DSC Membership ? POLL

[Sharpy G]

So theres alot of different opinion on here currently re membership

I'm thinking of joining up

but .............

after reading both sides, what are the main reasons to join or gripes not to join ??

I CAN'T DENY IT'S A BL**DY GOOD FORUM !!!

hope this helps other undecided to make a descision

PLEASE ONLY POST YOUR POLL IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BACK IT UP WITH A + OR - COMMENT !

Mods, if you don't like it then you can remove it, but I think its a good marketing/feedback exercise ?

[beancounter]

ffs it's only 20 quid or whatever, get yer money out ya cheapskates!

[andyb]

If you hadnt of come on this site, how much bling would you of missed out on?
How much tech knowledge etc............

trouble is people still get this without being a member!

On the mini2 site, you have restrictions. In order to post a for sale, or on a thread selling something, you have to be a paid up member!

[Sharpy G]

ffs it's only 20 quid or whatever, get yer money out ya cheapskates!

no problem at all with the £20 mate, just need to know what peoples beef is first

[Ozz]

I pay the membership but: Don't have a Ducati, don't do rideouts or trackdays, have had no discounts. So why join?

Well over the last few years I have met with members from the site who have become good friends regardless of the bike I ride, have been to Italy to the factory and museum (again meetings some great members from here) and as has been said it is only £20. If you have or are considering buying a Ducati then you can certainly afford £20.....

[Loz]

Join it, Sharpy. You provide good input here on the Board and as a member, you can help steer the club in the direction you want it to go. The Club can only change and improve if there are members willing to do their bit towards that goal. The Message Board wouldn't exist but for the paying members who join/re-join each year. There's discounts to be had as a member.

Plus, the Roundel gives you magical powers ...

I may be exaggerating a little with that last point.

[Brent]

Why not pay £20....

Without the club, what would happen to the web site and the forum.

[Sharpy G]

this is what I'm after !!!!

[andyb]

this is what I'm after !!!!

Now do they do it in carbon? :lol:

[MJS]

Do it - joining the DSC is the best motorcycling decision I've ever made. I've met loads of great people, had loads of helpful advice - it's the members that make the club - and all for £20.... Bargain!

[Sharpy G]

Now do they do it in carbon? :lol:

this coming from the man with a carbon PC111 bracket of course

if I pay up can I get a carbon roundall ? LOL


there are 3328 registered members on this board , anyone know what the full membership numbers sre ? just outta interest

[bradders]

I chose join...probablydoes what you want it to and without new peolpe there is a risk the club will diminish and the forum be affected

[Sharpy G]

PLEASE ONLY POST YOUR POLL IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BACK IT UP WITH A + OR - COMMENT


2 NEGATIVE VOTES WITH NO COMMENTS ?

hhhmmmmmmmmmm

[Henners]

Different view. I say don't join although I was a member for 4 years. I feel that the club thing is now out of date and that more regional messageboards are the way forward - a very good example is Ducati Up North. DuN isn't a club, it affiliates with all things Ducati so there's no animosity to other Ducati clubs/boards, they get advertising sponsorship to pay for the site and they organise some amazing events.

My problem with clubs is that they breed a certain type of mindset which is a little feudal to be honest, plus it can put some 'interesting' characters in charge of some hefty sums of money, allows them to enjoy patronage from Ducati and other organisations and in my opinion, generates a 'them and us' environment which Sharpy may have picked up hense the poll.

This messageboard is great but it doesn't need subscriptions to fund it - it could very easily be self funding through advertising and sponsorship without giving up any independence - again look at DuN if you want to see it in action. Most Ducati dealers and suppliers are happy to offer you a discount if asked for nicely - I have no problem getting one. You then ask the question what does my £20 buy? Well a very healthy bank balance in the hands of 3 or 4 people to do with it as they wish including last year spending over £1700 on stickers and God knows how much on a very poor magazine.

I love this club and everyone I have met in it who have become real friends and I hope have enjoyed my friendship in return. However, I have deep reservations about any type of club and the authoritarian culture they tend to generate.

Paying £20 to join doesn't give you the right to challenge the status quo, far from it :(

[twpd]

Sad to say - I haven't joined because I have an aversion to being a paid-up member of any bike club. My reasons for this are well-known and have been mentioned here before. Basically, by not being a paid-up member I am above the political nonsense that goes on (and there's been a lot of it here lately), I don't have an axe to grind and I don't have a right to express an opinion re. certain issues.

That suits me very well. I get on with the business of having fun with bikes instead. :)

Some people might think this is being unduly tight but, I believe I'm a net contributor as I do my best to help out with technical stuff, knowledge I have found re. my racing 800ss experience etc.

[Tool Box]

:mad: Well worth £20 and more for the advice alone, must save a fortune.
Unfortunately due to financial constraints I will not be Joining yet but as soon as things pick up I defenately will. Have to leve Bike off the road when MOT runs out on Saturday and will not be renewing tax or insurance.
Brian.

[doogalman]

Only 20 quid. I'm sure you could use the DSC discount to get more bling.
Plus you get access to the members only area!!!

[keefer]

join.
its a top club.
I don't care what happens with my money. its only 20 bucks.
as long as the web is up then that's all I need.
it gives me so much useful info.
helped me strip my bike down to the chassis so I could paint it.
helped me put a new engine in when I wanted more cubes. and so on.
the money I must of saved by picking peoples brains who had been there and done that must be mega.
the parts I have come across to upgrade my bike from other members.
and so on.
just join.
other clubs are a bit like wearing a fake Rolex watch.

[Loz]

Whilst Henry puts some good points together, some of them bear challenging.

The magazine, Pronto, is only as good as the material that Club members provide for it. I'm sometimes in two minds about its overall value to the Club, but my feeling is that if I want to see more/better articles in it, I'd better get my finger out and write some. And maybe I will ...

Henry's re-hashing of the Club finances issue is not helpful here - I seem to recall that the Club accounts are published and whenever questions have been raised about what gets spent, the questions get answered, either sooner or later. Not to Henry's satisfaction, perhaps, but they are to mine.

