What do you want out of your VW Club?

[Ironman]

Understandably there is a wave of feelings about the future of local "VW Drivers Clubs" with the old VW Air-cooled gang verses us Watercooled guys. What I want to know is what would it take to not only get some of you guys to attend a Drivers Club meeting but to keep returning.
I am finding the retention rate to be quite low because the Air-cooled guys are stuck in the same old routine. It just doesn't represent the current trends and what the younger generation (us watercooled guys) want or find appealing. I attend these meetings because I want to see what can be achieved. I now have a passion for VW's and want to make it more popular, as the general public are buying the new Mk5 and 6's I think they appreciate them in a different light.

So please feel free to make some suggestions I want to hear your opinion. To keep the club alive after all the air-cooled dinosaurs have gone we need to change the perception. We all aren't wankers driving around in plastic cars (alot of the oldies believe this).
Meetings can be boring so lets make them more interesting!

So what do you want out of a Drivers Club?
What events would you like to attend?
How can we as the Drivers Club not only attract you but keep you in the club?

[team_v]

Understandably there is a wave of feelings about the future of local "VW Drivers Clubs" with the old VW Air-cooled gang verses us Watercooled guys. What I want to know is what would it take to not only get some of you guys to attend a Drivers Club meeting but to keep returning.
I am finding the retention rate to be quite low because the Air-cooled guys are stuck in the same old routine. It just doesn't represent the current trends and what the younger generation (us watercooled guys) want or find appealing. I attend these meetings because I want to see what can be achieved. I now have a passion for VW's and want to make it more popular, as the general public are buying the new Mk5 and 6's I think they appreciate them in a different light.

So please feel free to make some suggestions I want to hear your opinion. To keep the club alive after all the air-cooled dinosaurs have gone we need to change the perception. We all aren't wankers driving around in plastic cars (alot of the oldies believe this).
Meetings can be boring so lets make them more interesting!

So what do you want out of a Drivers Club?
What events would you like to attend?
How can we as the Drivers Club not only attract you but keep you in the club?

The idea is there but it needs to be built upon.
More events need to be held (like our monthly euro meets)
And some actual driving since it is called the VW Drivers club?

I know that Dave? is working ont he Motorkhana day so that helps and we do have the VW show at Wynnum as well which is good.

The retention is a bit of an issue as people are getting busier and can't make time for these things.
I couldn't make last night becasue i had other plans but you get some people who are working, others studying, some who have kids and can't just leave the wife/partner at ahome to look after them etc.

[wai]

The majority of car clubs fail because they end up being clubs where people want to thrash the life out of their cars.

There are many who simply want to enjoy their vehicles (after all, they represent a major purchase) and the social aspects that follow. They do not want to use their vehicles in such a way that they end up requiring expensive maintenance or repairs all because they thrashed them for a bit of fun.

There is no harm in having events where those interested can do this to their cars and the rest watch it happen. Unfortunately, those who watch are then looked down on.

A drivers club does not have to be one where cars are thrashed. There is more to driving than driving fast.

I have been a club member of other marques and interest was quickly lost when they turned like this.

The other thing is that making it an Us vs Them does not help attracting members either. It will probably keep numbers down.

[Ironman]

The majority of car clubs fail because they end up being clubs where people want to thrash the life out of their cars.

There are many who simply want to enjoy their vehicles (after all, they represent a major purchase) and the social aspects that follow. They do not want to use their vehicles in such a way that they end up requiring expensive maintenance or repairs all because they thrashed them for a bit of fun.

There is no harm in having events where those interested can do this to their cars and the rest watch it happen. Unfortunately, those who watch are then looked down on.

A drivers club does not have to be one where cars are thrashed. There is more to driving than driving fast.

I have been a club member of other marques and interest was quickly lost when they turned like this.


The other thing is that making it an Us vs Them does not help attracting members either. It will probably keep numbers down.

This is exactly the Stigma that we are trying to get rid of. Mostly the events organised by the Drivers Club of Queensland are Cruises down to the Coast or up the coast for a BBQ or mountain drives to a pub or eatery. Alot of the old boys don't like thrashing their cars, and alot of us younger ones are like that too. This club that i'm trying to do a bit of research for is basically trying to get more people involved in a positive manner. For instance for the last 25 years they have been holding a VW Action Day and have approx 150 VW's attend but they are pretty much all aircooled. As new watercooled members to the club (and more joining all the time) we just want to have a scene where people can get together and appreciate the cars and share knowledge. If people want to go and thrash their cars they can do it before or after the event... Doesn't bother me
For example, the Euro Meets that I have organised on here with some success are fantastic. You get a pretty decent turnout, we get a few BMW's and Lotus', new and old VW's but the old beetle's usually don't attend. We take photo's and chat to the owners and ask questions and learn about the history and what has been done to the cars. Creating interest and heaven forbid Learning lol.

