Since there seams to be a bit of gliding club bashing going on may i redress the balance a bit. I started gliding in 1978 at a very small club (40 something members) and yes there was a core of people in charge. However everybody chipped in helped get the gliders launched, ran the bar and flew as much as finances would allow. After a couple of years i decided to take my PPL. What a difference. Turned up, briefed, flew, debriefed, went home. I dont think I spoke to anyone apart from the instructor for nearly a year. No camaradery. No social aspects at all.
After I had my ppl I kept flying until It was a chore to fly for the £100 cuppa just to keep current. Gave up flying in disgust. ( I was now broke having spent all my savings on the PPL)
Fast forward to 1996 when due to redundancy I found both the time and the money to go flying again. I joined lasham Gliding Society (a very large club with 600+ flying members) Yes there was politics but with that many members you could avoid the cliques. Lots of cheap flying and availability of gliders (20+), good social atmosphere, expeditions, advanced training (aerobatics, competitions) and I was made welcome. Yes whilst under training you are expected to help launch others, but once qualified it is optional. They have a booking system so if you are flying club single seaters you can turn up, get the glider out of the hangar , fly and put it away again just like a power club, but it is frowned upon.
The flying is varied. In the right weather you can fly for 10 yrs visiting most of england.
For finacial reasons I have had to give up flying again but I am still a social member of the club