Why be a "member" of anything?

[sgborgstrom]

There is a thread up in the "clubhouse" section that has me thinking about why we join clubs/organizations and why we leave or stay.

I've been an MOA member for 19 years, back then the magazine and anonymous book were enough for me to justify the annual cost. With the addition of the forum, I think there has been significant value added. I've been to a few rallies, try to contribute here and there and really like the "idea" that there is a place where others who like BMW motorcycles can congregate and share their experience. As I have moved around the country over the last 19 years there have been opportunities to join local BMW clubs, some of those relationships have been rewarding, others not so much. I stopped being a part of the local club because it just never felt "right"...one day I might go back and see if things have changed, or maybe not.

I pay dues to a number of other organizations every year but am "active" in very few, most of them I send money to because I support their mission. It is enough for me to know that I am a small part of something larger.

What makes you enter into membership anywhere, what makes you stick around? What makes you decide to sever the relationship? How do you decide your level of activity? Is there something that drives you to become apart of the "leadership" as opposed to a "grassroots" member?

[Cliffy777]

Interesting questions. Joined the MOA because I like the "vibe" - emphasis on safety and riding. That being said, I do not belong to any local BMW club and probably never will. I don't like to go on group rides (maybe with one to three friends maximum) and I will probably never attend a national rally. (Too many people in one place for me.)
I do belong to RIDE - the Grand Rapids, MI chapter, but mainly because they practice brand ecumenism AND they do a lot with their membership as far as promoting safety and sharpening riding skills, etc. I went on one group ride with half a dozen of them once. Real nice guys and I had fun, but that is not my scene. I send in my $15 dues every year because they are a good group who promote motorcycling in all of its various forms.
I have enjoyed this forum for several years, really like the magazine and especially enjoy being able to contribute to the magazine. So I figger I get my $32 worth of membership every year and then some.
I dig the Rounders because they were partially my idea! We try not to pick on each other or on any particular motorcycle brand. No pissing or other contests to speak of.
Riding a bike for me is an individual experience, but one that can be shared with other like minded individuals. I guess the MOA, RIDE, and Rounders are the best representation of like-mindedness I can find - without us all being the same.

[Belquar]

I joined the MOA cause I got a BMW. I wanted to be involved with like minded individuals.

The forum alone is enough for my dues. So much information about anything is available here.

The only other thing I am a "member" of is my local EMS squad. I don't pay monitary dues. I pay with my time. I do that becuase I think it is fun as hell to ride around in the ambulance with lights and sirens going to calls. I really like when I get to help someone who really needed help. Granted, a lot of our calls for service don't quite qualify as needing help. I am still happy to do it.

[GlobalRider]

What makes you enter into membership anywhere, what makes you stick around? What makes you decide to sever the relationship? How do you decide your level of activity? Is there something that drives you to become apart of the "leadership" as opposed to a "grassroots" member?

I've been a member of the BMWMOA since June of 1992. I guess the only reason I'm still a member is for the odd article of interest in the Owners News. Far too much magazine space is "wasted" on pre and post rally coverage as well as the mileage contest. This was brought up on other forums when the MOA was discussed. I'm also not a rally person and the BMW MOA Anonymous book is of little use to me since most of my touring is overseas.

As for my local club, a few years was a few years too many. Other than the social aspect which is not why I'd join a club, they really have nothing to offer. The uppers are too much of a clique involved in their non-motorcycling agendas.

But be it a club, a dough-nut shop hangout or a tire kicking session, most people have this need to belong. Its probably why so many ride in packs. I guess its human nature.

[Visian]

i "joined" when one of my employees bought me a magazine subscription for Christmas back in the late 80s.

i had been riding BMWs for over ten years, and at 33yo, i was completely unaware of the bmw moa.

i've stayed around because i like the community... my first rally was in duquoin, and i thought that folks were pretty cool for old farts. ;)

ian

[tommcgee]

I don't own a BMW, but have liked them for 40 years, and I might own one someday. When it comes to riding style and other interests, I have a lot in common with this group.

