Should I rejoin AROC?
Discussion
I ask this because I know there are quite a few members on here and I thought it was unfair to post the question on AO and as I can't access forums on AROC this is the next best place!
My membership lapsed a number of years ago yet I continued to be able to use the forums. Now I can't get on there anymore, not sure I've really missed it and am trying to justify the renewal fees. Anyone got any good reasons. The forums are excellent for technical knowledge but for me lack a bit in light hearted banter and can be very quiet. TBH, many of the people who will answer technical Q's are here or on AO or ABB anyway with the exception of a few key folks. I kind of miss the magazine. I'd like to attend some AROC events this year, maybe Cotswold Alfa day but not sure if I can get in as an outsider?
All in, I would have thought that AROC should be appealing to me greatly as I have 2 Alfas (old and new)and am deeply passionate about the marque but it doesn't give me the sense that I'm missing out.
Put me right
My membership lapsed a number of years ago yet I continued to be able to use the forums. Now I can't get on there anymore, not sure I've really missed it and am trying to justify the renewal fees. Anyone got any good reasons. The forums are excellent for technical knowledge but for me lack a bit in light hearted banter and can be very quiet. TBH, many of the people who will answer technical Q's are here or on AO or ABB anyway with the exception of a few key folks. I kind of miss the magazine. I'd like to attend some AROC events this year, maybe Cotswold Alfa day but not sure if I can get in as an outsider?
All in, I would have thought that AROC should be appealing to me greatly as I have 2 Alfas (old and new)and am deeply passionate about the marque but it doesn't give me the sense that I'm missing out.
Put me right
Well I would say yes..
1. Magazine is excellent
2. Forum is improving and of course the more people join the forum and take part the better it becomes and for 105 info it can't be beat
3. New management team recognise that the club is not placing enough emphasis on social media/forums and are looking to improve in these areas
4. Most AROC events you could attend if you are not a member - but that never feels right to me really
5. Not sure where in London you are based, but there should be an active section where you can meet like minded souls - you could even join us for an evening at the Thames Valley Section if you on the west of London perhaps - look they are even on FB www.facebook.com/arocukthamesvalley
6. It's the cost of half a (admittedly expensive) tank of petrol
7. I recoup my cost each year on my discounted RAC membership
I could b
h and moan about AROC, it's not perfect but i think it's pretty decent value for money....
Hope that helps,
Philip
1. Magazine is excellent
2. Forum is improving and of course the more people join the forum and take part the better it becomes and for 105 info it can't be beat
3. New management team recognise that the club is not placing enough emphasis on social media/forums and are looking to improve in these areas
4. Most AROC events you could attend if you are not a member - but that never feels right to me really
5. Not sure where in London you are based, but there should be an active section where you can meet like minded souls - you could even join us for an evening at the Thames Valley Section if you on the west of London perhaps - look they are even on FB www.facebook.com/arocukthamesvalley
6. It's the cost of half a (admittedly expensive) tank of petrol
7. I recoup my cost each year on my discounted RAC membership
I could b
h and moan about AROC, it's not perfect but i think it's pretty decent value for money....Hope that helps,
Philip
Edited by PhilipAlfa on Tuesday 14th February 18:06
PhilipAlfa said:
Well I would say yes..
1. Magazine is excellent
2. Forum is improving and of course the more people join the forum and take part the better it becomes and for 105 info it can't be beat
3. New management team recognise that the club is not placing enough emphasis on social media/forums and are looking to improve in these areas
4. Most AROC events you could attend if you are not a member - but that never feels right to me really
5. Not sure where in London you are based, but there should be an active section where you can meet like minded souls - you could even join us for an evening at the Thames Valley Section if you on the west of London perhaps - look they are even on FB www.facebook.com/arocukthamesvalley
6. It's the cost of half a (admittedly expensive) tank of petrol
7. I recoup my cost each year on my discounted RAC membership
I could bh and moan about AROC, it's not perfect but i think it's pretty decent value for money....
