The problem we have at our club is that many of the talkers don’t do much. They won’t even pitch in for things like washing the floor. Worse, they tend to resist to change and won’t support larger expenses to improve things. Very annoying.
Simon
The problem we have at our club is that many of the talkers don’t do much. They won’t even pitch in for things like washing the floor. Worse, they tend to resist to change and won’t support larger expenses to improve things. Very annoying.
Simon
That is one great story, and I am certain that the OP will appreciate your personal perspective. I find it quite interesting, especially from a younger club member’s point of view.
Rich
AVtrainz, thanks for sharing your experience. I would have left that club too!
Simon
I am glad I could provide some insight! Being a young adult now I can more easily see both perspectives.
Than you for sharing that story, I agree with Simon I would have left to, sometime people forget trains are sopose to be fun.
Reminds me of a club that folded here. Dismantling the layout went pretty well, but they had a heck of a time getting the reclining chairs out of the basement. Absolutely true story.
My uncle dropped out of a club in Florida because the members kept fighting WW2 and Korea and VN all over again. He had been there and didn’t feel like going back.
Wow.
Amazing! All the people I know who fought in wars never spoke about them.
Whatever they went through remained with them until they died.
David
As you offered a valid opinion, it wasn’t too long, and thank you for sharing your experiences.
No, I don’t find it surprising at all. I’ve got fifty years on you and looking back, though it was after school, and during school holidays, working, (sweeping the floor, tidying up, and general fetching and carrying) with older guys was a great experience. Some were “returned men” from WW2, and while they rarely talked about their experiences except among themselves, if a young bloke kept his trap shut and ears open, it was amazing what you could hear, and learn. They certainly taught me a goodwork ethic and how to“grow up.”
I don’t recollect having seen you at the Club, Simon?!
Cheers, the Bear.
A few years ago a small club located in the basement of the town’s Senior Center was soliciting for new members. I had never had the opportunity to join a club so I showed up and joined. But it wasn’t a great experience. The 5-6 long time members completely ignored me. I’d ask what can I do or help with and they all just said “thanks, but we’re fine”. After a few months of drinking coffee and watching them I was done. I never could figure out why they would be recruiting new members and then just ignor them. Go figure.
Regards, Chris
I was in a similar position with a club I joined. It was basically a expensive tea club. No running of trains. Not for me.
David
I think the solution in a situation like Tophias experienced is to disarm the grumpiest with charm.
You gotta make them like you. If charming them doesn’t work, them walk away.
Rich
Rich,that’s exactly what I did. After a few weeks I got wind that 3-4 of them would go to a local burger joint for beers and snacks after each meeting. Great, I’m an expert at that! But alas, no invite, so when I kind of invited myself they pulled a Ralph Kramden “habada, habada,habada”. That’s when it became crystal clear that they had no use for me . . . And vise versa
Regards, Chris
Ahh, a clique. Whe that happens, forget it. I despise cliques.
Rich
Likewise.
David
Thanks to AVT for the comprehensive reply and to all the rest of you for taking time to jump in as well.
I like to think we have a pretty well balanced group at our club, not only in ages but attitudes as well.
The board is pretty committed to not becoming one of “those clubs” which are so wrapped up in rules that the entire reason we run trains (to have fun) is lost.
Sure, we have a few basic ones but they tend towards focusing on being respectful to other members and not running trains too fast, or with a bell going non-stop.
Yes, we have our gabbers but WE tend to do it during our work sessions. And as in most modeling clubs, although it’s the trains that brought us together, it’s the friendships that keep us coming out.
On the subject of the younger members, they really are well liked and appreciated by pretty much everyone - but we are lucky in that they are all good kids. And several of us, myself included, are retired educators, so there is a strong interest in teaching and allowing the younger members to grow in the hobby. BUT, we have an obligation to the older guys as well (hell, I’m 71) and since the decreasing attendance amongst some of the lifers seemed to coincide with most of the young guys joining, we felt obligated to explore any possible issues that might exist.
The questionnaire was designed to be fairly non-leading with the only question that might possibly be construed to concern the younger guys is the one asking if run sessions are too noisy or crowded. So far, the results are not indicating anyone feels they are - which is both great news, and not a huge surprise.
And yes, as some of you have observed, having a mix of ages, as well as crowded run and OPs night, is a problem many clubs wish they had.
I’ll keep you apprised of the results although members have until the end of the month to get their results in.
[quote=“reasearchhound, post:56, topic:406869”]
I’ll keep you apprised of the results although members have until the end of the month to get their results in.
[/quote]I hope that the results yield some substantive answers to your question. In any event, the results should be interesting.
Rich