"Club" membership and CT

Cheers TDA.  I think that you got the points across better than I did and added a lot more as well.  As for non members contributing, why not, if they have something relevant to add to a discussion.

So in the interest of good debate. There's been many a comment lately that the club is becoming less of a members club, is that feeling strengthened by not having a members only forum I'm not putting forward my personal view just raising a question.

I think the CT forum is possibly the area of the Club (beyond the Centres and Rallies set up) that remains a bit of a “members” area. Much of it is social conversation, sharing many of the things that many folks have in common, such as nature, gardening, sport, places to visit, each other’s family ups and downs to a lesser extent, children growing up, pets, health, lots of other things. Some like to get involved in this, others aren’t so keen, but that’s choice.

Then there is the wealth of experience from folks who tour here and overseas, in many different kinds of outfits, at all times of the year, and using all sorts of different sites, not just Club Sites. Many have had very valuable help in terms of making the right choice of outfit to suit their circumstances, help with outfit issues, and money saving tips on repairs, sharing all sorts of solutions to questions asked.

Look beyond this and then you have the truly social side where new friends have been made online, folks have actually met up and continue to do so, or have accidentally met up and still keep in touch when they can. CT has been a conduit for this, and continues to be so.

As for away from the more social aspects, and sharing of site information, the Club uses CT to gauge trends, and feedback. If all the feedback is weighted to happy, smiling, “we like everything, carry on regardless” type conversations, then those who make the decisions will have a somewhat skewed impression that all is right in Club land. I have no idea what trend monitoring happens, but I can’t help but think that these last couple of years have seen a huge change in modus operandi, and it certainly has been a period of upheaval away from how the Club has more traditionally operated.  Change of any kind always brings debate, and there will be elements that succeed, but there will be other areas that aren’t right, and the decision makers need to know. Some will get this across by simple suggestions, others might take more drastic steps and opt out of Membership. Most will find solutions of their own, and make the most of things as best they can. 

I personally don’t think that paying a fee to access the CL network makes me a more valuable contributor to CT, because most of the issues talked about are relevant to both Members and Non Members. 😁

"As for away from the more social aspects, and sharing of site information, the Club uses CT to gauge trends, and feedback. I"

really TTDA, from my reading of CT many members/non members are always screaming about lack of communication from the club on CT, and a total disregard for what the members are shouting about, the new booking system is a case in question.

" I have no idea what trend monitoring happens,"

i dont think they use CT, even when long standing members have walked the plank, become non members and eventually given up on CT, I wonder if any of them got a call/email from the club to ask them why they are leaving. ?

But they are not a lot different from other organisations, I was a member of the AA for more years than i care to remember but changed provider last year, did the AA chase me up, I dont think so, but they used to chase you up when your membership was almost about to expire if they had not had notice of renewal.

Oh I agree Rufs, lack of clear communication does seem an unwelcome aspect of Membership at the moment. Doesn’t mean they aren’t reading CT though, just not giving many answers on there😉 The marketing dept at HQ has been expanding recently, I am sure that someone will be number crunching from CT remarks at some point, also via Facebook as well no doubt. 

Do I think the Club care who is or isn’t retaining their Membership? No, not at the moment, it’s still getting a bit of a buzz from COVID/staycation, so membership is I think still growing. Out with the dissatisfied, those who don’t like the changes, don’t waste staff time chasing them, take up is still good. It’s never been a Club that rewarded long term membership beyond a window sticker in my 30+ years of paying a Members fee. The crunch will come when the take up peak starts to plateau and then dip. 

Some surprising organisations will bend over backward to keep customers onboard. I threaten Virgin Media with ending my association with them on a regular two year cycle, and always emerge with a good deal compared to their original offer. It’s getting to the decision makers that’s the important bit. 

I have just cancelled my membership from "Auto Renewal" after 17yrs!

Mine wasn’t on auto renew so I just didn’t pay. I beat you by 2 or 3 years membership🙂

I have no problems at all with non club members being members of CT and I can't see why it should matter. Unit it was remarked upon I never gave it a second thought. If someone wants to register and be part of CT then that is it.

Opinions are opinions, help is help, posts are posts and being a member of the club doesn't make any of those better in any way, or more valid or have extra 'points' or should be listened to more. 

It would be interesting to know the percentage of members that post on CT out of all the members