Now, before you all jump aboard the "Cheaper location, FTW" train, bare in mind that we have it pretty easy in our current spot, as Ricky's allows us to use their banquet room free of charge, whereas most places will charge us between $100 and $150 for the use of a banquet room. Also worth considering is parking (Cheaper locations may not have adequete parking), other's fiscal restraints (Not everyone can afford a more expensive option), location (Not everyone wants to drive to Vancouver) and diversity.

It was suggested that the club's dwindling attendance may be due to people being unhappy with our current meeting place. Now is your chance, as a community, to shape the club's future. As I said though, be realistic in your expectations, if we go to a cheaper location, we will not be able to take a banquet room to ourselves, which will aversely affect the meetings.

Also, please feel free to provide further insight in a written reply as to your choice.

43 views and only 3 votes, I wonder if its the same issue I am having, I have looked at the poll several times and honestly don't know what to choose.  So I have not voted. 

My personal choice, as a member, honestly it does not matter to me, as long as the requirements are met for the club, IE banquet room and such. Cost no I don't want to see it be at a high end place and no I don't want to see it in a McDonald's parking lot either.  I really don't want to see it hosted at a members house either.   My only issue I have with Ricky's right now is the food quality is rather poor and now the prices have gone up.  I had a burger there last night, that was like leather.  I'd rather have had a Quarter Pounder from McDonald's.  However I still don't want to see the meetings at McDonald's.

         Maybe we should move the meetings to an Izzy's in Bellingham. LOL, Just kidding.  But dang Izzy's would be the best for club meetings.

"Lots of hot waitresses to keep Tristan occupied." CLASSIC.

As was mentioned, the quality of food there has seemingly taken a nose dive, and that's something I don't think they're going to do much about (Both Patrick and Clynt have both brought it up that the fish is typically an unedible brick of char), however, prices do need to be negotiated, for sure. My meal with a shake was just shy of $20, but that seems to be miniscule to what some are being nailed with. And for what's being given, it does seem unjustified. I doubt we're going to be able to negotiate that down, mind you, given that they're giving us the banquet room free, but I suppose it's always worth a shot.

I didn't make the meeting last knight do to it was my mom's birthday and we we're around the corner at Eastside mario's,the food was great and there was 9 of us and no extra charge with  the 15% tip.As for Ricky's great parking lot and having a room to our selfs is great.i would like to see a better location where the bill is smaller.if a new location isn't found ricky's will do, i'll eat before the meeting lol.Finding a new location might be a hard,where there is good parking,food,where we can have our space for the meeting and the price is fare with out the 15% tip.That is asking a lot but maybe we.

Graeme wrote: The few times I've been there I've noticed that the food quality is poor and the service wasn't even close to worth the "mandatory" 15%.

I don't like the idea either of the "mandatory" 15% gratuity automatically added to our bills, but I suppose the restaurant management figures we need to be paying for the use of their banquet room one way or another.

However, as has been pointed out already, the entire restaurant is nearly empty anytime we're there. So it's not like we're taking up space in the restaurant that could've been used by potential customers being turned away due to lack of tables. 

I haven't voted yet. I'll have more to say about this topic in another post (which will include the pros and cons IMO of our current location).

my 2 cents,

Considering the large free space for a group meeting which is separate from the rest, isn't this a most important requirement.? And the fact that it is free is a bonus.  The rest just seems trivial to me.  My reasons for lack of meeting involvement lately is that I have had family or other commitments and have wanted to take part in them.  I have not given up on the meetings.

I do agree though - getting stiffed $25 for fish and chips is clearly wrong and should be addressed.

Cheers

Our current restaurant/meeting place:

Good

 - Easy to get to right off the freeway

 - Plenty of parking

 - Roomy banquet room (with a large wide-screen TV to use for our own videos if we wish)

 - Friendly staff

Bad

 - 15% gratuity automatically added to every bill

 - Cheapest "meal" on the menu and a coffee comes to at least $15 after taxes and the (always charged) 15% gratuity 

 - Food quality ranges from barely acceptable, to in some cases... bad. (ie. the consistently overcooked fish and chips)

 - About as far east from Vancouver as I suspect most of us west of the Port Mann bridge are prepared to drive (on a regular basis) to a club function

-------------------------------------------------------

I still haven't voted yet. I'm holding off until I hear a few more comments from club members as to what their opinions are, and why they feel that way. 

Hey all...I'll vote shortly maybe...here is my 2cents:

Kerstin and I do not always make it for many reasons, mainly work, any many of you know what I do for a living, so here is an inside perspective...

