The Evolution and Demise of a Club

[Warlock]

I’ve been a member of many clubs over the years, including computer clubs, car clubs, RC model clubs, and motorcycle clubs.  I’ve observed a troubling trend among most clubs.  There seems to be four phases to a club:

Phase one, organization:
A small group of people who enjoy a hobby realize that it could be beneficial to start a simple association to better share their passion.  They put out the word to let others know about the group, and invite them to join.

Phase two, growth:
As more people join, they organize functions and share experiences, offering help to fledgling hobbyists.  Most members jump in and help with the responsibilities, and a lot is accomplished.   As growth continues, most members continue to contribute to the club, and everyone is having a great time.

Phase three, bloat:
The club has prospered, and many people now want to be a part of it.  Unfortunately, most new members join only to receive the benefits of the club, and have no intention of contributing.  As the membership swells, participation goes down, and fewer people are willing to continue to volunteer their time and energy.

Phase four, invasion:
The club now sports very large membership numbers.  People with a religious or political agenda view the club as fresh fodder for their viewpoints.  They join, and constantly try to steer conversations towards their pet subjects.  They try to divide the club into subsections in an effort to sort out who’s “on their side”.   The divisiveness and bickering takes a toll on the membership, and fewer and fewer members participate.  Eventually the club collapses.

Unfortunately, the VRCC seems to be in Phase four.  I don’t know if we’ll ever recover the glory days of past years, but we can try.

Maybe I didn't take offense as some did here. I really didn't think much about his post other than a opinion of his. Instead of attaching him might have said I hope you're wrong and let it be. But with everyone attacking him makes me wonder. And for everyone wants to see his bike, kinda child-est. I guess I don't let it get under my skin.
David

[Pete]

Until it becomes mandatory to read political post  --- VRCC will be fine.
When it becomes mandatory to read political post  --- VRCC will be done.

VRCC is not known for its political post  --- although there are some.
And VRCC will not live or die because someone post political.

The only thing that will end VRCC is apathy  --- and I do not see any of that.....
 

[fudgie]

Hell I really dont care what phase others think i am in. Lifes to short to worry about what others think of me.

[big turkey]

Bobbo,, Strong Eagle and the like are cowards to the truth that most of America is

conservative, Christian , and pretty damn smart.

He is the Devil's advocate and will always be , so Bobbo why not post a pic of your bike.

Maybe a road trip expo of pics.

Do something constructive and not destructive and you may start having fun again and

not this you are all wrong mantra.

Do you even own a Bike?

And by the way get a life and have some fun.

I do and love all who post here even you.

Big Ole Huggable Loveable Al

[JetDriver]

It seems the best ideas I'm getting from this post is, "Don't attack people!"  And yet, the attacks continue.  Seems to me that Bobbo is offering a bit of a "peace flag" with his later posts.  He has said, also, that the way his original post is being interpreted by most is not what he meant.  Are we open to ideas or not?  To be open does not mean we have to agree.  To be civil means we don't attack.  The comments that are being made- who of us would say these things to a persons face in a public place?  Why is our behavior different here?

[Valkahuna]

I have only been a member since June (?), and I have not have the pleasure of meeting any of you except on this board. I hope to fix that this winter down in Florida. I have also been in many clubs and organizations. Some thriving, and others not. This club is exciting and vibrant. It provides forums for anyone, no matter what their belief or opinion. 

The technical board will provide answers to about any question you may have about the bikes we are all so passionate about. 

But the greatest thing I find about VRCC is the shared concerns for anyone who comes here when they are threatened, or need help or support for anything. I have posted about this, and the fact that the people I have met here are as a whole some of the finast people anywhere. Truly a family!

Doesn't feel to me like a club or group in its final throes. Besides, you guys can't quit before I get the chance to share the wind with at least some of you. I mean jeez, I haven't even figured out how to post up any pics as yet, so you all can't quit. 

Hey Valkhuna...not to hijack the thread or anything like that, but what part of CT are you from?  Anywhere near Lebanon/Willimantic?

JimL,

I'm from Woodstock. NE corner of the state. About 22 miles from Willimantic and 35 from Lebanon. I ride through Lebanon on Rt 207 all the time..

[JimL]

JimL,

I'm from Woodstock. NE corner of the state. About 22 miles from Willimantic and 35 from Lebanon. I ride through Lebanon on Rt 207 all the time..

The beautiful part of Connecticut indeed.  My in-laws live in Lebanon which means that we are up that way most every summer before we head up to Winnepesaukee.  I'm trailering my bike up there next summer so I can ride the White Mountains.

When you get a chance, shoot me an email and I will give you a shout the next time I am up there on the bike.

Here is a photo of the snow in Willimantic Christmas before last.......

[alph]

Here is a photo of the snow in Willimantic Christmas before last.......

you know, posting pictures of snow really makes me depressed.  what i hate is the -20* high temps that come with it!!

