When I visit a folk club or a club where folk singing or music is presented to an audience, I need to feel at ease. I am not a good singer and I need the reassurance of a book of songs I have prepared myself. I practice these songs, but find, when in performing I inevitably have problems if the book is absent.   If I had to wait to be invited to a club I probably have to be satisfied with singing in the bath to a plastic duck.
I do not believe that folk and authority particularly go together. I agree that some control may be needed where people are invited to perform. As my favourite format is a sing around I look forward to trying to stretch myself to the level of the other performers. Freedom to sing any song under the very broad umbrella of "folk" is paramount.
I do not mind a singer with a poor voice or even an instrumentalist who gets it wrong now and again, that to me is the essence of a good folk club. I hope, when I sing others at the club feel the same way. I personally do not mind being given a quiet word of advice from another club member, with the emphasis on quiet.
Not all good folk singers have good voices, but they do have a feeling for the song they are singing, I try to have the feeling if I fail with the voice.
I have read both positive and negative comments throughout this thread and one or two comments of a personal nature. I have also noted that some people like nothing better than to find fault with other peoples opinions, please only constructive comments, there are other pressures in life without adding aggression.
Is not folk music a way of presenting subjects such as passion, death, love, war, happiness and sorrow in ways that informs and pleasures the listener?
We all have our views and many of us want different things from the clubs we visit, I myself visit clubs or venues where I find what I want. I hope that on the odd occasion someone likes what I sing and I know for certain that I listen to all other singers and musicians with interest and almost always with enjoyment.