Where is everyone?

[Cadillac Jack 82]

LaSalles are underrated as cars.  I dearly miss my 37 and would happily get another Series 50 Opera Coupe!

[billyoung]

I can of course only speak for my self. So here goes. I Love my 1968 DeVille convertible. I drive it as much as I can and intend to for as long as I can. I am 70 in December and live on Soc Sec a small pension and drive a dump truck 5 days a week. To my knowledge there are no CLC members any where near me here in Lake Wales Florida. I cannot afford to go to a Grand National, I wish I could I went to Albany New York 1995 and Columbus Ohio 2011. Those days are gone. Also our every day car is a 1992 Brougham. I made a terrible mistake in September and we attempted to drive it to my Sister in laws in Georgia. Got 150 miles broke down and had to have it towed back home. If we ever have to travel out of town by car again I will rent a modern throw away rental car. I enjoy the forum personally. We can not afford a modern car anymore even used they are way out of our budget and loaded with crap that when it brakes costs a fortune in parts and labor. no winners anymore in that game.

[Clewisiii]

I can of course only speak for my self. So here goes. I Love my 1968 DeVille convertible. I drive it as much as I can and intend to for as long as I can. I am 70 in December and live on Soc Sec a small pension and drive a dump truck 5 days a week. To my knowledge there are no CLC members any where near me here in Lake Wales Florida. I cannot afford to go to a Grand National, I wish I could I went to Albany New York 1995 and Columbus Ohio 2011. Those days are gone. Also our every day car is a 1992 Brougham. I made a terrible mistake in September and we attempted to drive it to my Sister in laws in Georgia. Got 150 miles broke down and had to have it towed back home. If we ever have to travel out of town by car again I will rent a modern throw away rental car. I enjoy the forum personally. We can not afford a modern car anymore even used they are way out of our budget and loaded with crap that when it brakes costs a fortune in parts and labor. no winners anymore in that game.

I left my 94 Deville in Florida. In 2010 friens from college and I drove my 94 deville to Florida for spring break. It was a great drive down. But second day lost the transmission. 289,000 miles on it. We got towed to a small town Maryanna Florida. Shop said $1800 for the repair. But cannot do it for two weeks. So I walked to a dealership and bought the cheapest manual transmission new Ford Focus i could afford to finish the vacation and return home.

The next day after getting the car i got a call from my student loan company to approve my last loan and go over my finances. Thankfully the new car purchase did not show on my credit report yet. I paid off that car, bought another car and paid that off, and now I am on my third car but still have $50,000 on that $130,000 student loan to pay off.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

I know lots of CLC members and they profess to have zero interest in checking the Forum out. That is odd to me. They will go as far as to ask me to do it for them! Clay/Lexi

I'm on here for the technical stuff. I know people with old cars 100x nicer than mine that don't even know how to check the oil let alone work on it.
To them, much of this forum would be useless.

[Carfreak]

The CLC has been around since 1958 but the Forum was started only about 25 years ago.

While the Forum is a great way to instantly share ideas, ask questions, get assistance, plan meetups, etc. there are many other benefits of the CLC including the GN, Driving Tours, Winter Reunion / Board Meetings plus (geographic) Regions, Chapters based on special interests, access to Technical & Authenticity Advisors, Authenticity Manuals, a great Newsletter and a lot more. I seriously doubt even if this Forum were to fade away that it would affect the Club very much.

We all choose how much or how little involvement and participation with have with the Club. Fortunately living in SE Michigan aka the Motor City there are lots of opportunities for car events throughout the year, even during cold weather months. One weekend in October there are tours or shows planned for three of the clubs that we are members; planning to start with one tour then switch and swing over to a different club for the afternoon. Fortunately they are in close vicinity of each other.

