ausf.....do you mean IPMS ?..........
good stuff ?...... commraderie, shared knowledge, support, neat badges or vests or T-shirts, club local/regional/national show/contest.
bad stuff ?...... build schedule, dues, politics, competition (backstabbing), logistics in presenting local/regional/national show/contest.
maybe it's even steven do'in a list of pros and cons.......i guess it's all in what you want or are willing to put into it............
i'm sure there's more to add to each........there's much to be said for clubs but, form what i saw with the chapter in Dallas.......................well, 'nuf said.
and i've no clue about NY/NJ area.........
try...... http://www.scalemodelindex.com/clubsusa.htm
or..... http://www.ipmsusa.org/
good luck to ya dude.......it's all good