Hope that helps,
Philip
Thanks Philip1. Magazine is excellent
2. Forum is improving and of course the more people join the forum and take part the better it becomes and for 105 info it can't be beat
3. New management team recognise that the club is not placing enough emphasis on social media/forums and are looking to improve in these areas
4. Most AROC events you could attend if you are not a member - but that never feels right to me really
5. Not sure where in London you are based, but there should be an active section where you can meet like minded souls - you could even join us for an evening at the Thames Valley Section if you on the west of London perhaps - look they are even on FB www.facebook.com/arocukthamesvalley
6. It's the cost of half a (admittedly expensive) tank of petrol
7. I recoup my cost each year on my discounted RAC membership
I could b
h and moan about AROC, it's not perfect but i think it's pretty decent value for money....Hope that helps,
Philip
Edited by PhilipAlfa on Tuesday 14th February 18:06
You're right, there is stuff to moan about but as you have done I want to look at the positives and the reasons I should join again. However on your points:
2. I know this has been discussed to death but I feel the way forward is to make the forums more open and inclusive. It would only encourage membership I think.
5. When I joined 8 years ago and then not been too involved for last 2 years, the London section was non existent. However, Thames Valley sounds like its worth looking into and I will do so, thanks.
I'm also aware before anyone else says it that you only get out what you put in!
Thanks again
JimmyJam said:
2. I know this has been discussed to death but I feel the way forward is to make the forums more open and inclusive. It would only encourage membership I think.
I'll be honest and say that i have always been against opening up the forums as I saw them a benefit of membership - however I think I'm coming round to the idea that some of the threads should be opened up to the general public and used as a 'shop window' if you like for AROC. Simon [Squadrone Rosso above] is certainly pushing hard to improve what the club does in this area. However that's really an internal AROC issue and i don't really want to comment further here.JimmyJam said:
5. When I joined 8 years ago and then not been too involved for last 2 years, the London section was non existent. However, Thames Valley sounds like its worth looking into and I will do so, thanks.
Not sure about the London section to be honest, but i do feel guilty now that I didn't mention the surrey section which is run by Andrew Stevens of Classic Alfa - might be handier for you and as a 105 owner quite useful!Good luck with your decision
I have been a member for a very many years but I must say that I get nothing from my membership, I have only once been on the forum, that was in it's infancy so I can't comment on that,The magazine is deadly dry, (it can go unread some months, mostly it gets flicked though and discarded, which always makes me feel guilty),Insurance companies don't seem interested that you are a member of a car club(although, having said that Insurance companies don't seem to be interested in anything other than where you live)The technical stuff seems to be based on either Liverpudlian taxis, Diesels (!) or the three week hunt for some extraneous squeak, which is fair enough as most people don't want to learn how to adjust a Dellorto or change a wheel bearing.I found that the section meetings are like a closed gang, we went to a few but it was hard to interact with the "regulars", but to be fair that is most likely just me. The most infuriating thing is that they start to send reminders in November and by the time they are due in January the tone is very definitely threatening. I used to enjoy the racing but after the "big split" there seemed to be a deliberate steering away from racing, they are trying hard to rekindle that interest but they have been away for so long it will take a while before it gets anywhere near as much interest as it did.
So, why do I pay my dues each year? Firstly it was a difficult club to join, taking many months of communication (I assume that has all changed now along with a change of staff)
Secondly it used to be a very good and interesting club to belong to and I always hope that one day it will be again. When that day comes I don't want to miss it. Yes, it was that good.
Thirdly as an owner of a couple of older models there might be a time when I need some information. Might.
If there was an option to be a member without the magazine/forum or any other interaction with the club I would take it, so what does that say?? Beats me. I guess AROC membership is just part of Alfa Romeo ownership. Not sure if that is good value or not and I do feel for those who work very hard to try to make the club a good one to be a member of, It just doesn't do much for this 20+ year member.
So, why do I pay my dues each year? Firstly it was a difficult club to join, taking many months of communication (I assume that has all changed now along with a change of staff)
Secondly it used to be a very good and interesting club to belong to and I always hope that one day it will be again. When that day comes I don't want to miss it. Yes, it was that good.
