I would leave if thats the case then. I would also tell them why your not intrested anymore. Might be an eye opener for them.
I would then consider going and starting your own club.
When I look at what you wrote I can tell that you aren’t happy with the current club you are in. I can also tell that you aren’t anxious in making that 40 mile trip one way to the other club either.
So what would I do in your situation?
Before I answer that question, I have to tell you that had not become a member any model railroad club before 2008. Instead I pursued model railroading alone from 1977 to 1987 when I left the hobby to due to the rquirements of my chosen career. I did not come back to it until shortly before I joined the club I am curently a member of. I joined that club because it gave me place to run my trains and learn some of the things I had either forgotten or never knew. I also joined for the comeraderie.
I have found that clubs o
Hello Nickyb…
You’ve gotton a lot of advice from many readers here…and I would echo some of these sentiments.
Have you tried to talk with these guys about it?
Clubs are what they are - cliques, formal groups, informal groups, boys night out, etc.
I’ve served as President for three different MR organizations over the last 35 yrs and its the same thing everywhere - there’s always three, four or maybe a half dozen guys out of the dozen or so members who do 90% of the work -the remaining pay dues and show up to ‘run’ but really are just content looking for a place to ‘play trains’.
Thankfully, the majority of MR Clubs do have a good body of members who are commited to making something great for the sake of the club, the hobby and its membership body.
Each club has some sort of governing body and they can determine how or what their guidelines will be - that’s their privilege.
It’s kind of ashame that you can’t make an impression on the others with this group - you know, set an example for them.
It may well be that this group as been doing the same things for so long, that they forgot why they are a club.
Before giving up, you might want to suggest ‘inviting’ these members to your home for a club meeting. Having a get together at your home gives you control and allows you a better opportunity to make your position known.
The worst thing that can happen is that nobody would show up or stay very long.
If they do, then you’ve got an audience…try to get the boys to start thinking about the hobby again and not creating an excuse or a reason to get out of the house - besides, you just
As the saying goes I wouldn’t join any club that would have me as a member but that doesn’t apply to you but rather to the rest of your club. As mentioned clubs are supposed to be fun and enjoyable for all involved. Some are more holding to the rules and standards then others but thats ok in my book. To construct operated and maintain a large railroad as many clubs have you need structure and assemblance of order. Members can’t just do what they please and expect every aspect of the layout to work harmoniously. I have to drive an hour on a good day or night to get to the one club I belong to and I don’t mind it one bit. Sure it would be nice if it were 5 minutes from my house but it’s not and there are monthly dues and a one year probationary period. As I was told if you just want to come here and smoke cigarettes and shoot the _______ this isn’t the club for you, we are a working club. When you get down to it, it’s as far form work as I could ever hope to be. We have a great bunch of guys most of whom are relentless jokers and chop busters and of course yours truly being not as close to the century mark as most of them as I like to put it am the brunt of the newbie and youngster jokes.It’s all in good fun and I don’t mind one but. I can’t even begin to explain how much i have learned from the guys on the club and how much I enjoy their company.
As one member told me it’s nice to be amongst your own and like it or not your one of us. I told him that was one of the highest compliments anyone has ever paid me. If the guys in your club aren’t like you and don’t share the same level of commitment and seriousness about the hobby as you do then your best served to move on. Life’s too short to be a member of something our not happy with
After reading your situation, you need to ask yourself what are you looking for in a club? I would inform the group that you were considering resigning from the club. Give them the reasons that you have shared with us. There might be others in the club that share your views. If they don’t or won’t discuss your issues or simply continue to run the club as is, then you know what you need to do. In your heart you have already decided you are just hoping to find a reason not to pull the trigger and leave. If you at least voice your issues with the club when you leave you will leave with a clear mind knowning that you tried to rectify the situation. As for me I have joined a club to hang out with like minded people who love the same hobby as me.
I resigned from a club after about two years. There was too much drama for me as well as too much frustration. On the way home from the club, I’d frequently need to vent in the car. I wrote a resignation letter saying it was me that didn’t fit in, not laying the responsibility on others; that is the truth. Most every week I spend an evening with a friend and we build models and talk trains, politics, etc. That’s much more relaxing.
Mark
W.C. Fields was once quoted “I would not belong to any club that would have me as a memeber”.
Great quote but pretty sure it was Groucho Marx who said it.
Pretty sure it was Groucho Marx who made the statement that he would not belong to a club that would have him as a member…a good point none the less.
You are correct in saying I joined for a reason. I have been a lone wolf you might say all my life, but, I always had an outlook that everyone has a good idea now and then. To try and change old dogs would be like trying to change congress. I have received some sound advice to the problem. The approach really isn’t to quit I think I enjoy it to much for that. I was never a quitter either. Since my last note, I have talked to the ex president of our club. Received some advice to change the ways. He also said I should start with myself then proceed forward. I think I’ll do that.
Sounds like the ex-president has a pretty good handle on how to deal with all the various types of characters who belong to clubs. He might be a good person to keep in touch with as you move forward, hopefully with success.
Dave