0 registered members (),
221
guests, and 4
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums69
Topics113,822
Posts1,342,985
Members1,645
|
Most Online731 Jan 14th, 2020
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: paulw]
#542909
16/02/2008 03:40
16/02/2008 03:40
|
jap
Unregistered
|
jap
Unregistered
|
Mark0904 - you have some good ideas there. I agree with everything you have said.
James
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#542923
16/02/2008 04:01
16/02/2008 04:01
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086 South Cambs
Barmybob
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
|
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086
South Cambs
|
Mark0904 - you have some good ideas there. I agree with everything you have said. James So do I james ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) I think something needs to be made clear here. The Club FCCUK and the Forum Fiat Coupe Forum are not the same.THE CLUBWas run by Scooby, Bobbs, Kayjey and a board of several others, all of whome resigned recently. Currently the club is being run by a group of nominated persons under the leadership of Begbie. The new board are looking to make the club more accountable to its members with elected officials, club AGM etc. A club run by the members for the members ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) The club has in the past supported the forum with donations from fees taken for club membership. THE FORUMIs currently being run by Kayjey, Bobbs, Scooby, and I beleive Nigel. The forum needs funding to survive so either the club continue to pay or the forum finds other ways to make money.
Gone Audi mad!
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: Barmybob]
#542935
16/02/2008 04:28
16/02/2008 04:28
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,200 england
came2dance
I AM a Coop
|
I AM a Coop
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,200
england
|
I think it should be left as it was with the club supporting the forum. I never really realised there was a difference till now. It was just kayjeys beautiful pink world ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) Like Paulw, and you Bob I have been a member for some time and attended Christmas and summer doo's and these have been great. Bobbs and Scooby put a lot of effort into organising these events. (Particularly enjoyed that Red Day at Donington) (Oh, and the gents toilets in Harrogate ![laugh \:D](/forum/images/graemlins/default/laugh.gif) ) Though I’ve never taken advantage of any discounts or anything as I never remember ![rolleyes](/forum/images/graemlins/default/grin.gif) I don't think the club is big enough to change. Doesn’t KJ mention 200 odd members somewhere in his post? Not a lot is it and for this reason I think Marks ideas, and a few others in a similar vein are flawed. Look at the other car clubs, Mini’s and Ford for instance and I think you'll find a much bigger membership. We would not raise enough numbers for a regular magazine or track day type events. Membership supporting the forum is the way to go IMO. Though as Paul says, we need to have something significant that is available only to members, in order to attract numbers. Up to now we had free gift, window stickers, and summer and Christmas events. The last summer event was opened up to non-members due to lack of numbers and we haven’t had a Christmas event this year. The one biggest thing that would increase membership numbers in my opinion would be to do away with the April to April membership period and allow members to join at any time for 12 month period. That shouldn’t be too hard to administer, surely one of them has got a computer ![laugh \:D](/forum/images/graemlins/default/laugh.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v723/came2dance/1.jpg) www.chrisdoyle-photography.co.uk
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: came2dance]
#542938
16/02/2008 04:38
16/02/2008 04:38
|
jallen
Unregistered
|
jallen
Unregistered
|
You could have a point C2D the Mini forum and the Focus forum look good but you are never going to attact that level of membership as there aren't enough Coupes.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: barnacle]
#543033
16/02/2008 15:44
16/02/2008 15:44
|
Mark0904
Unregistered
|
Mark0904
Unregistered
|
But isnt the smaller amount of members due to the fact it needs to be more enticing??
More exciting club = more members?
Theres 4715 members on here, and i know that every one of those isnt going to join, but....