[PAULBACH]

Because content is king.

Between Owners News and the Forum just about every aspect of motorcycling in general and BMWs in particular are covered.

[Visian]

Because content is king.

if you consider the advent of social networking (myspace, facebook, etc.) i'd argue that community is king.

[tommcgee]

if you consider the advent of social networking (myspace, facebook, etc.) i'd argue that community is king.

+1 to content AND community.

[hlothery]

I like the ON, and the information swap on the forum. Same reason I hung around the HD forum when I had a Road King, etc. Nice to hear about maintenance tips/problem areas from folks who have experience with that. I sometimes allow myself to get sucked into other discussions, then usually regret it. I ride two up with my wife, but we ride solo, we have not enjoyed any of the group rides we have attended in the past. We are not campers, so do not attend many rallies. I just like the info, and the motorcycling.

[wilcox]

I like the ride reports in ON...of the people and by the people. Everybody relates a riding experience with their own style. It's great to "go" along on their ride while relaxing in your easy chair. A couple issues back a guy from the DC area wrote about his ride through Virginia and it was all about the food and cigars. That was a unique perspective, and I swear I was full after reading about all the feasts.

Secondly, great information is available in this virtual community. I am a second year member that learns and enjoys more and more about my favority topic. Hopefully someday I'll get to meet some of the characters that populate the forum and attend the rallys.

Chris

[Montana]

There is a thread up in the "clubhouse" section that has me thinking about why we join clubs/organizations and why we leave or stay.
...
What makes you enter into membership anywhere, what makes you stick around? What makes you decide to sever the relationship? How do you decide your level of activity? Is there something that drives you to become apart of the "leadership" as opposed to a "grassroots" member?
Joining gives access to resources, for one thing: I've been a member of a statewide native plant society since its inception, I joined when I bought a house and wanted to learn for purposes of landscaping there. Now I live in the university town where it all started and it turns out most of the members are associated with the university and/or the forest service. The folks here are professionally obsessed, unlike me; I just like easy-care plants. I send my annual dues and go to an occasional plant-rescue (when we get to dig up plants and take them home before bulldozers make a new neighborhood out of the area). I leave it to the paid professionals to give their time to the organization.

Joining for social involvement: Not my style, my interests and friendships overlap the margins of lots of folks who themselves are wholly immersed in something (horses, music, whatever). I like a lot of stuff, not a lot of one thing.

Joining re motorcycling: Well, Dal Smilie "joined" us to MOA when we bought a K75RT, I knew him through Montana ABATE. He and I have been activist cohorts for a long time and through a lot of legislation. I watch the leadership of some of the motorcycle groups and see them as military-style organizations whose members will tell you they are rebels and outlaws. Yeah, right.

I belonged to ABATE but let it go recently. I've made presentations to them, stood up to the bullies, represented them in legislative sessions, and finally stepped aside. I'm tired of hearing, "Why don't you ride a Harley?" When to let it go, to pass the baton, is a real tough issue. I've seen the same folks running things for years and other folks bathing in glory from leadership positions while getting nothing accomplished. Who and how to groom new folks to step into leadership roles, when to step aside and let things go, I see that either being ignored or being struggled with in lots of groups.

Group-think or not? I've written state vehicle code as amendments to motorcycling-affected legislation. I met with the Director of our DOT just last week and requested an action item, that all road construction contractors must post "Motorcyclist Use Caution" at all projects. I just feel I need to continue to protect myself and my right to ride, I'm a legitmate road user, too. Not everyone is a hero, looking for the spotlight. Some of us are the worker bees.

[PGlaves]

You guys are not paying attention:)

Haven't you read the phrase coined by Tom Harbrecht when he was on the Board?

