In being dead serious because I know none of you will read this post I can say with full effect that you are the worst car club I have ever seen, your events are one sided, you offend people, you shun people if they don't follow by the same rules you do.

I am a total outsider to your club and I am proud of it, I would NEVER pay to hang out people that look down their nose.

Another thing, the next club needs to have rotational members, where the same people don't HAVE to stay in those positions, or they can CHANGE around.
Thats the Only thing that keeps alive the fun atmosphere that you WISH you could have in your club.

you value opinions, prove it and post this, then well see how an "outsider" feels about you after coming to just ONE event.

 

I was happy to see a link to this thread in the recent email Brian sent out.
Mishka's comments about presenting ideas/plans for an event are very good. I for one don't see an issue with an event being planned by a member in a certain region, and the club sanctioning it, even on short notice. I'm sure this kind of thing could be presented to, and voted on by the board via email, and then posting the event here on NAM.

I have asked (twice now) the powers that be here on NAM, the owners Internet Brands, about setting up a forum for all clubs to discuss issues like we are here. I have not heard back from them yet, although one of the site Moderators, thanks gnatster, has brought both this thread, and the fact I have contacted them to their attention.

Mark

 

Wow! This dialogue would be a lot more helpful to improve the club if the poster included relevant information. The events are "one sided." What does that even mean? The club has driving events, non-driving events, events that support the community, etc. Not sure what's one-sided about that. I'm not sure how a loosely organized club of several hundred members can even shun someone.... we offend people? How? Because we have members across several states, across all age, race, and socioeconomic groups? Because the people who are willing to do the work plan and execute the events?

It's dealing with stuff like this, that makes it difficult for us to get and retain dedicated board members. There is a lot of work that goes into making a club like this even run (legally and financially, not to mention run successfully) and then to have to deal with stuff like this, like Lois says, make it not worth the headache.

I challenge you, 05Cooper. If you're so good at running a club, and so motivated, DO SOMETHING other than bashing the people who are actually trying to keep the club going. No one is sitting around in dark smoky rooms, deciding who to shun or offend or how to have all the events in one area to alienate people. Unless you're part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

 

The same people don't HAVE to stay in the same positions. The issue is that the same people stay there because: 1) they choose to, or 2) no one else seems to want to step up and take on the responsibility so they stay on in an attempt to help the club. To me, both of those reasons are worthy of the members support.

As for feeling welcome: we enjoyed our first event, and even though we didn't know anyone-and no one knew us-we were treated quite well. We've been a part of three of four other events since then (over three years) and every time we're able to join the club we feel more at home and welcome. Your one experience may have been an unusual occurrence. Why don't you give the club another try-but please give it a try with an open mind and not clouded by your one previous experience.

+1

 

[quote=MLC-Mobile;2504687

I challenge you, 05Cooper. If you're so good at running a club, and so motivated, DO SOMETHING other than bashing the people who are actually trying to keep the club going. [/quote]

This club? I would love to take on your challenge, here's some help for free

1. some people may have to leave
2. Get some new ideas
3. Give something towards membership other than a sticker

How bout I get un moderated posting back? There's an Idea , I haven't posted on this site in MONTHS and I'm still moderated, what a joke.

Try this on for size, just because I'm making noise doesn't mean I'm the only one not satisfied. I just got a little tired of all the back patting and high fives, for doing a less than perfect job.

If you can't handle the stress of running a club maybe you should stop running it and hand it over to someone else.

 

The ONE Club event you came to was the detailing event last Spring. I'm not sure what "rules" you may be referring to. As there were NONE!!! It was a detail clinic for crying out loud. We even fed you .I don't recall that you were treated badly but I do recall the fact that you apologized for having behaved rudely here on NAM. As a matter of fact, I even defended you to the mods so as not to get you banned, if you should even care to know. Sorry you feel the way you do about our Club & it's probably best that you DO stay away.

Lois

 

05Cooper,

I find it odd that you say you had such a bad experience at the detailing event when your post in the events thread said:

Also, did you make to the 3rd Annual Bobby's Custard Night? How did that go for you?

 

Gees, 3 phone calls, oh the effort, oh the time, oh the suffering

I think we may have a confused individual here. He seems to think that because of past posting behavior here on NAM, that resulted in all his posts being Moderated, that ST.Louis MINI Club is not allowing his post to appear as he submits them. Well the club has nothing to do with this sort of thing. The NAM Moderators have decided that the posts submitted by this individual need to be reviewed before they appear in a thread. By the by, I'm no longer a Moderator here on NAM.

Now, don't fool yourself, once your posts do appear, they will be read, and you better get used to being called out when you say the things that you do.

First, if your not a paying member, be happy that the club let you attend an event.
Second, if you are a paying member, it is YOUR club, just like it is for the rest of us who do what we can to make it a fun, safe, enjoyable, open environment.

The purpose of this thread was never to bash anyone, point fingers, or whine about how the club does not serve you. The club is made up of members who have an interest in MINIs, besides other common interests. Some members take on roles that involve a lot of time and effort on their part, and the only compensation they want, is to see other club members enjoy the benefits and events that the club offers.

What they don't want to, and should not be expected to hear, are attacks on what they do, or how they do, things for the club. They don't deserve it, nor should they be expected to put up with it.

So go ahead, start another club, or go the easier route, way less phone calls, and become involved in this club, if in no other way than to show support, interest, and offer helpful, not hurtful comments.

