Club or MCC

[BaZa®]

Originally Posted by 45Brit

send three and fourpence, we're going to a dance...

Naw.....Send reinforcements, we are going to advance....

[45Brit]

Originally Posted by Tones

As an extra to this quite interesting thread...................

Twas having a chat in local when I happened to mention that I might look in on a local group of fellow 2 wheeled enthusiasts, who have openly advertised for new members, when I was informed that I would have to 'prospect' for them before I could join. This came from a gentleman who is a member of a local group of side patchers whom are all good people, and also follow the 'prospect' system.

I thought that if you advertise for membership then you are an open club, whereas if you 'prospect' then it is invite only?

Having done the prospect thing many many years ago, followed by extreme diasappointment, how many on here would do the prospect thing?

I wouldn't as I already belong here and don't wanna go antwhere else!

most clubs of most types, in most walks of life, have some sort of introductory period during which both sides assess whether they think the other has anything useful or desirable to offer, and whether they fit in. How much and how, is a different question.

[Ade67]

I like this thread, after all I started it, the thread they tried to stop! so to speak.
You can't say it's not interesting.
I will add though that I have the greatest respect for all bike groups, clubs and MC/MCC's. I was on a bike at 15 and never got off.
In another life I would be very active in this area but unfortunately I'm not. Perhaps later I will have the time. I love debate and long live the thread.
As for prospecting it's no different from employment other than on a social level, many employers put you on a years trial before making you substantive.
No subject should be out of bounds and I believe we should be able to discuss any and all issues in a constructive way.
I sincerely hope to get along at some point to a meeting and be part of this fine club.
Ade

[the_monster]

Originally Posted by Ade67

I was on a bike at 15 and never got off.

you must have one hell of an iron arse

[Ade67]

Big arse, lol

[Ade67]

I'm still laughing, excellent.

[Mantis]

Originally Posted by Tones

As an extra to this quite interesting thread...................

Twas having a chat in local when I happened to mention that I might look in on a local group of fellow 2 wheeled enthusiasts, who have openly advertised for new members, when I was informed that I would have to 'prospect' for them before I could join. This came from a gentleman who is a member of a local group of side patchers whom are all good people, and also follow the 'prospect' system.

I thought that if you advertise for membership then you are an open club, whereas if you 'prospect' then it is invite only?

Having done the prospect thing many many years ago, followed by extreme diasappointment, how many on here would do the prospect thing?

I wouldn't as I already belong here and don't wanna go antwhere else!

Most MCC clubs its not really prospecting to much, attend a few meetings and a couple of rallies and if your OK and the people in the club like you, then often the Prospecting part is just to make sure you not an idiot or a trouble maker, often MCC patch consist of a small patch with club emblem and an MCC patch and an officer patch, a prospective member gets the emblem untill they check out OK.

Advertising really is just to make people aware you exist as for attracting new members, in my experience people come to the club anyway, advertising rarley attracts any quality prospective members.

Prospecting for an MCC club and prospecting for the other clubs is a totally different ballgame.

[45Brit]

One thing I would be interested to know, relates to MC members and other clubs. From what I gather from the usual third-hand sources, it's my understanding that membership of a back-patch club is a matter of 'sole exclusivity'. I see a number of clubs over the course of the year, and I have no recollection of a member of such an organisation taking part in an ACU or AMCA event.

Same applies to events like Red Marley or Mablethorpe, which usually have 'day membership' for insurance reasons.

I've never been to the Bulldog Bash, because it's during the grasstrack season and I tend to be otherwise occupied, but from what I gather it's a matter of signing on, on the day, with no 'membership' connotations.

of course, this may simply be that I am mistaken over something which isn't paid much attention to in racing circles, but I'd be interested to know.

[Old_Bob]

Lots of clubs require proof that a person is both serious about being a member and also that they will be eventually be an asset to the club.
Let's face it, it's no good just sitting there and not getting involved.

I'm a member of a very exclusive village club down here in Sussex, where the sun always shines , called The Crowborough, Uckfield & Nutley Taverners Society. We attend many events that are dedicated to the art of 'Quaffing' and we operate a system where a prospective member has to go through Three levels of investigation and initiation. The investigation levels include the inspection of the wallet (to ensure the candidate can afford membership). the inspection of the body (to ensure the candidate can endure the rigours of membership) and the inspection of the mind (to find out why anyone would want to be a member). Once these investigations are proven in the candidates favour the initiation then takes place. I am pledged to secrecy with respect to the full extent of the initiation but suffice to say it involves proving that the candidate can maintain his equilibrium during a period of enforced quaffing and then to be able to explain to a higher authority why they are in such a state and of course explaining to that authority the answer to "What time of the night do you think this is"? An ability to kick cats is, at this time, considered a pre-requisite.

There used to be an 'inner circle' of members who operated a Munching Club and who had an insignia of 'dribbly egg' worn on the Tie and the High Potentates regalia had to include a vestment with evidence of three types of curry. This group disbanded when certain members disgraced the club by allowing the intake of a greasy kebab and the shame was so intense that it was decided to remove and burn the members regalia thus rendering the club defunct.

Although it has nothing to do with the above, the moral is that 'it doesn't matter what club you are a member of as long as you show respect to your fellow members and also to the members of other similar clubs'.

Bugger, the Bolloxometer has blown a fuse

[simonDyna]

Originally Posted by 45Brit

I've never been to the Bulldog Bash, because it's during the grasstrack season and I tend to be otherwise occupied, but from what I gather it's a matter of signing on, on the day, with no 'membership' connotations.

Pretty much spot on.

You do not need an ACU licence for Bulldog Bash or any of the other RWYB events at Long Marston or Santa Pod.

You do need to produce your licence, sign a disclaimer and signing on form and pay the registration fee. Your kit and your bike must also pass scrutineering. Whilst organisers are always keen for everyone to have a go, the level of scrutineering is always high.

As you can imagine, there are some wierd and wonderful bikes that turn up for the RWYB at Bulldog. Les and the other guys who do the scrutineering will do what they can to help you pass the inspection but if the bike or your kit isnt safe, you arent going down the strip.

Safety first and foremost and quite rightly so.