club

[go_inbroke]

A few of us in our small town in south /central Illinois are thinking about starting a British Car Club. We know how to wrench, clean, drive, and pay, but we have no knowledge on how to start a club. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[JodyFKerr]

First things first, you all need to figure out how formal you will be. A club can be anything from a bunch of mates going on cruises to a formal entity with presidents, secretaries and the like.

I'd also contact the VTR (https://www.vtr.org/). Most national organizations have all sorts of information/assistance on forming clubs. (I pointed out the VTR because you're in the Triumph forum)

I've been involved in a number of different clubs over the years and have been trying to organize a Jensen club here in Phoenix for a while. It's really all about what you guys want to get out of the club that defines how to form it.

Jody

 

[go_inbroke]

Informal at first...We are looking for enough credibility to attract members throughout the area. Different cars from the 60s and 70s (TRs, MGs, Healeys, etc.

Part swaps, info, engineering (how to make it work when it's not supposed to), wrenching...

A couple of us go to other shows and find several other owners that are from very small towns within driving distance, and have no where to congregate with other LBC enthusiasts.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Our club sort of did it backwards -- starting with a highly organized structure with officers and by-laws and finally coming around to the joy of driving and casual gatherings.

We meet ever Tuesday morning for coffee at a Starbucks. Supposed to be 7:30 to about 9:00 but usually lasts until 10:00, esp if not too hot. People come and go (some have to get to work!) some don't even drink coffee.

So long as you buy coffee and sit outside they don't seem to mind how long you hang out.

For drives a good start can be a recurring breakfast drive. We do ours the 2nd Saturday of every month -- start early, drive fast, eat greasy food.

 

[AngliaGT]

Start out with a phone list (or email list),& see
if there's interest in carrying it any further.I've
done it by phone list,& it seems to work well - no
pressure,no dues,no rules,& no people wanting to tell
others what to do.

- Doug

 

[Andrew Mace]

...no
pressure,no dues,no rules,& no people wanting to tell
others what to do.

Oh, and for the most part, no (or very little) liability that way. As soon as anything gets serious and organized, arguably the two best things to do are 1. incorporate and 2. look into liability insurance for meetings and events. Insurance can be expensive, but it sure beats the alternative!

 

[Brosky]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]1. incorporate and 2. look into liability insurance for meetings and events. Insurance can be expensive, but it sure beats the alternative![/QUOTE]

You are absolutely correct.

Sigh..........we live in a far too litigious society these days.

 

[Silverghost]

Lived in a bunch of places, seen a bunch of clubs...I am really impressed with the ChicagolandMGclub. They really seem to have it together. Not a bad source for how to set up and run a club, imho

 

[go_inbroke]

Lots of good thoughts...Never even thought about the liability angle.
Phone and email list is a great idea. As long as I don't have to drink English beer I will be ok. (Guinness looks like 30 weight)

 

[martx-5]

... As long as I don't have to drink English beer I will be ok. (Guinness looks like 30 weight)

Guinness is Irish...tough for a lot of people to drink. However, there are many good English Ales out there. Start out with a Bass Ale. You might be pleasantly surprised.

BTW, about 1,000 cases of Bass Ale went down with the Titanic.

 

[Jon80spit]

https://my.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=210824&ck=

British Car Club of Miami
No dues, no meetings, just Sunday drives and go car shows.