Good

 - Easy to get to right off the freeway

 - Plenty of parking

 - Roomy banquet room (with a large wide-screen TV to use for our own videos if we wish)

Bb: Bonus that it's Free, clean and safe

 - Friendly staff

Bb: Never had a issue, but service has not been spectacular in the past, even short staffed at times...and if there is a manager, wonder where they hide?...lol 

Bad

 - 15% gratuity automatically added to every bill

Bb: Auto Grat: This is pretty standard for any group over 10 people, that's why the dinner above for 9 people had descretionary grat.  No rental for such a nice size room with all the amenities, we will have to pay for it some other way anywhere else pretty much...value what we have to the out of pocket for each member...and even if the food was not that great, 15% for service is where these servers make their money because they are on minimum wage, so tips everyone:)...lol, not an easy job taking care of groups like us...lol

 - Cheapest "meal" on the menu and a coffee comes to at least $15 after taxes and the (always charged) 15% gratuity 

Bb: Pricing: Not so bad for what you get, now if they have dropped in quality, then based on the regular status of the club, we should know how the burgers used to taste, so has there been a change?, new chef?, corporate mandate for menu spec item changes?, new supplier?, or in general maybe the management does not give a chit...they need to know and be advised that we are considering a move, we want to bring you our business, but we need fair value in return, every business needs as many regulars as possible...

 - Food quality ranges from barely acceptable, to in some cases... bad. (ie. the consistently overcooked fish and chips)

Bb: Can be bad management and old oil...did anyone mention this to them, ask for a re-make, are they aware?...real pet peev of mine is those who complain but never say anything...how can anyone attempt to make you happy if they don't know

 - About as far east from Vancouver as I suspect most of us west of the Port Mann bridge are prepared to drive (on a regular basis) to a club function

Bb: Location: We like the location, we are on SFU...we did not like the Langley location as much...thought of different locations, switching it up once in awhile?...what's wrong with a A&W summer meeting, do we really need a formal setting?...throwing it out there:)

Bassman wrote:  - Friendly staff (originally stated by Pat) Bb: Never had a issue, but service has not been spectacular in the past, even short staffed at times...and if there is a manager, wonder where they hide?...lol

Brian, I appreciate hearing feedback on this topic from your perspective as someone involved in the catering business. 

I guess the reason why I feel the staff at our current restaurant are "friendly" is that night after night they continue to tolerate Tristan.  Seriously though, the staff at our current restaurant seem downright angelic compared to the one restaurant (that we eventually gave up on) where their staff (and/or manager) were always in such a big freakin' hurry to kick us out every evening!

I agree...I was on the positive side with my input, should speak to the management and express our concerns and see what they will do for our business. 

The other option is to have dinner before and order a snack and /or beverage for the meeting only, there are no minimums or room rental, so adjust:)

Patrick wrote: Bassman wrote:  - Friendly staff (originally stated by Pat) Bb: Never had a issue, but service has not been spectacular in the past, even short staffed at times...and if there is a manager, wonder where they hide?...lol  Brian, I appreciate hearing feedback on this topic from your perspective as someone involved in the catering business.  I guess the reason why I feel the staff at our current restaurant are "friendly" is that night after night they continue to tolerate Tristan.  Seriously though, the staff at our current restaurant seem downright angelic compared to the one restaurant (that we eventually gave up on) where their staff (and/or manager) were always in such a big freakin' hurry to kick us out every evening!

I actually like our servers (Not just for the eye candy, although that's also a plus). They've got a little sass and personality, I like it.

The chefs need to go though, I'm in complete agreement with that assessment.

Romeo wrote: Tolerate? ...Yeah, in the interest in keeping the forums clean, we'll use that term.

Heh heh, I was referring to what goes on in the restaurant. I know nothing of what goes on after hours.

Clearly you haven't been hanging around in the restaurant long enough then.

ZING!

How about IKEA and Meatball Madness:)...Boyz have their meeting and the ladies go shopping...lol

How about other location types like bowling lanes, etc...I am taking pages from a few other club's that I have seen on their forums...thought's:)

Do talk about not enough events, well maybe make an event out of the club meeting:)

Bassman wrote: How about IKEA and Meatball Madness:)...Boyz have their meeting and the ladies go shopping...lol How about other location types like bowling lanes, etc...I am taking pages from a few other club's that I have seen on their forums...thought's:) Do talk about not enough events, well maybe make an event out of the club meeting:)

What about meeting at different locations every time? Whoever is in charge of events can pick a location (nothing too drastic, of course). And people just have to check this forum for the location of each month. Heck, we can even schedule locations ahead of time for each month of the year! Have a monthly vote or something.

Okay you guys probably think I'm talking nonsense, so I'll stop now...

Dawg wrote: ...as mentioned at the last meeting, there are many that rarely use this site.  They would be mighty pissed if they finally got the chance to come to a meeting and found no one there because we were somewhere else that night.

