Will higher fees mean less members?
10-29-2005, 04:06 PM
#26
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
Another perspective...Been an enthusiastic builder/flyer for the past 4 years. Have been lucky to fly with a very small group on private property. Our field gets too wet to fly in winter so joined nearest "city"
club. For the comraderie and to fly at their asphalt field maybe 4 or 5 times throughout the winter. Gladly paid their club dues and MAAC fee, $58 annually. Now, I've put way too much money into this hobby/addiction already, just ask my wife. Recently I got a membership renewal notice (MAAC) and saw that the yr is now $75. Not the end of the world but it has given me pause to think about the cost of maybe getting a few extra flights in this winter, depending on the weather. On top of all other costs of hobby and general cost of living, well, I dunno.......
club. For the comraderie and to fly at their asphalt field maybe 4 or 5 times throughout the winter. Gladly paid their club dues and MAAC fee, $58 annually. Now, I've put way too much money into this hobby/addiction already, just ask my wife. Recently I got a membership renewal notice (MAAC) and saw that the yr is now $75. Not the end of the world but it has given me pause to think about the cost of maybe getting a few extra flights in this winter, depending on the weather. On top of all other costs of hobby and general cost of living, well, I dunno.......
10-29-2005, 07:27 PM
#27
RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: Norm Nestie
For the comraderie and to fly at their asphalt field maybe 4 or 5 times throughout the winter. ..............
........getting a few extra flights in this winter, depending on the weather. On top of all other costs of hobby and general cost of living, well, I dunno.......
For the comraderie and to fly at their asphalt field maybe 4 or 5 times throughout the winter. ..............
........getting a few extra flights in this winter, depending on the weather. On top of all other costs of hobby and general cost of living, well, I dunno.......
........cause obviously BC shouldn't be in Canada..............bare asphalt in winter?............ what the heck?
(....I hope that doesn't sound too jeleous and spiteful?)
10-29-2005, 09:44 PM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: can773
MAAC could cost $500 a year I would still join......life costs get used to it
MAAC could cost $500 a year I would still join......life costs get used to it
10-30-2005, 10:55 AM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: Sharpy01
Yeah, well you don't count. [>:]
........cause obviously BC shouldn't be in Canada..............bare asphalt in winter?............ what the heck?
(....I hope that doesn't sound too jeleous and spiteful?)
ORIGINAL: Norm Nestie
For the comraderie and to fly at their asphalt field maybe 4 or 5 times throughout the winter. ..............
........getting a few extra flights in this winter, depending on the weather. On top of all other costs of hobby and general cost of living, well, I dunno.......
For the comraderie and to fly at their asphalt field maybe 4 or 5 times throughout the winter. ..............
........getting a few extra flights in this winter, depending on the weather. On top of all other costs of hobby and general cost of living, well, I dunno.......
........cause obviously BC shouldn't be in Canada..............bare asphalt in winter?............ what the heck?
(....I hope that doesn't sound too jeleous and spiteful?)
Marc, he sounds like he needs a weekend in Montreal with you
-- Lets give love a chance----
10-30-2005, 11:09 PM
#31
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
MAAC may start to see a loss in members due to the fee increase in casual members, the ones that fly a couple times a year - do I get MAAC for a few weekends a year, or do they leave the stuff in the basement for another year.
A bigger loss in members may occur to aging base of our existing membership but I'm sure that the current board will come with some new programs to arrest that forecast.
There are new motivated zone directors like Chuck Smith, Alberta ZD and BC that will bring new ideas to this trend.
A bigger loss in members may occur to aging base of our existing membership but I'm sure that the current board will come with some new programs to arrest that forecast.
There are new motivated zone directors like Chuck Smith, Alberta ZD and BC that will bring new ideas to this trend.
10-31-2005, 12:19 AM
#32
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
A bigger loss in members may occur to aging base of our existing membership but I'm sure that the current board will come with some new programs to arrest that forecast.
There are new motivated zone directors like Chuck Smith, Alberta ZD and BC that will bring new ideas to this trend.