The reference to the "feudal" nature of the Club management is a little mis-leading. It is possible to challenge decisions and the structure of the Management Team ... as you yourself know, Henry, after all you did it. I'm not going to say that the management of this Club is perfect, but it is good enough for me to have confidence in the MT, when you bear in mind that the alternative is for me to put myself forward for a MT position - something I do not have the time or energy for (even assuming I could get the membership's support!).

Perhaps everything that DSC provides in its current form could be provided via a different set-up, in the way that Ducati Up-North currently does. That remains to be seen and in the meantime, I support the Club.

Henry, I know that you have had a torrid time of it as membership secretary, and after you stepped down from it. I won't tell you that you're wrong to feel negative towards Clubs in general, and the DSC in particular, you feel what you feel based upon your experience. My own thoughts and feelings are based upon my experience with the Club, and it's been a lot more positive for me.

[andyb]

i vote for Loz....all those in agreement......

[Loz]

Andy, why you hate me so? ;)

[andyb]

now you know thats not true.............:rolleyes: ;)

[Annette]

I've had 5 Ducati's in all, but don't have a bike at the moment. I'm still a member. Why? Because I've met some great people and had some fantastic experiences. The complainers? Its the same handful of names over and over. They just like complaining. Ignore 'em.
Join up. Let's play!

[bradders]

after the **** I've had this morning I wouldnt join now and wont be recomending!! So take one off the count and add to dont join!!

One thing I wont miss is the unwelcoming clique that exists in this club

[Fordie]

Ive been a paid up member of the DSC for 5 years now, the reason I joined in the first place has not changed . I wanted to be associated with people that had a common interest. I was a little "twitchy" at first when I went out on my first meet and since that one day not only have I seen the club grow and expand as it has, but the most important thing Ive meet and made some good buddies whom I have total respect for on and of the road. I doubt very seriously had I not joined I would have missed out on some of the best times I could possible have had with "people that have a commom interest" The £20 fee is just a little "commitment" that I feel one must show to be a true member of the DSC. As a member I then feel I can pass comments and make a contribution to the welfare of this club. 4D

[Henners]

Henry, I know that you have had a torrid time of it as membership secretary, and after you stepped down from it. I won't tell you that you're wrong to feel negative towards Clubs in general, and the DSC in particular, you feel what you feel based upon your experience. My own thoughts and feelings are based upon my experience with the Club, and it's been a lot more positive for me.

.. I have no negative feelings towards the DSC, just certain members of the MT. I still post here, I still go on ride-outs, I still support club events when I can, I will help anyone who asks for it. The question Sharpy asked was should he join the club or not. I expressed my views on clubs in general and issues that I know exist with this one.

Henry

[Loz]

Thanks for clarifying, Henry. You had originally indicated that you have a problem with clubs in general, and defined your reservations. You're as entitled to post your reservations here as I am to post my support for joining the Club.

I do hope I haven't ******ed-up your invitation to visit your stately home in Spain one day. I may get around to it eventually! :)

[Henners]

No good trying to be nice now ..... :lol:

[Loz]

I wouldn't know where to start, anyway! :lol:

[Sharpy G]

Who's the one sitting on the fence then ? LOL

[chrisw]

JOIN. Since joining I have recouped my membership fee many times over. Plus, I see it as supporting this very forum.

[Sharpy G]

tempting.........

anyone know if you can do paypal or electronic payment or are we still talking good 'ol cheques and stamps here ?

[Loz]

Cheques and stamps - works for me!

[doogalman]

Sharpy! Are you tempted yet???

[Sharpy G]

Sharpy! Are you tempted yet???

still cojetat........congetat......conjutatin........... ...

..........thinking about all the arguements !

[Bionicle]

no problem at all with the £20 mate, just need to know what peoples beef is first

Surly you should make your own mind up ? After all its your 20 quid, you have been around long enough to form your own opinion, hell if I had to go round polling people on should I do this or should I do that I would never get anywhere.

While I opted for joining in your poll, it was my choice to join, I have my own reasons, and I am old enough to make my own mind up.

Pay your 20 Quid or don't, its down to you, all this topic will achieve is another platform for sprouting off and flaming. After all if you see a bit of bling for your bike and you like it you buy it, thats your choice. so use your own judjement.

Here is what you get for your 20 quid.

http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/index.php?page=JoinUs

Membership numbers are growing rapidly as the news is spreading of the Ducati Sporting Club.
The Club provides the following for members

A bi-monthly newsletter "Pronto" with information on all activities and developments within the Club
An email information service "Avanti" that will on an ad-hoc basis disseminate information between issues of "Pronto"
Provide technical, recall and up-dated information from the factory for owners
Offer a range of trips, including: World Ducati Weekends, World Superbike races in Europe and the UK at discounted rates to members
Meetings at a local level, on a national basis, together with a DSC annual day each summer
Offer access to a number of track day events, in the UK and abroad
Initiate a discount insurance package for members covering old and new machines

Membership costs £20 per annum with an initial £5 joining fee. This includes a joint membership providing one edition of "Pronto" per address only.

In order to join our rapidly swelling ranks, download and print the membership form from here - this is an Adobe Acrobat document, you can download the free Acrobat Reader from here.

Alternatively, you can contact Lizzie for an application form.

Lizzie Monk
The Boundary House,
Upper Cumberland Walk,
Tunbridge Wells,
Kent, TN2 5EH

[Sharpy G]

Bionicle, thank you ! all input greatly appreciated

however, it is still quite undeniably interesting to gain other peoples take on the whole thing, don't you agree ?

there are review sites for everything else on the good 'ol tinterweb

Have no doubt, I will be making MY own mind up (if I hadn't already)

but there are obviously issues here that need some addressing

[doogalman]

Plus you get a nice little card to put in your wallet .

[Sharpy G]

Plus you get a nice little card to put in your wallet .

look nice next to my gold Crossbow Calendar feature bike card !
brag brag

[doogalman]

look nice next to my gold Crossbow Calendar feature bike card !
brag brag
What about some pics of the Crossbow party then???