Mark

 

Everyone who does anything for the club does it for free.

1. Sure, people people are free to leave. Including you (or just never join which seems to be where you are).

2. That's what this thread is intended to be. Not a place for mis-information from people who aren't even members and don't have any idea what they are talking about.

3. Like what? A t-shirt? How about 10% off all products and services at the MINI Service Department and boutique? Maybe we should get discounts at all sorts of other vendors, too? Oh wait, the club already offers those things.

p.s. Are you Royce Vaughn?

 

Close, but no cigar

Mark

 

I paid $30 for membership, but have probably gotten more than that back in discounts from MINI of St. Louis. The MINI club may not have a national organization like the BMW CCA, but $30 isn't even a tank of gas. I'll admit I'm not a real active club member outside of track events, but I'm happy to give my membership fee.

I think if you want to get more out of membership you need to participate and put something into it. Griping without offering specific alternatives is not constructive.

 

Lets move on now shall we.

Mark

 

The joke is on you. The Club is not who is moderating your posts. NAM is moderating your posts. NAM and the St Louis Club are not the same folks. If you have an issue with the Moderating, take it up with NAM-not the Club.

(Sorry, Mark. I was watching the Rams game and forgot to hit "post" in time. Moving on, now.)

 

Back on topic:

How far would members be willing to drive for events? Not necessarily a driving event, but a social event. There are different seasonal festivals and events 1-2 hours south of the St Louis metro area. There are also some good roads in the area, but we're looking at trying different types of events.

 

I for one would love to do festivals. The Miata Club would choose a festival, have a run to it & then everyone would enjoy the fun. Good idea, Mike I'll bring it up at the meeting tomorrow night.

Go RAMS I think we're on our way to the Super Bowl

Lois

 

Ok, now I know your posts are out of sync because of the fact your posts are being moderated. So the first thing you need to know about fixing this issue, IS TO POST, otherwise your last post, probably the one that got you in this fix, is all the moderators have to go on, and if you don't post, there is nothing to be reviewed to show your not just a pain.

Now who are you talking to about running the club, because if you think it's me, well your very misguided. I have never held an official position with the club, I may, or may not in the future.

If your just sending out a general challenge to those that do hold positions in this club, well shame on you for being such a childish, self-centered whiny little snot. Grow up, stop posting if you have nothing constructive to say, and form your own club, by yourself, with a membership of, Oh what, One, yourself Because the hard working folks who have stepped up and are officers of this club do not deserve to hear, or put up with the kinds of things you are saying. And with that being said, I don't think the rest of the membership does either.

Mark

 

Jene has family living just outside Ste Genevieve so we can get info on events there. We're in the Cape Girardeau/Jackson area frequently and can work on things there, too. As for Perryville (in the middle), S illinois and the Chester areas: well, that's just more reasons for road trips.

Yep, we're on our way! Only need to win 11 more regular season games. No problem!!

 

Great, both my wife and friends are delusional

Mark

 

Delusional is a good thing, isn't it?

Just wait until hockey season. Jene really goes crazy then.

 

Hey everyone,

I thought I might chime in, and hopefully it won't come across as being critical... I joined last year after buying my MINI in Sept, and have recently neglected to renew. I attended a few local events during to course of my membership including the Winery Run (last year) and the detailing clinic. Both events were nice and well organized. In contrast to a previous poster, I think the St Louis MINI club is one of the better clubs I've seen in regards to an official organization, compared to many loosely run local car clubs.

But... I didn't make it a priority to renew because the events (I attended) were mostly social. The events I didn't attend seemed to be even more so. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind hanging out with nice folks and having a good time, but I originally joined the club because I thought it would be car-centric. The club is more member-centric. And that's perfectly fine with me if that's the point. The few people I've met through the StlMINI have been super-nice and more than helpful (Mark and Lois...). I just always seem to have a full plate, so its difficult to attend unless there's something really compelling.

So, in the spirit of suggesting something, I'd love to see more car-centric events. The detailing day is a great example, but without the trouble of catering and what-not. The winery run was a lot of fun, but I left right after we arrived at the winery. I try to run a weblog for MINI mods, so if there's ever a tech/mod/install day, I'm all for it! All the scheduled big events are great for everyone, I'm sure, but if there were a "Lite" version, with just the car/driving-dork stuff, it'd be pretty awesome.

-Chris

 

+1

You're most likely to see me at the track, Euro Auto Show, clinics, etc. My wife and I attended the winery run to meet everyone (we don't even drink). I didn't see any of the MINI members I know from the track events, but the club members we met there were very friendly and welcoming.

 

FortyTwo,
We had talked about having a general tech day, where anyone could show up and we could all share knowledge and tools to do oil changes, mod installs, etc. We have quite a lot of knowledge in the club on these type of things. We could probably get Mark at Ultrashield to let us use his facility for the day. What do you think? If this sounds good, send me a PM and we'll work together to contact Mark and setup a date.

Aaron

 

A tech session came up at the club meeting last night. Go for it, guys

Lois

 

A tech session sounds great as long as there can be some info for those of us who are severely mechanically-challenged.

Could we set it for after the first of the year? I'm really interested in this but don't have any free time on my schedule until after the first of the year.

 

I was thinking Mid-January, after the holidays and when it's really cold and there's nothing else to do!

Myself and many others in the club do all kinds of work to our MINIs so there will be no shortage of help, that's part of the fun!

Aaron