What do you do when your club isn't dedicated anymore!!

[BillyGoat]

Change is certainly possible in your club but make sure you introduce it in small doses. If you’re too gung ho, everything you ever do will be met with opposition, even if it’s universally recognized as beneficial to the club.

The club prez that you stated as competition. You need to see him more as an ally. First work his side of the street to befriend him. Then try to work your ideas into his.

Also a little known secret, forget positions as club prez, VP or something like that… Take on the position that nobody really wants… Newsletter editor! In short it’s the newsletter editor that has access to every single member in the club. With some very careful (or cleverly) worded commentary you can mold the thinking of the majority. Believe it works, I’m the editor in our club.

[bkdavy]

JimC beat me to the contagious nature of enthusiasm. Our club was in dire straits about 3 years ago. Membership was down to about 30 people, with about 6 or 7 that actively flew. Our field was 22 miles outside of town. When election time came around, the entire executive board was frustrated, and decided not to run again. No one wanted to volunteer as club officers. I was still a rookie in the club, but didn't want the club to lose our AMA charter, so I volunteered to serve as club president. Another member that had joined about the same time agreed to serve as VP. Two others stepped up to serve as secretary and treasurer.

As President, I set 4 goals for the club. First, keep the existing field open and operating. Second, find a field that was closer to town. Within three months of taking over, our oldest club member made contact with a local landowner that was willing to let us rent a field. We now have a field that's less than 5 miles from the center of town. We still operate the field thats 22 miles away, hoping to draw members from that part of the state.

Third, encourage all our members to fly on a regular basis. There is no better sales pitch for the visitor than to see people flying and having a good time. We did this by scheduling club fun flys each month during the summer, and by more regular communications with all the club members. We also made an effort to reach out to all the past club members we could contact. Many of them came back, and when they saw we were no longer worried about petty politics and were more interested in having fun, many came back.

Finally, I vowed to keep our training program alive. I've been personally instructing, and JimC has been a great help in introducing and training new pilots. These new pilots talk to friends and family, and they bring others.

This year, our club was selected by the District as one of the AMA TAG participants. We now have three club trainers, have hosted an open house/TAG event at the field, and this past weekend we held demonstrations at a local summer camp and the field. We probably flew at least 30 new people.

I think my point is this. One person can make a difference. Get a few others interested, and you're on your way. Set some realistic goals for the club, and really emphasize your successes. Keep it positive. Don't get so invested in one idea that if its not supported, you get bitter and angry. Finally, get to know as many of your club members as possible. Talk to them, befriend them, and make them allies in your efforts.

Good Luck
Brad

[DoubleA]

All still good info!! Keep it coming I am trying to put a plan together and really start a comeback!! the only thing is guys!! You all have not really suggested some ways I can really attract some of our experienced flyers to our club meet in Oct!!I know that is close!! Any suggestions??? We have already put it up on coastal plains rc, and we have sent out messages to other clubs! But I am not sure that what we have to offer for the experienced pilots is really something for them to enjoy for them to take a longerr trip than usual!! The flying is always what the experienced huckers and scale pilots want! but I am really trying to make this year bigger!! Any suggestions about that!! I was thinking about holding a fund raiser for cancer patients in the near area or maybe even beyond!! I am getting myself into more than what I know!!

[thewrap]

	Quote: Originally Posted by AArthur
	All still good info!! Keep it coming I am trying to put a plan together and really start a comeback!! the only thing is guys!! You all have not really suggested some ways I can really attract some of our experienced flyers to our club meet in Oct!!I know that is close!! Any suggestions??? We have already put it up on coastal plains rc, and we have sent out messages to other clubs! But I am not sure that what we have to offer for the experienced pilots is really something for them to enjoy for them to take a longerr trip than usual!! The flying is always what the experienced huckers and scale pilots want! but I am really trying to make this year bigger!! Any suggestions about that!! I was thinking about holding a fund raiser for cancer patients in the near area or maybe even beyond!! I am getting myself into more than what I know!!

Obviously advertising would be helpful, I might try and put it on the FG event calender even though I don't think it'd be a very big deal compared to competition events no offense intended. Just my .02

[50%plane]

	Quote: Originally Posted by AArthur
	hell no I want you to do it!! and to let you know the field is not very far off of I-95 at all!!! Maybe a football field!! My email addy is yellorx7@earthlink.net let me know and I will be out there!! I am trying to get somemore planes together now!! like I said I am in between planes!! where do you go in VA??

AArthur, I will try to make it on Sunday. I won't have anything to fly though.(well maybe, but highly doubtful) I live in the Shenandoah Valley, VA, but I work here in Goldsboro. I might have to come up there on occasion. What are membership dues BTW? I'm a member of a couple clubs right now, but if you're not to expensive, I might join ya.


50%

[DoubleA]

	Quote: Originally Posted by thewrap
	Obviously advertising would be helpful, I might try and put it on the FG event calender even though I don't think it'd be a very big deal compared to competition events no offense intended. Just my .02

None taken! Good info!! I really can't blame any of the guys not to come to the field!! We at this time don't really have alot to offer except a very large area to fly!! That is really what I have been asking is there any suggestions that someone could give me!! The food is catered this year!!

[DoubleA]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 50%plane
	AArthur, I will try to make it on Sunday. I won't have anything to fly though.(well maybe, but highly doubtful) I live in the Shenandoah Valley, VA, but I work here in Goldsboro. I might have to come up there on occasion. What are membership dues BTW? I'm a member of a couple clubs right now, but if you're not to expensive, I might join ya. 50%

Man you have got a haul!! My hats off to you!! Just let me know!! I am going to try to get my foamy together!! I don't have very much further to go on that!!! I am also looking at a couple of profiles at our local hobby shop a guy is talking about selling for next to nothing!! I have the equipment to put them together!! If I can get them together!! You are more than welcome to fly one if you don't have anything!! Just email me and let me know!!

[DoubleA]

I will have to check on the dues!!

[tec]

	Quote: Originally Posted by AArthur
	I will have to check on the dues!!

I paid $50 bucks

[DoubleA]

Oh yeah I have a club meeting tomorrow!! Any suggestions on how to handle it!!Or should I just wait it out like Because you know the only thing I am going to be hearing is a whole lotta!! And with all the older guys there I will be somewhat like this!! Any suggestions??

[tec]

:3 0aq:

	Quote: Originally Posted by AArthur
	Oh yeah I have a club meeting tomorrow!! Any suggestions on how to handle it!!Or should I just wait it out like Because you know the only thing I am going to be hearing is a whole lotta!! And with all the older guys there I will be somewhat like this!! Any suggestions??

[DoubleA]

I could never agree with you more tec!! But we need to find somewhere to fly!!