[Sharpy G]

What about some pics of the Crossbow party then???

oh yeah, good point ! didn't take many but will c what I can do

[Bionicle]

Bionicle, thank you ! all input greatly appreciated

however, it is still quite undeniably interesting to gain other peoples take on the whole thing, don't you agree ?

there are review sites for everything else on the good 'ol tinterweb

Have no doubt, I will be making MY own mind up (if I hadn't already)

but there are obviously issues here that need some addressing

1. your welcome.

2. Not really, like I said it was my choice to join for my reasons, did not need any others take on the ifs, buts, why or wherefores.

3.sure there is but they don't all have polls

4. then this topic was pointless

5.Sure, join go to the AGM put them forward and have them addressed, that's the normal way.

Plus you get a nice little card to put in your wallet .

Opps forgot that :)

[Sharpy G]

having more fun tho' this way mate !
G

[Sharpy G]

4. then this topic was pointless

ahh.............but was it ? young Jedi

[doogalman]

oh yeah, good point ! didn't take many but will c what I can do
Or how about the video??

[Jools]

Getting all the advice and banter on this board (24 x 7 now the webteam have cracked it) is good value for 38 pence* a week !

Paying for your membership fee over and over again with discounts from dealers and insurance is good value for 38 pence a week !

Heavily discounted club trackdays even just once a year (and especially at Cadwell this year) are good value for 38 pence a week !

Getting a club mag that is gonna get better all the time is good value for 38 pence a week !

Having access to a network of regional organisers is good value for 38 pence a week !

Being a member of a club with it's very own race series is good value for 38 pence a week !

Being part of a club through which I've met people who I'm proud to call some of the best friends I've ever had is absolutely priceless !!!




I 'joined' the DSC just by browsing the web. I got so much out of it that I wanted to put something back into it and reckoned that 38 pence a week was peanuts (in fact a bag of peanuts is 40 pence). Following on from that I got more involved and was elected onto the Management Team in January to try and support the regions.

Being on the MT is hard, thankless work that sets you up as an Aunt Sally for everyone with grievance to have a pop at you, it also involves countless hours doing stuff that's just part of club admin, nothing to do with your 'role' on the MT. Before anyone has a go, I'm not whingeing about this, it was my choice to put myself up for it on the basis that the more you put in the more you get out. What I get out of it is the satisfaction of knowing that I'm helping to run a club that has given me a lot and I'm putting my effort where my mouth is - contrary to popular belief there are few perks or fringe benefits to being on the MT but I still feel that I get far more out of it than I put in.

Of course, with any club this size, there are people who like to moan. There are people who are antagonistic. There are people who are prone to childish ranting. There are people whose behaviour is just plain boorish. Thankfully these people are in a very small minority, but it's easy to kick up a disproportionate amount of fuss and give the impression that the DSC is nothing but a forum for bickering kids.

There is no doubt, and no point in hiding the fact, that as a club like ours matures there will be people who disagree (sometimes very strongly) with others. That is especially true of people who have had issues with the MT and we have been through a tough patch trying to resolve these disagreements - in some cases we may just have to agree to disagree. However, as an optimist by nature, I truly believe that we have now worked through those differences and we have a committed team in place who are dedicated to promoting the healthy life of this club.

In my view, the healthy life of this club is not exclusive. It should welcome everyone and also applaud other peoples attempts to further the cause of having fun with like minded people on what (for my money) is the best type of motorcycle in the world bar none. That's why I had no hesitation in posting up links to the Ducatisti site and why I regularly lurk around DuN. These things are reciprocal. Gizmo, the main man behind DuN also put a huge amount of work into this club's newly proposed constitution that went out with Pronto this week (and he wouldn't have done all that if he couldn't give a stuff about the DSC) and why people from Ducatisti have volunteered to be regional coordinators for the DSC. After all, we all love Ducatis.

As in all things you can't please all the people all the time. It would be a boring old world if everybody had the same type of bike, likewise it would be pretty boring if every bike club was exactly the same. That's why individuals have a choice, if the DSC doesn't suit their taste there is the DOC, MOC, DuN and Ducatisti to choose from and good luck to everyone of them.

For me, and not knocking the others 'cos I like them as well, the DSC is the best club and it's only 38 pence* a week

*Based on a £20 yearly sub after the first year

[Sharpy G]

Jools, very eloquently put !

I used to be a member of the Ford RSOC but that got more like kindergarten every day, altho' that was a fair few years ago now

this forum has been amazingly refreshing for me !

CHEQUE'S IN THE POST - as they say

Graham

[andyb]

Well done mate...........corse with your £20 we send you a set of dollys..........as and when your ready, just throw them out the pram!:lol:

[Sharpy G]

Well done mate...........corse with your £20 we send you a set of dollys..........as and when your ready, just throw them out the pram!:lol:

Just keep an eye out for me new carbon roundal !!
BTW
Already got my own dollies thanks m8 !
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g95/SharpyG/Bennetts500x500.jpg

[doogalman]

this forum has been amazingly refreshing for me !
Indeed.

CHEQUE'S IN THE POST - as they say
Graham
Good man.

[everton]

CHEQUE'S IN THE POST - as they say

Graham

Very well done that man.

As soon as your roundel is applied you will be able to get moody, sulk, post porn, irritate everyone, give everyone a lift, make us laugh, make us sad etc, etc, etc it's what life is all about if you want to share it that is ....

... and when you're ready you can storm off in a huff and leave the club in a flurry of insults and tyre smoke :D

It's greeeeaaaaaaaaaat being a member :lol:

[everton]

... of this club :D

[philthy]

....

[david.hicks]

Joined last year - doubt I'll bother renewing. The only thing I've got for my £20 is the mag which frankly ain't worth it. Perhaps if I lived somewhere else it might be different but down here in the SW I find it a bit out of the way to get involved in DSC stuff. I'll continue to post on the DSC board but I find there is more SW networking available through http://www.ducatisti.co.uk largely because it has a better web site and message board and doesn't have all the politics and bickering over club constitution, DD etc.

[doogalman]

Sharpy has gone quiet, maybe he's trying to justify the £20 over some carbon...

[Sharpy G]

Sharpy has gone quiet, maybe he's trying to justify the £20 over some carbon...

nope, just went to get a shish n donner
mmm lovely !

my big wooden spoon worked a treat didn't it ? LOL

[GsxrAge]

I voted no !

