"There are people who think that Bert Lloyd and Peter Bellamy (to name but two) couldn't sing!"
Both could hold a tune and remember the words (sometimes Bert dried, especially towards the end of his life), but I never saw either of them resort to a crib sheet.
I really think we are talking about people who use the platform to practice - again I find myself totally agreeing with Howard.
IMO those who turn up to sing before they have mastered the basics, and those who are prepared to accept this as acceptible, display a contempt for the music and a disregard for audiences who have made the effort to attend your club - they have a right to be given something reasonable.
Also, singers who have worked at their songs should not be expected to pick up the pieces after intolerably bad singing has naused up the evening.
If organisers are genuinely concerned about helping struggling singers who want to improve, start a workshop, or offer some other sort of practical help.
Jim Carroll