ORIGINAL: Mikerjf

My "Club" is going through some major changes in that all the club officers are leaving. We fly from a small field with a 20' x 200' paved runway next to a pond/swamp that's in a park owned by the township. Over the past few years the membership requirements have dwindled to the point where it's now pretty much just pay your dues and go down there and do whatever you feel like doing. Wasn't much of a problem in the past because out of the 50 members only 2 or 3 actually used the field on a regular basis (most of the members are new to RC or intimidated by the field), however over the past year we've started to pick up new members that fly but have never flown at a club field. Additionally a lot of the new members are into heli's (we've primarily had planes) and they're a mix of experienced and total beginners.I was asked to take the job of the Field Safety Officer by the clubs President about a year ago. We're an AMA chartered club and are supposedly subject to AMA and Club rules. The new members were never made aware of this and it's been like pulling teeth to get any degree of compliance and there's been essentially no support from the club officers.

I've been nominated to be the next club president, however nobody's chomping at the bit to fill the other vacancies. After two months of talking some members have reluctantly volunteered to fill a couple of the open spots. We're scheduled to have a meeting to get members to fill the vacant spots, however the attendance at our club meetings has dwindled to the point that the school we meet at gave our room to a band. At our last Fun Fly's we asked for volunteers to pick up donuts and coffee in the morning, supply soda and ice and run to the sub shop for lunch (club would pay the bills). Nobody volunteered.

I personally don't want to see us lose the field, but I don't think that 2 or 3 people should be responsible for keeping it open for 50 people that won't lift a finger to help out and feel that they should be able to do anything they feel like when they're there. I'd like to turn it into some semblance of a club and would appreciate any input regarding how to do it.

Thanks

Mike