Originally Posted by
franklin_m
Yes, it was the same club. I thought I'd go out and see if there's been any change in the factors that caused me to end my membership. The AMA site lists 38 members, but have yet to see one out flying on Saturdays over several weekends.
You mention another club. That's also where we get into that concept of access that we've talked about. Using myself as an example, there's a certain group of folks out there who enjoy the hobby, but don't enjoy it enough to spend the better part of an hour (or more) driving just to get to the field. Is that wrong? Of course not. How many folks would join the hobby if there was a club closer? Is that a demographic that AMA needs to grow the hobby? I think so. And there it is, back to the issue of access close to where the members (or potential members) live.
The next three closest clubs are 43, 65, and 76 minutes away. Maybe some don't mind driving that far, but some do. I do. I'm balancing my hobby flying with three kids and their events. I'm also engaged in other hobbies, and some athletics. So there isn't the time to make trips of that length for one purpose. So not everyone is as dedicated, but can AMA survive only on the members that devote that much time to flying?
What about the folks that don't want to drive that far? If we're lucky, the AMA will capture those folks as park fliers. Others, like me, will move to flying things that don't require a club field. No club field requirement, no club membership required, and hence the 15 year declining trend in club membership that Dave Scott talked about.
You mention two clubs, with a lot of active members. I mention a club with very few members, and other clubs quite a distance away. Can AMA survive when there's such a difference between the AMA experience? When there's such a difference between the have's and have nots? I think it makes it tough.
BTW, total reported membership among all three other clubs I mentioned: 89
You quit a club noting the economics of it all, ie the $100.00 that you pay for the membership, but then go back to the same club 6 times to check on it. It's your time I guess, but I'd spend it differently. For instance, I went to 3 clubs today. Started at 7:30 and worked on getting this up in the air on it's maiden flight.
4 hours later, and lots of troubleshooting and electrical issues sorted, it went up and down twice, a fantastic plane to fly.
Packed up and headed to my home club, but stopped in along the way to smaller one with about 38 members. 3 were flying, said hello and chatted with them a bit. Incidentally, this club received a small grant from the AMA this year to help recover from significant damage to the grounds from a grub/Japanese beetle infestation. One form sent in with some pictures, and within 5 days, it was approved and a check on the way.
Next up, final stop at my home club. It's warm out today, low 90's, so only about 10 people flying fixed wing, an equal amount just talking. About 15 members and a few guests at the heli/quad track. Sponsored heli pilot and member Darrick Chekas was there holding court, amazing heli pilot, fixed wing as well, and recently migrated to quads.
Not a single complaint from any member or pilot in any club today about 2014 tax results, membership dues, AMA versus FAA , or traditional versus non traditional whatever. In other words, it was the samo samo, just a bunch of guys enjoying the hobby. Actually, some complained about being on a waiting list to join our club. we've gone from 125 to 214. First world problems, amiright? We have several clubs in the state hovering in the 200 member range. Some smaller of course, many in the 70-100 range. Yes, clubs with 25 members can survive just as those with 200, within a few miles of each other can.
Sorry to hear about your old club and/or whatever the conditions there that caused you to leave. Looks like somethings going on there and elsewhere in that area. Don't like it?, might I suggest redoubling your efforts as a member rather than quitting? Granted, I don't know the full extent of the issues, but with 6 visits back you're either missing it terribly, or perhaps hoping to confirming what an utter failure the club is when nobody is flying?
When I joined my home club, the first club I had ever joined as a new AMA member I started volunteering for stuff immediately. Coffee at meetings, parking at events, cooking, selling tickets, and eventually the monthly meeting notes/e-mail to members. 3 years in the "traditional" members played some games at a meeting after starting rumors about those "helis" and how they shouldn't be in the club. You know, they aren't traditional aircraft, etc etc. They got kicked out, and it caused a serious rift in the membership. I put together a team with 4 folks and decided to run for president. I'm not a heli fan, but I hated what was done and felt they should be part of the club. I promised the heli folks if they sat tight for a year and relax, we would get them back in, and two years later we did. Just took time, and building some bridges with the other folks and finding a way to make work. Moral of the story.....make it the club you want it to be. Given your technical background and your leadership skills, this isn't an insurmountable task.
Off to start preparing for our Giant Scale event next weekend. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we have a great turn out.