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Club - and Forum - survival #1661793
10/11/2022 17:56
10/11/2022 17:56
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline OP
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Auld Reekie
In the course of this September's AGM the Treasurer's report highlighted an alarming trend of declining funds, which could potentially mean the Club, and therefore the forum which is supported in the main by membership fees.

In the light of this it was agreed that a number of measures be taken - these include economies in internal admin, and not displaying a Coupé at the NEC Classic Car Show for at least a year (next one potentially November 2023).

At current rates the Club is losing around £800 per annum so, with support from many members who have commented on it, the membership fee will increase from £10 to £15 p.a. from 1st January 2023. This fee is still regarded by many as minimal but it is this income which pays for the forum.

The Board would like to state in the strongest terms that if the Club is not supported it may not survive and this will of course have a knock-on effect outside of it.

There are many people who visit the forum to take advantage of its resources and who are not Club members. Likewise there are probably more on the FaceBook Club who are not FCCUK members but still benefit from visiting our forum.

We urge these users to consider joining our Club in order to maintain its existence.

(If you wish to avoid the increase then now - before the end of December - is the time to join.)

Simon Coverdale
Club President


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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661800
10/11/2022 22:02
10/11/2022 22:02
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 102
Bury St Edmunds
Andrew20V Offline
Club Member 1976
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On a journey

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Posts: 102
Bury St Edmunds
Sad to hear, but £15 is still great value. Just a thought, would it make sense to amalgamate with another Fiat Club e.g. Barchetta if there is one for that model?

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661814
11/11/2022 09:20
11/11/2022 09:20
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
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Auld Reekie
Thanks Andrew, yes there is indeed a Barchetta Club.

I'm not sure about the logistics of amalgamating Clubs, I imagine it could be quite complex - not wishing to sound too stick-in-the-mud I feel our Club needs to sort its own house out without taking on other Club's baggage and vice versa!

It is something the Club has considered as far as a presence at a future NEC show is concerned though...


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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661819
11/11/2022 10:07
11/11/2022 10:07
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 112
Essex
1
1st_things_1st Offline
Club member 1460
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On a journey
1

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 112
Essex
Needs to be done. I've certainly got more than my subs worth of benefit from this club.

Would it be possible to add an (optional) donation option? For those who are able to give a little more.

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661820
11/11/2022 10:45
11/11/2022 10:45
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
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Auld Reekie
This has indeed been a feature of thr distant past Andrew, before my recollection anyway - unfortunately whenI enquired as to its success, the answer was "zero" !


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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661830
11/11/2022 13:14
11/11/2022 13:14
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
Club Member 259
magooagain  Offline
Club Member 259
Forum is my life

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
I've always thought the club has been run very well by the volunteers behind the scenes and it's appreciated.

All these years and Ive still never managed to get into the workshop manual.
If this club could create a hard book type workshop manual it would be fantastic.
And to put money where my mouth is I would be willing to pay up front for one and would be happy to give a donation to help it become a real thing.

As a club member of many years I've never understood why we keep getting the 'membership package' it's a total waste of time and resources.
Just my member number on my avatar is fine with maybe a message in receipt of payment.
Stacks of cards,stickers and tax disc holders are only taking up room in my couoe history file.

Lastly,giving members monetary help in any form to attend anniversary events,other events,shows etc is not good and I'm totally against it.



Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661834
11/11/2022 13:49
11/11/2022 13:49
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline OP
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Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Thanks Joe, indeed the stationery you refer to is to be limited.

I can't understand (although you've probably documented this many times) why you can't access the Workshop Manual, most of which is available.

Sorry to be a pain but would you mind describing again where you are prevented from accessing it?

I'll re-check your permissions


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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661835
11/11/2022 14:08
11/11/2022 14:08
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline OP
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Now "I" can't get in!

I've escalated this Joe, bear with us...


