District VII - 2015/06

Although you’ll read this at the end of
May, I wrote this column on the eve
of the 61st Toledo Show: R/C Model
Expo hosted by the Weak Signals R/C
Club. The Toledo Show, as many of
you may know it, is the world’s largest
“selling” show of RC products. It,
along with the AMA Expo in Ontario,
California, and the Westchester Radio
Aero Modelers (WRAM) Show in
Secaucus, New Jersey, make up the
“Big 3” of aeromodeling trade shows in
the US.
These shows are where many major
manufacturers debut new products and
have staff on hand to answer questions
and offer tips on how to best use these
new offerings. Most of all, I think, it’s
the chance to see items up close, hold
them in your hands, and actually see
how they operate. If a picture is worth
a thousand words, seeing them in
person must be at least 10 times that.
Try to put one of these shows on your
calendar for next year.
In the past several columns, I’ve
discussed tips for holding successful
air shows and the sanctioning process.
This month, I’ve asked Len Todd of
the Lake County Modelers and Flyers
Association in Baldwin, Michigan,
to talk about ideas to increase club
membership. Under Len’s leadership,
his club has grown from three
members to more than 65 in less than
three years. Check out the following
and see if what the club does might
work for you.
“I was again asked how our club grew
from three pilots sitting on the local
airport’s tarmac wondering how to best
protect our field, into a 66-member
AMA chartered club in less than three
years.
“The Lake County Modelers and
Flyers fly at the Baldwin Municipal
Airport. Lake County is one of the
poorest counties in the US. There are
many reasons for our club’s growth. If
your club is trying to grow, there are a
few areas to consider.
“Public: We first negotiated a longterm
license to operate on the local
airport. We established a public RC
park, including two turf runways, an
outdoor pavilion, RC car track, and an
asphalt pit row and taxiways off the
airport’s asphalt full-scale runway. We
welcome the incoming public to the
point of dropping what we are doing
and getting them involved, hands
on, either with an airplane or car.
The public knows we will be on-site
Sunday and Wednesday evenings, and
that they are welcome. Parents know
that they can drop off the kids, and
we will teach them new skills, while
keeping them safe.
“Partners: We partner with the
local businesses, other flying clubs,
schools, local government, and other
local nonprofit organizations. How
else would three guys put on a firstyear,
first-class, 35-pilot event? Figure
out what your partners need and help
provide it. In turn, they will help you.
“Programs: School programs bring
youngsters to the club. They also bring
grants and supporting spokespersons
from outside the hobby. This year, we
have four events scheduled. We market
throughout Western Michigan. We
tailor events to bring people to come
and stay overnight in our community.
And we maintain diversity by offering
all facets of model aviation.
“Positive: When club members
suggest ideas, we try to see how we
can accomplish them versus looking
for ways to shut them down. We
welcome new technology and modify
the field and rules to accommodate and
promote new ideas, and new and old
technology.
“Politics: We meet periodically with
the airport’s regulators. We recruit
and train critical people to fly, such
as the airport manager and the village
president. We get involved with the
Rotary Club and other clubs.
“Propwash: Our club has members
from across the state. Our periodic
newsletter (Propwash) keeps members
apprised of what is going on, when we
need help, and what other members
are doing.”
Take a kid flying.