Should We Become A Club?

[turbotom]

fordxr6turbo.com didn't organise the event.

People did, who got in contact using the site.

I don't think they could sue unless we became a club.

I would tend to agree.

If the camry driver wants to claim damages, he will go after the biggest (wealthiest) target he can blame. If FORDXR6Turbo.com IS a club, and it is financially bouyant, then it becomes a target.

Otherwise, the camry driver (or more likely, HIS/HER Insurance company) will target the offending driver, who, if they own an XR6T, has likely got enough assets to cover the damage to the Camry or other party.

I'll say it again, if you drive like an idiot, be prepared to suffer the consequences. NO insurance cover is foolproof, if you drive like an idiot, even if the run was organised by a registered club.

PS Think it through carefully before you commit yourself to making this a club.

You're NOT going to keep politics out of any club environment, no matter how hard you try. Having the right people on the executive committee is essential. Due to the size of the potential club, and the fact that it would be Australia wide, sub-committees for each state may be required. Or at least delegates representing each state chapter. A constitution needs to be formalised and approved. You need dedicated and enthusiastic people who are prepared to commit themselves to what usually amounts to a thankless task of running the club behind the scenes.

Monthly meetings, formalised minutes, voting on issues of importance, financial delegations and responsibilities..... it goes on and on.

I'll suggest it one more time. Maybe there is a way to become affiliated with an established FORD club if it is paramount to cover yourself for public liability. The site can remain autonomous and run as it has, and "events" can be promoted for the registered club running the cruise or event. This site is just a promotional vehicle. Just like an advertising board. hence no direct responsibility.

Its a WIN-WIN scenario..... The forum is NOT at risk of liability, the car club gets a fantastic opportunity to promote their event, with extra members as a bonus.

Question though, if club membership then costs $50 per year, "How many financial members would join the club from this site...... methinks not too many.

******************************************************

Chris, I can appreciate the time and effort that goes into managing this site.

For me, it has been my first experience (I sound like a virgin) at using a forum to gain info and express views. I've seen other sites before, but never participated cause either the site was poorly constructed or had pathetic diialogue to sift through.

Or the content has been just plain immature and stupid!

This site is visually appealing, easy to use, has good moderators keeping threads on topic (except Kenny keeps hijacking on occasions ) and has been a valuable source of information, ideas and contacts with other like minded car fans.

I am putting my money where my mouth is, and making a Xmas donation.

I hope others will see fit to do likewise, if they haven't done so before.

cheers

turbotom

[sixfan]

Why not just make the site a company? You have to do that to be a club these days anyway:

then let em sue. They won't bother. litigation always targets the biggest source of bucks. There would be no proffit suing the site. The members donations wouldn't even cover a new windscreen.

It's the informal nature of this site that I like. The mod's do a great job of using common sense, but in the end of the day a d1ckhead is a d1ckhead, no-one can or should take responsability for his / her actions on a cruise or otherwise. How can you stop someone from participating? You can ban them from the site but try that for the "Club" events, they can still follow on public roads popping burnouts at every set of lights.

Better off informal, Then if some idiot does do something, hey, talk to the idiot, not us mob, we're just out for a drive.

[CJF077]

Turbo Tom sums it up for me.Im here cause I want to be, NOT because I have to be.

In SA it works fine as it is,some one says lets meet? we meet or we dont,simple ,no forms to sighn etc

No one is put in a hot seat,its totaly up to you to go or not,if you pranged your car,bad luck..nothing formal,just on a drive.. how could you relate it back to this forum and make it stick?

vik

Chris ,what about over ten posts and you have to donate money?

Hi Vik,

Its not about the money, its about taking it to the next level.. and I think a club idea has been on the card for a while.. The money from memberships will aid in developing the club, further including merchandise, more outings and the like. I dont want to setup the club to make money but to fund the outings we go on, without having to pay at every event, to be able to go on drive days, and track days without the need to worry about insurances etc.. and to make us more recognised amongst the community.

Thats the main reasons.

Cheers

Chris

[CJF077]

Who on earth would be dumb enough to try and hold Chris responsible in the event they crashed?

The problem is after seeking legal advice on our current activities they can.

As for donations I think it is a bad idea to try and "force" people to donate, that certainly gets up my goat and I imagine others. People will want to donate out of loyalty and the that they feel they have received great advice and info from this site. I believe another Ford related internet forum tried the compulsary donation and pi$$ed off a few of their regular members.

This will never ever happen, the site is my baby, and though i put money into the site every month out of my own pocket, I have never demanded anyone a cent for anything, if youare kind enough to make a donation you help out the site and keep it running for yet another month. The site is not a financial benefit for me at all, quite the opposite.