I cannot believe that there's anyone who's interested in attending a club meeting who can't access the club's webpage once a month to see where the meeting might be held that month (if we decided we'd move around from month to month). Seriously, if that's too much to ask of anyone, then I doubt they'd make the effort of actually attending a meeting in the first place.

Another club member recently asked me whether or not we really need to be incorporating a "meal" with our meetings. I realize this has been one way of acquiring a room to meet in, but of course there are other types of rooms to meet in such as community centers and church halls, etc.

That then leads to the question as to whether a room itself is even necessary, especially during the warmer months. To tell the truth, I've always enjoyed the tire kicking out in the parking lot at least as much as the "formal" part of the meeting held inside.

I'd be happy with just gathering in the parking lot of an A&W restaurant, or some other casual food place, where people could simply grab a coffee or a burger if they wished.

I attend the club meetings to talk to other members (in person) and to see their cars. I don't mind how we've been doing the meetings up to this point, but I'd be happy to try something different if a majority of ACTIVE club members felt the same way. (I'd like to see the people ultimately deciding this to be members who actually go or wish to go to the meetings.)

Let's hear some more feedback. Speak up everyone, don't be shy!

Dawg wrote: I hear ya, but lets not alienate the very people we are trying to be sensitive to.  The only reason we brought this up was some people wondering if we could attract more attendance by adapting a little.

Who is it you're afraid I'm in danger of "alienating"? The few people who post in our forum from other parts of the country?

I don't see the point of having people vote on this who have NO intention of ever attending a meeting. That's all that I was addressing earlier (copied below).

Patrick wrote: I'd like to see the people ultimately deciding this to be members who actually go or wish to go to the meetings.

Patrick raises a harsh, but utterly truthful point: If one can't put in the effort of checking either the site, or their email once before the meeting, it shows a distinct lack of effort, which itself implies disinterest. A prime example of why I think Patrick is correct would be someone such as Boxin' Robin. Although circumstances have not enabled him to attend a meeting (Yet), he is still well aware of where they are, when they are, what they are, etc... He's putting in effort to at least know how to attend the meeting. If someone can't put in that effort, I'm not sure it's the responsibility of our main community to concede options so that a disinterested few may attend, if they even desire to.

I also actually really liked the idea of just meeting somewhere to "chill out" for meetings, as, like him, my favourite part of the meetings has nothing to do with food, but the socialization. Besides, we could really drive costs down and improve food quality by bringing our own food, if there was significant interest in such an endeavor.

lol...I see I created some conversation

We have these formal monthly meetings, it's nice to bring us all together, but maybe have this formal discussion every 2nd/3rd month...make it interesting and attract other's.

I am with many who on a nice night, meet in a lot, bring some take out and chat about our cars and what's going on in other areas...or as noted above why do we have to eat?...I think I originally stated this:).

I will be attending my 1st BC Mazda3 event maybe (they call it an event not a meeting) next Friday night because...it's bowling...other than just drive and general gatherings, we don't as often as we could do events that attract more of us for fun.

As Pat mentioned which is suprising to me...at least once a month one cannot check out the site and see where the next event/gathering/meeting is?...now days with iPhones, etc. that is no excuse anymore, nor should anyone take additional calls with stupid questions...sorry but that does not fly with me...that's laziness.

We can all continue to beat this topic up, has anyone spoken to the management as I suggested?...I think we all agree that location does work for all, so maybe alter every 2nd month especially with Spring/Summer around the corner...there's no contractual agreement is there?....lol

Cheers

Dawg wrote: Are you guys alright with me contacting the owner on the Club's behalf?  If so I will make it happen and report back.

Sure, that's fine with me.

Perhaps mention that attendance at our meetings there has been dwindling steadily due to a number factors...

1) Introduction of the 12% HST.

2) The automatic 15% "gratuity" added to every bill.

3) Meals which often seem not worthy of what's being charged for them. (ie poor preparation, etc.)

We obviously wouldn't be able to guarantee that we'd continue to make use of this particular restaurant for all our future meetings, but it certainly wouldn't hurt the odds of us staying there at least for awhile longer if management brokered us a deal.

If they give you any flack about how we take up a whole banquet room and therefore we need to be charged for it somehow, make sure you mention we're quite aware of how empty the rest of the restaurant is. It's not like they're turning away customers because there's no place to seat them.

Damien, I fail to see how I've possibly "alienated" any of these local people who (as you've stated) have "faded away". I'll repeat one more time what I earlier posted...

Patrick wrote: I'd like to see the people ultimately deciding this to be members who actually go or wish to go to the meetings.

That includes old timers or newbs alike, anyone who "wishes to go" to a meeting.

I'd love to see a couple of dozen people post in this thread and vote in this poll... and yeah, come to the meetings!

Dawg wrote: No, the local people we have been missing at the meetings for quite a while now.  The ones that have faded away for whatever reason.  The ones I'd like to see more often if possible. Patrick wrote: Who is it you're afraid I'm in danger of "alienating"? The few people who post in our forum from other parts of the country?

