Wow, Lotus 7 Club's quiet ... how can we help it recover
Discussion
HolbaySS said:
Same problem here. It's something that I have seen with the L7C all too often. Those owners that are at the meeting in my experience, always 'stick' together and it's very hard for a newbie to feel comfortable. I have also noticed the same thing when attending other 7 events. If you're not an ego freak then the whole event can become a very lonely affair.
It would be nice if the 'old' owners were more aware of newbies and made them welcome and integrated.
But that's just the reality of groups who meet in all aspects of life - every event and party I have ever been to. It's hard for quiet newbies to get involved. Nothing whatsoever to do with the L7Club. You just have to go and talk to people.It would be nice if the 'old' owners were more aware of newbies and made them welcome and integrated.
Bert
BertBert said:
But that's just the reality of groups who meet in all aspects of life - every event and party I have ever been to. It's hard for quiet newbies to get involved. Nothing whatsoever to do with the L7Club. You just have to go and talk to people.
Bert
Kicking them in the nads or setting fire to their cars also gets attention from the crusties Bert
I understand how PH works, frankly I struggled with BC as the forum wasn't user friendly. Just had a look at the new site and it might have improved a little. I'll rejoin as my membership has recently expired and I'll try and use it a little more trying to keep an open mind. I do like getting lowflying through the post as it reminds me a little of being a kid and the excitement of getting my Warlord and Dan Dare comics delivered.
A few years ago, I was reading on bc all about the foam baffle. I was surprised, as I'd never had a problem, and was perplexed as to why people would go away from it, even when recommended by Caterham.
I'm from a science background, and so attempted to start a thread, just giving facts, and asking for experience - not opinion.
It was met with aggression from some parties, and as a result, I didn't post again for a number of years.
After the new forum, and just before I sold my old car I posted a final update, and was relived to see that the aggresive tendencies were no longer present, and now feel that should someone new to the community search about the foam baffle, the later threads would give them a balanced view on the subject so they can make their own mind up.
All through, I never quit the club, and never thought of it tbh. I don't hold the club responsible for the action of a few.
At £45 it isn't a huge outlay, so no brainer for me.
I'm from a science background, and so attempted to start a thread, just giving facts, and asking for experience - not opinion.
It was met with aggression from some parties, and as a result, I didn't post again for a number of years.
After the new forum, and just before I sold my old car I posted a final update, and was relived to see that the aggresive tendencies were no longer present, and now feel that should someone new to the community search about the foam baffle, the later threads would give them a balanced view on the subject so they can make their own mind up.
All through, I never quit the club, and never thought of it tbh. I don't hold the club responsible for the action of a few.
At £45 it isn't a huge outlay, so no brainer for me.
BertBert said:
But that's just the reality of groups who meet in all aspects of life - every event and party I have ever been to. It's hard for quiet newbies to get involved. Nothing whatsoever to do with the L7Club. You just have to go and talk to people.
Bert
Party's and some events, yes, agreed. However with a club I would expect/hope that the long standing members would make an effort to welcome a newbie thereby 'breaking the ice'. At the very least the local AR should make the effort.Bert
Helluvaname said:
I was going to say any constructive and positive responses are likely to get drowned out by the usual diatribe of dross from the vociferous minority of ex-club members with huge chips on their shoulders, who wade in on any thread which happens to mention the L7C; but it seems Bob has jumped in already in under 4 mins 
Hillarious. Of course the FB groups which continue to build in strength will pull members from the L7C until its just the MT left. We know this as MT members are not permitted in the FB Groups due to risk of conflict of interest.Lets face it, the Lotus & Club has had its day. Bureaucratically destroyed by its self appointed Management Team.
Get a decent and normal to navigate forum back and make people feel the £50 is justified. Many current members say it's pathetic and are ignored, and it's not worth ex members commenting as they're all twunts and not welcome back anyway.
Or that's how it come's across.
Or that's how it come's across.
Edited by kenny.R400 on Tuesday 10th March 21:19
IBDAET said:
Hillarious. Of course the FB groups which continue to build in strength will pull members from the L7C until its just the MT left. We know this as MT members are not permitted in the FB Groups due to risk of conflict of interest.
Lets face it, the Lotus & Club has had its day. Bureaucratically destroyed by its self appointed Management Team.
Still not letting facts interfere with your postings I see.Lets face it, the Lotus & Club has had its day. Bureaucratically destroyed by its self appointed Management Team.
IBDAET said:
Hillarious. Of course the FB groups which continue to build in strength will pull members from the L7C until its just the MT left. We know this as MT members are not permitted in the FB Groups due to risk of conflict of interest.
and who elected you to make that decision then Arnie 
HolbaySS said:
Party's and some events, yes, agreed. However with a club I would expect/hope that the long standing members would make an effort to welcome a newbie thereby 'breaking the ice'. At the very least the local AR should make the effort.
Hi, I sent you a msg the other day. Would be interested in hearing from you as that's one aspect that I'm trying to improve, and any input is welocome Helluvaname said:
I agree entirely with that.
The Club set up Area Mailing Lists for each Area, that includes ALL the members in the Area (as well as any others that have signed themselves up to additional Areas).
This was as a result of feedback from members who said they never heard from their AR.
Many ARs have embraced the mailing list (not least as it requires no management by the AR as it's updated daily from the membership database, so new members are automatically added, and any address changes updated).
