I feel like I'm part of the reason that this thread was started, so I'll jump in.

At minimum I knew there were private forums available only to class members, so I figured I would at least have access to them. Also, I saw names of members on a website and I saw where members could reserve sail numbers (Again there was a list on a website,) so I figured I would get that much as well. I guess in summary I expected recognition as a member and not much more.

What I got was nothing. My name wasn't put on the list, my sail number wasn't put on the other list. I didn't get access to the private forum until I badgered people for months, and then when I did get access, I found that the forum was largely inactive.

If the only point in being a member is so I can race in the very few sanctioned events, then membership just isn't for me.