I suggest calling, expressing concern in a proper fashion and see how they respond...my 2 cents

1) Introduction of the 12% HST. Bb: No one had a choice, for business that has no weight anymore

2) The automatic 15% "gratuity" added to every bill. Bb: Standard above 10 pax then charge.  If I were the managment I would offer 15+ above no grat or you produce a minumum revenue...not fair for the staff not to be compensated, that's their wage...sorry but that's close to my heart, I support service fee as the staff bust their asses to take care of us.

3) Meals which often seem not worthy of what's being charged for them. (ie poor preparation, etc.) Bb: Big issue is value & quality...there has been an increase and the value for the food has decreased.  This is where you can negotiate the grat, the grat should be optional until they can show an improvement...build the relationship...remember, we can be fired as clients 

Brian, I don't believe he's asking for the HST or the tips to be waived. I believe his point is that we have to pay for those two things, as well as higher prices, and yet the quality has gone downhill despite all the extra costs. I'm sure the HST and gratuity wouldn't have even come up if the quality of food remained the same, as with the prices.

Romeo wrote: I believe his point is that we have to pay for those two things, as well as higher prices, and yet the quality has gone downhill despite all the extra costs.

I was listing various reasons why I thought our meeting attendance has gone down the last few months. Yes, IMO the fact that we're now paying more money for sub-standard food has no doubt affected the number of people who bother coming out to our meetings.

Or maybe it's just that no one can stand Tristan or myself anymore.

Romeo wrote: I'm sure the HST and gratuity wouldn't have even come up if the quality of food remained the same, as with the prices.

And I'm sure this whole topic wouldn't have come up we were still getting 20 plus people attending each meeting. If the restaurant wants us to stay, they'll work with us. If they maintain business is so good they won't miss us, we may have to look elsewhere.

Bassman wrote: Has anyone called the old location which is now a Coast?

Brian, ya gotta mention which "old location".

Where is it?

http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/surrey/coast_surrey/dining - http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/surrey/coast_sur rey/dining

· Monday to Thursday: 6:30 am to 9:00 pm

· Friday & Saturday: 6:30 am to 10:00 pm

· Sunday: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm

· Special Holiday Hours: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm

Okay, that one.

Yeah, that one was pretty easy to get to. I forget though, what was the reason we left there?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=10410+158th+Street+Surrey,+British+Columbia+V4N+5C2&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.885543,59.0625&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=10410+158+St,+Surrey,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia+V4N+2J1,+Canada&ll=49.194437,-122.783632&spn=0.026474,0.057678&z=14&iwloc=A -  

I think because they closed early and kicked us out...well new owners (my company), and posted open until 10pm, maybe also the room was not as nice as our current location?...I have no idea how things are there, I can ask

Bassman wrote: I think because they closed early and kicked us out...well new owners (my company), and posted open until 10pm

Ah, that was the place was it? It was really annoying the way they always insisted on rushing us out of there. However, the fact that we start our meetings an hour earlier now, plus the fact they apparently have extended their hours, this shouldn't be an issue any longer.

Bassman wrote: maybe also the room was not as nice as our current location?

We haven't had this problem for awhile, but I remember that at some meetings there the banquet room was a little tight. Who knows, maybe they've remodeled since we were last there.

But sure, if you could check them out, that would be great. See if you can grab a menu.

lol...thought it was due to small or lack of space

Dr.Fiero wrote: ...there was only room for about 10 cars before people were having to split into 3 and 4 clusters of cars.

We had a grand total of three Fieros at our last meeting. Just saying.

Dr.Fiero wrote: Sure - at a predictably low turn out month.

If we can "predict" a turn out of three Fieros, maybe we should then cancel those particular meetings.

Dr.Fiero wrote: Not sure if you were around in the days of 30 car events...

I think the most Fieros I've ever seen at an "event" (I joined the club in July 2008) is perhaps up to 20.

So John, as a long-time member of the club, give us some feedback. What's happened since the days of 30 Fieros at an event, any event? Are those days long gone? Are we wasting our time thinking a venue change is going to make any difference in the number of members attending our monthly club meetings?

Dr.Fiero wrote: Patrick wrote: as a long-time member of the club, give us some feedback. What's happened since the days of 30 Fieros at an event Maybe we could start by always referring to it as an "event" for starters! Makes it sound more like something fun and exciting to attend.

There's nothing wrong with the actual word "meeting".

However, it certainly appears that there's an aversion to "meetings" as a concept.

I suspect we're now finally starting to scratch the surface of the actual problem.

This feedback is good, everyone. Keep it coming...

