Citroen Car Club.....What's the point ?

[wurlycorner]

This discussion is absolutely nothing new - I remember having this very discussion with a member of the CCC committee back when I got my first CX (about 20 years ago, when I was 18...) - and those views were actually raised by that person who was frustrated then, not by me!

The solution is of course for younger people to get involved in the organisation and change things but, as with professional bodies (one of which I a member of a local committee) it is so very difficult to get any young people (and I'm not 'old') to volunteer these days...

So guess what, nothing has changed in that time.

There are people that put a lot of hard work and effort into the CCC, so that should not be in any way denigrated, but it seems to exist in pretty much the same form and function as it did when I joined back then. That being the case, it will only ever attract older people into very classic Citroens and become less and less relevant.

I'm still a member of CCC purely because I think I should be (and I still like to get the magazine, because I'm a bit old fashioned like that ) but tbh, I get nothing from it. I get far more from this forum and for example the (also free) forum that I am on for my preludes - I recently became a moderator on that forum and am/have been involved in organising meets etc. and go to several shows a year. Both here and that forum are a great way of interacting and attract a different age range, primarily because they're free and 'instant' (I admit I have not been the CCC forum, so don't know what that is like - it may be much the same).

I think the age of paying car clubs is over (unless you own a Porsche 911, in which case you will happily bend over and pay lots of money to be a member of Porsche Club GB with all the pretentiousness that club brings with it and yes I speak from experience there ).

If the CCC is to remain a paid club, it should only be because it does something worthwhile with the money - such as, for example, funding some storage somewhere for all the parts that Citroen are chucking in the bin, so that members (and only members, in order to keep up the income to fund the rent) can then access the parts (paying for them) so we stand some chance of keeping anything newer than a DS on the road...
Obviously that would have to be at the expense of something like the magazine, but in the days of the internet with live forums, I'm not sure that actually should be seen at a cost at all.
I haven't ever seen any evidence of anything like that having ever appearing on their radar though, so I must admit, I have been wondering recently what the point of CCC is...

[addo]

I've tried to invigorate a couple of organisations, sadly it seems that if you're capable, rather than inspiring others to step up and join in - you become the "go to" person. Sort of free tech help / emotional support / etc.

It's ended up a situation where I would rather do paid work in the same time, and possibly hand over some of that income to a nominated charity. Sad, because I'd rather see people inspired to share at a one-on-one level.

Returning more specifically to the situation at hand - it's probably akin to turning a supertanker around on a 10P coin...

[KP]

There in lies an issue for me.

They are meant to have the 'ear' of Citroen UK and possibly Pug to a certain extent.
With their funds why are they not getting a decent sized lockup and offering citroen a pitance for old parts they kick to the bin and then storing and tagging them for members to use or sell on through ebay or the like? PSA would be happy they are getting something back for parts they would throw away and generally do at least once a year, and the 'old guard' who would otherwise be sat twiddling thumbs and playing king of the castle would have something to put their effort into. A prime example would be ALL the stuff Malcolm collected. If this was the Merc or BMW club we were talking about they would have quickly rallied together, worked out what the stuff was worth and made a good fair offer to the family and had it empited and cleared out by now and everyone would be happy.
But no, its left to a few generous and caring members of THIS forum who some of which are probably not CCC members or ever have been

Its sad but i can see it slowly falling into the can as the old guard get left behind as their attitude to other members and younger ones especially in most cases as depicted above worsens their case for existing.

[Stickyfinger]

It seems like the biggest problem that the CCC has is what colour name badge to have....good God almighty

At least there will be one less for them to make

[van ordinaire]

It seems like the biggest problem that the CCC has is what colour name badge to have....good God almighty

At least there will be one less for them to make

. . . you mean you don't want one of special limited edition black ones for the anarchists, or red, white & blue, for the revolutionaries, of the group?

Seriously though, it does seem there is now some rearguard action to pull that thread back in line.

On the other hand, KP's idea is a good one, after all, nearer home, 2CVGB have just such a facility & even a dedicated committee member.

[Stickyfinger]

KP is correct and I do agree VanO, there are other clubs that also do this as well or have special arrangements with some of the specialist garages/suppliers with hulks ID and "fed" towards them for parts reclamation.

The total lack of enthusiasm for/towards new members/car types that quite shocked me. Now if it was called The CLASSIC only Citroen Car Club...

Not ONE trader bothered to attend "The National Meeting" either, that is very strange to me but hardly surprising as I was advised by two senior members not to "bother" going to two for the UK specialists often recommended to me by the most trustworthy on this site for my HP pump rebuild for example, apparently I should ship them to Holland as they are better by far.....that was as equally worrying as another recommendation which I shall keep to myself.

I do NOT like that type of thing, never have never will.

[wurlycorner]

I guess people must have got bored with my post before reaching the bit where I suggested the parts storage

[CitroJim]

No, it's a good idea Iain and a natural function for a lot of clubs interested in preserving the heritage of the marque...

[Eddie Nuff]

For me the club is being held back by certain committee members who appear to run the club as if it's for their exclusive benefit and have a pretty much complete disregard for anything/anyone new.

Very much my opinion. IMO the application process for the do you want to get involved in the running of the CCC amounts to

Do you have a DS? No oh erm do you have another proper Citroen?

End of conversation. Your either in or you're out - and I'd prefer to be out.

[addo]

Are you sure it isn't "Do you have a third front Dee?" - seems that is the criteria for a club or two over here.