HOC UK

[Barry T]

Anyone a member of the Honda Owners Club UK?

If there were enough Varadero owners who were memberes, they could start a Varadero Branch.  This would give them access to Golden Wing the club magazine.

[Mogman]

Myself and Mrs Mogman are both members - never been to a meeting but usually call at the stand if they are at a bike show.  

[Redeye]

I don't believe it!

I was intending to visit "The Station" in Picton tomorrow night to see who, and how many turned up. (If I get back from Glasgow in time)

How about it Mogman? You game for a visit?

[Briscy]

Not a member, whats the benefit?

When I bought the bike new I was automatically put into a club for Honda owners but this died a death and I heard no more. Shame really.

May be interested if anyone can send me a link

ta very much

[Redeye]

www.hoc.org.uk

[Rob D]

I'm a member.  Never go to any events but I get cheaper insurance.  Nice article in this month's Golden Wing (club mag) by Barry (aka Lazy Rider)

[Barry T]

Not a member, whats the benefit?

There are two very interesting and things here:

Mogman a member but never goes to meetings?    Perhaps he is the person to answer Briscy's question?

The HOC, in common with most other single make/model clubs, suffer the 15/85% rule.

15% do all the work and go to meetings and events - arranged to suit them.

The 85% do not go to meetings and events - one assumes because the meetings and events do not suit them!.

So why do the 85% pay their subscriptions ?15.00 p.a. But not look to get anything out of the club?    OK, so they get 'Golden Wing' 4 times a year.  But all that contains is reports of the various events that they have not attended!

The HOC, is run rather like a franchise operation.   You join the HOC, but then become a member of your local Branch.   The Branch Secretary is a person elected by the Branch members.  So what you actually get out of the HOC, apart from Golden Wing and the opportunity to purchase various club regalia, is provided by the Branch.   The Branch being only as good and active as the members make it.

Usually, when you join a Branch you are asked to make a financial contribution to pay for the Branch monthly newsletter - say ?5.00 p.a.

I have been told by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the HOC, that it is possible to have a 'floating' branch.  That is, you join the HOC, then choose to become a member of the Varadero Branch.   This would have a Branch Secretary and be run very much like a Local Branch - but the members could be spread all over the country.  How they would maintain contact would be up to them to decide - e-mail, newsletter?   They would however have space in Golden Wing to make announcements and reports.

As a member of the HOC, the individuals could also become members of a Local Branch and join in their events - pay the ?5.00 and get their newsletter.

The HOC is not closed to riders of other makes of bike.  The rule is you must, at some time have owned a Honda.  Who's to say you haven't!

I am not advocating this path, just pointing it out.   The present small group of Varadero+ riders arranging activities are not too interested in forming or being part of any official Club.
They are doing quite well on their own.

Personally I have become fed up with the HOC, because the Essex Branch, really just became a talking shop in the pub.  At the AGM,  there was not enough members to form a quorum (5) and as the Branch Secretary had resigned in September, the Branch is now in limbo!

[Barry T]

I'm a member.  Never go to any events but I get cheaper insurance.  Nice article in this month's Golden Wing (club mag) by Barry (aka Lazy Rider)

Rob, as a member you can join the club Forum in the 'members' section.

They have just changed it to the same style as this Forum.  Before it was rather a messy American thing, with pop up ads.

Unfortunately in changing over they have not saved all the old messages.

I took on the roll as spokesman for the 'ignored' 85%.  Everyone else represented the 'active' 15%.   I gave them something to think about!!

[Redeye]

If we joined we'd just embass them!  

[Mogman]

Redeye, if I finish work early enough I'll make the trip over to 'The Station' tomorrow night. Let me know if you are going.

Barry, since joining HOC at the BMF show last year i've lived in 3 different regions of the country, I also work away from home a lot - not excuses, just pointing out that it is not always easy to commit the time to a Branch.  In my situation a 'floating' Branch seems a good solution..

[xlrik]

I too am a member of HOC and its true what they say "you only get out what you put in" as I have never been to a meetig and never attended a ride out - dare I say it due to work commitments. However I did ring the club secatary one day but found that if I wanted to join a run I would have to be up at about 5.30 for a 6.00am start and as the Sunday runs would only coincide with my only day off I thought - no rest for the wicked so sod it! However I suppose if I got up off my arse and went to a meeting there would no doubt be half a dozon others that thought the same and we could sort out a rebelious 9.00am starting run. But I havent, as already stated I havent made the effort to go to a meeting - so I only have myself to blame!

Rik