A lot of good points made here. I've been largely disappointed in the club experience so far. My thoughts:
1) The nature of the game itself isn't conducive to chatting. Either people dip in and out of the game quickly to set up / complete tasks, or they're flying around to other cities looking for stuff. You can't chat, or see chat, unless you're home looking at the mayor island, which is inconvenient. I don't like to ask for something unless I can keep any eye on responses.
2) Lots of rudeness. People come in either practically barking "Need ladders!" "Need coffee!" and my favorite "Need spare vu items!" (No such thing as spare vu items!) Others beg "Need land expansion items please please please!" Oddly, these kinds of people never respond to others' requests.
And there are others who ask for something and then never pick up the item after you've nicely responded. Never say they no longer need the item, never say they're logging off so never mind. Maybe they took the item and never said thanks.
3) Lots of silence. I'm not looking to be real chatty, but I'll put out an occasional greeting, and get... nothing. Ever. Feels downright unfriendly. I think the club president should be more invested in making a club that's at least somewhat welcoming.
I don't know what the plan for the clubs / season competitions will be. I skipped the second season because I didn't like the items.
I do think that putting a chat response notification in one of the corners that shows up wherever you are would be helpful.