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543039
16/02/2008 15:55
16/02/2008 15:55
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,917
JimO
Forum veteran
|
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,917
|
I think its due to a number of reasons, not just one you can thing pin point: It could be more enticing It could offer more events It could offer a magazine It could offer track days etc etc etc But there will still be a large proportion of people who won't join it, as they don't wnat any of that, or will only join for a discount, but then will be dissappointed to learn that their money has subsidised the annual summer event and not a magazine. I would imagine its very much a case of not being able to please all the people all the time ![frown \:\(](/forum/images/graemlins/default/frown.gif) I think and agree with Bob above, their needs to be a greater definition between the club and the forum, the forum should be self funding, through either money from adverts, paying to sell your car and other items (how about a % on sales like ebay and even voluntary, may only be a few pence, but it will all add up) Then the forum can be left to run by Kayjey, the mods and with input from the club, but not run by the club. I think the bluriness comes from everything in the past being run by Scooby & Bobbs, so there was no clear break between the 2, and not that that was a bad thing, but now it seems it is due a change. For the club I have no idea what to do, as if its just purely the club and no forum funding, I doubt I would join again, as I have no need to. In terms of the forum, I would suggest, bring back the donate button, try to encourage a % pay back on sales, pay for selling items, claw money through adverts, ask Mark to put a £1 on his book for each one sold, things like this. Just some further thoughts from me ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif)
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: JimO]
#543045
16/02/2008 16:25
16/02/2008 16:25
|
veggy
Unregistered
|
veggy
Unregistered
|
When I was in the VFR club there were several useful sections of their forum you couldn't access without joining, and the joining fee was a good deal lower so joining was a no brainer.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543088
16/02/2008 18:02
16/02/2008 18:02
|
Akeme
Unregistered
|
Akeme
Unregistered
|
I think Club Members Only events, track days and rolling road days that are arranged and organised via the forum would be a great way of increasing members, the forum is the main way that the club gains exposure so giving people a little bit more incentive to join apart from the discount and small gifts would be a good idea. It would only involve adding another section and it would not isolate those who feel no need to join the club because they do not own a coupe anymore, as they could still join and enjoy benefits that dont only apply if you drive a coupe.
The coupe has a small enthusiast following but i think alot of interest is generated by the forum, it is a busy place as it functions not only as a technical site but a social portal as well, so people feel happy to be a part of it even if tuning and diy maintenance is not really their kind of thing.
If you dont like cars in the first place it would be unlikely that you would be here at all, so offering club benefits that would appeal to a wider range would certainly help dispel any worries that to much reliance is put on a hardcore few (who love coupes) to keep the club alive.
P.S: i think running the forum as a business could encounter difficulties and would put alot of strain on the people who run it and the moderators, alot more controls would have to be put in place if you are going to have fee paying customer displaying their goods on here.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543095
16/02/2008 18:15
16/02/2008 18:15
|
h2ypr
Unregistered
|
h2ypr
Unregistered
|
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Great post.
Ross
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: JimO]
#543150
16/02/2008 20:53
16/02/2008 20:53
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086 South Cambs
Barmybob
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
|
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086
South Cambs
|
But there will still be a large proportion of people who won't join it, as they don't wnat any of that, or will only join for a discount, but then will be dissappointed to learn that their money has subsidised the annual summer event and not a magazine. Having not yet seen any club accounts we don’t yet know exactly what the club funded. There were no Christmas or summer events in the 2007 /08 membership year and yet the club has been handed over with no surplus of funds. We must therefore conclude that Christmas and Summer Events were not subsidised from funds. There appears to be an urgency (From outside the Club) to get all this sorted quickly and start taking money off people. I personally am uncomfortable to start doing this until we know exactly where we are going, what we are providing and what any money taken is going to be spent on. Since the formation of the separate club board communication between club and forum boards has not been easy. It has led to a lot of mistrust on both sides when in effect we are both trying to provide a similar goal, a club and forum for Fiat Coupé owners. The new club board have been asking a lot of questions of the old board in an effort to try and find out where the club is at and indeed if it is worth spending any time and effort trying to save and keep it. I am sure Keyjey is also extremely frustrated with the new club board. To him it appears that we are asking too many insignificant questions and dragging our heels with regard getting things in order, taking money and keeping the members on board.
Gone Audi mad!
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543159
16/02/2008 21:26
16/02/2008 21:26
|
owl10
Unregistered
|
owl10
Unregistered
|
I think Club Members Only events, track days and rolling road days that are arranged and organised via the forum.......... etc agreed. i also think its worth mentioning that IMO one of the reasons there is such a great community here is because the club is smaller than some of the other clubs mentioned. in almost every newbie thread people metion what a great community we have, especially those coming from other larger clubs. obviously the club needs fresh blood to survive, but i hope that any attempt to increase member numbers is carefully designed so as not to be detrimental to the community that makes fccuk what it is
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543165
16/02/2008 21:52
16/02/2008 21:52
|
Webbo
Unregistered
|
Webbo
Unregistered
|
^ agreed, regarding the club I would happily pay a membership fee for some organised track, RR and other events like AutoItalia.
