How does your club handle field maintenance?

[AB Bob]

Currently our field is strictly voluntary as to how the field is maintained.
But, this means that only about three guys have been doing the maintenance all year!
It is mainly mowing and weed-whacking with the occasional trash removal and clubhouse cleaning.
We have close to 100 members.
There needs to be a better way.
How does your club do it without alienating members, or driving them off?
TIA,
Bob

[Stinger1]

I, by choice, personally do 99% of the grounds keeping work myself. We have a great place to fly and I like it to look good. In the event I weaken we go to plan B which consists of using convicts from the County Jail to cut the grass.using plastic childrens shears, and using pedophiles and rapists to empty the porta-jons with straws. Plan B might work for you guys.

[Edgeman 540]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Stinger1
	I, by choice, personally do 99% of the grounds keeping work myself. We have a great place to fly and I like it to look good. In the event I weaken we go to plan B which consists of using convicts from the County Jail to cut the grass.using plastic childrens shears, and using pedophiles and rapists to empty the porta-jons with straws. Plan B might work for you guys.

Al I like your plan B method but unfortunately it's true that most clubs only have less than a hand full of people that are willing to contribute time to maintain the field in which they fly at.

[askforplanes]

I like your plane B too! Our club hires some people to cut the grass.

JP

[ultrasport1000]

We have around 200 members. On several occasions during the flying season we will announce that there will be a field maintenance day. This will typically be on a Saturday. The field will be closed down for several hours to allow for maintenance. All participants will be given lunch.

[smokin]

we are a much smaller club, only about 15 members that actually fly. we have a pretty easy time seeing to it that each one of us contributes equally on mowing, rolling, edging, weed eating etc.... we ALL take pride in it and we ALL like to see it looking it's best.

it's obviously easier with fewer members i know, but all that use should help to maintain OR have their dues go up to cover the dues of those that do all of the work!

[edgeman55]

Use a points system.Say 10.00 a point and a point is two hours work at the field.So 5 points is 50.00 or 10 hours work.If guys don't want to work they pay 50.00 more at renew time.The people that work the 10 hrs don't have the added $'s.All you need is a ponts cordinator and a sign up sheet at the field for when people work.Our club keeps a list of needed jobs to get done at the field and this gives members a chance to work when they have the free time.We also have work party days when the field is closed to flying for large work partys.Seems to work well for us and the club wins as some work and others pay.

[Sukhoikid]

I believe if you charge 200 dollar dues if you dont help cut and 100 dollar dues if you do cut the grass

[Scott Gerber]

We bumped the annual dues to pay for a few appointed members to do all maintenance. We thought about paying a service to come in but came to the conclusion that flying members can do a better job and do it to the way a flier would want it done...


Scott

[AB Bob]

Thanks for your replies.
Some interesting ideas for sure...
We posted two work days on our website (in prep. of our annual picnic) two weeks prior to the event, and three guys showed up...We had about 40 members and their families show up for the picnic...
We discussed an outside contractor to perform the maint., but that would quickly deplete our treasury. We only charge $45/yr. dues.
I think we will be going to a work or pay to opt out plan. We just appointed a new Field Marshall who is compiling a list of all members and work schedule. He's contacting them stating we need everyone to help out, and if they cannot help out, then a $$$ amount must be paid...(subject to bylaws ammendment)
Personally, like some of you, I take pride in a well kept field, it's much nicer to fly at, and it reflects well on the club when passersbys stop by to watch ( and perhaps join..)
Thanks for your ideas.
Bob

[flying skunks]

I belong to a field that has a LOT of grass , I did it for 5 years , with the occasional help from another here or there , after a while it was two of us that would cut the grass every week , 4 hours of just riding two mowers ..When they ( some of the old fuddy duddy's ) started making a huge mess out of US guys that fly Giant Scale , and that we had youing kids flying 40%er's , I stopped cutting the grass .. Period .. The next year they spent $5000 to have someone come out and cut the grass , fuddy duddy's idea , they did like that at the end of the year . Now there is a newer member that has volunteered to take over the task , well , it has been three months now , the field is uncut for the third week in a row , the fuddy duddy's are Poed again because they cant fly their 40 size glow planes , and I just laugh ...You will find that it is to expensive to pay to have the field cut , and you , if you decied to take on the task , will find just a few people to help , the rest just seem to biotch about everything ..
my $.02 and past experience
Good Luck

[Sukhoikid]

	Quote: Originally Posted by flying skunks
	I belong to a field that has a LOT of grass , I did it for 5 years , with the occasional help from another here or there , after a while it was two of us that would cut the grass every week , 4 hours of just riding two mowers ..When they ( some of the old fuddy duddy's ) started making a huge mess out of US guys that fly Giant Scale , and that we had youing kids flying 40%er's , I stopped cutting the grass .. Period .. The next year they spent $5000 to have someone come out and cut the grass , fuddy duddy's idea , they did like that at the end of the year . Now there is a newer member that has volunteered to take over the task , well , it has been three months now , the field is uncut for the third week in a row , the fuddy duddy's are Poed again because they cant fly their 40 size glow planes , and I just laugh ...You will find that it is to expensive to pay to have the field cut , and you , if you decied to take on the task , will find just a few people to help , the rest just seem to biotch about everything .. my $.02 and past experience Good Luck

Yo Donnie I wouldnt mind doing it if I got paid lol!

[flying skunks]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Sukhoikid
	Yo Donnie I wouldnt mind doing it if I got paid lol!

there is no pay , just gratification and pride ................
People that belong to a Club " should " be Proud of their club , and not embarrassed to invite out of town people to their field , have Pride in their Field ......Some people just do not understand that at all ..

[flying_tree]

	Quote: Originally Posted by flying skunks
	there is no pay , just gratification and pride ....

And that my friends, is better than money.

[flyinhi]

It's tough. We have the same issues. More gripers than doers.