CH PLATES

[260Coupe]

Thanks Simon for one voice of reason

 

Ok you all need to deep a deep breath and a chill pill ..............there are many opinions expressed here, some legitimate, some are misguided, some from "armchair experts" on the subject, some make for "interesting reading" from those who have never been involved with the NDSOC...........  Others are just plain rediculous.

 

Firstly, for those making all the noise………why not contact me directly for an explanation rather than start another forum for "NDSOC bashing".     

 

 

The issue of Club Permit Plates for new members is currently under review by the NDSOC committee due to the influx of applications since the inception of the 90 day log book scheme. (both with Nissan/Datsuns and other makes of vehicles)

There is some concern within the club's committee (and me as Secretary and responsible for the scheme) that some applicants may only intend using the club as a vehicle to obtain Permit Plate (it may be seen as cheap rego by some) and have little or no intention in participating in NDSOC events or supporting the club in any way. 

 

In short ..........you pay your membership fee, get your permit plate and the club never sees you again.............Some may say - "so what?" 

Answer - all car clubs utilize this scheme to benefit its members and would hope that the member be active and join the particular car club for the right reason; that is to participate in club events and become an active member of the club……not just to obtain a permit plate.

 

The new 90 day log book scheme has a much higher level of administration (and penalties to the club for infractions), the NDSOC provides this service to its members at no additional cost. To issue a Club Permit to someone who has not demonstrated any intention in participating in NDSOC events or give anything back to the club is a drain on the club's resources and is goes nowhere in promoting the club and actually erodes the active membership base and risks turning the club into an inactive organisation with a great "on paper" membership but a shrinking active membership base.

. 

This issue was discussed with the AOMC (The governing body of the CPS) and they recommend that Club Permit Plates not be automatically issued to all new members but to implement a "qualifying period" to better determine if the new member was joining the club to participate .........not just obtain a club permit . Their concern is that there will be a massive influx of permit plate applications (and there has been) that may eventually jeopardise the entire scheme which will impact thousands of legitimate club permit holders.

 

Many car clubs have had this “qualifying period” in place for many years regarding issuing Permit Plates so if the NDSOC was to continue down this path it would not be setting a precedent, it would however soon weed out those who are only looking for a permit plate and not really interested in the club per sec’.

 

With this in mind, the NDSOC has made tentative steps in this direction subject to a formally agreed position by the committee, if the prospective or current member had issues with this I would have expected that they do me the courtesy of contacting me directly rather than create another "sh!t storm" on this forum.

 

From some of the comments made here including  “There are plenty of clubs who will issue permit plates” etc………..it is pretty clear that the choice of club for some would based upon which was easiest to obtain a permit plate rather than which club would be most like minded or which club the person would get the most out of and attend the events organised. 

 

In the past I have invited participants of this forum to join the NDSOC and extended invitations to events with little response, and in some cases the response was blatant hostility from those who do not wish to abide by NDSOC club rules or do not see the value in a $65 membership fee. As there is now a sudden influx in NDSOC interest (along with the permit plates ), by my estimation it can only be due to the permit scheme……not that there is a sudden interest to join to attend events or assist in “taking the club to the next level” 

 

I’m sure there will be more “discussion” on this subject however it is a demonstrable fact that there are many participants of this forum who previously had no intention of joining the NDSOC until now …………and their NDSOC application will almost certainly be accompanied by an application for a Permit Plate.

 

So the question that is the most obvious is:

 

Why are Melb based Zed owners from this forum who have been aware of the NDSOC for some time are only now wanting to join the NDSOC ?? ............a rhetorical one I think.

 

As for the misguided comments about the elected committee (again from non members), every financial member has the chance to join the committee at the annual AGM. Every year we find, like most clubs, that the same people end up volunteering their time as no other person wants to commit their time to the job.

 

On the subject of supposed “Gen Y prejudice”, as inferred by one poster to this discussion, there is certainly no prejudice within the NDSOC committee as we welcome any person willing to put their hand up to assist running the club. However my personal experience has been that most GenY’s are all about “what’s in it for me” …take everything you can and give nothing back………..evidenced by the fact that every club I am a involved with have very few committee positions filled by “Gen Y’s”….but that is another can of worms (I don't want to upset the Gen Y'ers)

 

So in summary………should the NDSOC become an association of convenience for any person just requiring a Club Permit Plate ?………(and I’m not suggesting that all new members are looking for this convenience)  or should it not firstly have the option to gauge if the new member is in fact going to be an asset to the club and not just an administration liability.