I can guarantee you I will NEVER EVER force anyone to put one cent towards the site, nor if the club does take off, turn it into a political nightmare, i personally hate filling out forms, documentation and the like, but at the end of the day it is needed to help out the running of our events, and any future plans our site and the club may have.

[ktford]

I've been heard to say to the brissy members, "the best thing about fordxr6turbo.com is that its not a car club." Car clubs are designed with the best of intentions, unfortunately all the wrong people end up at the helm, mostly those with enough time to devote to organise them aren't popular & cull numbers unintentionally. The commitment required is mammoth & I'm confident a nation wide group would be more than a handful. I'm affraid that we'd loose the Innosence we currently have, which I re-interate is the best thing about what Chris has created.

there must be a way to solve the finance problem & a way to avoid insurance dramas.

Scotty

[ms700]

I think a club is a good idea. Responsibility never worried me, I am quite willing to put my hand up and give something back.

It would be good to have a bit more money behind events, mainly so MISSXR doesnt have to lose out every time she organises something.

Eventually she will have no money left! :lol:

[HellionXR6T]

Why not just make the site a company? You have to do that to be a club these days anyway:

then let em sue. They won't bother. litigation always targets the biggest source of bucks. There would be no proffit suing the site. The members donations wouldn't even cover a new windscreen.

It's the informal nature of this site that I like. The mod's do a great job of using common sense, but in the end of the day a d1ckhead is a d1ckhead, no-one can or should take responsability for his / her actions on a cruise or otherwise. How can you stop someone from participating? You can ban them from the site but try that for the "Club" events, they can still follow on public roads popping burnouts at every set of lights.

Better off informal, Then if some idiot does do something, hey, talk to the idiot, not us mob, we're just out for a drive.

Well said sixfan.

If there was to be a "Club", personally, I'd show minimal interest. This is why I'm not a member of the XR club. Sure there are benefits of being in a club with freebies, competitions and discounts on merchandise, spare parts...etc but the politics and rubbish that can also go along with "Clubs" where there is minimal freedom to choose what to do, pffft, sorry, not appealing at all!!!

I like the thing we currently have going. Just a small group or really nice people that discuss what "WE" want to do via the "Cruise and Events" category. Once the discussion is over, organise something that suits the majority and just go ahead and do it.

Now as far as you Victorians and New South Welshmen go, you have a much larger group of people to cater for and control, so the whole "Club" idea may be a 'better' solution.

Personally the BIG events should more than likely become a ‘club controlled’ event but the smaller cruises, get togethers...etc should still be an option as well and both should be encouraged as there would possibly be a large number of non “Club” members.

[Cobra]

is it me are what ????

there is a lot of negativity but the voting is very much positive :(

someone please explain to us (me) who are just simple minded why is it that the case for the "NO" seems more vocal ??

[CJF077]

Question though, if club membership then costs $50 per year, "How many financial members would join the club from this site......  methinks not too many.

Our goal is not to take $50 (or whatever it may be) and say now you can come on cruises. It is more to say you pay $50 you now get $200 worth of value, as we are giving you this, this and this.. That is the goal..

If someone said to you for $50 you will get $200 or $300 worth of value i am sure you would gladly pay the $50.

is it me are what ???? 

there is a lot of negativity but the voting is very much positive  :(

someone please explain to us (me) who are just simple minded why is it that the case for the "NO" seems more vocal ?? 

Yes I am also intrigued as well as to why people are voting yes, and not voicing it.

[turbotom]

is it me are what ????

there is a lot of negativity but the voting is very much positive :(

someone please explain to us (me) who are just simple minded why is it that the case for the "NO" seems more vocal ??

Cause I KNOW what its like to be involved in car clubs.

They all start out with good intentions, and then someone's nose gets out of joint and poison starts to flow and infect the group and you get splinter groups that form.

In the end, you have lots of smaller "Clubs" which don't have enough resources to do anything of any substance.

There are exceptions. The Corvette Club of SA is a fantastic car club for example. The reason why? We have become more of a social club, rather than a fanatical car club! And we have a very well organised and devoted committee with plenty of people prepared to donate their time and resources to keeping it all harmonious. Lots of people contribute to its ongoing success.

But it has NOT always been like that. It takes good leadership to make the difference.

I vote NO to this site becoming a "club", as I really believe it could lose a lot of its appeal. The unofficial and easy going community that has flocke to this site may very well get a little caustraphobic with specified rules and regulations and forms and permits etc etc etc.

VOTE NO!

cheers

PS. At the end of the day, Chris, its your site. You choose the direction it goes in. But bear in mind that as a club, you hand over the right to control the direction of the site to the executive committee.