pdb1:But why is it that so many do not feel the same way
Gee that is the $64,000 question.
It is hard to get the right mix of players but unless the player is recommended, then it is difficult with any new recruit.
Owners cannot see their CC history (how often they change, play or interact) and the player will never really know what the club is like until joining. No due diligence here - you can look at score history, not a lot more.
As you say, most players who are in CC's will not move unless they are not satisfied, so getting good new members can be difficult.
I have been in 3 clubs - first was when I hit TP/master a large 250 member club. I joined as it was primarily Australian so was easy to get games in with members as we were mostly in the right time zone. However I disagreed with a few things so left and the club imploded.
#2 was started by a mate - 12 or so members - all really good guys and we would play AS together all the time. Slowly they stopped playing.....so I finally left after explaining to the owner (we remain good friends)...sadly he closed the club that day.
#3 and probably last (unless I get booted out) is CN. Whilst we have a few members who do not play, it is pretty active and a great bunch of guys. People that I would happily have a beer with and talk to the wee hours if we met. It is not large, nor do we want it to be, but we want the right people who fit in and will play. I know the members by name, nit by a ID or number. I sometimes feel members of large CC's just get a little lost. It is fine to play tournaments, but it is also another to learn about them and what makes them tick.