I am a member of the BMW, VCMC, UBC, and now Mazda...and know what PCA does...pretty much all do events with no structured monthly meeting, they discuss while socilizing at event...hence what we have been suggesting. 

Respectfully, to take up 3 hours of someones time on a Saturday night is hard to ask, we discuss enough as it is when we "kick tires", and we use our forums, maybe a formal meeting every 3rd month.

I've only got a few mins to quickly post so I'll try and address a few things.

Membership in general is failing for 2 reasons.

1st in the early days of the club, Fiero's were dirt cheap, you could buy a running drivable one for $500 and a decent looking one for $1000 that was about 10-12 years ago.  Now those prices have tripled.  No longer is it the young kids buying them as their first cars, its a more mature group of people.  Those older people are sometimes not as enthusiastic as the younger crowds from before.

2nd I hate to say it, but this forum.  When we only used the email list, everyone all 100 people on the email list at that time, always knew about what was going on, it was in there inbox and they read it.  People posted build updates to the email list, talked about events on the email list, 10 - 20 messages in a single day was not uncommon, and simply everyone knew.

The chatter about meetings was almost a constant for 3-4 days before and several days after. 

Now instead of everyone reading about it, we are getting maybe 10 regular people visiting and posting and the other 80 or so, have just kinda forgotten about it, or read the meeting reminder and are no longer excited to come because as far as they know, the club is died down and no longer a busy fun place to be.

           Don't get me wrong I am not saying we should ditch the forum, but we need to see a great deal more chatter on the email list about things.  Maybe when you update a build thread, send an email out to check it out.   If you have a tech question, send it to the email list, instead of just posting it on here.   I know it will be kinda annoying for the few people that are on the forum to see a lot of doubled up data, but for the other 90% out there, this just might be the thing that kicks them into gear again with the club.   We need to make it FUN again.    

Another we stopped doing at the meetings that many people came for was the "After Meeting Runs"  Sometimes it was a group trip to the "Street Races"  or a cruise to White Rock, or maybe just everyone heading out for a coffee at Planet Java.  We made a night out of it.

       It was always fun.

Ok Places and Places

The ABC on 104th right next to the highway which Brian mention is now Coast Hotel, I am not sure how much the ABC Staff would have changed as the ABC is still an ABC.   Our main problems with that place, were horridly understaffed and late with food.  Poor Parking, and Small banquet room.  The HUGE Plus for that place was GREAT FOOD if you got in early enough to get your food.   They were only giving us 1 person to try and staff the entire room and I think he also had other duties to perform so it was a bit of a nightmare for him.

The Rickey's at 152nd Street and Fraser Highway had great parking, but so so food, and Horrible Service.  I believe Kirsten even had a waitress get really rude with her over just asking for a glass of water.  They did have the Greatest parking of all the places.

The list goes on and on.

No place has everything we need.   I do have a crazy idea.   This is what the 240 club does.  Once a month they do a meet not a meeting, just a meet.  Usually at a Tim Horton's during the summer.  Everyone meets up there, gets there food from inside and goes outside and eats it at the cars while they chit chat.   This is what the street racers did and it worked really well for us back in the day.  We met at the Port Kells Tim Horton's which was also a Wendy's.  It was great fun with semi decent food.   This idea would nearly kill all the "formal" items of the club, like draws, raffles, proper meeting discussions and such though.   We could always do the "meet" at Tim Horton's parking lot, hang out there till say 8pm, head over to a restaurant like Ricky's and do the formal stuff for an hour?  That way people that wanted to come hang could do that at Timmy's and skip the dinner?

     Ok this got touched on briefly, bullying, even in jest can sometimes be taken the wrong way, and not just by the person you are teasing, they me even be fine with it, but if someone else See's it and does not understand that it is simply the way you two poke fun at each other, they may take offense and choose not to be around that type of stuff.   

         The main goal when I started this club, was NO MEAN PEOPLE ALLOWED.  This rule stayed in place through the clubs hay day, of giant meetings with 20+ cars and runs that were insanely huge.   We don't want to scare off new members because they don't understand and we don't want to loose old members because they don't like it.  We have to be friendly to everyone regardless of who they are, they are a Fiero owner and we are one big family.

Ok right now I am going to go and send an email to the club directing them back to this thread, if you do not get that email, please go to http://mail.westcoastfieros.com - http://mail.westcoastfieros.com and sign up. 

I assume that final comment was about Patty and I. We're only playing, we're bestest best buds in reality. It's just 'how we roll' (Car pun).

As to the meetings, I'd hate to see a breakdown of our structured events. As I said, I love socializing and screwing around before and after the meeting. Would I drive out on a Saturday night to chat outside? Not very damn likely. In my opinion, the socializing/tire kicking is only fun because it's part of a larger event in the form of the meeting itself. The structured discussions, the prizes and even the thus-far poor quality meal are all details that makes it worthwhile to sacrifice a Saturday to spend time with the club.