I agree with David Hicks, down here in the south west there is very little benefit to us.

As for Henners just over a year ago I was asking the same questions about joining the dsc and Henners persuaded me to join He even offered to pay for my membership ! so something can't be right if the same bloke a year or so later is saying it aint worth joining.

I am no longer a member as all I ever got from the dsc was stickers and a key fob and Pronto thats not worth £20 !

I could not come on DSC track days no more anyway as from next sat I will be the proud owner of a K7 gsxr 750 in black :cool:

[Brogins]

I voted yes... 20 quid?? no worth 20 quid the membership? I will renew it even from Italy.....
Sitting with Lorenzo Lanzi at Silverstone with Skids and challenging Troy Bayliss for a race... PRICELESS.....

[Henners]

Getting all the advice and banter on this board (24 x 7 now the webteam have cracked it) is good value for 38 pence* a week !

Paying for your membership fee over and over again with discounts from dealers and insurance is good value for 38 pence a week !

Heavily discounted club trackdays even just once a year (and especially at Cadwell this year) are good value for 38 pence a week !

Getting a club mag that is gonna get better all the time is good value for 38 pence a week !

Having access to a network of regional organisers is good value for 38 pence a week !

Being a member of a club with it's very own race series is good value for 38 pence a week !

Being part of a club through which I've met people who I'm proud to call some of the best friends I've ever had is absolutely priceless !!!


... you're absolutely right mate - my cheque is also in the post :lol:

[Tonio600]

so something can't be right if the same bloke a year or so later is saying it aint worth joining.

I think that's called politic, nothing else. And for people who don't care about that (like me), that's far from being an issue.

And since I met Roy at the brillllllllllllllllllllllllant DSC trackday, I ever wonder if I'm not going to join the GBDOC as well. Just to enjoy all the good things of both clubs (trackdays...) and leaving the politics to others. Those who leave clubs :)

[Henners]

I think that's called politic, nothing else. And for people who don't care about that (like me), that's far from being an issue.

... you think wrong. If you care about the club then it matters. I care very deeply because I worked very hard to make the club a success.

[Tonio600]

... you think wrong.

I may. But I'm open to be convinced that I'm wrong. Are you?

If you care about the club then it matters.

We just don't perceive what is a club in the same way. For me it's only an association of people. And the association itself doesn't matter at all, for me only its people do. A club must go in the way which helps its people enjoying what they want to enjoy, and from my point of view that's what it does.

I care very deeply because I worked very hard to make the club a success.

And do you think it's not? I think the result is a success. If you invested so much in the club, why are you not a member of it? Why wouldn't you recommend it to people? To me there is nothing wrong with that club... But I may be blind and daft.

[Henners]

You are neither blind or daft. There is a lot of history here and it is not unusual that clubs develop in this way. This club came from another due to disenchantment and refusal to change.

This is the first and last club I will be a member of - I resigned on a point of principle and when I asked to be reinstated temporarily to complete a piece of work that had been agreed the MT voted no.

I agree with you that the club doesn't matter its the people who do, and thats why I stay a member of this board. I have many people I care about here and this is one of the easiest ways to remain in touch.

So clubs aren't my scene however messageboards and the opportunities they offer to be informed, amused and involved are :)

[Sharpy G]

printed form, filled it all in, wrote cheque, put all in envelope, going to post it right now !

thanks guys (n gals ?)

see you in the members section soon !

G

[andyb]

printed form, filled it all in, wrote cheque, put all in envelope, going to post it right now !

thanks guys (n gals ?)

see you in the members section soon !

G

Youll be ready for your initiation ceremony then..........belts off, trousers down...isnt life a scream!

[Dibble]

I voted you should join, which may appear hypocritical as I have not renewed my membership, but historionics apart I feel that it is still a good environment for middle of the road Ducatisti to enjoy their pastime and meet lots of likeminded people ...... don't be drawn into any debate that involves the MT and you have much less chance of being abused and villified for having contencious or challenging views ..... do as Fordie and many like him do, enjoy it for what it is and leave the rest to someone else .... enjoy ... :)

[Dibble]

Very well done that man.

As soon as your roundel is applied you will be able to post porn, irritate everyone, give everyone a lift, make us laugh, make us sad etc,

... and when you're ready you can storm off in a huff and leave the club in a flurry of insults and tyre smoke :D



that sounds like fun, I may re-join :p

[Henners]

that sounds like fun, I may re-join

.. you've already been there :lol:

[PeteB]

Seems like some people have found a cheap supply of sour grapes that they haven't told us 'members' about, are they on offer at Tesco?

[doogalman]

Seems like some people have found a cheap supply of sour grapes that they haven't told us 'members' about, are they on offer at Tesco?
They may be on offer, but i'll give it a miss if i may.

[YMFB]

I am in my second year of paid up membership, I first paid because i felt endebited to other people on the forum who shared their better knowledge and experience with a complete stranger. For the club to continue it has to have an income and if thats all I contribute I am a happy member. The discounts I have received from suppliers as a result of me being a paid up member far outweigh the membership fee.

I can understand why some people dont pay but if they only use the forum for a chat and dont benefit from discounts then thats fair enough.

What I cant stand is bitching/moaning/sniping if you dont like it foxtrot oscar as Im here for my pleasure and enjoyment.

Hav a nice day

[Stu748R]

I could not come on DSC track days no more anyway as from next sat I will be the proud owner of a K7 gsxr 750 in black :cool:


I did a DSC track day on my R1 last year and i'm doing the 13th Sept on my GSXR 1000 K6 and i'm still a member........................

Enjoy the Susy you'll be in airbox howling heven.

[kwikbitch]

I get to look at guys in Leathers....all for 38 pence a week!...Aint that right Ruthie!!!!

[Henners]

Someone remove my post? Surely not :)

Anyway here it is again:

Yep Stu ...

i'm still a member........................

... but for how much longer? :lol:

[Jools]

I voted you should join, which may appear hypocritical as I have not renewed my membership, but historionics apart I feel that it is still a good environment for middle of the road Ducatisti to enjoy their pastime and meet lots of likeminded people ...... don't be drawn into any debate that involves the MT and you have much less chance of being abused and villified for having contencious or challenging views ..... do as Fordie and many like him do, enjoy it for what it is and leave the rest to someone else .... enjoy ... :)

:(

Oh mate...I'm on the MT and have never knowingly abused or vilified anybody.

