How come???

[Man Jerk]

Our club does require someone attend 2 meetings and 1 event to be a member. The rules are kept pretty loose though. An event could be just about anything. Could be our tri-yearly adopt a highway, or just about anything else. We do also vote our members in. Can't say that in the 1.5 years I've been a member that I've ever seen anyone not voted in.
No maximum size neither.

We don't require that members attend meetings. Some people's schedules do not allow them to attend.

You do make some great points though Butch.

 

[nakman]

Actually Romer, we aced the "voting each other in" rule, last year some time. Like the Minnesota folks, can't remember not voting someone in, and it sorta seemed silly to do it in meetings. So (cmiiw) the Rising Sun requirements are now: 1. you have to attend at least one meeting, and 2. you have to attend at least one Rising Sun event. Doesn't have to be a wheeling event, can be a clean-up, or our summer picnic, or the Xmas party, heck you could probably just ride shotgun on a run with someone else and count that.

I don't think these little barriers have hurt membership much, and in fact it makes it a little more special to the guys who do join as new members, for completing these little prerequisites. Also gives the rest of the club a chance to get to know the new guys, and more importantly gives the new guys a chance to meet some of the other members. One thing that probably shocks folks (surprised me a little) is how darn family-oriented we are.. we don't drink & smoke pot on runs, instead we bring our kids & parents along... and we actually donate money to police. There are plenty of other clubs around here that are more about partying it up, fabbing up the cheapest lift possible then bashing through mud holes..

Also we're not Cruiser-only, like you said even Jeep and Zuki guys can join they just can't vote. And I think it's cool that everyone's required to join TLCA regardless of how many Cruisers they have, though I don't hear any of the Runner guys complaining about getting Trails 6x a year, that mag flat out rules no matter what you drive. Good post, Butch, makes us all look at how we do things, if something else doesn't seem right we'll toss it. -tim

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Wasatch Cruisers have both a run & activity attendance policy...

 

[Texican]

Wasatch Cruisers have both a run & activity attendance policy...

This does not tell us much, what type policy?
If someone fails do you boot him?
Butch

 

[cruiseroutfit]

This does not tell us much, what type policy?
If someone fails do you boot him?
Butch

Sorry, sent it before I was finished typing...

The Wasatch Cruisers require at least 2 activities (club social, dinner, etc) and one run (we have montly runs). They also must pay the WCC dues and be a current TLCA member. This was voted on by our Presidency (I am not an elected, voting member, I am the Land-Use dude)... Members that fail to comply, or don't make an effort to improve, are removed from the club mailing list, thus preventing them from receiving club info.

The reasoning was to keep a high-standard within the members... Kindve a toss up for me, I am the President of the U4WDA and we have ZERO requirements to join besides paying your dues. The U4WDA (includes ~20 Utah clubs) focuses solely on keeping trails OPEN... so we can use all the $$$ and member support (even if just a number) that we can get.

Hope that helps...

 

[Texican]

The reasoning was to keep a high-standard within the members... QUOTE]


note to self: "Don't move to SLC cause they won't let you in the Cruiser Club there"

Butch

 

[hatfieldcb]

note to self: "Don't move to SLC cause they won't let you in the Cruiser Club there"

Butch

Anyone outside our area can join Rising Sun as an Associate (non-voting) member. We'll let you in Butch!

See our website: www.risingsun4x4club.org/joinrs.asp

Chris Hatfield

 

[hj60]

Could always be like us. We'rean anarchist type of club. No rules. No requirements.
Although, I suspect as we progress towards becoming a more organised club, that'll change.
I think this discussion will play a part in the formation and adoption of our bylaws. We shall see.
Hell, we haven't even officially adopted our name yet.

 

[pappy]

A strict 4x4 club:
___________
Prior to becoming a Club Member you must first accumulate 5 "points".

You get 1 point for a attending a club meeting or a day run, and three points for an overnight event. Regular membership is $30.00 per family per year. Associate membership is $15.00 per family per year. However, dues will not be accepted from new members until they have accumulated at least 5 points, and have been "voted in" by the Regular Membership.