For our members who favour logic over emotional reasoning, consider that the 50/50 draws and door prizes help generate revenue for the club, and it is far easier to keep track of who has paid their dues with a set desk to go to, rather than hoping to catch them in a large group of people. Which brings me to another large problem: Without proper seating, running the meeting is going to be a [female canine]. Something anyone can attest to pre-meeting: Our tire kicking isn't one group going to each car and looking at it, it is several smaller sects wandering about. Assuming we manage to herd all of us in to a larger group, we have to contend with incurred noise both outside, or at a bowling alley, meaning there's no prayer in having one speaker in a larger attendance. Hell, even seating becomes an issue with a large group outside: How does one seat every head in a small enough location to keep them within earshot of the speaker, and how does one provide seating options to them (It shouldn't be David's and Lisa's, or anyone else's responsibility to provide seats for everyone, and if there arn't seats when new people attend, you can be assured that member will not return for the next meeting).

I think the location provides a nice scape goat for our current lack of bodies, but realistically, I think a broader, and perhaps harsher, outlook is required: People arn't attending because they don't care to. It has nothing to do with the location. Logistically, we're at the best location already.

Personally, I realize it sounds horrid, but I think we need to ignore those who arn't putting in any effort to attend. I haven't any issue with our meetings, high numbers of members or low. The core group with regular attendance are those I look forward to chatting with the most. If a new member does put in the http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/registration_rules.asp?FID=0 - laughibly easy effort  of finding out where we'll be and attends, it would be nice to introduce them in an organized manner.

Capt Fiero wrote: Ok this got touched on briefly, bullying, even in jest can sometimes be taken the wrong way, and not just by the person you are teasing, they me even be fine with it, but if someone else See's it and does not understand that it is simply the way you two poke fun at each other, they may take offense and choose not to be around that type of stuff.    The main goal when I started this club, was NO MEAN PEOPLE ALLOWED.  This rule stayed in place through the clubs hay day, of giant meetings with 20+ cars and runs that were insanely huge.   We don't want to scare off new members because they don't understand and we don't want to loose old members because they don't like it.  We have to be friendly to everyone regardless of who they are, they are a Fiero owner and we are one big family.

I just got home, and it's late and I'm tired. After reading the quoted material above, I'm also now confused.

Dave, if you don't wish to name names here, please send me a PM. I'm curious who it is you believe is guilty of "bullying". Tristan suspects you're referring to him and I (with each other). From my perspective, I don't see it. However, I'm willing to listen to what you have to say if you have anything further to state on the topic. Seriously, I'd like to hear more about this as I know from previous posts you've made in other threads that this is a sore spot for you. Thanks.

Patrick and Tristen this was not aimed directly at you, however it might have been in your direction as an example of how things can get misconstrued.

I think Kevin and Damian said it pretty well, so I am not going to repeat what they said.

    Ya know what they say, if you don't have something nice to say, then................  

       IF some people see other people getting criticized about there input, they may shy away from posting in a later topic.  I don't think we need to be on pins and needles, but we also don't need to be firing nail guns at each other either.

Example...just came from here, it's a convienent location, beautiful, has an upstairs areas and parking...we should just all meet for a coffee one night here especially in the summer during the week

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/cumparis-gelato-e-caffe-coquitlam - http://www.yelp.ca/biz/cumparis-gelato-e-caffe-coquitlam

There are places like this...Boston Pizzas have private rooms also...again maybe not on a Saturday night as that's a premium time for most in the summer, maybe Wednesday or Thursday's...Change is good, embrace it, it will happen and we need to learn how to adjust

Hello all...this post is on behalf of Kerstin as she tried to register but kept on kicking her out and would not allow.

She wanted to share her input being a spouse who attends the meetings and hates kicking tires:

1) She likes the social and does learn, but it's way too much on a monthly basis and too much time taken on a Saturday night

2) Suggested a AGM meeting once a year in January when dues are collected, or if there is a need quarterly meeting

3) Eating or having dinner is not a huge concern, or as many are suggesting we gather at a location then go on a fun cruze

4) Why Saturday nights?...plan one event a month minumum at different locations.  We can still do tech days, etc. where those who want to be the motorheads can enjoy, but we have to consider our spouses...if Kerstin is not in the mood to sit through a meeting 99% of the time I may not attend.

I am not sure if there is more, I'll check with her later and maybe she will post more...

Times have changed, information is shared and available on our web site, but for most people extra time is hard to find for social activities...let's put the fun back into enjoying our cars.  Honestly I am not insuring my car this year so I would attend in my Mazda, day insurance for those race days and more healthier times for Kerstin and I on weekend trips with our mountain bikes and golf clubs or just back pack for hikes...Who's in?

