Tom in North Carolina wrote:jak wrote:Last night at our monthly fan club meeting was the great great nephew of William Robert Hunt.He was the doctor who delivered Elvis and Jesse Garon.
Jak's post got me to thinking. How many
active fan clubs are still out there in the US?? I know that most that I've been involved with have gone the way of the DoDo (and Priscilla's original face), but I'm sure that there are some still kicking here and there. Let us know about yours.
Tom
Tom,
I'm not sure of how many are active. But I do know the numbers of clubs period are dwindling because according to some of the President's - EPE is neglecting them and their work for EP. According to them, the "Insiders" club is now the outlet for Elvis fans via EPE --- because they PAY EPE for it. And they express the feeling it is EPE's intention to do away with the clubs to make the "Insiders" the be all, end all fanclub - under the control of EPE.
They have told me to look at the different functions during Elvis Week for FC Presidents - and to look at how they alarmingly are dissapearing. To be replaced by "Insider" conferences and other events for the so-called "Insiders" (which I personally find is a joke. Sure, pay your 40 bucks or whatever and you will have a magic wand tap you on the head and you instantly become an Elvis expert............ COME ON ALREADY! I'm proud to be an "Outsider"!!!!)
The Fan Club President's luncheon is now "no more" as well. The one event that brought all the active club President's together twice a year - has turned into a minor event (and is now called the "President's Event") And the clubs I've talked to in the past few months feel they've had an anvil dropped on them, and have been b*tch slapped at the same time. EPE even asked via a comment card if the President's still felt the "Luncheons are neccesary". And from everyone - the President's I mean - that I've talked to ALL said "YES!".
But, the presidents are feeling even more upset because this "couple hour" minor event - EPE is charging the President's admission. And they are not happy about that. In years long gone, the President's would pay for themselves and would be allowed to bring two guests/club officers for free. To which was, in the past a major event. Now, everyone has to pay. And that's it.
Do I agree with all of the different points these clubs bring up? Not totally. But, I can now see why clubs are failing to thrive. They are feeling like they've been taken on the biggest ride of their lives. Giving EPE free worldwide promotion - only to be disgraced by the changes of recent.
And personally I've felt the wrath of some of these "Insiders" when 4 hours before one of their "Events" in the ticket pavillion I had gone in there to use the ATM. The area four hours before the event, was already roped off. And some of the "Insiders" were already there. So I attempt to make it towards the ATM - through the ropes - only to have a freakin' pack of insiders attack me saying "You are not an insider and you don't belong in here. You have to be an insider to be in here. Leave NOW!" And when I told them I was going to just use the ATM - Their response: "Too bad, use the one down the street".. Well it wasn't one of my finest hours. I told them to piss off, and to get off of their high horses - and finished making my way to the ATM.
What I honestly feel alarming is that EPE has in-fact created their own "Frankenstein monster" with the "Insiders". They feel if they pay their dues, they are highly superior to everyone else. But these are the same folks who say "I have everything Elvis ever recorded" and when you ask them if they have the latest FTD they look at you like you are from Mars. And they are the folks buying those damn ducks - because according to them (which I overheard) "Oh, aren't those just DARLING!".....
Now, I am confident not all "insiders" are like described above. But, I can only go by the negative experiences I have personally been through, or have witnessed. And what I described above is just the tip of the iceburgh.
Sorry to get on my soap-box and threadjack. But, one thing lead to the other.......
Jordan