[NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA membership - and Donations!
Randall Bearden
rbearden56 at earthlink.net
Wed Dec 27 13:32:46 AKST 2006
On 12/26/06 11:13 PM, "Mike Hester" <kerlock at comcast.net> wrote:
> Keith you make a really good point.
>
> We are not some huge conglomerate like the AMA for instance, we're a select
> few doing something unique and very specialized. if we want to see it continue
> to grow, even if it's little by little, or even hold the ground we have, we
> need to think hard about what we CAN do. Each and every one of us. If the
> answer is "not much", then so be it, that's FINE. But I believe there's more
> out there that can, and for whatever reason, choose not to. Perhaps they just
> don't know how?
>
> I'm certainly not suggesting everyone go out and start giving time and money,
> all I'm saying is ask yourself what it's worth to you. Yeah, I edit the K
> factor, travel all over the place, give away scratch built planes and
> whatever. And it's just a very small drop in the bucket compared to what I get
> back from pattern.... so to me, it's a no brainer. I'm not rich, but I can
> build a plane and cut some kits. I can't think of a more deserving person than
> Marcio to build this plane for. If you haven't met him yet, you will. he's a
> great guy, and I'm taking great pride in building and finishing this plane for
> him. He's not udner any obligation from me to even fly the thing, he earned it
> in my eyes, and so did Dean and Rufus.....it's the least I can do.
>
> It's a hobby, guys. It's not the NFL, it's not NASCAR, it's fun and it's
> supposed to stay that way. But in order for any of this to work, somebody has
> to be willing to give a lot of time and effort. The more, the better.
> Differences need to be put aside, and we need to roll up our sleeves and get
> to it. I loudly applaud all of the efforts made by Lamar and Jerry and the
> rest of these guys, like for instance, who is out there pounding the dirt
> harder than Rusty Dose and Dave Guerin? give them a buzz and see how you can
> help.......IF you can. If you can't, that's fine and dandy, just come to the
> meets and let's have fun!!! just be sure to take a minute to recognize who IS
> out there busting thier tail.
>
> Let me tell you, you wouldn't believe how much difference one person can make.
> As long as your heart is in the right place, you can truly make a HUGE
> difference.
>
> Let's do it guys!
> -Mike
>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: Keith Black <mailto:tkeithblack at gmail.com>
>>
>> To: NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 7:33 PM
>>
>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA membership - and Donations!
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike, your email stated exactly what I was thinking. Thank you for writing
>> it!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I personally VERY MUCH value the K-Factor and think it would be a terrible
>> loss if it were to go away or if the circulation were reduced.
>>
>>
>>
>> I also GREATLY appreciate what the NSRCA volunteer's do for us.
>>
>>
>>
>> Perhaps those of us who are unable to contribute time, due to family & work
>> obligations, but are financially able could donate an extra $50, $100 or
>> $250 to help the NSRCA. Many many organizations, collages, fraternities,
>> public television, amateur sports organizations, etc. depend on additional
>> donations to keep running. If we could get 100 people to give an additional
>> $50 to $100 we wouldn't be rolling in dough, but it could certainly help.
>> Heck, 40 people donating $250 would raise $10,000 for the NSRCA!
>>
>>
>>
>> Personally I'm very willing to do this, for goodness sakes, last year Mike
>> Hester donated three pattern planes that he paid for and spent time
>> building!!! Those who can afford should at least be willing to write a
>> check!
>>
>>
>>
>> Some may ask what if the money's not spent wisely? My answer would echo
>> Mike's point, people volunteer because they love pattern, I am absolutely
>> confident they have the best interest of pattern in mind.
>>
>>
>>
>> Marty, if you add a donation section to the NSRCA shopping cart I'd be
>> honored to be the first to use it.
>>
>>
>>
>> Keith Black
>>
>>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
>>
>> From: Mike Hester <mailto:kerlock at comcast.net>
>>
>> To: NSRCA Mailing List <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 3:04 PM
>>
>> Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA membership, dues and volounteers
>>
>>
>>
>> Ok,
>>
>>
>>
>> Christmas is now officially over, and so is my cease fire =) I'm going to
>> preface this with a slight warning: I'm not trying to be adversarial, I'm
>> trying to explain some things and express some frustrations. If I get a
>> little animated, well it's just the way I am, so bear with me....or just
>> close it out and go about your merry way without reading.
>>
>>
>>
>> The very first thing I want to express is how much WORK it is being involved
>> with the NSRCA. None of the officers or volounteers get paid, for the most
>> part they all have jobs and this is something they do because they WANT to.
>> Because they CARE. If any of you have this vision of fat cigar smoking
>> slicks sitting around a board room counting money and laughing at the
>> membership, MAN have you got the wrong picture.