We are not in the business of making it "difficult" to join the NDSOC as all are welcome to join...........what we are now questioning is the motives behind the applicant when they have a CP plate application attached to their membership form.

At risk of turning prospective members away, I would argue that any member joining for the “right reasons” would agree to “wait period” (duration to be determined by the amount of event participation) and I’d further argue that those making the most noise without contacting me directly to discuss this and would rather shout about it in an open forum are those who clearly are only wishing to join for their own gains.......(I hope I am proven wrong) .

 

It is my view that the NDSOC is the premier Zed club in the country evidenced by the quality of the events we hold (every Zed Nationals has been a huge success and far better organised then other states) however it seems that many non NDSOC members here are happy to deride and make subversive comments via web forums with little if any experience with the club and would rather chat on line than actually join in and attend events with real people.......a great shame.

For those with a genuine interest in joining, participating and obtaining CP plates all that I ask is that you join for the right reasons, .........not much to ask I would not think.

 

 

Oh and finally, in answer to Daniels comments , club scrutineers only provide Letters of Safety in lieu of an RWC  to standard cars or those with light/minimal mods, any vehicle with major mods to brakes and suspension require a RWC and in some cases engineers reports........these are all assessed on a case by case basis.

Daniel you have a long standing gripe with me and the NDSOC committee and have made some absolutely outlandish statements and accusations in the past, I just wish you'd call me to discuss this rather than air your dirty laundry on a public forum.

 

Sorry that my response was so overly verbose however as the Permit Plate Secretary for the NDSOC for the past five years, this subject is of extreme importance to me and the club (and the 70+ members we have with permit plates).

 

The opinions expressed here are solely my own and are not that of the NDSOC committee, the committee will be discussing this at the next committee meeting, for those NDSOC members wishing to have input please PM me rather than inflame this thread further.

 

 

regards

 

Alan Fildes

Permit Plate Sec.

NDSOC

 

 

           

 

[reverendzed]

And with that ladies and gentlemen...I rest my case! the institution will have to wait for the verdict from the ever growing jury (those who NDSOC have thumbed their seemingly elitist nose at in the past...and present)

Rev.

[Agno]

... my personal experience has been that most GenY’s are all about “what’s in it for me” …take everything you can and give nothing back…

 

and thus, Rev's point is immediately validated. It is this closed minded and almost apprehensive attitude to younger people that has stopped me from participating in many "traditional" car clubs in the past, yours included. If you are interested in your club continuing beyond the current generation you need to welcome and actively pursuit younger members to become involved, but I digress...

[zr240]

We all love a argument on this forum dont we

 

I dont see an issue with what they are doing and if i did i would got to the meeting and vote against!

 

As some people have mentioned there are sooo many clubs that do ch so why not join another if you dont like what NDSOC are doing.

 

I think the issue here runs alot deeper than whats being metioned about ch plates from what i am reading from our auszcar crew!

 

The relationship has been a bit rocky between the two clubs for a while for some reson and its a shame as as far as i can see we want the sam things

 

 

TO HAVE FUN WITH OUR DATSUNS AND NISSANS

 

Ash (awaiting the posts saying i am a dickhead and know nothing etc etc)

 

 

 

 

[benny]

We all love a argument on this forum dont we

 

I dont see an issue with what they are doing and if i did i would got to the meeting and vote against!

 

As some people have mentioned there are sooo many clubs that do ch so why not join another if you dont like what NDSOC are doing.

 

I think the issue here runs alot deeper than whats being metioned about ch plates from what i am reading from our auszcar crew!

 

The relationship has been a bit rocky between the two clubs for a while for some reson and its a shame as as far as i can see we want the sam things

 

 

TO HAVE FUN WITH OUR DATSUNS AND NISSANS

 

Ash (awaiting the posts saying i am a brick head and know nothing etc etc)

 

 

Brick Head ;D

[zr240]

Lol whats a brickhead ?

[benny]

no idea... you wrote it... My take is a person that has bricks on there head?? 

[luvemfast]

The relationship has been a bit rocky between the two clubs for a while for some reson and its a shame as as far as i can see we want the sam things

 

TO HAVE FUN WITH OUR DATSUNS AND NISSANS

I'm with brickhead on this one.

Can't we all just get along?

(I think a brickhead is someone who cannot spell "reason" or "same" and stutters when typing "as"?)

[chev z]

As a member of both clubs and the wangaratta veteran, vintage and classic vehicle club, plus the benalla auto club I am of the opinion that if you haven't belonged to the club you are degrading and trying to incite hatred between age groups you should keep your thoughts to yourself ...until you become a member and actually participate on a board

I have only participated in events organised by dedicated hard working club members of the above clubs and am yet to have a bitch about any club decision

Rev I don't know you personally but I would like to think that your attack on the NDSOC comes from you being an EX club board member with a personal insight into the running of this club, otherwise your gripe  is as good as a Julia Gillard promise. Rev , speaking of institutions how long does it take for your institution to analyse and implement a recommendation from your parishiners probably as long as the NDSOC does LOL

I have been on many club boards/ committees and it never ceases to amaze me that the people with the biggest complaints are usually the ones that sit on the sidelines and do buggerall

 

Have a nice day and my thanks to all the board members that make the clubs I am involved with exist

[saxon]

*eats popcorn*

[Jimbo]

        I wasn't going to comment but here goes. I cannot understand why some people if they are not happy with a group or club go out of their way to shit-can that group or club...why bother. If you have had a bad experience at one time,  don't have any contact with them again...Simple...  I have been a member of NDSOC for a long time & still am & have been to a few outings with them (one not so pleasant) ,But I didn't spit the dummy & slag the club, just slowed down my involvement.

 

      With this club I have had a lot of enjoyment & knowledge from the members forums & a workshop which was GREAT. Some of the other members individual replies to posts I have found offensive but I would not waste my time commenting, only to start another hissy fit. You form an opinion of people through their posts that may or may not be correct when you meet up face to face. So gently gently is the way to be.

 

      If the NDSOC committee want to run their club their way, good luck to them.  The same as Gav wants to run AUSZCAR his way, that's his privilege.    Jim

 

[peter t]

Hear Hear

[peter mc]

well said jimbo ...

i am not a member at the moment , but i will be soon rejoining .had some grate times with the club and the people in it . if you don't like the club don't be in it, do something else with your time

[saxon]

As a new datsun owner, I'm looking to join a club for CH plates and to meet cool laid back folk who aren't pretentious wankers.  From the look of this thread, NDSOC fails on both accounts.

[chev z]

Just remember Saxon that all the pretentious wackos that you are referring to are also members of this site...lol

[C.A.R.]

DJ the NDSOC Pres. is pretty laid back...

[Zedman240®]

As a new datsun owner, I'm looking to join a club for CH plates and to meet cool laid back folk who aren't pretentious wackos.  From the look of this thread, NDSOC fails on both accounts.

 

I hate to bring you some bad news, but I have been a member of numerous types of clubs (RC car, real car etc) and I can tell you, you will find those type of people everywhere. They are what we call "human". I'm also a member of the NDSOC... for about 16 years and have still yet to talk to a few members. I may not get along with some, but I don't have to share a house with them. If and when you join the club, like a few people have already said, if there is something you don't like, join the committee and suggest a change!

 

Just a suggestion, if new members join up for CH reg, why not have a minimum "club attendance/activities points" scheme to make sure they do turn up to at least some events? I know this site has nothing to do with the NDSOC, but it will be something I will be asking the relevant people...

 

[gav240z]

I've just spent 20 mins reading all of this and I'm in a bit of a hurry as I type this reply but I want to say 2 things:

 

1. I can understand the NDSOC does not want to hand out CH plates to any Tom, Dick or Harry who may see the club as cheap rego. To perhaps detour for a second I was a member of the NDSOC for a short while a couple of years ago but let my membership expire due to my perceived lack of other early Z's in the club. I think I recall a Holden Commodore (VL Turbo) being featured on the site and in the club magazine a few times. To which I have absolutely 0 interest. Although I understand the common RB powerplant. I felt the club was just not focused and had little interest growing early Z membership.

 

At that time Matt Freeman was President and he did speak to me a couple of times about getting more early Z's in the club. In fact I will say Matty was the 1 person who really made me feel welcome in the club. Hats off to Matt.

 

I find this a bit of a shame, which brings me to my next point.

