We're An Official Car Club, Right?

[molloni]

I wanted to get some opinions of people here about this, as I was taken aback on Sunday. A bunch of us Camaro5.com members showed up together to a Show & Shine (you can see the pictures on pages 3 and 4 http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...t=97517&page=3). I was approached by one of the even sponsor memebers, a great group, the East Coast Camaro Club. We were talking about different things, and he asked what club we represented. I proudly answered "Camaro5.com" to which he responded "Oh, that online thing?" He said he checked in every now and then to see what's going on, but the impression I got was that he didn't consider us to be a real club (and if he's reading this, feel free to send me a PM if I got the wrong impression - I'm not mad or offended in any way )

So I got to thinking...are we a legit club? What makes a real club? Dues? Bah! Merchandise? We've got that - including tee-shirts! Do we sponsor events? Not in New England (not yet, at least). News letters? Who needs a news letter when we have a whole forum to play around in? Camaraderie? We get plenty of that here in the forums and in our local gatherings (just look at those pictures).

I consider us to be a real club - the next gen of clubs, if you will, with a nation wide (screw that - world wide) list of members! When I go to shows, I have, and will continue, to list Camaro5.com as my club. I will proudly wear my shirt and display my decals and hand out club cards to other gen 5 Camaro owners.

My question is - how do the rest of you feel? I know my New England friends will no doubt chime in, but I also want to hear from the rest of you too.

Drive on!

[Tessa]

Am I not allowed to chime in being a New England peep?? LOL
My 2 cents is HELL YA WE'RE A CLUB!!

And we DID pay dues -- we all (or most) bought the car right?? And isn't our love for the Camaro enough of a due??

[molloni]

No, no, no - of course you are allowed to chime in. I tried to be careful of how I picked my words there - guess I'll change it a wee bit. I know you guys will stand behind me on this one - just look at that RIACO show!

And you make a good point about paying dues...I like that.

[-Trigger-]

I would say we are an Unberalla Club in which many other smaller clubes reside but if you do not have a smaller club you are part of then be proud to say Camaro5.com baby we are World Wide on the World Wide Web.

[Tessa]

LOL - I know you weren't saying we couldn't pipe in -- I was just making trouble...


You should know me by now, come on!! LOL

[ViperTomcat]

I imagine Camaro5 would be considered an informal club. Offical car clubs generally had applications and requirements, even if there arent any dues.

[Rogue Leader]

I'd prefer to call us more like a Mental Institution.

[Tessa]

states: A car club or automotive enthusiast community is a group of people who share a common interest in motor vehicles. Car clubs are typically organized by enthusiasts around type of vehicle (e.g. Corvette, Mustang), brand (e.g. Jeep), or similar interest (e.g. off-roading). Traditional car clubs were off-line organizations, but automotive on-line communities have flourished on the internet.

So...since we all "know" everything we read on Wikipedia is "true"....there you go....LOL!!!


It still works though.... Rock on Camaro 5 Club!!

[Taz_FL]

Originally Posted by ViperTomcat

I imagine Camaro5 would be considered an informal club. Offical car clubs generally had applications and requirements, even if there arent any dues.

I agree with this statement. That being said though, if I were at a show-n-shine / carshow with a bunch of fellow camaro.5 members I would list camaro.5 as my affiliation/club

[Tessa]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

I'd prefer to call us more like a Mental Institution.

Well.....mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorder.

so....technically.....sure...

[ViperTomcat]

Originally Posted by Taz_FL

I agree with this statement. That being said though, if I were at a show-n-shine / carshow with a bunch of fellow camaro.5 members I would list camaro.5 as my affiliation/club

Yeah, that totally makes sense.

[v6sonoma]

Sure we're a club! Hell we probably talk and communicate more than other so called "clubs". I look at it like this. The club is an organization that covers the glob and it's broken down into various "chapters" based on our Geography. I can say I meet with a few members on a weekly basis (sometimes biweekly!) and others on a monthly basis. A club is a group of people that share a common interest and get together to enjoy sharing that interest with each other. We are the modern day club. Hell whens the last time a local "club" shut down an entire city so hundreds of cars could take it over for a weekend! If this isn't a club then I don't know what is.

[CaniacFan]

I don't disagree with Wikipedia or the thoughts mentioned above. I do see Camaro5.com as a nationwide association (or umbrella noted above) that branch out into individual organizations (car clubs).

I am proud to be a member of Camaro5.com, got the shirts, stickers for my car, absolutely LIVE on this site, and I am also a founding member of the newly formed Triangle Camaro Club of North Carolina. Because of C5, we are gaining enthusiasts to join various local clubs around the nation - and that's a great thing.

This site keeps us all glued together, informed of important events and even has some games. I have gained so many friends (that I haven't even met in person yet), been introduced to some awesome vendors and share DIY tips from other owners!! It doesn't get much better than this.

Keep up the outstanding job Camaro5.com. Lori

[The_Blur]

I would classify Camaro5 as a car club. Anyone can join, but not everyone can stay. For that reason, we have rules shared with other communities in order to maintain the culture and peace of this community.