So it looks like I'm not the only one who thinks that we should mix things up a bit. Meetings (or events) should NOT fall on Saturday nights all the time. Sure, having a regular scheduled meeting every second Saturday of the month may work best for most people. But that may not work for others. Take me for instance - Saturday evenings are always difficult for me. It is the ONLY evening of the week that I don't work. I would have no problem attending WEEKLY meetings (or events) if they occur on weeknights. Truth be told, it is MUCH easier to take time off work than off family responsibilities/commitments!

We can plan different events at different locations on different days of the week each month. Don't have to always be at a restaurant. Can be a coffee shop, A&W, heck maybe even at a pub! Tire kicking and informal meeting/discussion can still happen at any of these places. I mean let's face it, we can never please everybody all of the time. So why not try mixing things up a bit.

I know I am giving too many inputs for a guy who has not shown up to a meeting yet! But I am really looking forward to attending the March meeting, wherever it may take place.

And for the record, ever since I joined this forum last July, I have NEVER felt anything negative or any "abrasive/abusive" feeling here. I have always thought of this place as a very welcoming and helpful forum full of nice people to answer my stupid questions - especially toward a "non-car" newbie like me (hey, I just finished reading "Car Repairs for Dummies"!). And these feelings were reinforced when I had a chance to meet many of you in person at the chocolate place. A real good and friendly bunch of people, I thought. Patrick actually turned out to be a more quiet and "composed" guy than I originally envisioned him to be .

Boxin' Robin wrote: So it looks like I'm not the only one who thinks that we should mix things up a bit. Meetings (or events) should NOT fall on Saturday nights all the time. Sure, having a regular scheduled meeting every second Saturday of the month may work best for most people. But that may not work for others. Take me for instance - Saturday evenings are always difficult for me. It is the ONLY evening of the week that I don't work. I would have no problem attending WEEKLY meetings (or events) if they occur on weeknights. Truth be told, it is MUCH easier to take time off work than off family responsibilities/commitments! We can plan different events at different locations on different days of the week each month. Don't have to always be at a restaurant. Can be a coffee shop, A&W, heck maybe even at a pub! Tire kicking and informal meeting/discussion can still happen at any of these places. I mean let's face it, we can never please everybody all of the time. So why not try mixing things up a bit. I know I am giving too many inputs for a guy who has not shown up to a meeting yet! But I am really looking forward to attending the March meeting, wherever it may take place. And for the record, ever since I joined this forum last July, I have NEVER felt anything negative or any "abrasive/abusive" feeling here. I have always thought of this place as a very welcoming and helpful forum full of nice people to answer my stupid questions - especially toward a "non-car" newbie like me (hey, I just finished reading "Car Repairs for Dummies"!). And these feelings were reinforced when I had a chance to meet many of you in person at the chocolate place. A real good and friendly bunch of people, I thought. Patrick actually turned out to be a more quiet and "composed" guy than I originally envisioned him to be .

Thanks for the input...think there is a trend here...and thank you for the last bit and how you feel as I really don't see that either, and a good debate is always healthy

Bassman wrote: Boxin' Robin wrote:   And for the record, ever since I joined this forum last July, I have NEVER felt anything negative or any "abrasive/abusive" feeling here. I have always thought of this place as a very welcoming and helpful forum full of nice people to answer my stupid questions - especially toward a "non-car" newbie like me (hey, I just finished reading "Car Repairs for Dummies"!). And these feelings were reinforced when I had a chance to meet many of you in person at the chocolate place. A real good and friendly bunch of people, I thought. Patrick actually turned out to be a more quiet and "composed" guy than I originally envisioned him to be . Thanks for the input...think there is a trend here...and thank you for the last bit and how you feel as I really don't see that either, and a good debate is always healthy.

...

These are a couple of guys who "get it". Interesting that one is a club old-timer and one is a newb.

Honestly, some of you guys appear to be actively looking for something to get upset about. That's your business, but it starts to become my business when I'm now being told how I should or shouldn't be posting. I don't "name-call". I don't use foul language. I don't demean anyone (good-natured teasing does not count). I can only put so many smiley faces in a post to indicate that it's all about having fun here. Don't take what I post so dog-gone seriously! I believe there's only been about two times in my almost 2750 posts here where I've actually been ticked off at the person I was addressing. Hey, I'm only human (sort of).

As Brian has stated, "a good debate is always healthy". I notice some people here (and at any internet forum) get bent all out of shape if they post something and someone else disagrees with them. Well jeez, boo-hoo...  That's what discussion and debate in a public forum is all about.

Newsflash... I can respect your opinion without necessarily agreeing with it. And I would appreciate it if you'd respect my opinion without suggesting that I modify the way I post. Thanks.

Back to the original topic - I'm really starting to like the idea of having our club "get-togethers" on different days (other than always Saturday evenings), and at different places. Variety is the spice of life. Let's change things up.

