Morning.

I have been a member of this wonderful forum for the last few years and was able to find some very resourceful info thanks to some amazing forum members.
I was recently chatting with a Jag owner who tried to convince me that our forum was not a "real Jag forum "and that I should join the Jaguar Clubs of North America to " become a true member of the Jag community"
I say its rubbish nonsense but what do you think?

Am I missing something?

Thank you
Terry

 

Yes, rubbish.

I'd like to hear this other fellow's definition of what a 'real' Jag forum is....especially since the discussion forum on the JCNA website has such low activity since they changed format a year or so ago.

Forum | Jaguar Clubs of North America

You may well get a lot of enjoyment from being a JCNA member. Heck, I'm still a member after 17 years! But if JCNA was judged by the quality/usefulness of its internet forums, well, nobody would ever join


Cheers
DD

 

Well, can't speak for America, but of course we have similar clubs here in the UK.
Some of our long stand forum members either are or have been involved with JEC or perhaps the JDC or others.

These type of clubs generally have a joining fee or subscription fee of £30+
You may get a magazine and or invites to club events during the year and more, from what I have heard, no personal experience I might add.

I attended an event of one of these clubs and found them to be more "stuffy" old boy network type of setups, this has been confirmed to me by more than a few members. Some have said it's as much about getting subs and fees, generating revenue as it is about the camaraderie and involvement.

Last year I attended such an event and was charged £5 for parking with a whole lot of extra add ons as may be required. Yes there were 150 cars there, but the experience was flat and as stated, quite stuffy.....not for me, but we're all different.

Just a week or so prior, I had our annual event with around 50+ cars and gave away approx £2500 worth of prizes at a totally free event. We had dun and banter, smiles and laughter with ages from 20 - 70 and X types to f types, no snobbery, just a great day......a totally different experience.

This forum is also free for all to use, to glean information with a view to maintain your ride as cost effectively as possible, but the caveat is....
It's mostly internet / forum based with perhaps a meet here or there for socialising.

The clubs are generally more about socialising wth events, meets, dinners and so on, so they're 2 different things totally

I guess you can either choose to do one of the other, or perhaps do both?

It's an individual choice
Jim

 

Here in the USA we have the JCNA....which is the mother organization. Although there a few 'at large' members, the vast majority join a local club which is sanctioned/recognized by JCNA. Membership in a local club includes membership in the mother JCNA.

Each local club is independently run and each has its own personality, for better or worse. I've never been very active, though, because (as you mention) there's a tendency to lean towards social events rather the 'car stuff'.

I myself have belonged to three different clubs.

My experience over 15-20 years is that JCNA clubs on the whole are not stuffy....but you'll happen across individual members from time to time who meet that description .


Cheers
DD

 

Well said, my friend! Absolutely on the mark, yet again.

I too have been a JCNA member through my local Indiana chapter for approaching 20 years. Just this passed weekend we had the Club's yearly Concours Show at my dealership. These people are absolutely the nicest folks you could ever meet. I have become great friends with so many, all walks of life; some of them owners of million dollar cars. They all treat me like one of their own kids; and I'm almost sixty!
Events run the gamut, shows, tech sessions, country drives, museum outings, meetings and social get-togethers.

I'd encourage anyone to seek out your local Club and attend one of their meetings. Even if you don't ultimately join, you'll find out what they are about.

Cheers,

 

I joined when first getting the car. Was with them a few years
when my wife became ill.
It took a 2 year for her to recover.
Last I remember, I sent in the dues, received the book
and monthly News letter, then nothing...... they disappeared.
Gettysburg Pa.

 

I fully expect that to happen with our club in the next couple years. Members are, um, Elderly and the club activities show it. In the past couple years since we joined several have resigned, siting health reasons. Meetings are held on weekday afternoons so members don't have to drive in the dark to attend. That, of course, makes our attendance impossible.

Membership drives fall flat. At 34 I'm the youngest member by far (when we joined in 2014 they hadn't had a new member in a Long time), and we're not very active due to travel distance to most events, only participating in 2 or 3 per year, if we get notice of them in time (many times notice is sent out on Tuesday before the event on Saturday).

Because of all these things, I've been seriously considering letting our membership lapse when it comes due in January.
(';')

 

In 2003 I joined the JDC and found the experience rather off
putting. After $130 fee to join and pay the annual subscription we were invited to a get together and welcome new member picnic.
I was told by two people to buy a real Jag, The rest of the day no one spoke to us or the other two families with young children(we did enjoy their company though). Never went back.
Each to their own I guess. We had a 2002 X-type 3 litre in BRG at the time.

 

HAHAHHA!