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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661836
11/11/2022 14:12
11/11/2022 14:12
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline OP
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Mystifyingly I can now get in crazy

Joe, can you see this page at all when clicking the link

Attached Files

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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661837
11/11/2022 14:17
11/11/2022 14:17
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,293
Sandhurst
Begbie Offline
Ex El Presidente
Begbie  Offline
Ex El Presidente
I AM a Coop

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Posts: 12,293
Sandhurst
Joe, try logging into the workshop manual with the username of "joe maguire" and your forum password


Originally Posted by Jonny - After being taken out at Spa
Your car is Usain Bolt with wellies
Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661838
11/11/2022 14:18
11/11/2022 14:18
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline OP
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

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Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Beat me to it!

You have a PM Joe


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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661839
11/11/2022 14:59
11/11/2022 14:59
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
Forum is my life

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
I may have to use a computer with a keyboard to get into it I think. Being a technophobe is probably the main reason. But when I get the chance I will have another go.
Thanks.



Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661841
11/11/2022 15:08
11/11/2022 15:08
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 627
Bulgaria
french_coupe Offline
Club member 773
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Bulgaria
More than happy with the increase. It’s long overdue especially considering the amount of information available and assistance given.


lost in space
Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661844
11/11/2022 17:31
11/11/2022 17:31
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 973
Drakelow
Jamiepm Online happy
Club member 1989
Jamiepm  Online Happy
Club member 1989
Enjoying the ride

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Posts: 973
Drakelow
I'm guessing Facebook is part of the issue as those groups are free, it would be sad day if this forum wasn't around

I'm happy to put a donation in (Happily commit to £50 right now), in addition to being a paid member if this is what the club is open to

Regards Jamie



She's alive!
Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661845
11/11/2022 17:35
11/11/2022 17:35
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
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That's an extremely generous offer Jamie bow


It's difficult to compare like-for-like; this forum and FB come from such a different financial base. They are funded by advertising and we are not, they are able to afford a more colourful exterior and perhaps more transient, we have a more elderly and less expensive website (which we neverless have to pay for annually) but a vast store of knowledge.

For those that prefer not to be regaled by ads this is your haven (unless one or two selected/auto-related companies are invited in a modest way to provide an extra income stream) and this is the eventual repository of most of the info and experiences you'll ever need.

There is a high element of autonomy here which may not be prevalent in FB, but the latter is probably easier to join and use - we aim to do something about the registration process...

...and so on. I reckon there's room for both and I'm inclined to disagree with those who forecast an imminent demise.

Last edited by Edinburgh; 11/11/2022 17:50.

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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661846
11/11/2022 17:37
11/11/2022 17:37
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 973
Drakelow
Jamiepm Online happy
Club member 1989
Jamiepm  Online Happy
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Posts: 973
Drakelow
no problem Simon wink

PS_ it took me many attempts to get into the workshop manual as well

Cheers Jamie


She's alive!
Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661848
11/11/2022 19:22
11/11/2022 19:22
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
Club Member 259
magooagain  Offline
Club Member 259
Forum is my life

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
Simon I'm sorry if my comments earlier seemed negative. That's certainly not my intention. I want what's best for this club. To me that's simple.
Transparency is top of the list with no hidden agenda from any contributors.

The impression I'm getting is that we are fighting a losing battle. I don't think so,as the ethos of the club remains the same.
Good car,good people. And that's from all over the world not just uk.

We've had constructive comments from ex coupe owners very recently that shows they still have the passion.

I urge all ex members to think on and the fun we all have had in the past,to re join as members. It's the price of a couple of beers ffs. Which I will stand you when we all meet again.


Edit to add. It's very dissapointing to search on here and find various people that have earnt thousands of pounds from this club forum and can't be arsed to keep up membership. And that includes many that have sold thousands of pounds worth of parts,in past,over the years.

Last edited by magooagain; 11/11/2022 19:30. Reason: Poor show.


Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661852
11/11/2022 21:25
11/11/2022 21:25
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 17
Somerset
T
TonyB Online content
Club member 1903
TonyB  Online Content
Club member 1903
Newbie
T

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 17
Somerset
I don't post much on the forum, however I do visit it most days. I find the amount of technical information invaluable. There is always something to learn and I can usually find useful techical help when working on the car.

I am more than happy to pay the increased membership costs. £15 is great value for money considering the access it grants to all the accumulated knowledge and wisdom about the Coupe. It's less than a couple of gallons of super unleaded.

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: magooagain] #1661854
11/11/2022 21:43
11/11/2022 21:43
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline OP
Club President, member225
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Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Originally Posted by magooagain
Simon I'm sorry if my comments earlier seemed negative. That's certainly not my intention. I want what's best for this club. To me that's simple.
Transparency is top of the list with no hidden agenda from any contributors.

The impression I'm getting is that we are fighting a losing battle. I don't think so,as the ethos of the club remains the same.
Good car,good people. And that's from all over the world not just uk.

We've had constructive comments from ex coupe owners very recently that shows they still have the passion.

I urge all ex members to think on and the fun we all have had in the past,to re join as members. It's the price of a couple of beers ffs. Which I will stand you when we all meet again.


Edit to add. It's very dissapointing to search on here and find various people that have earnt thousands of pounds from this club forum and can't be arsed to keep up membership. And that includes many that have sold thousands of pounds worth of parts,in past,over the years.



Fighting talk Joe - that's what survival is. Thanks for your support thumb

@TonyB, thanks also, much appreciated smile


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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661856
11/11/2022 22:24
11/11/2022 22:24
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 633
Cleveland
P
PaulL Offline
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
PaulL  Offline
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Enjoying the ride
P

Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 633
Cleveland
It's a healthy sign that club members are confident in putting forward their views.
I'm sure that the board listen to all sides, before making a decision that they feel best protects the club.
Best regards to all.
Paul

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661883
13/11/2022 12:19
13/11/2022 12:19
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
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Forum is my job

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Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Also happy with a price increase. Even £20 would be cheap for all the good info and help on here. Plus the community feel.

I'm not sure what the answer is in the longer term, but I'm glad the forum has survived the fickle world of social media.

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661884
13/11/2022 13:23
13/11/2022 13:23
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 102
Bury St Edmunds
Andrew20V Offline
Club Member 1976
Andrew20V  Offline
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On a journey

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Posts: 102
Bury St Edmunds
When I joined I was amazed membership was only £10, so perfectly happy to pay £15/£17.50/£20. The help, advice and community of the forum is well worth the membership even without all the other events.

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1661895
14/11/2022 14:10
14/11/2022 14:10
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline OP
Club President, member225
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and opinions. It's quite clear how much the Club is held in high regard - I myself have been strongly influenced by the previous work of others behind-the-scenes and their ethos. They have maintained the Club for the benefit of others and it is the present Board's continuing task to leave it in good shape for the future.

As you may be aware the Board has been holding regular meetings online, usually monthly, for almost two years now. I am of a firm belief that this helps not only to bring the team together by meeting "face-to-face" (connection permitting laugh ) but to keep better abreast of current developments through live discussion.

Topics include Club matters, Forum issues and questions raised by members/users. As long-term users will know the Forum on occasion has presented challenges ranging from initial registration to unexpected glitches smile - it's worth pointing out again that with only modest resources this website was as much as was affordable and appropriate at the time of creation, configured without adverts, and maintained by one or two people who kept things tidy. New people, less familiar with the workings, have come on board and are learning, almost from scratch, the intricacies of its ways - yes there are issues which need tidying up and others which are gradually coming to light, and a rethink of these will hopefully streamline use for years to come.



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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1662040
22/11/2022 00:42
22/11/2022 00:42
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 85
Norway
ePiFaNT Offline
Club member 1413
ePiFaNT  Offline
Club member 1413
Reaping the fruits

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 85
Norway
I'll happily match Jamiepm's donation.