From By-Laws:

B. Voting membership shall be limited to Members in good standing who are registered owners of a four wheel drive vehicle, are at least eighteen (18) years of age, hold a valid driver’s license, and carry at least the minimum amount of auto insurance required by the laws of the State of ???; or who are sponsored by such a Member. Good standing shall be described as having dues paid current.

C. Associate Members are those Members in good standing who, because of distance or other conflicts, are unable to participate in the business and events of the Club on a regular basis, but who wish to maintain contact and support the Club with their dues. Associate Members are not entitled to vote or hold office in the Corporation, but are otherwise entitled to all the rights and privileges of Voting Members.

They also issue "fines" during runs.

 

[Texican]

Anyone outside our area can join Rising Sun as an Associate (non-voting) member. We'll let you in Butch!

See our website: www.risingsun4x4club.org/joinrs.asp

Chris Hatfield

After 2 CM's partying with Zepp and Iggy, and bringing the big ass tent this year, I feel like an associate already, funny story, about 12 or 14 people showed up at the LSLC tent this past year wanting to register, they had puzzled looks when we pointed out the registration tent........guess they thought big tent=registration....

Butch

 

[hatfieldcb]

A......guess they thought big tent=registration....

Butch

Even though we have a big sign saying "REGISTRATION". Ah, you gotta love it. They probably heard your tent was where all the beer was.

Was it one of these guys?

Chris

 

[atoyot]

Did he make it? Hu hu?

 

[ginericLC]

NW Cruisers has a 3 function rule. Basically you show up to 3 functions and pay your dues and you are in. We are looking at reducing the number of functions or eliminating them completely this next year, due to some folks outside of the Boise region. Originally the club was going to be real exclusive, 40s only. This was as a result of a falling out with a multimake SWB club. However, it was changed to be Toyota 4 wheel drives with emphasis on the older models. I was the first person to pay dues to the club, I was scared they wouldn't let me in. At the time I only had my 60. The first year there was only one other wagon owner, a 55. It took 3 years before a mini truck joined. We've never had a 4Runner member. I think next year the doors will be opened up for more Toyota 4wds to join.

Tornado Alley is easy. Join TLCA, pay your dues, and have fun!

LSLC is the easiest, and they have the coolest logo!

 

[pjohnson]

MTA has requirements to join. You must attend 3 out of 4 straight club meetings and attend 3 overnight runs. Also, TLCA and CAL4Wheel membership is required.

There are two primary purposes to membership requirements: first is to give everyone a chance to get to know each other. The prospective member may not like the "culture" of the club or it's politics. The club may decide the prospect doesn't fit in. May sound harsh, but it's reality. Second, is committment. Meeting attendance requirements shows a minimum level of committment to being a member.

Membership fluctuates around 18 - 22 families with friends and guests welcome as much and often as they wish. Heck, the father of a guy who actually got booted (yup, it happens) is a member of another club, drives a J@@p and attends every meeting. He's a great guy and always welcome.

Phil

 

[TRT2]

I envy the commitment MTA members have to their club.

Because of the commitment Phil notes, when MTA puts its energy towards a task (be it hosting their event Frolic or volunteering to help another event or simply participating in a local run or charity drive) there is exceptional turnout from all members.

I know when we (Roger and I) initiated our Club in the North Bay, I called many Chapters listed in Trails and MTA was the only one who really took the time to answer my questions about what worked and what did not work. While we chose different membership requirements, we did borrow lots of stuff from MTA, primarily their BoneHead Award (PMC Terminology, forget what MTA called it) and its been a lot of fun.

back to my original point, by utilizing membership requirements, MTA (and other Clubs) ensure member commitment to the club and I do believe that's important.

 

[pjohnson]

I envy the commitment MTA members have to their club.