Now self-abuse, that's a different matter :lol:

[CK]

:(

Oh mate...I'm on the MT and have never knowingly abused or vilified anybody.



no mate, you havent:)

[skidlids]

I voted yes.....
I have made some good friends through the club
picked up useful information as well as bits for the bikes through the message board
I have enjoyed some excellent rideouts
Been on some great trackdays
enjoyed the BMF and Popham Megameets with like minded people
Everton's yearly BBQ, Karting at Oxford Stadium and Dinner with the Ducati WSB at Silverstone are other great events I would have missed out on if I had'nt joined the DSC.

At times I wonder what the club is doing, what direction is it going in. But then I remember the club is about us, its members and therefore has a great deal to do with what we put into the club, Pronot's contents are only as good as the contributions sent in by the members and like many I am guilty of not getting things written down and sent in. Rideouts are as good or bad as those you ride with make it. We have had some good Oxon/Berks ones but not as many as I would like and I enjoy joining the Hants or BHCN groups when possible.
Hopefully the club is evolving and moving in the right direction and every year your subscription comes up for renewal and you can look back and determine if you got your moneys worth from your £20.

[Sharpy G]

well my cheque should arrive @ DSC HQ today
now all I have to do is wait for my roundel/roundal to appear !!
thanks again all
G

[Athelstan]

I joined (and renewed again) even though I live in Switzerland and cannot realistically join in many of the club's UK events/discounts etc. Why - because I find the forum excellent (probably best-in-class of Ducati web boards) most informative, and have established contact with a number of very helpful and knowledgable people.

If I have a negative comment it is that I find Pronto is not what it could be. The "other" club DOCGB have an excellent magazine, lots of depth and a very broad editorial coverage - they are setting the benchmark and I'd rather Pronto be setting the benchmark.

[RightSaidFred]

I've been using the forums for a couple of years now. Nice to see pics of bikes. Nice to hear a few jokes and banter. Most of all though, it's the technical help I've received and given which is probably the best thing about all this.

In order to give back in a small way to the club's efforts in hosting the site, I joined last week. I wasn't too bothered about what I got in return for that, it was mostly to support the site.

Pronto is a bit, well, not like Performance Bikes, but then who really expects it to be? If you don't like the content, then 'straight to bin' as they say.

Keyring and stickers....er, yeah ok. Whatever. Slung in a drawer.

As long as people still help me with stuff on here, and if I get a few quid off the price of bits, that'll do me.

Lyndsay.

[BDG]

I would vote to join, despite some negative points about the club, and the political bitching (a large portion of the North and Scotland opted not to renew a while ago because of aforesaid issues) i still think the plus points, as well documented by Jools out weigh the negatives for being a member.

I have remained a member whilst many of my good friends have not. I don't think this is anything to do with DuN either.

I've asked some of the people concerned and it was DSC issues, not DuN that drove them away.

Having said all that i will renew again next year, IMHO there are still a lot of good points about the club.

Final comment, personally i'm devastated that Pronto is not deemed worthwhile, must be my writing from time to time:(

(FFS that last comment is tongue in cheek:lol: )

[Henners]

Final comment, personally i'm devastated that Pronto is not deemed worthwhile, must be my writing from time to time

(FFS that last comment is tongue in cheek )

... that says it all in two sentences Shaun :(

[Athelstan]

Final comment, personally i'm devastated that Pronto is not deemed worthwhile, must be my writing from time to time:(

(FFS that last comment is tongue in cheek:lol: )

Shaun - your Marakesh Express (Issue 32) was one of the great Pronto pieces, and, I was looking forward to Part2. Did it not get published, was it censored??? (too many locked in toilet escapades)

[khushy]

which they are probably not - but I dont really care . . .

I vote (for myself only) NOT to join - although I have been a member before.

Sure the online forum is valuable, but I find the "clique" very very sad indeed as I also find the level of control that the MT tries to inflict on the forum and membership in general. Most of the time this place is a pi*sing competition or a popularity contest - laughable really.

It seems if you dont have a "popular" view - you are not worthy and shouldnt have a view at all - you might even have your view deleted by the powers that be!!!

There also seems to be a lot of double standards when it comes to how some members are treated - I for one would much rather support the DD Series directly - cause I think that, followed by the forum, are the ONLY things of value that this "club" has going for it right now!

I'm with the 17% on this one - unsurprisingly!

Khushy

PS - there are some valuable relationships to be made here - I have had loads of advice and banter that has helped me with my biking experiences. I have also offered and would like to think that I have helped people here too - thats what life is about - but the politics and bull*hit that goes on most of the time is of no interest to me?!?!?!?!?!?

[Iconic944ss]

I find it disapointing that a non-member can continuously belittle the efforts of the Pronto team. If the content is coming under fire then the majority of that is due to the material supplied by the membership.

Sorry to re-state Jools post but its so good that I feel its worthy of it - especially as the original first post appears to be aimed NOT at whether existing members rejoin but at NEW members.......

Getting all the advice and banter on this board (24 x 7 now the webteam have cracked it) is good value for 38 pence* a week !

Paying for your membership fee over and over again with discounts from dealers and insurance is good value for 38 pence a week !

Heavily discounted club trackdays even just once a year (and especially at Cadwell this year) are good value for 38 pence a week !

Getting a club mag that is gonna get better all the time is good value for 38 pence a week !

Having access to a network of regional organisers is good value for 38 pence a week !

Being a member of a club with it's very own race series is good value for 38 pence a week !

Being part of a club through which I've met people who I'm proud to call some of the best friends I've ever had is absolutely priceless !!!




I 'joined' the DSC just by browsing the web. I got so much out of it that I wanted to put something back into it and reckoned that 38 pence a week was peanuts (in fact a bag of peanuts is 40 pence). Following on from that I got more involved and was elected onto the Management Team in January to try and support the regions.

