Welcome back, everyone! It’s the Model Aviation"Newcomers" issue, and if you’re new to the hobby or coming back after an absence, welcome! Foam RTF trainers, computer flight simulators, smart batteries, and wireless buddy boxing sure make things easier to get started in the hobby today than when I built my first glider. Yes, we even had to wait for the dinosaurs to clear off the field to fly back then!
What is your club doing to attract new members? Successful clubs and clubs that have been around for years weather the storm of inevitable turnover in the hobby, as well as the loss of our older friends, by bringing in new blood. I’m not talking about the occasional neighbor who sees someone working on an airplane in their garage and wanders out to see what it’s about. I’m talking about clubs that actively recruit, train, and retain members. Conversely, clubs that eschew new members, poo-poo the kids who "fly that scary 3D," or fail to embrace new members tend to wither on the vine, lose members, and fade into obscurity.
The following are a few ideas if you want to grow your club membership.
Host a club training night once a month (or more frequently, if possible!) where designated instructors and buddy-box-equipped trainers are available and no one is flying jets in your faces. Nights work great because you can throw some burgers on a grill and not take over the field on a nice weekend when everyone else wants to fly.
Find out whether a nearby airport is hosting a "wings and wheels" type of event; contact the coordinator and set up a booth with static displays. Not only can you share the hobby, but there are also always cool full-scale airplanes that show up at these. One of the clubs I belong to, Gateway RC in Jacksonville, Florida, hosts a public air show. The Jacksonville Parks Department publicizes the show and we have 3 hours of demonstrations, from large jets to small foamies, and we cook burgers and feed the spectators. It was a huge hit last year and drew more than 100 people from the general public. Host an AMA Take off And Grow (TAG) event and qualify for a grant from the AMA Foundation to help fund it.
These are just a few ideas; if you have more, I’m all ears. Email me and let me know what you’re up to and what has worked—and be honest about what hasn’t worked.
Until next month, stay safe and fly a lot!