>>
>>
>>
>> I can tell you without exception that every single volounteer, officer or
>> whatever has nothing but YOUR best interest in mind. if you disagree with
>> the way they do things, that's another issue, but here's the real problem:
>> who else will do it? Most people in positions are doing thier JOB because
>> nobody else WILL!!!! What thanks do they get? When's the last time you
>> picked up the phone or sent an email to your officer and/or rep and thanked
>> them for giving so much of thier time and effort? Sure, some of you do, and
>> let me tell you, it is VERY much appreciated. But most of the membership
>> simply wants to fly, and things be taken care of for them. But if something
>> happens they don't like, THEN the reps will hear about it.
>>
>>
>>
>> Complacency and lack of volounteers is the largest problem we have, not a
>> stupid $10 increase in dues. $10 freakin dollars, who cares?????? And if
>> your issue is principal, just what do you expect? Most of the officers are
>> doing the work of 10 people already. Some more than others. if YOU have an
>> idea of what could/should be done, here's a novel idea.....DO IT!!!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> Now here's a little tidbit that I'm absolutely positively %110 convinced of.
>> There is no magic thing that we can do to attract new competitors in droves.
>> It ain't happenin. There is one way, and one way only to attract new people.
>> YOU, each and every member has to get out there and actively represent
>> pattern and the NSRCA. If a person is interested, you'll know, so help them
>> as much as you can. If they are not interested, there's nothing in the world
>> you can do to make them suddenly see the light, buy a pattern plane and
>> drive to a contest. What you CAN do is be helpful and sell it, and if it's
>> something they have an interest in, keep selling it and maybe they'll choose
>> to join us.
>>
>>
>>
>> I made a conscious choice to do everything I could. Not for any other reason
>> than I love it that much. I know full well there are a few isolated people
>> out there that believe I/we do it for other reasons and have ulterior
>> motives. You're wrong, oh well, be wrong if you like. Some peole just love
>> conspiracy theories.
>>
>>
>>
>> As for the K Factor....you have to understand how the expense works. MOST of
>> the money is in set-up fees. Printing one isn't all that much difference
>> price-wise than printing hundreds. The price of doing business of any kind
>> in the US has increased, and we're not immune. Can we shave a few bucks here
>> and there? Sure, but not to the extent you may think where the magazine is
>> concerned. Have you noticed how many editors we've gone through in the past
>> few years? Can anyone guess why? Because it's a LOT of work, and generally
>> thankless, and I'm just about convinced that the only people that actually
>> read it are new members starving for info. I'm fairly convinced that most of
>> the general membership gives it a quick glance and a toss to the side.
>>
>>
>>
>> The other problem is content. When is the last time YOU (generally speaking)
>> wrote something for the K Factor? Or even sent in a picture? A couple weeks
>> ago I sent out a request for pics of somebody's shop, it is building season
>> in most of the country and I know how many of you are working on projects
>> for next year. Guess how many I have recieved thus far? Zero. Nada. Not one.
>>
>>
>>
>> So if I sound frustrated, it's because I am. VERY frustrated. I know how
>> hard Lamar and Jerry have worked, as well as all of the VPs. I don't think
>> most of you even realize just how much time and effort they all gave. I am
>> going to support Derek fully, and whatever the new administration decides,
>> I'll back them up %100. if we have to go online only, or bi-monthly, that's
>> what we'll do. if you think another editor is needed, say the word and adios
>> amigos, good luck. No harsh feelings, I'm only worried about what's best for
>> us ALL. I could care less what format it's in, but remember how many people
>> are going to scream "everyone doesn't have access to the internet!!!" if we
>> go all online.
>>
>>
>>
>> I understand fully well that for most of the people flying pattern, this is
>> a HOBBY. Nobody cares about the politics, they just want it to work. But
>> what they seem to miss is that somebody has to give up a LOT of time and
>> sweat to make it work, and when something goes wrong, they see it as
>> everything going straight to hell and it MUST be mismanagement. but one
>> person can only do so much, maybe it's time to give a little too?
>>
>>
>>
>> Pay the freakin $40 and get involved. Give a little. This is OUR club (so to
>> speak). it's not us vs them, it's not the dirty politicians spending away
>> your hard earned money, it's not inept...if we were to suddenly have to do
>> without this organization, we'd have one heck of a mess of problems to
>> handle, but a lot of people have no idea how much the NSRCA actually DOES.
>> And without YOUR support, help, input, whatever, it ain't gonna work fellas.
>>
>>
>>
>> This is it right here, right now. This is almost the start of a new year, a
>> new season, and a new beginning if you choose to view it that way. Which way
>> it all goes doesn't depend on what "they" do, it depends on what YOU do!!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> Now my epoxy is cured so back to work!!!! And please, let's get past this
>> and move forward and grow. put the differences aside and let's get busy.
>>
>>
>>
>> And most of all...have FUN!!!!!!!!!
>>
>> -Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
>> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
Mike
Not NASCAR? I heard you were planning a Jeff Gordon paint job on your
next Black Magic! LOL
Randy
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.nsrca.org/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20061227/bc840c37/attachment-0001.html
More information about the NSRCA-discussion
mailing list