At risk of sounding negative I think this is wishful thinking. Demographics are a fact of life and we do not have enough young kids entering the hobby to replace the senior folks that are leaving due to age and health. A generation ago father/son combinations were common at the clubs....how often do you see it now?
As I have said before, I do believe that MAAC membership will suffer over the next decade and increased fees will only be part of the reason, albeit one of the reasons.
Ron
There are new motivated zone directors like Chuck Smith, Alberta ZD and BC that will bring new ideas to this trend.
At risk of sounding negative I think this is wishful thinking. Demographics are a fact of life and we do not have enough young kids entering the hobby to replace the senior folks that are leaving due to age and health. A generation ago father/son combinations were common at the clubs....how often do you see it now?
As I have said before, I do believe that MAAC membership will suffer over the next decade and increased fees will only be part of the reason, albeit one of the reasons.
Ron
10-31-2005, 07:39 AM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
As I have said before, I do believe that MAAC membership will suffer over the next decade and increased fees will only be part of the reason, albeit one of the reasons.
Ron
Ron
but do they care enough to do something about it, NO.
Do we try to increase or maintain membership levels or accept the this fact that MAAC will shrink.
Does anyone else has a valued interest in MAAC membership levels.
Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, do you think these companies would contribute more to MAAC? Gold silver bronze membership levels commercial membership levels?
Does MAAC have a survival strategy other than increasing membership fees?
Maybe we should not underestimate the new zone reps, Chuck has proven marketing experience in the Nats and World Championships.
10-31-2005, 11:56 PM
#34
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
Does MAAC have a survival strategy other than increasing membership fees?
I certainly hope so, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Ron
I certainly hope so, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Ron
11-07-2005, 07:15 PM
#35
RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
My .0013$
I think the price hike has been way overhyped. Lets look at last year's cost of $56. Next year, it will be going up a whole $19. That equates to less than 37 cents a week. Anybody that complains over that should reconsider their involvement in the hobby. I hear the same sob story in my area too and I am sick and tired of it. What really annoys me is that these same people, with complaints about MAAC and the rising costs, will not hesitate to spend another $200 on a new GWS warbird and new brushless setup for it the very next day. Give me a break.
Startup costs for the newbie? Don't even go there. Show me another pastime that is as enjoyable with no costs attached! Club fees + MAAC fees are nothing in comparison to other sports. Go ask the soccer Mom's and hockey Dad's how much it costs for Jack and Jill to play.
The fact of the matter is that the fee is going up to cover costs.. the cost of doing business, just like everyone else. So suck it up and stop squibbling over it. Wanna play, you gotta pay.
Now returning to your regularly programmed broadcast....
Dan
I think the price hike has been way overhyped. Lets look at last year's cost of $56. Next year, it will be going up a whole $19. That equates to less than 37 cents a week. Anybody that complains over that should reconsider their involvement in the hobby. I hear the same sob story in my area too and I am sick and tired of it. What really annoys me is that these same people, with complaints about MAAC and the rising costs, will not hesitate to spend another $200 on a new GWS warbird and new brushless setup for it the very next day. Give me a break.
Startup costs for the newbie? Don't even go there. Show me another pastime that is as enjoyable with no costs attached! Club fees + MAAC fees are nothing in comparison to other sports. Go ask the soccer Mom's and hockey Dad's how much it costs for Jack and Jill to play.
The fact of the matter is that the fee is going up to cover costs.. the cost of doing business, just like everyone else. So suck it up and stop squibbling over it. Wanna play, you gotta pay.
Now returning to your regularly programmed broadcast....
Dan
01-20-2006, 09:17 AM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
It may prevent some young guys with limited income to start in this sport.Ask me if I am willing to fly my 8,000$ 40% plane with someone who can't afford 75 $ for insurance. The fact is everything is geting more expensive. I can't even bring my kids to a movie for 75$.