"BMW MOA" - The Essential BMW Accessory"

[boxerr]

I dont really know if I have a good reason for joining.
I am from Australia, so no real social contact directly with anyone.
I am on my 5th BMW, and living in an area that has no Beemer club close handy as such, I thought the larger club as this is may offer something usefull.
The magazine is very good reading, even if I never get to see any of the places talked about. Sure is good to see the pictures of out of the way places, instead of LA, or NY all the time.
It also gives me access to dealers we dont hear of for bits and pieces sometimes not available in my country.
I am a member of the Ulysses club in Australia, and for those not familiar with that, it is a bike club for over 40s people.
I like it because I dont have to attend a set amount of meetings, or rallies to keep my membership( been in clubs like that before!!)
I can attend a meeting, or ride, at any group around Australia, and feel welcome, as we are all in the same club.
I think this club is the same feeling.:)

[dlowry]

I belong to the MOA and no local BMW groups. I'd had my RT which is my first BMW, for about 8 months and when the winter came upon us, and I guess I was just looking for like-minded people who might be doing some of the same things that I was planning on doing to my RT. If you can believe it, I rode the first year without changing a thing on the bike. By the end of the season I had a pretty big list of things that I wanted to do so I thought this the online aspect would suit me better than a once a month meeting that a local group provides.

To echo the previous postings, the forum alone is well worth the price of admission. The help we've received from our fellow riders here is what keeps us coming back. I am glad I didn't read the forums before buying the bike or I never would have bought the RT as sometimes the impression you get is all bikes will have flaw X or problem Y, when in reality is a random sampling of a population and nobody posts they had a trouble-free day today.

But to be honest, in 30 odd years of motorcycling, this is the first group I belonged to and feel like I belong. I've tried a couple of other groups in the past and always had the impression I was intruding on someone's private club. The MOA has never felt like that to me.

Cheers!

[rocketman]

I joined the MOA so I could travel around the country and "freeload" :eat off everyone in the Anon book! :drink Too bad I usually forget :dunno to take my cell phone with me and when I do, I realize I forgot to charge it!

Oh well,,,,just another plan gone all to pot, *sigh*:scratch

RM

[Hodag]

I joined the MOA so I could travel around the country and "freeload" :eat off everyone in the Anon book! :drink Too bad I usually forget :dunno to take my cell phone with me and when I do, I realize I forgot to charge it!

Oh well,,,,just another plan gone all to pot, *sigh*:scratch

RM

just call collect from the pay phone

[BubbaZanetti]

just call collect from the pay phone

bhahahhaha


"Hello, Mr. Krause, will you accept the charges from a Mr. Bubba Zanetti?"

[rocketman]

just call collect from the pay phone
Good idea except I just heard a report recently that was talking about how they are being torn down by the phone company's because they are no longer making any revenue. *sigh*

I remember going the worlds fair in NY back in 64 when I was 13 and one of the hot "items of the future' were the video phone booths that had speaker phones so a group could all talk at once and you could see the group on the other end. Boy were they wrong about that! Ha Ha.

Though the internet has kinda made that a reality, just in a different venue.

It was one of the absolutely coolest fairs I have ever attended, as a science geek I was in seventh heaven, my poor parents had to literally drag me out of there each day and I must have explained everything I saw to them a zillion times!


RM

[Stuff2C]

I joined cause I was so lonely and needed a friend, after 20+ years i'm still in search of one.:(

[Cliffy777]

Just thought of another reason I like the ON. The ride reports and bike stories and product reviews are NOT all written by people who live in California. Nothing against those of you who have perfect riding weather 95% of the time, but reading a review of a waterproof piece of gear from someone who has to get in the shower or spray himself with a hose is a hoot. Much rather read the feedback from people who actually used rain gear in the rain or a cold weather product in temps below 50!

Another another reason for liking the ON is that most of the writing is done by regular folks, not the fortunate few who get paid to be on/write about motorcycles every day.

But I do enjoy reading Rider and Motorcyclist as well, but not as much.

[crazydrummerdude]

I joined because I knew nothing about BMW's when I got my BMW.

Unfortunately, still about 98% of what I know about BMW's didn't come from joining the MOA or posting on the forums.. or reading the ON.