Personally I don't think that social events should be paid for from club, I would rather pay separately for the ones I choose to attend.
From the forum, hopefully it would not change, except for a better system for verifying and charging professional sellers.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543183
16/02/2008 22:31
16/02/2008 22:31
|
Mark0904
Unregistered
|
Mark0904
Unregistered
|
^Yep, exactly. A few events a year plus a couple of days such as Autoitalia, part of membership. Then other events organised whereby we pay to go should we wish, some we may even get subsidies for for being a club, some may be social etc. I called Brands hatch this week to ask if, as a car owners club, we could have our own designated area at something like the BTCC, and possibly small discount off of ticket prices for us as a club/group. Will report back what the outcome is. They sounded accomodating. We could then class this as a meet and a day out, paid for seperately hopefully with a discount ticket price or special arrangement Another example - http://www.fiatracing.com - also called one of the organisers and mentioned us turning up to a raceday. Sounds like great fun and again potential to 'sort something out' for us as a club. Just some examples ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif)
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543200
16/02/2008 23:19
16/02/2008 23:19
|
mitch
Unregistered
|
mitch
Unregistered
|
I think in many ways things would be far simpler if the club and forum just merge. Until recently even I as a mod didn't understand the separate structure. ![blush](/forum/images/graemlins/default/blush.gif) This is understandable since the URL here is http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org (Fiat-Coupe-Club-UK) and not Fiat-Coupe-Forum-UK : http://www.fcfuk.org ....Ahh NOW I see why that URL wasn't chosen ![laugh \:D](/forum/images/graemlins/default/laugh.gif)
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: Barmybob]
#543769
18/02/2008 00:29
18/02/2008 00:29
|
Matty
Unregistered
|
Matty
Unregistered
|
Having not yet seen any club accounts we don’t yet know exactly what the club funded. There were no Christmas or summer events in the 2007 /08 membership year and yet the club has been handed over with no surplus of funds. We must therefore conclude that Christmas and Summer Events were not subsidised from funds. So, who's in charge of this now? Begbie? Kayjey? There appears to be an urgency (From outside the Club) to get all this sorted quickly and start taking money off people. I personally am uncomfortable to start doing this until we know exactly where we are going, what we are providing and what any money taken is going to be spent on. Yup I totally agree with this, but again this seems to be dragging on.... Since the formation of the separate club board communication between club and forum boards has not been easy. It has led to a lot of mistrust on both sides when in effect we are both trying to provide a similar goal, a club and forum for Fiat Coupé owners. This is the bit that gets to me...lose the club frankly. I am sure Keyjey is also extremely frustrated with the new club board. To him it appears that we are asking too many insignificant questions and dragging our heels with regard getting things in order, taking money and keeping the members on board. When was the last board meet? Do we need the club? Can't the forum just run like it does, with a member only section which would cover discount codes - trackdays - group buys etc etc. To me, this would seem the best option as we're going nowhere. Get the donate function back. Let Carl advertise/have his own section, he's suggested this god knows how many times yet nothing is done...