In short we don't have events at raceways all the time, and we don't lap the city.
I wanted to hear what you would like to do?! What you would like to get out of being a member of a club?! Maybe even what you could contribute?!

Food for thought!

Ironman

[wai]

In short we don't have events at raceways all the time, and we don't lap the city.
I wanted to hear what you would like to do?! What you would like to get out of being a member of a club?! Maybe even what you could contribute?!

Food for thought!

Ironman

If you can get one going on those lines, then you will get the numbers. People really like the social aspects of these clubs, and the fact that something is organised. It is hard to organise something just for yourself, so when there are others, it makes things so much better.

You can even organise technical events where you get various suppliers/manufacturers to come and give a talk on things. Heck, even try and rope VW themselves in.

Lastly, don't forget the kids. They might not have a VW, but there needs to be something to keep them amused otherwise the parents cannot make it either.

Anyhow, good luck.

[Water Boy]

The majority of car clubs fail because they end up being clubs where people want to thrash the life out of their cars.

The thing I find with most clubs is they dont want to "thrash" their cars. Thats why my Dad and I are members of a motorsport based club, where the aim in track days, hill climbs etc.

Majority of VW clubs here in Aus are more concerned with concourse condition as aposed to modified. "Aircoolers" are just scared of radiators.

[STIDUB]

choose your words wisely here guys, think twice before hitting enter if you have never experienced both sides of the fence, ignorance = stupidity, which is what SOME on BOTH sides are trying to avoid.

Wai, we have NOTHING in the club as an organised "car thrashing" event. ive been shot down about it despite responses on air/water forums that showed interest was there.

waterboy...careful there, sydney is VERY different to here - you would be lucky to find any concourse cars owned by members that ive seen in 2-3years



from my fence sitting position - and yes its painful every damn time im sitting there. it boils down to stubborn/traditional V ignorant/demanding, curious why? come to a meeting haha - last meeting actually saw some give/take amongst young & old, i couldnt be happier, its just a VERY slow process.

if nobody compromises nobody wins.

not to mention an actual car club(registered business in simple terms) has legal/political responsibilities that a forum seems to avoid, untill **** hits the fan that is.

[maca]

if nobody compromises nobody wins.

It takes two to tango, and I can only see one person dancing...

[Water Boy]

choose your words wisely here guys, think twice before hitting enter if you have never experienced both sides of the fence, ignorance = stupidity, which is what SOME on BOTH sides are trying to avoid.

waterboy...careful there, sydney is VERY different to here - you would be lucky to find any concourse cars owned by members that ive seen in 2-3years

Ahhhhh im not from Sydney.

I own a '58 and '59 big window bug. Dad has a '56 oval and we have some others hidden away.

[mikinoz]

It's interesting conversation, but stay on point please and not personally sledge.

[DonJuan]

I went to the gold coast vee dub club show to look at the air-cooled cars... Loved the chance for pics, etc... Would like to see a few mixed events or days where it can be the simple cruise and photo opportunity with some lunch in amongst some beautiful scenery...

Track style days are ok too but not ideal for mixing air and water... If we want to move the club forwarded a combined group it definitely needs lots of middle ground.

My two cents.

[STIDUB]

Steph here, not STIDUB.

The club actually holds events where we go to barbecues, go to barefoot bowls etc. but nobody shows up. So the older generation of our members go and do things they want to do without the younger ones. Fair enough. If you want to organise an event and get everyone interested, great! But somebody has to actually turn up to it. Lol. Which is what a lot of people AREN'T doing.

I think clubs should have cruises up Nebo etc, trips to the drive-in, barbecues on the river, build days - where one member asks for some help and puts on a bbq and a case and others come to give them a hand. I know STIDUB could use some help to get up and running before Oxenford

Keeping in mind, a lot of air-cooled owners also own water-cooled cars these days, because some times an old restored dub just isn't what they need for a daily. So there needs to be less of the segregation and more participation on all sides.

I love the club, I think it's a great thing to be a part of. And if we aim now to change things for next year, well, there can only be some good in that. It's just gotta be done the right way. Thanks for making the thread, Ironman. Hopefully some actual suggestions will come through.

I still like the idea of a motorkhana/drag day at willowbank for a bit of fun.