Club Corner

by Jim Wallen, AMA Insider Club Editor

All of our AMA clubs can use some fresh ideas from time to time that will make the club atmosphere more attractive to its members. Also, clubs need to focus on maintaining membership levels to keep the club financially stable and healthy. Again this month I will give you a smorgasbord of thoughts and ideas that can be used by your membership. Feel free to pick and choose those that make sense for your particular club and try them out.

Communication is the glue that keeps clubs active and makes all the members feel involved. Regularly scheduled club meetings are most important. If possible, arrange to have a simple bulletin board erected at your flying site. Newsletters are always interesting and informative to all, even those who no longer get “on the sticks” but want to be included in activities. E-mail is a must these days; it’s inexpensive and relatively easy to use. Keep in mind that not all members use computers or e-mail so don’t forget about them. A phone call or a simple note by “snail mail” will also work. The clubs that actively promote that feeling of being all inclusive and creating a family atmosphere are the ones that will stay healthy and prosper.

Do you have a hobby store in your community? Perhaps there is an opportunity there that you have not thought about. Most hobby stores don’t exclusively focus on our hobby. They sell all sorts of products not related to RC. In many cases the employees are not well educated in modeling products. Ask the store manager or employees to come to one of your meetings or meet you at the flying field to watch or even get on a buddy box. It is a great chance to expose them to building and flying. They are very good candidates to join your club. The exposure also positions them to better serve their hobby store customers.

Do you have some thoughts about doing things in a new and creative way with your club? If so, give me a shout at sjwallen@tde.com. I would love to share them with the rest of our Insider readers.

Till then … Jim Q