What is the point of joining a Centre ?

Which would not effect the vast majority of CMC customers in the least.

The CMC Business would continue to be successful, their sites and Cl network and camping related businesses would continue to attract caravanners and motorhomers just exactly the same. 

Yes FD the CMC business would evolve perfectly well without those centres.

K. 

Yes K of course it would continue - as a faceless big business, with just a board of directors and nothing for those that like a social aspect to the club, personally I think it would be a sad day if we lose that.

Of course those that just want to use the sites and have no interaction with those that run it or others that use them (and there are plenty who do) or the ability to get involved and have a say in how things are done, there would seem to be no difference, but whether we would soon notice that it was being run by non-caravanners/motorhomers... we'd have to see 

Alison

On the Regional committee that my Centre falls into the Independent members representative has responsibility for representing the largest proportion of Caravan Club members who are not Centre members.

 Currently there are No Independent members on the committee.

I always think that is the hardest job on the region council, the centre representatives have it easy if they rally regularly they meet the centre members (who more often than not know who they are) and can take any issues they have to the region meetings but independents are far less likely to meet those who have issues from the wider club community unless they just happen to be on a site when a problem arises and introduce themselves. 

Alison

If any CMC customers have an enquiry or a grievance, the best and quickest way to have it addressed is to write directly to head office. 

Going through all those layers of committees is a thing of the mid 20th century.  Communication has moved on nowadays.

For the normal caravanner who represents the vast majority of CMC customers (those who have no interest in the minority interest of rallying), joining a rally centre is completely irrelevant. 

If any CMC customers have an enquiry or a grievance, the best and quickest way to have it addressed is to write directly to head office.

I find your faith in the leadership at HQ touching. I am actually quite supprised, you always referred to HQ as Grimstead towers. Your previous posts always seemed to imply that they weren't capable of addressing  an envelope, let alone a grievance.

 Did this change in attitude occurr before or after you ceased to be a member or are just trying to provocative?

The CMC is a great commercial company. The professional management at head office ( Grimstead Towers) are helpful polite and efficient and have always answered any of my enquiries in a business like manner.

I personally do not believe that the CMC need all those scores of well meaning amateurs in rally committees all over the country, clogging up the decision making process of the company..

That's my opinion which has never changed for years. 

You may disagree and put up a counter argument, that's what discussion forums are about. 

K 

Personally I think that is like saying the best possible people to ask if you have a caravanning problem are those working for the dealers 

Whereas I think those of us who actually use them might have a good idea as to what is wrong (well-meaning amateurs maybe but often years and years of experience).

Not to mention more than just experience of running a business, even though many of the Club executives have that in spades too. I'm glad you have always had good experiences contacting head office with your queries K but that is only what I would expect from the Club which has a miriad of experienced people to call upon from all walks of life.

Alison

Sorry FD I cannot agree with your post.

Most of us. who if having problems with our caravan, would indeed ask the professional caravan mechanics at our dealers to advise what work would be required to carry out a safe repair which does not invalidate any warranty.  

Likewise I would always trust any advice from the salaried professional staff at the CMC head office. 

Amateur mechanics are just that. --- Well meaning Amateurs. Would I want them repairing my caravan -- No way.

Just like in business. Business professionals are skilled intelligent and reliable salaried staff  The CMC is a company who employ such people.

The CMC doesn't need all those committees of amateur rallyists , well meaning or otherwise, dabbling in the decision making of the company.. ...........They unfortunately have to put up with them because the current constitution still has not been updated. 

Rallying is a diminishing minority pastime and does not in any way represent the vast majority of CMC members who pay their annual subscriptions and support the network of CMC campsites and the  wonderful CL's. . 

K 

read my post again K - once again you read what you want to see, I did not say don't ask the workshop mechanics about a problem I said those who work for the dealers i.e. the salesmen, many of whom do not appear to have ever actually stayed in a caravan or motorhome.

As for those at head office at East Grinstead who respond to all our enquiries, yes they are salaried but they are also not all caravanners themselves, whereas the executive are and have come up through the very committees you obviously despise and are there for those salaried staff to ask if they have a problem they do not know the answer to.

Alison