[JimL]

you know, posting pictures of snow really makes me depressed.  what i hate is the -20* high temps that come with it!!

Darn it alph, that what you get for living right smack dab in the middle of Wisconsin!  However it is certainly nice there during the summer....I really enjoyed my ride through Oshkosh, Green Bay and Marinette on the way to Inzane.

My wife snapped this photo on the backroads of WI (I think it was WI-26...but I could be wrong), one of my favorite photos of the trip.

[GreenLantern57]

Wow Bobbo! I thought that was a good write up. Seen it lots of time myself.
(The following is MY F'n opinion)
I have to agree with others that a political realm should be separate. I get tired of seeing all the posts on all sides of the octogon (whatever). Usually ends in name calling instead of rational thoughts.
The only political post that belong on a motorcycle forum is laws and bad enforcement, or laws trying to get passed by govenment that are motorcycle restrictive.

[stude31]

Hey JimL if you get up that way make sure you holler at Wildman (Tom Zermani) he will for sure take you on some good roads up there.

Anyhow back to the subject at hand.  I agree maybe by chance his post was taken the wrong way.  As in the movie "Bucketlist" the first stage is denial.  Not that I believe we are on a downward slippery slope here but I can see how groups or clubs could have a falling out.  I must say like many others.  This is family to me, I have experience true brotherhood and sisterhood (even if I am called "butthead"... huh um   )   Like a post previously mention we will have our falling outs with some but doesn't mean that we would truly leave them stranded if they were in our area.  Hell I would even help out strong eagle or even after scanners previous posts of me calling him a troll I would still help him out.  It's all part of life.   I can see that this topic could be like what Willow mentioned in a topic about internet trolls.  This could fit in line if we assume that is what Bobbo was wanting to do was to throw out some chum and see who would "bite".  I personally don't have a problem with his comment and would rather take the "higher road".  

Bobbo come out to Kansas or visit your local vrcc friends and relish the moment it is really worth the time.  I hope to meet you at InZane next year.  You should really try and make it.  

My suggestion to you Bobbo is to post more on the "real" stuff.  Like the posts for Clintdivco who is on a battle of his own and prayers are good for the soul.   Or post about bikes for sale in your area and you being willing to go look at them for a fellow vrcc member out of state, just get involved and not just sit on the sidelines.  Get involved, heck it's fun and you make great friends.

I was on the phone with Tom Lugucki for an hour tonight.  Heard his voice for the first time and we had a great time visiting and talking about what he missed at InZane this year and how to fix the crack in his saddlebag.  We ended the conversation with a take care and keep in touch.   Everyone has a story we should all stop talking sometimes and just listen.  You might learn something... Even from those who are drinking the "kool-aid"  

God Bless all of you on this special holiday weekend.  Remember all your ancestors that worked and labored when their were no labor laws and no vacations.  Take it all in and be thankful for this board and the friends that you have made here.  

Cheers my friends!  

[Daniel Meyer]

insert some good stuff here...

AND we have pie! No group with the kind of pie we have can possibly die. 

[Scott in Ok]

There is a ton of irony in this thread, and on a lot of political threads around here.

A group of people who are continuously pointing fingers at another group as the problem are actually more of the problem than the solution.  Mouthful, eh?

Bobbo, I agree to an extent with what you are saying.  As a whole, I think the VRCC is very healthy.  The message board, not so much. I think we run off as many as we get as new members.  Sad really.  From an admin perspective, we're cursed if we do, and cursed if we don't.  Very frustrating.

-Scott

[Bobbo]

Well said.

As more and more Valkyries become unusable, the amount of people available to join us will diminish as well.  It will become more important than ever not to run off new members who are looking for something to enhance their new pride and joy.

[valkmc]

I have never been to Inzane or any of the other VRCC rides, I have owned mine since I bought it new in July of 98. I visit this site because I enjoy reading about the bike and I also like to hear from others who have had more experience concerning the bike than I. They have saved me much time and $. I think I am a glutton for punishment because I read the political post (they often make me smile) and find it difficult to be offended or see how some are offended by the banter. Just my 2 cents but I would miss the political rants if they were no longer allowed.

I suspect there are many members like myself who fall somewhere between the far right or left who enjoy listening to the debates even if they digress to name calling. One thing I think most of us agree on, we ride a great bike and live in a great country where we can disagree loudly with out persecution. The club and the board seem fine to me, the state of our government is a different story.

[Bobbo]

I think I am a glutton for punishment because I read the political post (they often make me smile) and find it difficult to be offended or see how some are offended by the banter. Just my 2 cents but I would miss the political rants if they were no longer allowed.

I wholeheartedly agree that passionate discussion, even political, is a healthy part of any organization.  But, when easily disproven, but commonly accepted propaganda is introduced, that’s when the discussion becomes unhealthy, IMHO.