What about making the membership fee a voluntary sum with 15 or 20 pounds being the minimum amount?

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1663829
22/02/2023 00:00
22/02/2023 00:00
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 820
Trowbridge,Wiltshire
jon13 Offline
Enjoying the ride
jon13  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 820
Trowbridge,Wiltshire
Been a while since posting but had to comment. Forum is a fantastic, invaluable resource. Membership is currently too cheap and not reflective of the benefits/ information provided. Happy with any increase as I'm sure the knowledge here has paid for it ten fold in my experience, including discounts!

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1663871
26/02/2023 14:58
26/02/2023 14:58
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 217
B
Burty Offline
Club member 60
Burty  Offline
Club member 60
Making a profit
B

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 217
Absolutely agree with all those sentiments - £20 well worth paying for all the benefits

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1663906
27/02/2023 21:05
27/02/2023 21:05
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 127
Darkest Devon
slime500 Offline
Club Member 1848
slime500  Offline
Club Member 1848
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Posts: 127
Darkest Devon
I'd happily pay £20 a year and would consider a donation too. Its a very small percentage of what I spend on the actual car each year!

The information contained within the forum is priceless and cannot be replaced.

Long live the forum!


1998 20VT, Sprint Blue, owned 20 years, my passionate Italian mistress!
Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: slime500] #1663907
27/02/2023 21:58
27/02/2023 21:58
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline OP
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline OP
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Originally Posted by ePiFaNT
I'll happily match Jamiepm's donation.

What about making the membership fee a voluntary sum with 15 or 20 pounds being the minimum amount?

Originally Posted by jon13
Been a while since posting but had to comment. Forum is a fantastic, invaluable resource. Membership is currently too cheap and not reflective of the benefits/ information provided. Happy with any increase as I'm sure the knowledge here has paid for it ten fold in my experience, including discounts!

Originally Posted by Burty
Absolutely agree with all those sentiments - £20 well worth paying for all the benefits

Originally Posted by slime500
I'd happily pay £20 a year and would consider a donation too. Its a very small percentage of what I spend on the actual car each year!

The information contained within the forum is priceless and cannot be replaced.

Long live the forum!


Many thanks chaps for your supportive comments and for continuing your membership.

A few of you have mentioned donations. We've looked into restoring a long-defunct "Donate" button (which I can't actually remember laugh ) which during its tenure produced nothing!

The good news - as far as the Club is concerned - is that several people have already been kind enough to submit either a donation (one substantial) or something extra on top of their membership renewal fee. This would be a good opportunity to say a big thank-you on behalf of the Club for their generosity; their details however have not been displayed publicly for the sake of their privacy. You know who you are laugh


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Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1663908
28/02/2023 09:58
28/02/2023 09:58
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline
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Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Edinburgh,

This is good news.

Whist I wouldn't want to impact anyone dealing with the incessant increase in costs, inflation, taxation and food shortages that are uniquely affecting those who live within the remaining realms of the UK - can I suggest that its important for the club to set a membership fee that covers the yearly outgoings.

I can't think of what else £15 per year would pay for - that would in anyway match the fantastic level of support, information, technical detail and guidance you get from this forum if your an owner of a Coupe.

The fee has been discussed as being comically too low for several years previously.

And it's got to be sensible for the club to at least set the membership cost level to the club to cover at least the standard outgoings annually so its not in deficit each year. Or relying on the generosity of a few members to make up the difference.

I hope this is taken as a practical suggestion by all that are club members/and those that use this forum but may not have felt like they should joint to this point.

Regards

Re: Club - and Forum - survival [Re: Edinburgh] #1663912
28/02/2023 12:45
28/02/2023 12:45
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 973
Drakelow
Jamiepm Online happy
Club member 1989
Jamiepm  Online Happy
Club member 1989
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 973
Drakelow
Hi Simon,
if you can get the donate button sorted, I'll happily contribute

Cheers Jamie wink


She's alive!
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