Sadly there are still some who don't use it for various reasons, and in many of those cases they are often the areas that are dwindling or inactive.
If you are a member and experience this, all I can suggest is that you try to contact another nearby Area, and/or drop me a message on here as all feedback is much appreciated.
The Club set up Area Mailing Lists for each Area, that includes ALL the members in the Area (as well as any others that have signed themselves up to additional Areas).
This was as a result of feedback from members who said they never heard from their AR.
Many ARs have embraced the mailing list (not least as it requires no management by the AR as it's updated daily from the membership database, so new members are automatically added, and any address changes updated).
Sadly there are still some who don't use it for various reasons, and in many of those cases they are often the areas that are dwindling or inactive.
If you are a member and experience this, all I can suggest is that you try to contact another nearby Area, and/or drop me a message on here as all feedback is much appreciated.
Helluvaname said:
Hi, I sent you a msg the other day. Would be interested in hearing from you as that's one aspect that I'm trying to improve, and any input is welocome
One improvement would be to get the AR's to actually welcome and encourage new members not encourage new members to go to a neighbouring area...... If the AR doesn't care about getting new blood into the club they shouldn't be AR's. Just wanting to be an AR shouldn't be the reason for being one.
I'm a new owner but currently not a member and I can't decide whether to join.
Are you something to do with the running of the club?
Edited by Hoonabator on Wednesday 11th March 18:17
I'm not sure why you wouldn't join, particularly when you're new to Caterham. £50 - probably save that on my insurance simply by being a L7C member. Then there's special offers and events, where by being part of the club, you get to park in the middle of an event and show your car off - great fun I've done the Shoreham Airshow, L7C handling day at Dunsfold, Brooklands Double Twelve all in the last year. Also looking forward to the Silverstone Classic later this year, and a few more besides.
I only sometimes go to area meets, as it's not exactly my thing, but I've been welcomed wherever I've happened to be (West London, South London, and ReHaB). Yes, the new forums are a bit tricky, and the links with no hyperlinks from anything migrated from the old site is shocking given that Blatchat is (was?) a great resource. I also quite like Low Flying.
I've done the Shoreham Airshow, L7C handling day at Dunsfold, Brooklands Double Twelve all in the last year. Also looking forward to the Silverstone Classic later this year, and a few more besides.I only sometimes go to area meets, as it's not exactly my thing, but I've been welcomed wherever I've happened to be (West London, South London, and ReHaB). Yes, the new forums are a bit tricky, and the links with no hyperlinks from anything migrated from the old site is shocking given that Blatchat is (was?) a great resource. I also quite like Low Flying.
Hoonabator said:
One be an improvement would be to get the AR's to actually welcome and encourage new members not encourage new members to go to a neighbouring area...... If the AR doesn't care about getting new blood into the club they shouldn't be AR's.
Just wanting to be an AR shouldn't be the reason for being one.
I'm a new owner but currently not a member and I can't decide whether to join.
Are you something to do with the running of the club?
Hi, yes that is one of the roles of an AR (to welcome new members), and if there are any that aren't, then I'd be interested to hear some details.Just wanting to be an AR shouldn't be the reason for being one.
I'm a new owner but currently not a member and I can't decide whether to join.
Are you something to do with the running of the club?
I agree that just wanting to be an AR isn't enough to be one, having said that, it's sometimes difficult to find people in an Area who a) have the time to do the role justice, and b) the inclination.
It's surprising how many people expect "things" to be done for them, but rarely volunteer to help out; but I guess that's the same in all clubs/voluntary groups though.
The only benefit an AR gets from the Club is free membership, and these are being reviewed on an ongoing basis now.
For my sins I volunteered to help run the Club and am on the Management Team.
Like everyone else on the MT we're only ordinary members who have volunteered our time to help the club.
Any member can volunteer and join the MT, and those that do elect the Chairman and Secretary (assuming there's more than one person willing stick their neck out and be a target
)You have to be thick skinned to join the MT as can be seen by some of the vitriolic crap that gets spouted (mainly on here by ex-members who've fallen out with the club for some reason), and although you try to do the best for the club you will never please all 2500+ members, and those that you don't are the one's you usually hear from.
FWIW there are MT decisions that I don't agree with, and those that I do, but in the end it's down to what the majority think is right for the club.
I sincerely hope you do decide to join the club (and don't base your decision on the few embittered characters you'll find on here) and if there's anything you'd like to know about the Club, or what's available in your Area (or provide any feedback that you think might be constructive for us) then please send me a message.
Whether or not you like or dislike the club's new forum, the club is so much more than that for the vast majority of it's members, and as mentioned above there are some great events that you often get into for free or a reduced rate.
Hope to see you at a few in the future
Helluvaname said:
For my sins I volunteered to help run the Club and am on the Management Team.
Akin to selling your soul to the devil?Helluvaname said:
Like everyone else on the MT we're only ordinary members who have volunteered our time to help the club.
Maybe its the "ordinaryness" that has made the Club so bland compared to what it once was.If people are no longer enamoured with the club and have left, that's fine. They will have their own reasons and experiences for feeling that way
What I find strange is their enthusiasm for trying to put potential new members off joining.
To me it seems almost like a vendetta and an unwillingness to move on.
What I find strange is their enthusiasm for trying to put potential new members off joining.
To me it seems almost like a vendetta and an unwillingness to move on.
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