[sac-board] Re: Some Comments about SAC

Reading this gave me a wild idea to increase membership. In another
context we are all against what I am about to suggest, but in this
context maybe not? Along with a membership card Jeff just suggested,
which could be made very fancy with intricate gold patterns and all
that, it would give the coordinates and name of a star that SAC has
officially named after the member as part of membership!! Just a not
serious fun idea.

However, I agree with Jennifer that there is no intrinsic virtue in
increasing membership just to increase membership [doing it to swamp out
and take over other clubs, maybe (-:  ]
Stan

Jeff Hopkins wrote:

> I know my ALPO membership card gets me coffee for $1.50 at most
> places and I'm sure a SAC membership card would get a similar "deal!"
> The point is SAC is just about the only organization I have belonged
> to that does not issue membership cards. It's a negligible expense as
> the  cards can be pre-printed nicely and the name and date filled in
> upon joining or renewing. It might even have spaces for board member
> title (if applied), special interest group and when first joined.
> While not a real big deal it can represent a point of pride.
>
> The reason I got on the soapbox was to help. I see a club with
> declining membership and on the brink of financial bust. Getting more
> members, selling more items or cutting expenses is about the only way
> to survive.
>
> To get more members the club must be exposed more, have membership
> applications available at all public astronomical events. Also a
> sheet explaining about SAC and the benefits of membership (getting
> the "beautiful" membership card may be one of the few if only
> tangible asset. I attend many public astronomical events and have
> NEVER seen SAC promoted! Have a table with handouts and applications
> and have a committee of volunteers to man it at events.
>
> I applaud the Newsletter (great job!) and making it public is a step
> in the right direction, but then at the same time since most paid
> members do not "receive" the Newsletter (they must log on and
> download it) it's not really a tangible asset. Since $$ are tight I
> see no reason not to charge those receiving the Newsletter in hard
> copy form via US mail more. Those people directly cost the club more.
> Money is tight!
>
> Star parties are mainly club events, but since they are on public
> property they are open to the public, plus trying to police them
> probably would be very hard and fraught with down sides.
>
> >Every club has some type of vision or mission statement... it's
> >there somewhere in the bylaws. This defines the purpose of the club,
> >and membership dues are set to accommodate the necessary expenses
> >while the club pursues its mission. At times it becomes a balancing
> >act, trying to deliver on the mission with the dues collected.
>
> I have never seen the bylaws. Perhaps they should be on the web site!
>
> >Most of the benefits of club membership are not individually tangible items.
>
> Exactly!
>
> >  But for my $28 I get:
> >   a.. 12 meetings with fascinating speakers and wonderful company,
> >held in a relatively comfortable, safe environment.
>
> At least for me the speakers are of absolutely no value (I am deaf).
> I am seldom able to follow what goes on in the meetings.
>
> >   b.. A website about the club, loaded with information and
> >available to me anytime and anywhere (almost).
>
> Great! Free to all! Yet also a great place to sell astronomical tee
> shirts, books and other items along with possible swap meet
> astronomical items. This has great potential to bring in more money.
>
> >   c.. A dozen newsletters, representing the hard work of several
> >dedicated (and talented) volunteers. I can enjoy it onscreen or
> >print it at my discretion.
>
> Great job, but available to the public. Again I think that is fine as
> it promotes both SAC and astronomy.
>
> >   d.. An invitation to participate in many star parties; some
> >public, some private.
>
> This is volunteer work. You really should not need to pay to
> volunteer you efforts and equipment. The reality is you provide your
> own transportation, telescope and what you wish to do. Having an area
> scouted out and cleared and port-a-jons is great.  Note: Bushes in
> the dark in the wilderness have always worked nearly as well as the
> port-a-jon! :-)
>
> >   e.. An invitation to participate in special interest groups, like
> >the Deep Sky or ATM groups. Further, there exists the ability to
> >start such a group myself, if I'm so inclined.
>
> Again, I think this is great too.
>
> >   f.. The camaraderie of those who share a similar interest. For me,
> >this fellowship is worth the cost of admission alone. I have met
> >some fantastic people through club memberships; folks I might not
> >have encountered otherwise.
> >If I wanted to assign some numerical value on my membership (which I
> >don't), I could say that it costs me less than a buck for each
> >meeting, newsletter and star party... what a deal!
> >I could pursue my astronomical interests without belonging to a
> >club, but I think I'll always choose to support amateur astronomy in
> >this manner. In fact, I think I'll send in my renewal check today!
>
> I too want to support the club, but I also want to see it survive!
>
> Jeff
>
> >
>
> --
>                                            Jeff Hopkins
>                                             HPO SOFT
> **************************************************************
>      Phoenix, Arizona                             Atlanta, Georgia
>    7812 West Clayton Drive               12170 Boxwood Circle
> Phoenix, AZ 85033-2439 U.S.A.   Alpharetta, GA 30005 U.S.A.
>     (623) 849-5889 (Fax)               (770) 619-3322 (Phone/Fax)
>          www.hposoft.com               dataman.home.mindspring.com
>                                 4th Dimension Developer
>                                    FileMaker Pro Expert
>                 BASIC/C/C++ Programmer/Web Site Developer

Other related posts: