Well Rev I think you summed up the NDSOC perfectly with your openning comment. Those comments are what I hear from old and current members time & time again. The club in it's current form is run by a very clicky group of long termers which you will never penetrate. I was a member for over 10 years (my brother probably over 15) and that group never made me feel welcome and always snubbed me and many, many others (even when I was on the committee). Truth be known either they have no idea how to market and generate interest from new members and make them feel welcome or they don't want to. I 'm not sure which one.
When Matt was President & I Vice Pres & Treasurer we increased the member ship to an all time high of 400 and at it's peak were getting 90+ members to the monthly meetings at the Jag Club. We left our posts with the biggest attendence to events and the most money in the bank, heeps of give aways, free events through out the year including a free $3,500- Xmas breakup party. During this time Matt & I only copped criticism from the old clicky group so we threw the towl in and left it to them. Since then the NDSCO member ship struggles to get 200 members and hardly get's anyone outside of the committee (clicky group) to social events etc. Obviously I could go on but I won't bore you.
But if a Club this size can get 29 Zeds to a BBQ / Drive on the 6/12/08 by word of mouth then it is clear to me that we are reaching the point where we can form an association. I will have a Bank Account openned by the end of year and look for donations from members ($20 or so) for starters and away we go. We are becoming more structured each year and 2009 should be Auszcar Clubs biggest year yet.
PS: Alan Fields if you want to dispute any of the above or cast dispursions then you have my personal email address I don't think this forum or club is interested in politics.