Another owner's club for the M M would be good for the car

Ratbag · Post by **Ratbag** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:59 pm

... and for all of us, by providing some competition, and a slightly different focus.

Discuss.

Post by **MortisMinor** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:26 pm

What would tis diffrent focus be?, also not being negative but in what ways would this be good for the car.

Post by **plastic_orange** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:30 pm

Plenty other Minor forums out there to look at, so don't know what another one would achieve. Same faces on them all.

Pete

Ratbag · Post by **Ratbag** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:31 pm

I would be willing to bet that any alternate organisation would want to differentiate themselves in some way. Fresh perspective, maybe different market, etc.
It has already happened with different marques - eg. Jaguar. Membership does not appear to mutually exclusive either...

Ratbag · Post by **Ratbag** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:32 pm

plastic_orange wrote:Plenty other Minor forums out there to look at, so don't know what another one would achieve. Same faces on them all.

Pete

Not forum - Owner's club.

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:10 pm

I completely disagree with the proposal. Whilst some people may disagree with certain policies of the club nothing is going to be solved by forming a lot of breakaway clubs. You are certainly not going to influence the MMOC's policies from outside the organisation.
A large club will also have much more influence in the classic car world and with the policy making departments of government.
Traders will also be much more willing to stock and supply spares when there is a club with thousands of members all keen to keep their cars in good roadworthy condition.
The MMOC is already noticing the effects of an ageing and falling membership and to that end Ray Newell made a speech advocating closer links with other clubs.
I could go on but my tea is ready and I have a branch meeting to go to this evening.

Post by **simmitc** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:16 pm

We already have a superb club, in fact THE BEST (see home page). Our strengths lie in both our ability to appeal to, and serve, many different owners; and also in the number of members we have. United we stand, divided we fall. The suggestion of competition smacks of "divide and conquer"; and will serve no purpose.

If there is anything about the existing club that one thinks could be improved, then ideas and volunteers are always welcomed. We have just enjoyed a very positive AGM at which no resolutions for change we tabled. I'm all in favour of free discussion, but not of mischief making. Channel your efforts into support for our existing club.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:20 pm

using Triumph Stag as an example - it's very bad for the car.

On the basis that nobody (at all) asked for anything different (at all) at the AGM, then it appears that the folks who say they want something different are sadly not those who are prepared to stand up and be counted.

As for new blood - at the end of AGM there were 12 people on the committee table at the AGM.
8 of those are new in the last few years (I'm only saying 'at the end' because 2 people handed over when the 2 newbies were voted in during the AGM).

If you want something different then do it! One of the biggest problem in any car club is getting new people to do stuff - doing something new does not need a 'new club', it just needs willing and capable volunteers.

As a small example - The Minor web community was growing and it became obvious that web organised rallies would be the next step. Therefore we organised, advertised and ran one (followed by lots more...). Rallies used to be run by branches only, so the club committee took a bit of interest, however as we did things by the book there was no resistance and the club mag (and readers) have been enjoying the web-rally write ups ever since.

The club has for example a 'custom and modified register' for those who want to do things specific to custom/modified Minors. I think they've organised their own events too but I've not really had my ear to the ground on what they're up to.

Post by **Judge** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:26 pm

I am not getting involved in the 'new club' discussion, but falling membership was a topic of a number of committee meetings over a considerable period of time, and to that end I made a number of suggestions to hopefully reverse the trend. Unfortunately only now are some of those suggestions apparently being given consideration.

Also now it seems that the older membership, who have probably been with the club some considerable time, and are no longer earning, are the ones being asked to pay higher subscriptions. If we encouraged more younger members to join, this would not be necessary.

See you at the branch meeting later, where hopefully you will have the committees response to the other queries discussed at our liaison meeting.

Post by **Longdog** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:27 pm

I'm happy and will be sticking with the MMOC for the aforementioned reasons.If this club was flawed it would not have won award for best club.
Keep up the good work, united we stand, divided we fall!!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:31 pm

and are no longer earning, are the ones being asked to pay higher subscriptions

That's a bit of a generalisation there - I know plenty of retired people who have a better standard of living than a lot of young adults.

As for being asked to 'pay more' - I can't follow your logic as the discount rate for elderly means they pay much less. Last year the fee increase was very very very very heavily biased in favour of the elderly. This year only reduced last years (additional) bias by 30%.
I had to drop my membership when I was a student as I physically did not have the money for food, let alone car clubs! Fortunately overdrafts kept me from going too hungry.

Post by **Judge** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:35 pm

I must admit that I too am dissappointed by the apparent lack of input by members at the AGM, although not at all surprised bearing in mind how many times threads ended following my mentioning of the word 'commitment'. However as for volunteers, I have volunteered to carry out various functions, but to date have had no response. I have also made suggestions, but only now are they seemingly being taken seriously.

Post by **Judge** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:40 pm

rayofleamington wrote: That's a bit of a generalisation there - I know plenty of retired people who have a better standard of living than a lot of young adults.

That too is a bit of a generalisation Ray.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:45 pm

That too is a bit of a generalisation Ray.

nah - that's the truth! I do know many.
If I'd said that 'most' or 'all' it would have been a generalisation and also unlikely.

Post by **Judge** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:51 pm

I know many older people too, so who's 'impression' is correct

Post by **plastic_orange** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:02 pm

I'd suggest you both have a point.

Pete

Post by **Judge** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:03 pm

Actually, having read through the posts here, it's amazing how many comments sound like ones I have made previously. If you don't believe me, have a look for yourselves

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:17 pm

Biggest and most obvious thing to me is that the "club" needs to attract more younger members - It's the same with all classic clubs (except the VW scene) - No new (younger) members = eventual demise !!!

Post by **Dean** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:24 pm

Apologies for being a bit brazen here, but, the Morris Minor Club will always struggle to attract young members in numbers. Purely because the image the car has with the young, and how the press and media portray it. If this can be overcome, then maybe it will start growing again.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:30 pm

the Morris Minor Club will always struggle to attract young members in numbers. Purely because the image the car has with the young,

I agree and disagree - the car does not have much 'yoof culture' following like the beetle does. However it has always had appeal to young and old regardless of fashion.
As for the media image - I do agree. Morris Minors are almost never shown in the media with young owners, although *possibly the majority of owners are under retirement age!

* an educated guess.