KenW
KenW
01-20-2006, 09:47 AM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: cessna206a
MAAC may start to see a loss in members due to the fee increase in casual members
MAAC may start to see a loss in members due to the fee increase in casual members
As a kid, I don't recall this hobby being very popular among my peers .... it still isn't, it's a geeky hobby in the eyes of the young who need to feel cool.
Yes, the baby boomers are ageing and this is having an effect across the entire market, not just MAAC. As more baby boomers look to retirement, they're going to seek hobby to fill up their leisure time (avoid the honey-do list). I think this is where the real growth potential is, if we manage to divert at just 5% of these retiring boomers (many no longer intimidate by appearing 'geeky'
) away from the evil sport (Golf), MAAC should be fine for at least another 20 years.
01-20-2006, 09:53 AM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: Jim_McIntyre
As more baby boomers look to retirement, they're going to seek hobby to fill up their leisure time (avoid the honey-do list). I think this is where the real growth potential is, if we manage to divert at just 5% of these retiring boomers ----
away from the evil sport (Golf), MAAC should be fine for at least another 20 years.
As more baby boomers look to retirement, they're going to seek hobby to fill up their leisure time (avoid the honey-do list). I think this is where the real growth potential is, if we manage to divert at just 5% of these retiring boomers ----
away from the evil sport (Golf), MAAC should be fine for at least another 20 years.
[sm=punching.gif] Yer really askin fer it pilgrim
01-20-2006, 10:43 AM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
Hi..
I agree with Jim on this one. Young people have too many other choices to get their buzz. If you succeed in attracting some young blood into your club the first thing they want to do is get all of us old farts out. :-) Our future is with the boomers….. bert
PS .. Jim you left out booze and GIRLS
I agree with Jim on this one. Young people have too many other choices to get their buzz. If you succeed in attracting some young blood into your club the first thing they want to do is get all of us old farts out. :-) Our future is with the boomers….. bert
PS .. Jim you left out booze and GIRLS
01-20-2006, 11:31 AM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: Jigley3
PS .. Jim you left out booze and GIRLS
PS .. Jim you left out booze and GIRLS
and.... I was trying to maintain a PG rating but, oh well.... I guess golf isn't the only evil blight on this earth.
01-20-2006, 05:25 PM
#41
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
That said, a 35% increase in one shot was/is likely a bit tough for some (and rightly so) to digest. In retrospect we all know that annual smaller increases would have been a better choice, but that opportunity has left the station and we can only look forward.
I'm lucky as though I belong to four clubs the dues for three of them are $35, $25 and $15 respectively and I'm lucky enough to be a life member of the fourth that would cost me much more.
Looking at it another way, our MAAC dues provide for insurance value that we just don't get on our house or car. But we are going to have to work at keeping it that way. I can see why some are upset at the cost of meeting field regulation requirements, but these are just intended to help us with our insurance history and are for our own good.
I am in one club where the then president was against protective fences - until the day when he nearly got emasculated. We had pilot fences very quickly after that.
01-20-2006, 06:15 PM
#42
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
It's amazing that guys that start threads like this, and are long time outstanding paid up members in MAAC, and continue to renew every year and start bull threads like this to rile up the masses.Cheap arses. The FAI argument isn't going as well as planned, so let's start this goofy one in another direction.
"this increase is a pain, we can't afford it...blah, blah, blah"
" new members can't afford it" blah 'blah blah"
" the price of dog food went up 25 percent and this is one more thing I gotta worry about..blah blah blah"
" I'm worried about my grandkids kids kids inhertitance because of MAAC's increase..blah blah blah"
....and yet they are the first to make sure they have their renewals in early to get the FREE patch. Hilarious!!
If you are going to get out of MAAC because of the cost, then just do it. It's like suicide, the ones that do it, say nothing. The ones that don't really want to do it tell everyone.
"this increase is a pain, we can't afford it...blah, blah, blah"
" new members can't afford it" blah 'blah blah"
" the price of dog food went up 25 percent and this is one more thing I gotta worry about..blah blah blah"
" I'm worried about my grandkids kids kids inhertitance because of MAAC's increase..blah blah blah"
....and yet they are the first to make sure they have their renewals in early to get the FREE patch. Hilarious!!