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543781
18/02/2008 00:57
18/02/2008 00:57
|
Taz
Unregistered
|
Taz
Unregistered
|
Having been around when James Northam ( some of you may remember him & Kayjey ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) ), I am always inspired by their efforts, they REALLY gave up a LOT, including personal affairs to help the FORUM & the club. Personally, the amount I saved with Nigel & the manifold claim alone could have paid for the club for 5+ years. I haven't renewed this year, simply cos I am lazy, but I do appreciate the hard work put by the minority & appreciate it. Remember when the forum went down ? How many seeked refuge in the FIATFORUM ![wink ;\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/wink.gif) ( a great bunch by the way ).... you'll only appreicate this place when it's gone I'm fraid ![frown \:\(](/forum/images/graemlins/default/frown.gif) Taz ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif)
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543792
18/02/2008 01:15
18/02/2008 01:15
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086 South Cambs
Barmybob
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
|
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086
South Cambs
|
When was the last board meet? Do we need the club? Can't the forum just run like it does Yes it could. But it would not be a non proffit undertaking like the club is To me, this would seem the best option as we're going nowhere. Get the donate function back. Let Carl advertise/have his own section, he's suggested this god knows how many times yet nothing is done..., Taking money off Carl would be the simple solution. The ammount of funding Carl was talking about would actually cover ALL the forum costs and mean the forum could still be free to all. You would then have the forum operated as a business and another business fully funding that forum. I am sure it could go this way if people wished. Seems to me like you don't think too much of the community aspect of this place though if you are prepared to throw it away so easilly. ![frown \:\(](/forum/images/graemlins/default/frown.gif)
Gone Audi mad!
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: Barmybob]
#543797
18/02/2008 01:22
18/02/2008 01:22
|
Matty
Unregistered
|
Matty
Unregistered
|
Seems to me like you don't think too much of the community aspect of this place though if you are prepared to throw it away so easilly. Is this a dig? Or should I take it as tongue in cheek? Throw the community away?? I suggested losing the club - *not* the forum. All of the fellow owners I've met has been through the forum, not the club...
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543798
18/02/2008 01:25
18/02/2008 01:25
|
carlt
Unregistered
|
carlt
Unregistered
|
You would then have the forum operated as a business and another business fully funding that forum. I am sure it could go this way if people wished.
Seems to me like you don't think too much of the community aspect of this place though if you are prepared to throw it away so easilly. Why would the forum become a business? One tiny small section with my name on it, doesnt make the forum any different or a business. How does that change the forum so much? Maybe if certain mods put their dislike of me aside things might move on. ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif)
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543800
18/02/2008 01:27
18/02/2008 01:27
|
h2ypr
Unregistered
|
h2ypr
Unregistered
|
Maybe if certain mods put their dislike of me aside things might move on. And funnily enough carl isnt the only one to say/think this. Ross
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: Barmybob]
#543801
18/02/2008 01:29
18/02/2008 01:29
|
carlt
Unregistered
|
carlt
Unregistered
|
I think something needs to be made clear here. The Club FCCUK and the Forum Fiat Coupe Forum are not the same.THE CLUBWas run by Scooby, Bobbs, Kayjey and a board of several others, all of whome resigned recently. Currently the club is being run by a group of nominated persons under the leadership of Begbie. The new board are looking to make the club more accountable to its members with elected officials, club AGM etc. A club run by the members for the members ![smile \:\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) The club has in the past supported the forum with donations from fees taken for club membership. THE FORUMIs currently being run by Kayjey, Bobbs, Scooby, and I beleive Nigel. The forum needs funding to survive so either the club continue to pay or the forum finds other ways to make money. I think most people will see that as rather confusing. Ive been here near 5 years i guess, maybe more? To me the forum, here, is run by Nigel, Begbie, Kayjey etc etc The Club, well doesnt really exist to me, there isnt anything i can see bar a few meets??? Wrong? I have always seen the club run by Scooby and Bobbs only, and only known moderators and certain users attending events. The club seems to me to be a circle of old friends, long term owners. Thats how it seems. Its very confusing to say the least.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543802
18/02/2008 01:29
18/02/2008 01:29
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 21,616 Aldershot
PeteP
Hon Club Member 005, Membership Secretary
|
Hon Club Member 005, Membership Secretary
Forum Fossil
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 21,616
Aldershot
|
Do we need the club? Can't the forum just run like it does, with a member only section which would cover discount codes
The member only section which offers discount codes is the club.