Thirdly as an owner of a couple of older models there might be a time when I need some information. Might.
If there was an option to be a member without the magazine/forum or any other interaction with the club I would take it, so what does that say?? Beats me. I guess AROC membership is just part of Alfa Romeo ownership. Not sure if that is good value or not and I do feel for those who work very hard to try to make the club a good one to be a member of, It just doesn't do much for this 20+ year member.
Steve. That seems a tad unfair to me. What reaction you might get at a section meet is likely to be down to you not them... I'm not saying that as derogatory remark, just a fact. Personally I find the same but I'm prepared to accept it, as it's more than likely me not them!!.
Racing is making a comeback to AROC, there is a new series starting this year for circuit racers and a Sprint series at a very grass roots level open to all.
As a 'Club' magazine Alfa Driver must rank as one of the best, the print quality is impeccable, most of the articles are good and I'd say it's grossly unfair to say they are about squeeks and rattles in modern cars!.
You say you have only been on the Forum at the beginning?, well FFS go back and look now, there is more information on that Forum about how twiddle with your old Alfa than there is anywhere this side of the Pond (the American Alfa BB might be better in some respects) and for the most part the contributors DO know what they are talking about. Some of them have worked on them and/or raced them professionally for decades.
A choice to join (or stay in) a club is purely a personal thing, I'm not saying AROC is perfect, to be fair there is a lot of discussion about this matter on AROC's own forum and I'm probably on the your side of the fence to a certain extent. But the reasons you are quoting for not joining or renewing frankly NOT correct and are very misleading.
Can I politely suggest you open the Magazine and/or go and look on the forum!
Racing is making a comeback to AROC, there is a new series starting this year for circuit racers and a Sprint series at a very grass roots level open to all.
As a 'Club' magazine Alfa Driver must rank as one of the best, the print quality is impeccable, most of the articles are good and I'd say it's grossly unfair to say they are about squeeks and rattles in modern cars!.
You say you have only been on the Forum at the beginning?, well FFS go back and look now, there is more information on that Forum about how twiddle with your old Alfa than there is anywhere this side of the Pond (the American Alfa BB might be better in some respects) and for the most part the contributors DO know what they are talking about. Some of them have worked on them and/or raced them professionally for decades.
A choice to join (or stay in) a club is purely a personal thing, I'm not saying AROC is perfect, to be fair there is a lot of discussion about this matter on AROC's own forum and I'm probably on the your side of the fence to a certain extent. But the reasons you are quoting for not joining or renewing frankly NOT correct and are very misleading.
Can I politely suggest you open the Magazine and/or go and look on the forum!
velocemitch said:
Steve. That seems a tad unfair to me. What reaction you might get at a section meet is likely to be down to you not them... I'm not saying that as derogatory remark, just a fact. Personally I find the same but I'm prepared to accept it, as it's more than likely me not them!!.
Racing is making a comeback to AROC, there is a new series starting this year for circuit racers and a Sprint series at a very grass roots level open to all.
As a 'Club' magazine Alfa Driver must rank as one of the best, the print quality is impeccable, most of the articles are good and I'd say it's grossly unfair to say they are about squeeks and rattles in modern cars!.
You say you have only been on the Forum at the beginning?, well FFS go back and look now, there is more information on that Forum about how twiddle with your old Alfa than there is anywhere this side of the Pond (the American Alfa BB might be better in some respects) and for the most part the contributors DO know what they are talking about. Some of them have worked on them and/or raced them professionally for decades.
A choice to join (or stay in) a club is purely a personal thing, I'm not saying AROC is perfect, to be fair there is a lot of discussion about this matter on AROC's own forum and I'm probably on the your side of the fence to a certain extent. But the reasons you are quoting for not joining or renewing frankly NOT correct and are very misleading.
Can I politely suggest you open the Magazine and/or go and look on the forum!