Being on the MT is hard, thankless work that sets you up as an Aunt Sally for everyone with grievance to have a pop at you, it also involves countless hours doing stuff that's just part of club admin, nothing to do with your 'role' on the MT. Before anyone has a go, I'm not whingeing about this, it was my choice to put myself up for it on the basis that the more you put in the more you get out. What I get out of it is the satisfaction of knowing that I'm helping to run a club that has given me a lot and I'm putting my effort where my mouth is - contrary to popular belief there are few perks or fringe benefits to being on the MT but I still feel that I get far more out of it than I put in.

Of course, with any club this size, there are people who like to moan. There are people who are antagonistic. There are people who are prone to childish ranting. There are people whose behaviour is just plain boorish. Thankfully these people are in a very small minority, but it's easy to kick up a disproportionate amount of fuss and give the impression that the DSC is nothing but a forum for bickering kids.

There is no doubt, and no point in hiding the fact, that as a club like ours matures there will be people who disagree (sometimes very strongly) with others. That is especially true of people who have had issues with the MT and we have been through a tough patch trying to resolve these disagreements - in some cases we may just have to agree to disagree. However, as an optimist by nature, I truly believe that we have now worked through those differences and we have a committed team in place who are dedicated to promoting the healthy life of this club.

In my view, the healthy life of this club is not exclusive. It should welcome everyone and also applaud other peoples attempts to further the cause of having fun with like minded people on what (for my money) is the best type of motorcycle in the world bar none. That's why I had no hesitation in posting up links to the Ducatisti site and why I regularly lurk around DuN. These things are reciprocal. Gizmo, the main man behind DuN also put a huge amount of work into this club's newly proposed constitution that went out with Pronto this week (and he wouldn't have done all that if he couldn't give a stuff about the DSC) and why people from Ducatisti have volunteered to be regional coordinators for the DSC. After all, we all love Ducatis.

As in all things you can't please all the people all the time. It would be a boring old world if everybody had the same type of bike, likewise it would be pretty boring if every bike club was exactly the same. That's why individuals have a choice, if the DSC doesn't suit their taste there is the DOC, MOC, DuN and Ducatisti to choose from and good luck to everyone of them.

For me, and not knocking the others 'cos I like them as well, the DSC is the best club and it's only 38 pence* a week

*Based on a £20 yearly sub after the first year

[Henners]

Fundamentally disagree with you Frank :)

The role of pronto editor is a full voting member of the MT - that was never the case before. With that status also comes responsibility. If the members are not providing information - and why should they they're not journalists - then it is the role of the editor to commission or find interesting material - the editor is not a post box :lol: All you have to do is read what some of the members are doing on here to know that there are some great stories being 'written' every day. You then pick up the phone and interview them! And that's just one small avenue to follow - there's loads more!!

If you like I'll guest edit a copy for the club magazine and demonstrate that it isn’t difficult in the least.

One final point - the members are entitled to 6 copies of Pronto a year. That's one every two months. How many so far this year?

Henry

[psychlist]

The last Pronto was much more interesting than the ramblings about an Arabian desert jaunt, I was in this one! Twice :p

[Tonio600]

The last Pronto was much more interesting than the ramblings about an Arabian desert jaunt, I was in this one! Twice :p

So was I, twice :D
I did love it as well :lol:

[Iconic944ss]

Pronto is obviously only a fraction of what the DSC is all about but, it is an important "Shop-front" for the club and it members - Henry, if the editors position was a paid one then I could agree with you to some extent - having an idea of how arduous putting together even a simple magazine can be, I only have admiration for the Pronto team...

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread!

To return to which:- if I'd have thought about it a little more this year I would of bought a lifetime membership as the friends alone I've made on here are worth it.

Cheers - Frank.

[phil_h]

The DSC is one of the most active and interesting groups of people I have ever met.
If you want advice, amusement, a rant or a ride you have a good chance of finding it here ;)





oh, and there's the ridicule, the arguments, the politics, the handbags and the posing too, but everybody expects that anyway dont they :lol:

[Tonio600]

Fundamentally disagree with you Frank :)

The role of pronto editor is a full voting member of the MT - that was never the case before. With that status also comes responsibility. If the members are not providing information - and why should they they're not journalists - then it is the role of the editor to commission or find interesting material - the editor is not a post box :lol: All you have to do is read what some of the members are doing on here to know that there are some great stories being 'written' every day. You then pick up the phone and interview them! And that's just one small avenue to follow - there's loads more!!

If you like I'll guest edit a copy for the club magazine and demonstrate that it isn’t difficult in the least.

One final point - the members are entitled to 6 copies of Pronto a year. That's one every two months. How many so far this year?

Henry

Fundamentally disagree with you Henry :D

I do think the content of any association or club paper must be provided at 80% at least by the members. We're not a company paying somebody to do that bl00dy job...
The best evidence I've got for that is "L'echo des Conti" which I receive from the Ducati Club de France about every 2 months and in which you will struggle to find 2 articles written by the same member. Everybody takes part in it, they write about their ride-outs, the club's endurance races, trackdays, etc... And don't forget we're French, and so lazy. Guess if we were German :lol: And their magazine quite good. The paper used itself is not as good quality as the one used for Pronto (less money on the other side of the Channel I guess) but the content is existing and intesresting.

If ones think Pronto's content is poor, ones take their best pen and help making it better. I'm not used to defend the MT (I do want to stay neutral in all those political b0ll0x) but I do think Pronto is what we make with it.

poor members' participation = poor Pronto. that's it.

I may be wrong again, but I do believe in what I write and my opinion is not influenced by any of all the conflicts which hurt that club...

[MJS]

I'd love to write an article for Pronto, but I don't actually believe I have anything of interest to say - I'd just like to be in a position where I did have something to contribute. Based on that, I won't complain about the content.

I've said it before, but I thank everyone who volunteers their time and effort to make this club what it is, and puts up with people belittling their efforts.

As far as joining - I voted yes right back at the beginning of this thread, but I've been thinking about it more carefully....

When I was a non-member I was happy with a yellow 996bip with standard pipes.. now it's got a single seat, termis etc.

When I was a non-member I thought I was a reasonable rider... then I met the BHCN crew...