Because of the commitment Phil notes, when MTA puts its energy towards a task (be it hosting their event Frolic or volunteering to help another event or simply participating in a local run or charity drive) there is exceptional turnout from all members.

I know when we (Roger and I) initiated our Club in the North Bay, I called many Chapters listed in Trails and MTA was the only one who really took the time to answer my questions about what worked and what did not work. While we chose different membership requirements, we did borrow lots of stuff from MTA, primarily their BoneHead Award (PMC Terminology, forget what MTA called it) and its been a lot of fun.

back to my original point, by utilizing membership requirements, MTA (and other Clubs) ensure member commitment to the club and I do believe that's important.

Thanks for the kind words Tony. We still have challenges sometimes with finding volunteers, but it may be a bit easier. IMO, over time, the committment also tends to result in closer ties to other members in the club.

FWIW, our bonehead award is called The Bell. It's a hand bell about 8" tall. The Bell can be bestowed upon a member for any number of stupid moves except trail breakage (unless said breakage was predicated by incorrect re-assembly or somesuch). It is required to be visibly hung in the recipient's 4x4 vehicle where it can swing freely for the duration of possession. If, at any time, another club member finds The Bell improperly displayed, the owner of The Bell must buy the member a steak dinner. There have been times when The Bell has escaped and been found wandering many miles frome home. Last year The Bell took a vacation and provided periodic e-mail updates describing the exotic locales it was visiting. Over the years The Bell has also been kidnapped and held for ransom (typically a steak dinner) numerous times.

Phil

 

[cruiseroutfit]

... Also, TLCA and CAL4Wheel membership is required...

That is awesome CAL4Wheel does alot of good things...

 

[bad_religion_au]

our 4x4 club in aust, cowboys from hell 4x4 club requires nothing to join, except knowing us. our last club run was a year ago, at the moment i think we have 5 trucks spread over 4 members, along with plenty of cars, and the occasional member that is purely a member by buying a used truck off one of us, and forgetting to remove the windscreen sticker... at the moment we got my 40 and 45, a mates 75 tray on 35's. a huge 4runner with IFS and 33's and a massive patrol shorty on about 38's, and no front CV's (don't laugh he makes it further than all us in 2wd). guy used to run 36's on a 40 before he A. rolled it, B snapped the chassis doind a mono in third, then C smashed it into an immovable object at about 80 k's an hour.


ohh, membership usually involves buying a windscreen sticker if we ever have any in stock...

 

[trainrech]

Well, judging by the posts I've read, our club is the easiest to be a member of. Have a Toyota (not sure if we included selectable) 4WD and pay $10 per year. We only have a single meeting per year. We do require TLCA membership, but don't immediately bounce someone if/when it lapses.

That said, our regulars at events are pretty small in numbers.

 

[72cruiser]

sup fellas,

yeah, i think the majority of those requirement things are crap. if i wanted requirements or checklists so i could be a member i would go back to kindergarten and put name back on the shiny sticker star board...

i don't even think you 'have to' have a toyota to join upstate cruisers (just tryin to back up my club, ha ha). i know a couple of guys are members, and they just come and hang out with their buds that have the cruisers. we have one 'big' meeting a year and we meet at various local sonics once a month or there about...none of those are required, but it sucks to miss em

also, abt the website for us, i don't know what all's goin on with that. i think it pretty much sucks b/c nothing is gettin done with it... we have a domain, but nothing is on it as of yet. (and i just checked it, and i get a 404...crap. it used to be www.upstatecruisers.org )

i know that i showed up for my first meeting in a buick le sabre, ha ha, and i had a great time.

they encourage membership in TLCA, but don't require it really.
10 or 15 bucks a year gets a couple stickers and you get put on the email list, and get a newletter.


oh, and todd, you should mos def come down and hang out with some of us sometime. it'd be a blast, and i'm sure we could get into some wheelin if you'd like...
there are 4 or 5 of us that go to school at clemson (or just live near by) and get together to wrench of wheel quite frequently.


have a good one y'all,
malphrus