How do you run your club?

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 4 of 4 known posts recovered

DJMalott · Oct 24, 2000 09:16 AM

Guys, we're putting together a CL club here in northern Indiana, and it will be AMA chartered. We're looking for some ideas on the things your club does...or has learned to avoid. I'm going to ask a few questions, but I'll bet you can think of suggestions and answers to questions the I won't think to ask.

How big is your club?

How many people did you start out with?

What's the general mix of ages, and flying types (combat, stunt, speed, etc.)

Do you have club training planes (what type?), and instructors?

Do you do anything special to attract new members, or kids in particular?

How many and what kind of flying functions do you hold, and meets do you host?

Do you hold any sort of fund raising functions?

Does your club have sponsors...with cash, discounts, equipment use?

What is your club's dues structure?

Does the club have a website? (Give me the link)

Well, there are a few questions. Any answers, tips and suggestions you can share will help us here, but will
probably help a lot of existing clubs as well.

Thanks (a lot) for giving your time and ideas.
Denny Malott

Scott Riese · Oct 24, 2000 05:50 PM

#1 source

Our club started in the 1940's .Jim walker was one of the club members. That club was called the "Aeroliners" .Portland Oregon is consitered the birthplace of control line flying. When I joined the northwest "fireballs" there were 18 members. We now have growen to 28 members in the past three years. We run our club from " the rule of Roberts" and we have a AMA consitusion. We do have a web site... But I'm stupid today and can't get it up........Hay.... now that's funny....HA,HA... Scott ( i want to be walker) Riese ....LOL... Let me know if I can be of some help!

Steve Helmick · Oct 24, 2000 09:47 PM

#3 source

My club is the Seattle Skyraiders. I'm not sure how many members we have, but more than Stud Riese's club. It's pretty casual, I'm not sure anybody knows who Robert was. Our dues are $15/year, and that gets us by ok, but we don't have a field to maintain. Or a field. We buy/build contest equipment as the need arrises, and we are really lucky to have it stored at John Hall's garage. A carrier deck is a major problem; try to avoid building one at all costs, 'cause then you have to store it and transport it.
Hay, Scott, which Walker is it you want to be? The famous dead one or the B-17 driver? I'd opt for the latter, but skip the B-17. Really neat to watch; pain in the hinney to fly. Steve

Alan Hahn · Oct 24, 2000 09:37 PM

#2 source

LAST EDITED ON Oct-25-00 AT 12:39 PM (EST)

I'm a member of 2 clubs, one the Fermilab Barnstormers (10+ years) which was primarily RC (and now has a big CL contingent), and the TreeTown Modelaires, which has existed for a long time. Both clubs have a reasonable number of prominent modelers (Glenn Lee who recently wrote the Speed Column in MA, Peter Mazur who is a National Champ in CL Carrier, and quite a few others that are well known.

A club is a group of personalities. With the two clubs I mention, there are no dictators. All these guys are open to questions and helping out. I think keeping a congenial atmosphere is one of the most important things.

With regard to funding, both clubs use AMA events to raise money--primary through food sales and raffles at contests.

Of course in any or most clubs, there are a few who do most of the work (no names!!). You can't let that get you down as you get your new club going.

Congratulations on your new club.

Alan