16VT and X1/9 1500
We must all do our part for the planet. I unplugged a row of electric cars that nobody was using.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543840
18/02/2008 02:26
18/02/2008 02:26
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086 South Cambs
Barmybob
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
|
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086
South Cambs
|
Why would the forum become a business? One tiny small section with my name on it, doesnt make the forum any different or a business. How does that change the forum so much? Only the club has the not for profit ethos, IE Run by members for members. That is not to say the forum is going to change into a money grabbing venture, just that it is already different, and is now more visibly split from the club ![wink ;\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/wink.gif) Maybe if certain mods put their dislike of me aside things might move on. Carl you paying the Forum what you have offered would keep the forum open and fee free to everyone. This would be a great solution however one day you could decide you are fed up with Coupe and move on to pastures new. That needs to be taken into account. The Forum / club would then be back to square 1. And for the record I was not making any criticism of you, I don't know where you got that from! ![confused \:\?](/forum/images/graemlins/default/confused.gif) The Club, well doesnt really exist to me, there isnt anything i can see bar a few meets??? Wrong? I have always seen the club run by Scooby and Bobbs only, and only known moderators and certain users attending events. The club seems to me to be a circle of old friends, long term owners. Thats how it seems.
Its very confusing to say the least. The club was the front that took the money off members and used some of that money to pay for the forum fees. Like Peter said it was the club side that arranged discounts for MEMBERS at various outlets and the Club that arranged Two club events each year.
Last edited by Barmybob; 18/02/2008 02:34.
Gone Audi mad!
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: Barmybob]
#543848
18/02/2008 02:34
18/02/2008 02:34
|
h2ypr
Unregistered
|
h2ypr
Unregistered
|
Only the club has the not for profit ethos, IE Run by members for members. That is not to say the forum is going to change into a money grabbing venture, just that it is already different, and is now more visibly split from the club Does this mean that if the forum makes money, that royalties will be provided to people who have supplied how-to guides and technical advice? Ross
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: Barmybob]
#543852
18/02/2008 02:42
18/02/2008 02:42
|
carlt
Unregistered
|
carlt
Unregistered
|
And for the record I was not making any criticism of you, I don't know where you got that from! Was i refering to anyone in particular? Im sure the few two faced individuals know who they are ![wink ;\)](/forum/images/graemlins/default/wink.gif) Perhaps if people could also be bothered to involve me in any discussions things may be helped. Paying 1 year or 2 in advance would settle your concerns would it not? I dunno, all the dosh the forum needs paid say 2 years in advance and a few personal prejudices hold things back. The offer wont stand forever.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543853
18/02/2008 02:43
18/02/2008 02:43
|
mitch
Unregistered
|
mitch
Unregistered
|
Why would the forum become a business? One tiny small section with my name on it, doesnt make the forum any different or a business. How does that change the forum so much? Maybe if certain mods put their dislike of me aside things might move on. I dont think this is the issue Carl, The forum is owned by Kayjey who can run it as he wishes, take advertising or not as he wishes. The club would be run by its members, have AGM, votes etc, and be non profit making. The forum is non profit making as well at the moment, but only because it cant actually generate a profit by itself, (in fact it was subsidised by Kayjays own pocket in the early years I believe). It now takes revenue from the club for running costs. That is what the community comment is about, the club would be owned by the community (as I understand things) the forum wont be (probably). But its all very complicated and there is no clear direction for the club, because if the forum no longer needed the funding, what would the club actually be for? Hench this thread ![crazy](/forum/images/graemlins/default/crazy.gif)
Last edited by mitch; 18/02/2008 03:23.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543856
18/02/2008 02:47
18/02/2008 02:47
|
carlt
Unregistered
|
carlt
Unregistered
|
what would the club actually be for? What club. I really dont see anything. Its a membership for discount before you have a big bill at motormech or suchlike. What else is there??? The main reason people join the club is to get a discount on work. Or maybe just that feeling of being a member of something. The forum is the "club" There was non or too little interest in past events, that kinda says it all.
|
|
|
Re: What do you want from your club?
[Re: ]
#543858
18/02/2008 02:49
18/02/2008 02:49
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086 South Cambs
Barmybob
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
|
OP
Hon Club Member: 003
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,086
South Cambs
|
No H2yper!
Thankfully this forum has written into the small print (Terms and Conditions) that you must own the copyright of any material you post and that you will always be responsible for all your posted content. You accepted these terms and conditions when you ticked the accept box as you registered.
This is a really positive thing about this place and to my mind one of the hidden virtues that makes it so much better than some other forum. Many of those other forums say explicitly in their T&Cs that all posted content (Other than images) becomes the property of the forum.
Gone Audi mad!
|
|
|
|