pastebin - Anonymous - post number 2160110

When I initially heard of the 'X-Fleet Idea' I'll admit my first thoughts have been 'Wow... this is a neat idea'. However the more I've thought about it and the more I've collected and developed my thoughts as this thread has progressed, my 'Honeymoon' feelings towards the idea have moved on.

 

I do not dispute that the club has experienced a decline in membership - the figures speak for themselves. I also agree that the variety of what we have on offer is something that needs addressing.

 

The more I've thought on this proposal, the more I see this proposal not to be the solution we need. I'll explain. When I think of the club, I think of STF's 'format' as it is now. You can change a 'format' to add variety without changing its core, the values on which it is based. I joined this club for the format it presents and its core, whilst also accepting that change happens and we can gain from change.

 

This proposal, to me, presents radical change. It has the potential to signal an end to the core of the club and ultimately rather than X-Fleet existing within STF. X-Fleet becomes STF. I have been a part of numerous Startrek Simming set ups over the years of which quite a few of them certainly resemble the kind of Simming that X-Fleet will accomodate. If you took a census of all of the Simming Groups Startrek-related I'm sure you would find they exist in greater number than set ups like our own club. But these set ups also frequently fail and there is a great turnover in them.

 

STF accomodates consistency. Our set up has stood the test of time. It has stood the test of time because we are not these small scale set ups that come and go. The club we are today has a core and this proposal does not marry up with that. My inclination is that given the popularity of these, the current club core would become defunct. For me, its not a game of numbers for numbers sake. I'd love us to add numbers to 'our' format not just change the club to any format that gives us increased membership -- because what, as an individual is the point? We have to remember the instability of things like these and that STF represents the opposite - stability within the simming world.

 

If I wanted to join a set up like this, I would look for one on the internet. I joined STF and have remained here for over six years because the core idea appeals to me and its stability. On reflection and thought on this proposal, the end of this is signalled -- for numbers sake?

 

Sam