I am looking forward to the racing comeback, It will take a while to get back to it's former glory although I think that those days have gone for all race series, regardless of marque, but there certainly is a lot of effort going on in the background, lets hope it is rewarded. it was just a shame that it was allowed to fade away, that was down to personalities but a lot of cars were permanently laid up and there would not be fresh cars being built just yet. Still, fingers crossed. Racing is making a comeback to AROC, there is a new series starting this year for circuit racers and a Sprint series at a very grass roots level open to all.
As a 'Club' magazine Alfa Driver must rank as one of the best, the print quality is impeccable, most of the articles are good and I'd say it's grossly unfair to say they are about squeeks and rattles in modern cars!.
You say you have only been on the Forum at the beginning?, well FFS go back and look now, there is more information on that Forum about how twiddle with your old Alfa than there is anywhere this side of the Pond (the American Alfa BB might be better in some respects) and for the most part the contributors DO know what they are talking about. Some of them have worked on them and/or raced them professionally for decades.
A choice to join (or stay in) a club is purely a personal thing, I'm not saying AROC is perfect, to be fair there is a lot of discussion about this matter on AROC's own forum and I'm probably on the your side of the fence to a certain extent. But the reasons you are quoting for not joining or renewing frankly NOT correct and are very misleading.
Can I politely suggest you open the Magazine and/or go and look on the forum!
I did say that the enjoyment of section meetings was down to me, I'm sure there are outgoing people who would be able to walk in and be in the "in crowd" in minutes, that certainly isn't me (which is my problem, not the section) but there are many people like me who also won't get anything from a section meeting. That is just the way it is. Membership and it's relative value with regards to section meetings is dependant on how friendly one is. Fact of life.
As for the magazine, I'm not sure that "grossly unfair" is accurate, there is a wonderful article on dismantling a 33 to unblock the water jet bottle in amongst the dozens of pages of adverts and new car reviews.
I do pay my membership each year, but as I said there is no compelling reason for it and I think that was what the op asked.
Steve Fox said:
I am looking forward to the racing comeback, It will take a while to get back to it's former glory although I think that those days have gone for all race series, regardless of marque, but there certainly is a lot of effort going on in the background, lets hope it is rewarded. it was just a shame that it was allowed to fade away, that was down to personalities but a lot of cars were permanently laid up and there would not be fresh cars being built just yet. Still, fingers crossed.
I'm a former alfa owner (a long time ago) and racer (more recently, but with CSCC) and I'm not aware of the back ground to the split between AROC & ARCA, but it does seem a great shame that they can't work together. I suspect that there are not enough Alfa racers left to have two series and it would be far better to have one series with full grids. i think there have been moves to work together, but maybe it hasn't come off.It's a massive generalisation, but I'd say AROC is a club for Alfa enthusiasts, AO is a forum used by people who happen to own an Alfa at the moment.
The AO forum is a lot busier than the AROC one, and there's some good stuff on there as well as a lot of noise. There's less to read on the AROC forum, but less dross too. And it's important to remember that AROC isn't just the forum.
Nothing to say you can't enjoy the best of both.
)
The AO forum is a lot busier than the AROC one, and there's some good stuff on there as well as a lot of noise. There's less to read on the AROC forum, but less dross too. And it's important to remember that AROC isn't just the forum.
Nothing to say you can't enjoy the best of both.
)I think it's unfair to call AO just a forum as the Region meets are busy and they organise some good small scale events too.
This is a point I constantly try to put forward in AROC Management circles......
I'm a member of both, was a staff member on AO & now sit on the AROC Board. Both have they're place but only one is a proper Club
This is a point I constantly try to put forward in AROC Management circles......
I'm a member of both, was a staff member on AO & now sit on the AROC Board. Both have they're place but only one is a proper Club
Squadrone Rosso said:
I think it's unfair to call AO just a forum as the Region meets are busy and they organise some good small scale events too.
This is a point I constantly try to put forward in AROC Management circles......
I'm a member of both, was a staff member on AO & now sit on the AROC Board. Both have they're place but only one is a proper Club
I was staff on both.... but left both This is a point I constantly try to put forward in AROC Management circles......
I'm a member of both, was a staff member on AO & now sit on the AROC Board. Both have they're place but only one is a proper Club
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