things not so good in clubs.

[cdw]

I have been talking to many people who are not renewing there acmoc membership because they feel that what once was is gone. The magazine is not what it was, the shows are not what they were. It is revolving around a few certain people and that is it. This is not happening just here, HCEA is having problems with there finances after purchasing land and the ATHS organization is really in trouble. Officers have resigned and the New England Chapter for about 30 years sent there charter back after the ATHS National got greedy. The National Clubs need to remember who trucks machinery around the country, spend countless hours putting shows together, working to make a show a success. Without all this, they are done.

[Cysco]

Hi cdw,
I have responded not to say what you think is wrong but to give my thoughts and observations.
I have been a member here for a couple years and attended a couple shows, which I thought were a success. I have found most everyone to be courteous and more than willing to talk to and help anyone . I don't know what once was and I don't know the certain people this revolves around but if you are talking to many people/members I am sure if they will e-mail or call their concerns to the board it will certainly help fix any problems. They do work for the club members even though without pay but with the best interest of the club I am sure..
I can understand if the participation in shows falling off a bit as this country from one coast to the other is in the midst of a recession that greatly affected the majority of the construction industry. This leaves a lot of us to prioritize our funds and I always put my family first. My "play money" is a good bit less but my enthusiasm for Cat restoring is not...
I appreciate the members here who are able to truck several pieces of equipment to the shows. I hope they are able to continue and as things improve with the economy I am sure more members will be able to bring their equipment as well. This includes myself as I would like to bring my D2 to at least one show this year.
The magazine relies on a lot of things.....submissions by members, editorials, club reports, advertising, etc. I think it is a pretty good magazine as most in the club are probably not professional writers (especially me) but the only way to improve the content is to submit articles/ideas that would interest other members. Last count I had there are 3,000 +- members......that would be a lot of input.
Overall in my opinion I think it is a great bunch of people that have a common interest......Caterpillar restoration and having fun !

Have a good day....Bill

PS...Had to clarify one thought.........I was thinking one thing and it sounded like another in text.

[Deas Plant.]

Hi, CDW.
You are entitled to your observations and opinions and far be it from me to judge or criticise them. How-wevver, I have to say that my observations are a little different.

In every aspect of life, there will be some ups and some downs. I believe the French have a saying that covers this very well: "C'est la vie". As with all organisations, there have been some who agreed and some who disagreed with some of the goings-on in this club and I would bet that most clubs of whatever interest base have similar happenings within their ranks. It is up to those who disagree to either change or accept that with which they do not agree or move on. Being disgruntled and letting everybody know it does not usually achieve much. (Have you ever seen anybody who was 'gruntled'?)

Quite often the size and enthusiasm of clubs such as this tend to be a bit cyclical, depending on current membership, the economy, the season or whatever else may have some effect on club and member activities. Usually, the ones who really care for the club and its activities and goals will stay for many years and be the backbone of the club.

Just my 0.02.

[cdw]

I was summarizing a recent discussion amoung acmoc and other club members. This is not totally my opinion and has been taken out of context.

[chriscokid]

if your dads first name is Leslie, then the date he joined is: 10/10/1997

[farmallzach]

Here is my 2 cents worth, alot has to do with the economy right now, play money is tight. I am restoring a grader right now so my money to travel has been cut to almost nothing, once I get it done I really want to take it around and show it. I am a past president of a Local chapter of the ATHS, a lot has to do with your leadership, I saw our chapter through a complete change, it kinda was just a click and we evolved it into a very active bunch of guys, and we got a bunch of young people involved. Leadership can get disgusted without participation from the membership also. I personly think the days a large national show are coming to an end with fuel prices the way they are, and we are going to see more local or regional shows. Hats off to those guys with large collections that do haul them around, it's expensive, time consuming and hard work to load and unload those machines, I've done it my self to try to make a show successfull.
Communication is very important and I think that this BB is excellent and it share a lot of members concerns and ideas. I really enjoy this web site and the Club's magazine, every issues of a magazine won't appeal to everyone. I have to say that is has been one of the most helpfull bunch of guys I have been Involved with aside with our ATHS truck club and very proud to say that I am a part of them both.

[gauntjoh]

Hi, CDW.
.........It is up to those who disagree to either change or accept that with which they do not agree or move on. .......
Just my 0.02.

Hi CDW,
I agreee with Deas, Being disgruntled usually doesn't help in these cases. Take (former) Chapter 2. We had disagreements with ACMOC which could not be resolved and so we moved on. We continue to have a very well supported club here in UK, where we all get on with our hobby. Life is too short to dwell on issues which clearly are not going to be resolved and just raise everyone's blood pressure !

On a seperate note, I can only guess that happy and content pigs make grunting noises (they are gruntled ???), so maybe a "disgruntled" pig is one which can't grunt and therefore is not happy ?

Just my 0.01p's worth.

[Roland]

I think any club is only as good as its members, sadly there is sometimes appathy
which can allow people with there own agenda to "wag the dog" so to speak so all of sudden things go a different direction to what most of the members want or clique's form
and people fall out,or dont feel welcome I think the answer is to get involved and put something in rather than just moaning from the side lines if you're not happy ...

[Deas Plant.]

Hi, CDW.
IF I have taken you out of context, please accept my apology. How-wevver, it DID come across a bit as you having a rant. Everybody is entitled to have their little rant - so long as they don't get personal, insulting, derogatory or foul-mouthed.

Again, how-wevver, rants tend to fall into one of two categories, CONstructive or DE-constructive. The CONstructive ones can be quite useful, especially if the ranter also gives some possible solutions for the perceived problems. Validity IS an essential ingredient though.

The DE-constructive ones tend to have one main result - to get people's backs up - especially if their validity is questionable. They can also get the ranter written off as a 'stirrer', a whinger, or a loose cannon - rather quickly even.

Just my 0.02.

[chriscokid]

I got that info from the members list on the acmoc webpage, so they must have it wrong it was the only heal listed.
ACMOC note:
"this membership renewal is for Leslie Byron Heal, paid for by his son Bryon Heal"