 

2. I would like to see the relationship between Auszcar and the NDSOC improved. It's a crying shame to see a lack of early Z's in that club and I understand some people have had negative experiences in the past and may wish to go elsewhere, but I honestly think if a few of the younger members got together and became more involved in the decision making process they could shake things up and bit. Which would be of both mutual benefit to the NDSOC and Auszcar.

 

If I was living back in Australia I would probably attempt to get more involved with the NDSOC. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't get too involved in the beginning because of what 'others' had told me about the club. I did find the group a little 'clicky' but that is understandable at the same time as I was the newbie and the club has been around for a long time and has many long term members.

 

Perhaps this is the wrong thread, but I'd like to see ideas discussed (constructive criticism) around how the NDSOC could be improved and more welcoming to new members.

 

Just a suggestion, what do you think?

[luvemfast]

I don't think it's the responsibility of this forum to come up with ideas to improve other clubs.

I've been involved in the NDSOC all my life, it's s great club and has some great people. My parents and godfather are life members and my best mate is the son of a guy my parents met through the club over 30 years ago.

I feel a personal responsibility to get more involved in the future.

And that's the key, I'm part of the problem.

Here is a guy who wants the best for the club, who is a younger member to add some youth, but is too busy with life to volunteer time at the moment. The time is getting closer off me.

[260Coupe]

It's nice to finally see some positive comments about the NDSOC , Chev Z you are absolutely spot on,  the negativity tends to come from those who have never been a member or may "know someone who may have had a bad experience in the past"......so they formulate an opinion that is not based upon fact.

 

For the NDSOC members who do post on this site ( Simon, Dimitri, Steve, Jimbo, Dale just to name a few), I'm sure they will attest to the great experiences they have had with the club over the years, the events we organise or able to access via the club and the services we offer (CAMs licenses, CPP's etc).

 

 

What bewilders me most is the fact that for all the people here who are so passionate about their Zeds............I would have thought that there would be some incentive to at the very least come along as see for themselves what the NDSOC was all about rather than taking the negativity from a few as gospell. 

 

 

Alan

[zedrally]

I don't think it's the responsibility of this forum to come up with ideas to improve other clubs.

snip

 

Amen, now lets get a mod to lock this thread and get back to business......

[chev z]

G'day Simon, first of are you intending to go to Deca this year?

 

I think you will find that, generally speaking ,if you have been associated with parents /close friends being involved in club boards/ committees then you appreciate the time and mostly unappreciated effort that goes into running a club

As an ex Melb. boy that moved to the country it is neccessarry to get involved with the groups locally and put your hand up otherwise the local football, netball, cricket ,tennis teams, hall committee, tidy town, fire brigade don't exist.

I'm sure , this indifferent attitude to life by people these days has flowed over into recruitment of younger people onto boards [ i.e.  people expect to be hand fed opportunities in life these days instead of taking a risk and achieving something for themselves]. , our town has that small a population, that young people are encouraged and expected to join a committee

Perhaps the NDSOC could encourage guys like Saxon to joinup and get feed back and constructive ideas to further the club , or guys like Saxon could show some endeavour and get self motivated and joinup and contribute to a  club with similar interests to themselves

As JFK said ' ask not what your country can do for you , but what you can do  etc'

 

Getting back to original thread ,when I decided to get a Datto I immediately acquired membership in the NDSOC and this forum, I figured that the two would complement each other and I suspect there are heaps of forum members across Aus. that belong to a datsun club outside this forum.

If these other clubs didn't exist then race events, nissan datsun nationals, club runs mostly wouldn't occur. Also the aquisition of CH plates would be even harder and I do like the idea that you attend a set number of functions to qualify for CH plates

By the way you couldn't meet a nicer pres. and vice pres. that the NDSOC has now, they have gone outof their way to say hello and make my family feel welcome, well done Dave and Karen

 

Before you are critical of something you should take the time to investigate it and make your own decision..... it's easy ,attend a meeting or contact a board member by phone , I did

[luvemfast]

G'day Simon, first of are you intending to go to Deca this year?

No DECA for me this year.

Car no worky worky

[chev z]

You should come and play with my cars, perhaps a joint entry might be possible

[luvemfast]

You should come and play with my cars, perhaps a joint entry might be possible

That's VERY generous of you Steve.

But I really couldn't bring myself to drive someone else's toys.

Really appreciate the offer though mate