When I was a non-member I thought I could drink.. then I met the BHCN crew..:D :D

My knowledge and enjoyment of my bike has been increased tenfold through the people I've met in this club and the parts I've acquired from members etc.

38p per week? Bargain.

Martin

[Tonio600]

When I was a non-member I thought I was a reasonable rider... then I met the BHCN crew...

Is that where Fil2's coming from? poor you :lol:

I understand you point about Pronto, hard to write something when we don't have anything to say... My problem was more with the "if Pronto is like this that's because of one person" thing...

In boxing that would be a kick in the beewax :lol: : totally wrong and unfair :)

[MJS]

Is that where Fil2's coming from? poor you :lol:



Yes, Fil2 was one of the first people I met in the DSC, made me very welcome on my first ride - then blew straight past into the distance :lol: ...

But all the guys n gals from BHCN are nice people, I just wish I could out to ride with them more

[Lily]

FWIW


As a new person I would say to join up to see if it is for you and to get the benefits that many of us have already had. The club is (mostly) full of great people with a passion for ducatis. The events are great fun and the banter when you get to know people is brilliant.

As an existing member I have rejoined, I can't exactly say why tbh but as a paid up member I would like to pass a quick comment on the pronto issue if I may without hijacking this thread further than it already is.

Please note that I do not expect to be flamed for this, it is my view, not particularly controversial, just facts as I see them.

At the AGM the cost of Pronto was highlighted and frankly I think it shocked many of us as it was clearly the most expensive part of the club. There were many comments that align to the many comments on the forum about the value of pronto and how it could be done better and or cheaper.

I recognise, as do many, the value of non web based communication and indeed have enjoyed some of the issues of pronto. My beef is not so much with who writes the content but with it's value in it's current form.

At the AGM I openly, then in private offered my time to assist in looking at alternatives or changes to pronto to either reduce the cost of club communication whilst at the same time see if we could improve it.

I was not requesting MT status, was not even looking for recognition by shouting about it, I just wanted to help the club rather than just be a moaner.

After hearing nothing for some time I extended my offer again to a number of club individuals and once again was informed I would hear from them.

To this date I have heard nothing and it grates on me every time I see a comment from certain individuals about how hard it is to keep the club running about how much time it takes and about how it would be better if people were helping.

I have offered to help and have been ignored. I now do my best to avoid any post where my comments may get misconstrued or seen as anti DSC as quite clearly I am not.

For information, my real day job is as a Business Transformation Manager. I look at businesses and identify how things can be improved, money better spent and customer satisfaction improved. I feel I may have been quite useful as a resource to this club had anybody anted my help.

[Tonio600]

now that's an interesting post :)

[BDG]

Shaun - your Marakesh Express (Issue 32) was one of the great Pronto pieces, and, I was looking forward to Part2. Did it not get published, was it censored??? (too many locked in toilet escapades)

Thank you very much for your thoughts, i have been hoping to see part 2 myself in the last 2 issues (vanity or what:lol: ) it did take me a while to finish part 2, but it has now been held over in favour of other articles. I think the locked toilet, and believe me Moroccan toilets are BAD was the worst bit:eek:

Too much of that pysclist bloke if you ask me.:rolleyes:

[twpd]

I used to be the editor of a large one-make international bike club...make no mistake, it's a very hard job. It does rely on members to make interesting contributions.

[Henners]

... but you can make it easier for them - which ain't happeneing if you look at what Lily said above, talk to Webby or many others. That's a real editors job.

[KeefyB]

Getting all the advice and banter on this board (24 x 7 now the webteam have cracked it) is good value for 38 pence* a week !

Well not quite,..as I typed a long winded reply and it got lost in cyberspace.:mad:
Anyway the abridged version is that I voted yes to joining the DSC.

[allthegearnoidea]

In a nutshell:-

Great club,great people for frankly laughably low cost.

The Management Team seem to make stuff happen but are paranoid about dissent. Debate is good. Control freakery is bad.

Pronto is frankly a joke. If members wanted a paper based membership magazine they would support it and write articles for it. The absence of copy speaks volumes. The amount spent on Pronto based on last years accounts when the club can't be at risk funding trackdays etc is unbelievable. The recent edition took about three minutes to read and contained little that had not been aired on the Board and at rideouts etc months ago. Lilys comments are enlightening. There is a strong whiff of sentimentality about this whole Pronto debate. It should be replaced with a cheaper more modern equivalent and the money diverted to better uses.

On balance great club but it needs to think through its real purpose in life (and no thats not the same as proposing a new constitution).

Dave

[Sharpy G]

this thread is great !
thanks for all the input peeps
glad I did the right thing !
(still that does leave me £25 less to spend on carbon bitz ! LOL)

still no roundal
G

[Athelstan]

"A Sense Of Belonging"

Any organistion be it a club, charity, company, plc etc., regardless of whether it's "workforce" is entirely voluntary and unpaid, part-time, fulltime, salaried etc., has a duty to those who buy its products. One of those many "duties" is to improve. And it matters not whether you pay 1p or 100p per day - that payment is a sign of the trust and the value you place in the organisation.

That value is reflected each and every time a member posts; each will have different view on what the DSC should deliver (and how it delivers it - hard or soft media - meetings - track days - merchandising etc).

Occassionally comments have been made re the "DSC" that have been interpretted as negative, and, have not been seen by the MT as a signpost that something is amiss.

Many people have offered help, input, advise, labour, ideas etc. to the MT, but it does appear from many posts that unless your input is rosy red and not gaudy yellow, the MT responds with "piquer" as they would say in Tonio's "L'echo des Conti".

It is the responsibility of those in office (the MT) to take onboard the memberships comments, to seek out the rational behind them, and forge them back into an improved DSC "product". That is one of their responsibilities of office. To reach out to those members offering their services, knowledge and time to achieve that constant state of improvement.

As an example - it is no sense appealing for folks to come forward if you either do not respond to them or do not give them a fair hearing and feedback.

A sign that all is not as it could be is the fact that we see daily folks posting here who are not paid members. Additionally you have all of those "ex members" who did not renew memberships and have left altogether. These two items alone are another alarm bell ringing that should not be ignored.