If you are going to get out of MAAC because of the cost, then just do it. It's like suicide, the ones that do it, say nothing. The ones that don't really want to do it tell everyone.
01-20-2006, 06:53 PM
#43
RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: ronnieo1
If you are going to get out of MAAC because of the cost, then just do it. It's like suicide, the ones that do it, say nothing. The ones that don't really want to do it tell everyone.
If you are going to get out of MAAC because of the cost, then just do it. It's like suicide, the ones that do it, say nothing. The ones that don't really want to do it tell everyone.
01-20-2006, 08:07 PM
#44
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: ronnieo1
It's amazing that guys that start threads like this, and are long time outstanding paid up members in MAAC, and continue to renew every year and start bull threads like this to rile up the masses.Cheap arses. The FAI argument isn't going as well as planned, so let's start this goofy one in another direction.
"this increase is a pain, we can't afford it...blah, blah, blah"
" new members can't afford it" blah 'blah blah"
" the price of dog food went up 25 percent and this is one more thing I gotta worry about..blah blah blah"
" I'm worried about my grandkids kids kids inhertitance because of MAAC's increase..blah blah blah"
....and yet they are the first to make sure they have their renewals in early to get the FREE patch. Hilarious!!
If you are going to get out of MAAC because of the cost, then just do it. It's like suicide, the ones that do it, say nothing. The ones that don't really want to do it tell everyone.
It's amazing that guys that start threads like this, and are long time outstanding paid up members in MAAC, and continue to renew every year and start bull threads like this to rile up the masses.Cheap arses. The FAI argument isn't going as well as planned, so let's start this goofy one in another direction.
"this increase is a pain, we can't afford it...blah, blah, blah"
" new members can't afford it" blah 'blah blah"
" the price of dog food went up 25 percent and this is one more thing I gotta worry about..blah blah blah"
" I'm worried about my grandkids kids kids inhertitance because of MAAC's increase..blah blah blah"
....and yet they are the first to make sure they have their renewals in early to get the FREE patch. Hilarious!!
If you are going to get out of MAAC because of the cost, then just do it. It's like suicide, the ones that do it, say nothing. The ones that don't really want to do it tell everyone.
Number 1# This is a discussion forum ... people can discuss anything they want.
Number 2# The MAAC constitution and Zone and AG meetings are recognized by most as the mechanism to affect change ... complaining here is mostly harmless except when it gets personal
Number 3# There is an old military saying to counter your comment re: suicide " As long as the troops are complaining you are OK. As soon as they stop .... watch out"
Number 4# You only have to invoke the Hitler analogy to have completed the set of most hackneyed metaphors ... go for it!!
Jeff
01-21-2006, 11:01 PM
#45
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
ORIGINAL: Sharpy01
You are without a doubt...........a moron. You have risen to new lows with that one.
ORIGINAL: ronnieo1
If you are going to get out of MAAC because of the cost, quit whining about it, then just do it!!! It's like suicide, the ones that do it, say nothing. The ones that really don't want to do it tell everyone...
If you are going to get out of MAAC because of the cost, quit whining about it, then just do it!!! It's like suicide, the ones that do it, say nothing. The ones that really don't want to do it tell everyone...
You misunderstood the analogy and as for the moron comment I'm in very good company with you and Mr. Alias..........
01-22-2006, 08:06 AM
#46
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
and speaking of Mr. Alias.... he says the MAAC increase is only the price of a cup of coffee...it's actually the price of a packet of "Sweet 'n Low". It shouldn't affect a new member at all. If one was more concerned about new members paying a lot up front, then roll back the initiation fees to join your club, and make it easier for newbies to join. Or better yet, roll back the whole club fees and the new MAAC raise won't affect anyone, if one was so concerned.
01-22-2006, 09:35 AM
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RE: Will higher fees mean less members?
I sincerely hope that the above scenario is fiction just like Chad's $500 per year comment. At $500 per year in todays $'s the organization would cease to exist overnight.
Ed S
