Hello all. I thought it best to respond here in to address this issue which I find concerning. I speak for myself here, but feel the need to respond as I don't want this animosity to continue.
I've made number of friends through Fiat ownership, some through Clubcento, others through Fiat Forum, and I am at a loss to understand why this debate keeps blowing up when we are all enthusiasts in the same scene. I usually choose not to get involved because often nothing is achieved - I cannot change people's perspectives and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I have to say I do find some things that are said are upsetting. A little mutual respect, tolerance and understanding would go a long way.
Clubcento is a car club first and foremost. Fiat Forum is a free, web-based forum. Some of what we do overlaps, and some things that one group offers, the other does not. It does not make either better than the other - they just suit different needs and preferences. As car clubs' activities range far wider than an online forum, they tend to be run in a democratic system, with a committee elected by and answering to, the membership who pay a joining fee that subsidises events and the running of the club (postage, registration fees, competition prizes etc.). If you think you will benefit from this, great - we would love to have you in the club. If you do not think you will get the full benefit of membership, of which the primary focus is on events, then this is fine too. I for one would still like to meet all enthusiasts sharing my interests, club members or not, and I think the vast majority of people from both CC and FF would feel the same way. The forum is a small part of what Clubcento does - it was set up as requested by the membership, and members have discussed and voted on how they wish their forum to be presented (i.e. with some parts open-access, and other parts members-only) and the committee and appointed moderating team run the forum according to their wishes. The Clubcento forum does not masquerade as anything, the AUP is clearly spelled out - it is a forum belonging to a club of which some parts are (as directed by membership) publicly accessible. It would be sad to think people would want to "close doors" on the CC forum on the basis of this, which goes against the spirit of meeting new people sharing our common interest.
Personally, I feel sorry that PinkyCinqy and AllanHelen are upset that the thread in question was locked. You are very welcome to question club policy, but please respect that club policy is set by the membership. When discussion of this turns to abuse (either on forums or via PM), moderators have every right to do their jobs. Nobody wants to go round fighting, that's not what an enthusiast scene is about.
Just because the club is run in a different way to how you see fit, does not make it wrong, elitist or immoral. On a lighter note how anyone could be elitist about cute little Fiats is beyond me
If the idea of a structured car club doesn't appeal to you, then that's fine - it's no skin off anyone's nose. We're a not-for-profit organisation, so there is no need to increase numbers by recruiting people who would not benefit from the club. Even with turnover, membership numbers have remained at a consistent level for the nearly 10 years since it's founding which indicates the club is running at a organic, sustainable size considering the number of cars around and the proportion of owners for whom a club of this sort is attractive. Understandably those who are already members are enthusiastic about encouraging people to join because they themselves enjoy it. Yes, there are some benefits of the club that you can get elsewhere, but there are many that you can't - please respect that the club has the right to run itself how its members see fit. If they decide that the Technical section is only accessible by members, then this is their perogative.
We feel that we are doing a good job at Clubcento, and the feedback we have from our members supports this. If a club such as ours doesn't suit you, nobody has a go at you for making that choice, that's fine - it would still be great to meet you at other events where our paths cross. There's no point in creating animosity where there isn't any. What's wrong with a little bit of tolerance, understanding and mutual respect? As you say there are lots of sources of information about these cars, if Clubcento members wish to promote the club as a source of information or anything else, be it for whatever reason, please respect that right. Lots of people on the Clubcento forum promote and link to information on the Fiat Forum, we do not abuse them for that, nor do we allow criticism of Fiat Forum AUP and moderation on our boards. FF is a resource for some things that CC doesn’t offer, likewise CC offers things that FF doesn't. Which one (or both) meets your needs and your preference is your business - what is the point in slagging off anyone with a difference of opinion?
Anyone is welcome to participate on the open-access parts of Clubcento's forum, and I would welcome AllanHelen, PinkyCinqy and anyone else with an interest in the smallest Fiats to participate in CC's open boards if they would like to. Please respect the rights and wishes of the club to run their board as they see fit though. If I come onto FF (and for a number of years before general "life" started eating my time I was a participating member here), I respect FF's policies and moderation. I have met some good mates here who I continue to socialise with at events where I see them. If you come onto Clubcento forum, then please do the same. What's the point of us arguing just because we're different?
Thank you for your time.
