Starting or participating in a club or organization is quite fun and rewarding. I am a member of two different organizations and I have made new friends and acquaintances that I would not have met any other way. I have also met some that I keep my distance with. Keeping an open mind and remembering why it is that you joined will go along way. Anytime you put two people together, you are going to have differing views. Multiply that by how many ever members there are and now you have that many differing views. Hopefully, through good communications, a consensus can be reached and everyone lives happily ever after.
One organization that I belong to, I was very heavily involved in. It is a modular group for which there is more work for some of the members depending on how involved one wants to get. It was when I noticed that I was having more work than fun that I decided to move to the back of the bus. They are a great group of guys however, it was time for someone else to take a lead. Another group I belong to are also a swell group of guys. It is a round robin style for which I have enormous gratification for them letting me belong. They have a basic set of guidelines for which I am not able to fully meet but they let me belong anyway. I am hoping to one day get a layout in my basement and have them all over. Meanwhile, I try to have a gathering once every two years that is out of the ordinary for everyone to get together and have some fun. I have been to most all of their layouts and have seen some of the most unique things in their own style of modeling and building.
This is what being part of a club or group is all about. Learning new things, tricks and ways do do whatever. Breaking bread and having drink, running trains and creating new memories with fellow train nuts. No one can get along with everyone but, everyone can get along with someone. Find that some one in the group or club and have a great time. Remember, you did not join for the politics. So ignore them and have fun. It will only bother you if you let it.