No one has a monoploy on good ideas, and no one is perfect. But together improvement does not remain a dream, it becomes an achievable goal.

[psychlist]

"A Sense Of Belonging"

Any organistion be it a club, charity, company, plc etc., regardless of whether it's "workforce" is entirely voluntary and unpaid, part-time, fulltime, salaried etc., has a duty to those who buy its products. One of those many "duties" is to improve. And it matters not whether you pay 1p or 100p per day - that payment is a sign of the trust and the value you place in the organisation.

That value is reflected each and every time a member posts; each will have different view on what the DSC should deliver (and how it delivers it - hard or soft media - meetings - track days - merchandising etc).

Occassionally comments have been made re the "DSC" that have been interpretted as negative, and, have not been seen by the MT as a signpost that something is amiss.

Many people have offered help, input, advise, labour, ideas etc. to the MT, but it does appear from many posts that unless your input is rosy red and not gaudy yellow, the MT responds with "piquer" as they would say in Tonio's "L'echo des Conti".

It is the responsibility of those in office (the MT) to take onboard the memberships comments, to seek out the rational behind them, and forge them back into an improved DSC "product". That is one of their responsibilities of office. To reach out to those members offering their services, knowledge and time to achieve that constant state of improvement.

As an example - it is no sense appealing for folks to come forward if you either do not respond to them or do not give them a fair hearing and feedback.

A sign that all is not as it could be is the fact that we see daily folks posting here who are not paid members. Additionally you have all of those "ex members" who did not renew memberships and have left altogether. These two items alone are another alarm bell ringing that should not be ignored.

No one has a monoploy on good ideas, and no one is perfect. But together improvement does not remain a dream, it becomes an achievable goal.

Excellent summary!

[TP]

"A Sense Of Belonging"

Any organistion be it a club, charity, company, plc etc., regardless of whether it's "workforce" is entirely voluntary and unpaid, part-time, fulltime, salaried etc., has a duty to those who buy its products. One of those many "duties" is to improve. And it matters not whether you pay 1p or 100p per day - that payment is a sign of the trust and the value you place in the organisation.

That value is reflected each and every time a member posts; each will have different view on what the DSC should deliver (and how it delivers it - hard or soft media - meetings - track days - merchandising etc).

Occassionally comments have been made re the "DSC" that have been interpretted as negative, and, have not been seen by the MT as a signpost that something is amiss.

Many people have offered help, input, advise, labour, ideas etc. to the MT, but it does appear from many posts that unless your input is rosy red and not gaudy yellow, the MT responds with "piquer" as they would say in Tonio's "L'echo des Conti".

It is the responsibility of those in office (the MT) to take onboard the memberships comments, to seek out the rational behind them, and forge them back into an improved DSC "product". That is one of their responsibilities of office. To reach out to those members offering their services, knowledge and time to achieve that constant state of improvement.

As an example - it is no sense appealing for folks to come forward if you either do not respond to them or do not give them a fair hearing and feedback.

A sign that all is not as it could be is the fact that we see daily folks posting here who are not paid members. Additionally you have all of those "ex members" who did not renew memberships and have left altogether. These two items alone are another alarm bell ringing that should not be ignored.

No one has a monoploy on good ideas, and no one is perfect. But together improvement does not remain a dream, it becomes an achievable goal.

That is an excellent post, very well written.

It's a real shame that it will fall on jaded and cynical deaf ears where it's needed the most.

[CK]

"A Sense Of Belonging"

Any organistion be it a club, charity, company, plc etc., regardless of whether it's "workforce" is entirely voluntary and unpaid, part-time, fulltime, salaried etc., has a duty to those who buy its products. One of those many "duties" is to improve. And it matters not whether you pay 1p or 100p per day - that payment is a sign of the trust and the value you place in the organisation.

That value is reflected each and every time a member posts; each will have different view on what the DSC should deliver (and how it delivers it - hard or soft media - meetings - track days - merchandising etc).

Occassionally comments have been made re the "DSC" that have been interpretted as negative, and, have not been seen by the MT as a signpost that something is amiss.

Many people have offered help, input, advise, labour, ideas etc. to the MT, but it does appear from many posts that unless your input is rosy red and not gaudy yellow, the MT responds with "piquer" as they would say in Tonio's "L'echo des Conti".

It is the responsibility of those in office (the MT) to take onboard the memberships comments, to seek out the rational behind them, and forge them back into an improved DSC "product". That is one of their responsibilities of office. To reach out to those members offering their services, knowledge and time to achieve that constant state of improvement.

As an example - it is no sense appealing for folks to come forward if you either do not respond to them or do not give them a fair hearing and feedback.

A sign that all is not as it could be is the fact that we see daily folks posting here who are not paid members. Additionally you have all of those "ex members" who did not renew memberships and have left altogether. These two items alone are another alarm bell ringing that should not be ignored.

No one has a monoploy on good ideas, and no one is perfect. But together improvement does not remain a dream, it becomes an achievable goal.

great post:)

you coming back to the UK soon?:cool:

[psychlist]

It's a real shame that it will fall on jaded and cynical deaf ears where it's needed the most.

Not true, its an ethos I, for one, wholeheartedly support and try my best to live up to all the time :pig:

[TP]

Not true, its an ethos I, for one, wholeheartedly support and try my best to live up to all the time :pig:

I know Paul, I wasn't referring to you :)

[Jools]

Athelstan, that's a great post. Along with Paul I also share that view.

When I was elected to the MT I wrote out what I aimed to do as regional coordinator. One of the bullet points, and the one which I do my utmost to adhere to was:

- Act as the voice of the members within the management team (not as the voice of the management team to the membership - there's a big difference)

Anyone can read the full post - it's a 'sticky' in the regional organisers forum. I can't pretend that I've delivered everything I set out to do, but it's not for the want of trying.

Ultimately, I was voted onto the MT and I can be voted off if the members decide I haven't done enough, but I am comitted to working hard on their behalf to make the club better in whatever way I can.

[Henners]

... action this day is a worthy slogan

Henry

[lizzie]

still no roundal
G

Your wish is my command :-)

[Sharpy G]

Your wish is my command :-)

thanks Lizze !

proud I am now !!