good club. You need to visit and talk to the members in order to avoid organizations that don’t meet your standards.
My take is rather like Sheldon’s, except that I am, by nature, very much a lone wolf. I have been a club member (founding member, in one case) and have held every elective and appointive office at one time or another. In every case, I would have preferred to have spent the time and money working on my own layout, designed and built to support my own vision. Military service, especially in overseas locations, doesn’t allow that very often.
If you find yourself in an unpleasant situation, the best thing to do is to make a fuss-free exit. If you have met a few kindred spirits among the clique-builders and wife-escapers, you might consider an informal, ‘get together when we can,’ group. Use the money you would have spent on club membership to build your own layout, even if it’s just a diorama or a loop of track on plywood that you can slide out from under the bed. The end result will be far more satisfying.
Chuck (Lone wolf modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
How many members are in your club? You might be surprised that you might not be the only one that feels that way. Some clubs have modular side groups that follow a strict standard. My club is actually thinking of going that route. You build your own module and then get together once a week, month or whatever to run trains on everyones modules. The thing with clubs I find is that for the older guys it’s more of a social thing, a day out. For guys like myself it’s all about the modeling and the shows we attend. I wouldn’t quit, you must have joined the club for a reason.
I was in the same situation as you are. I even helped found my former club. It was 20 miles away from my home. I left for a larger and better club 50 miles away. That was three years ago.
I have not regretted it once, and now meet with people of like mind.
After careful thought, I would say to you quit the Club and do one of two things. Try the other Club or start working with yourself building your own layout however small it may be.
I myself helped to reactivate a dead Club in Arkansas with a number of other People and realized that the overall situation did not match what I was hoping to see and I decided to move on. I don’t have any issues with anyone and feel that the Dues would be better spent at home working on my own pike and occasionally visiting a hobby shop or ebay to get the required materials.
I don’t regret the brief amount of time I spent there, I just think that I am more of a lone wolf type person and when a group is involved here there is just too much Politicizing, Egos and whatever else distracting from the necessary focus on maintaining, running trains and whatever.
I did make useful use of my time there, I recorded in photo the entire layout and am glad I did so. I can always “revisit” it from time to time with the photo album.
The Round-Robin type of group is what seems good to me. Less formal then a club, but with standards that each layout owner sets when their space is used.