I joined the Airheads a year later, because all I own are airheads, but still have yet to really justify my membership/dues.

:dunno

I remain a member in both, knowing that one day I'll need one of you, and your thoughts/trailer/friendship/etc.

So, you could say I'm here for the networking.

[Rapid_Roy]

I joined for the food. Where is it?

That and Rally dates. An unexpected bonus was meeting nice people.

[Rapid_Roy]

....
Oh well,,,,just another plan gone all to pot, *sigh*:scratch

RM

That is supposed to happen after you get to the rally.
:brad

[Overkill]

I have only been riding for three years on the street. Three bikes later I am now a BMW owner with a serious interest in sport touring. I joined two local clubs and MOA. I was pretty disappointed with the most local club. I had hoped to meet some local people who share my interest in BMW motorcycles.

My wife does not ride or even ride as a passenger. No one else in my family has a BMW, they mostly ride Harleys but only on occasion. I was hoping to meet some people to go for rides with so I went to a few local events. Met a few people but no one who I clicked with. it has only been one season on a BMW so I guess it takes time (or a better personality :0)).

I went to the local clubs big summer event. When I arrived I was pleased to see many people with all different BMW bikes there. I was excited to see all the bikes and learn about them and get some tips and riding stories from the veterans. I went into the event and everyone was in their own small groups and only one person said hello. No one had the duty of greeting the new members. I felt like an outsider. I didn't feel like forcing myself on any one group without an invitation so
I wandered around for a short time and finally got on my bike and left. It really soured me on the local club. I am sure there are great people there but the club was not active enough to have someone designated to help new members feel welcome. Now the club does not even have someone to run for president. Their web site is good but not very active.

Myself and a few other newer members had made some posts but there was little response. When I made a joke about the lack of response to liven thigs up it was clear there was no sense of humor there! I guess that is why no one goes there.

I guess that is typical of local clubs. I grew up showing horses and the same thing happens in those clubs. The same people get tired of doing the work and they lose their zeal for doing it, then new members like me don't get involved and then the club is stuck in sort of a rut. I think new membership is the key to any club. Fresh people to do the club chores so no one gets sick of doing all the work.

BMW MOA is a wonderful place. the people are warm and interesting. There is a ton of information every day. It is like a big family, nutballs included (including myself). I wish I could just stop over and help some of these people in their garages with whatever new farkle they are playing with and also learn more about the bikes. I have a garage where I live when not working or doing other parental duties. But even if I never meet any local people BMWMOA has been fun to be a small part of. Even if it is just lurking and reading the posts and occasionally laughing out loud or feeling the sorrow of someone’s troubles. Perhaps it is the separation of the computer that allows people to be more open then they would be with someone they may have to see again.

Keep up the great work of this club you set the standard! Thanks for all the work of the many volunteers!

[wilcox]

OK OK, it was long as you warned, but well said.

Here's hoping that local clubs, as I suspect most do, make welcoming drop-ins/outsiders/newbies/other brands, you choose the term, a top priority.

What makes you enter into membership anywhere, what makes you stick around?

Ah, that welcome feeling.

Cheers!

[rocketman]

That is supposed to happen after you get to the rally.
:brad

no Sh*t? In that case I'm deffinately coming!:brad :thumb

RM

Just an aging hippie and proud of it...:dance

[Rapid_Roy]

Well, it is a vacation first, Rally second.

scribble scribble
*note to self: bring Rocket fuel for Rocket man*
You won't be burnin' out the fuse out there alone. :laugh

Redcllfco found us by looking for the tye dyed t shirt on a pole
I am not sure how we can top that in Gillette.
:wave

[sfdave]

I joined for the coffee.

Seriously, I've owned BMW's since the late eighties, and really didn't get around to joining because my friends would just pass on their magazines (ON) and that's all I thought the club was about.

Now days I like volunteering at the Cycle World show and drinking coffee with Kbasa on Saturday mornings :wave HI Dave

Oh, and I also love to ride.