Bassman wrote: The title of the topic is location correct...

That's what I thought as well. Let's hear more suggestions along those lines.

I voted (finally) for the last option at the top of the page. Not so much because I don't wish to get together at a restaurant, but more to indicate that a variety of places to meet other than a restaurant should be considered as well.

Can we re-voted...there are only 14 entries...we have alot more members than this, and since we started this topic I have changed my tune as well as other's.

Dawg, have you called the restaurant and spoken to management?...who is the one to re-book there or is our contactr with them, they should be speaking with them instead of someone else...I hate having multiple contacts!.

If we were to change, then we still need a events organizer, pretty easy as all we need to do is collect input from all, then plan when the activities/locations would work...

Cheers...GT5 time:)

Dawg wrote: Personally, I feel we should try and keep the formal "meeting" in one place.  This would pay off in the end in the form of a discount or some other perk of some sort.

Would it? For sure?

What "perks" has the club received in the past from restaurants we've gone to repeatedly?

Or is this something we're hoping to get if the issue is now raised with restaurant management?

Why wait, one way to know if we want to go back is based on their response and if we want to go back...the only perk would be the grat

Bassman wrote: ...again majority vote says to return

Actually, 50% (7) have voted to stay at our current restaurant, and 50% (5+1+1) have expressed an interest to seek out other options.

Anyway we look at it though, the 14 club members who have voted are definitely split in regards to where we have our get-togethers. 

With this in mind, I don't see any point in delaying contact with management at our current restaurant. We need to hear what they have to offer in order for the club as a whole to make a decision and take a step forward. 

Oherwise, this will just drag out and before we know it, the next meeting (used that term on purpose) will be upon us and nothing will have changed.

Dawg wrote: I'm not sure I understand what the rush is...

Honestly in my personal opinion, if we don't have structured monthly meetings, it will be highly damaging to the club.  Its hard enough getting people to come to the meetings when they know where they are.

         However honestly its up to a majority, and that is just my opinion.

Capt Fiero wrote: Its hard enough getting people to come to the meetings when they know where they are.

As has been mentioned previously, if people can't take a couple of minutes to visit the club's forum to check out where and when we're gathering, then it's highly doubtful these same people are going to bother committing a couple of hours to attend a club function.

Capt Fiero wrote: However honestly its up to a majority...

In my opinion, it's still your (and Lisa's) club, and therefore I feel it's still up to you to call the shots.

It may (or may not) be in your best interest to listen to the members, but we're all after the same goal... the idea of maintaining a bonding force among Fiero affectionados in this area.

Who started this topic Tristan:)...and in order to build good relations takes communication with both parties...seems there were concerns on our current location and look where we are now with this topic...lol

Bassman wrote: Who started this topic Tristan:)...and in order to build good relations takes communication with both parties...seems there were concerns on our current location and look where we are now with this topic...lol

I was instructed at our last meeting to do so. It is not my desire to see the club change places, as I like our current location. Nor is it my desire to see the meeting set-up changed drastically, as our current format works exceptionally well, in my opinion. It was suggested the restaurant could be to blame for the poor attendance, and as such, I was asked to ask the community what their opinion was.

As to your reply Damien, that does make sense, and I'm certainly not against the thought of new members coming to our meets (After all, you and I are both relatively new members ourselves). Where I keep getting confused is in where people keep implying we need to alter things to entice those who haven't bothered to come out. You put in the effort to come out, and from what I can tell, you seem to enjoy the evening. I put in the effort, and I most certainly enjoy that Saturday every month. And the same logic applies to most members here.

And yet it is implied that it is our responsibility (The Keeners, as you say) to grow the community and try and make it easier for those who want to apply as little effort as possible. You already have the large task of trying to manage our runs, you shouldn't have to worry about whether or not some random individual will like "location x" or not; If you put in the effort you do, let them put in the effort of at least attempting to make one meeting, and if they dislike it's location or format, we have the forums for them to voice their opinions. The same logic applies to ensuring we have alternatives available to the forums - even if they don't feel like registering and posting and whatnot, they can still read the weekly heads-up thread before a meeting, or check their email (Which most people do once a week at least).

Like I said, I welcome new members to come on out and give our meetings a chance, I encourage it. I just don't feel there's any need to worry about the size of our community if they don't. I thoroughly enjoy the company of most people in attendance already, I have no issue with waiting for others to come on out on their own accord.

Dawg wrote: Consider it done....I just contacted the franchise office. The Dawg

And what did they say, consider what done?...if this is a franchise location, did they suggest or ask if you spoke to the management directly, if not I am suprised they didn't...if I was the owner and a regular client like our club did not speak with me direct and went this route, I would not be impressed...so what's the next step?.

Considering the above, sounds like we stay and continue on