We are fortunate to have a CLC Region within our area; had fun at our monthly meeting this evening - hanging with a great group of friends and welcomed a newcomer to the group too. The great thing is there are almost 50 other Regions spread across the US offering a good percentage of CLC members the opportunity to participate in Club events closer to home.

https://cadillaclasalleclub.org/regions-chapters-affiliates/

Bill Young - are you a member of the CLC Suncoast Region based out of Tampa? Their newsletter discusses events and gatherings in different areas including a picnic about 60 miles from Lake Wales. We joined on one of their tours when we were in FL many years ago and have become acquainted with several members - the Berman Brothers, Mark Demyan, Joy & Doc Brinley - all very nice people. If you aren't a member likely they would welcome you as a guest to check them out. They post their Region newsletters on their website. 
https://www.cadillaclasalleclubflorida.com/

Bill, you indicated not knowing any other CLC members living in Lake Wales. Guess what?  Tony G lives in Lake Wales also. A quick search of the CLC Membership Directory provided that information. There are 3 or 4 members in nearby Lakeland, a recently expired member in Bartow, 3 in Kissimmee, possibly more in other small towns but I am not familiar with the area just looking at a map. Even if you didn't want to get involved with the Suncoast Region maybe you could arrange a meet up with some of these other members? 

www.cadillaclasalleclubflorida.com/_files/ugd/2e8b55_50163038a0aa4a6fb5cc34ce2f10366c.pdf

[billyoung]

Thank you very much for your caring and information. I will follow up on your suggestions.  Not knowing Tony G. last name the online directory won't pull up his name ?

[Carfreak]

Log into the CLC Member website then search the Member Directory for Lake Wales; you'll find Tony. I don't know him and didn't want to post his full name. 

If you are having issues logging into the Member Website you can reach out to the Webmaster Stefan or let me know; I can try to assist. 

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

I'm still here but seem to always be to busy to fully participate. One thing I don't miss is the nastiness that used to go on in some of the discussions. I came off this forum for a few years. The old mid century forum was great, run by Lou Commisso.

[David Greenburg]

While the number of posts may be down, it seems to me that the quality of discussion is up and more focused on where it should be; on our cars.

[Carfreak]

Most of us know other CLC members who are not on the Forum. 

If everyone encouraged at least one person to visit and get involved here that would increase participation and interest. 

You could suggest they could find answers to technical or other questions, locate or sell cars and parts or general camaraderie. 

[Jay Friedman]

I'm still here and have noticed the decline in forum participation since the change.  I lament in particular that there are fewer technical discussions.   

[Jason Edge]

Most of us know other CLC members who are not on the Forum. 

If everyone encouraged at least one person to visit and get involved here that would increase participation and interest. 

You could suggest they could find answers to technical or other questions, locate or sell cars and parts or general camaraderie. 

I agree. I will say there are probably still a substantial % of CLC members that were burned or flamed by "non-members" at some point or another back in the "open to anyone" days.  I always hoped legit members would start coming back, or at least giving the forums a 2nd chance, once we moved to members only.  We removed a large % of the forum membership when we went to members only. If we have a drop of 50% activity, that is still several times the drop one might expect from a linear one to one decrease. We of course need to continue those non-members to consider joining the CLC with all of its benefits including access to these forums.

Also keep in mind that we gave a lot of heads up notice then extended a couple of weeks when we made the transition.  We saw a modest jump in CLC membership, gained better control of spammer and non-member that seemed intent on sabotaging the forums, and provided a benefit to paying members by giving them their own personal space to communicate online.

Back to Number of forums members, I would much rather have 100 quality CLC members over 1000 members made up of 250 CLC members, 500 non-members and 50 trouble makers and other unknowns any day. 

As they say everything has a cost; however, $25 e-membership is very competitive. Especially when you consider everything you get. I have to shake my head when I read comments implying that the forum somehow Is the CLC. I may go months or weeks and ever even come here, but I am still reading my Self-Starter, pulling up the international Directory, participating in both Chapter, Regional and National events and so much more.  

If someone can honestly say the only reason they joined the CLC was for the forum I would be very surprised.  There is a LOT more to the Club and my hope is those former non-CLC forum members will go to www.benefits.cadillaclasalleclub.org and check out all that we have to offer and join the club ... and the forum!

[Clewisiii]

I agree. I will say there are probably still a substantial % of CLC members that were burned or flamed by "non-members" at some point or another back in the "open to anyone" days.  I always hoped legit members would start coming back, or at least giving the forums a 2nd chance, once we moved to members only.  We removed a large % of the forum membership when we went to members only. If we have a drop of 50% activity, that is still several times the drop one might expect from a linear one to one decrease. We of course need to continue those non-members to consider joining the CLC with all of its benefits including access to these forums.

Also keep in mind that we gave a lot of heads up notice then extended a couple of weeks when we made the transition.  We saw a modest jump in CLC membership, gained better control of spammer and non-member that seemed intent on sabotaging the forums, and provided a benefit to paying members by giving them their own personal space to communicate online.

