Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > DSC Membership ? POLL

[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 I feel that the club thing is now out of date and that more regional messageboards are the way forward - a very good example is Ducati Up North.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