Back to Number of forums members, I would much rather have 100 quality CLC members over 1000 members made up of 250 CLC members, 500 non-members and 50 trouble makers and other unknowns any day. 

As they say everything has a cost; however, $25 e-membership is very competitive. Especially when you consider everything you get. I have to shake my head when I read comments implying that the forum somehow Is the CLC. I may go months or weeks and ever even come here, but I am still reading my Self-Starter, pulling up the international Directory, participating in both Chapter, Regional and National events and so much more.   

If someone can honestly say the only reason they joined the CLC was for the forum I would be very surprised.  There is a LOT more to the Club and my hope is those former non-CLC forum members will go to www.benefits.cadillaclasalleclub.org and check out all that we have to offer and join the club ... and the forum!

Well Jason i can say that I only joined for the Forum. Paid just because I want to support.

I do not read the self starter. There have been very few articles that interest me. Are the online versions searchable by topic. That would help me find what I need.

I am not a Stalker. I have never even looked for where the directory is.

I have never been to an event. I have 27 years until retirement. I spend all of my vacations working on something  or other. That may change in a decade or two.

But forum conversations keep me entertained when I am at my desk at work. Or give me something to look up or photograph for someone when I get home from work.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I joined the CLC so that I could attend the 2002 GN in Dearbourn.   Even though I was a Member of the Australian CLC, that didn't allow me to enjoy everything that the GN's have to offer.   So, I was virtually forced to join the CLC in America.

The Forum came later as being way down South, in Tasmania, it was impossible for me to attend Meetings of the Aussie CLC, but the Forum allowed me to communicate with Members from all over the world.   I remained a Member and attended the 2008 GN in Cherry Hill, and even attended a Meeting of the Michigan region before driving to Cherry Hill.   Wonderful memories, and they still are alive.

Plus, now I have rejoined via the "on-line Membership", saving a lot of money, and even though I will no longer be receiving a hard copy of the Self Starter, which always got to me a month or two late, I can read it online, and immediately.   But, a bit hard to take to my "Library"

Bruce.

PS.   Being a Moderator of this Forum has allowed me to contribute in some way to the CLC.

[Moody]

One thing I've noticed is most threads are attended
by the same group of people, more or less. Unless someone
has a specific problem question, it seems.
Most would rather spend time with their cars or family
than log on and interact. Is that because Cadillac owners
are older, and not so social media inclined? I would
include myself here. Are we too busy? I'm on other car
forums that get huge traffic, but it's usually the same group
again. The difference is there are no restrictions on participants
because of dues charged. Obviously I've paid for the ability
to be here, because I value the members who been there, done
that. Its an expensive hobby, young people can't afford these
cars, parts are astronomical anymore. Just look at our Parts For
Sale section. I have no answers. I'm just riding along with
the wave, however calm it is.

[Jason Edge]

I think Carl brought up an interesting topic discussion regarding what benefits of membership do we engage, or what keeps us in the club. I may start a new topic to understand what makes ups all want to be a member and our level of activity.

[billyoung]

I am lousy at figuring out all the in's and out's of computers that said I cannot get the club directory to give me any info of members unless I have all their info to input anyway. If I put in Lake Wales Florida not even my info comes up to say nothing of another member who apparently lives here too.

[Carfreak]

Bill,

Did you log into the CLC website from cadillaclasalleclub.org?

Click on the red JOIN NOW button (right side of screen).

Click on blue LOG IN I AM ALREADY A MEMBER button (left side of screen).

Next you will see the Member Log In page.  My User Name & Password (different log in from Forums) is already saved for me. If your info is not saved, enter it and click the LOG IN button. 

You should be seeing the Member Information / Address Change page with your details. 

At the top of the page click on the words Member Directory and select Search Members from the drop down list.

A new page will open indicating Cadillac & LaSalle Club Member Management. I've found the less information you enter sometimes will bring you the most results. Make sure you are entering the appropriate information in the applicable box.  When I enter Young in the box for Last Name, then click SEARCH, over a dozen results show up including you.  The search also includes someone named DeYoung since the criteria I entered (Young) is included in their name.

The search defaults to both active and inactive (recent expired) members. In the results list, the inactive members will be shown with a red X next to their information. 

If you are following these steps you should get the same results.