[NSRCA-discussion] Sinking shipSyndrome?Pleasereview'NSRCAMembers'

flyintexan flyintexan at comcast.net
Fri Aug 24 06:58:11 AKDT 2007


Bob,

Here is an article I wrote as a report for last year's primer event.

The SPARKS R/C club hosted a sportsman contest/primer on September, 2nd, 2006 in an effort to reach out to pilots that would like to try pattern without the pressure of entering a full contest.  With some wonderful help from the Houston area pattern pilots, we were able to match up an experienced pattern pilot with each of the 9 sportsman contestants.  Don Ramsey did the honor of carefully explaining the sequence and answering initial questions during the pilot’s meeting.  A demo flight was also flown during the pilots meeting to help the new sportsman pilots visualize the sequence.  After completing the first round, we held a second pilot’s meeting, headed up by the judges from the first round.  A good deal of constructive criticism was discussed to help steer the pilots in the right direction.  Often times it seems that the newer pilots concentrate on improving details of their flying that could wait until later.  This second meeting helped the pilots focus on some of the basics that they could do in the short term to improve their scores in the second and third rounds.  The second and third rounds scores showed great improvement and were flown consecutively.  The lowest of the three rounds were dropped and awards for 1st  through 3rd place were given out.

 

The ability to pair each pilot with an experienced pattern flyer really improved the atmosphere among the new pattern pilots.  In some cases, we know that new pattern pilots can be a bit intimidated at a pattern event and will not ask for help when they could really use it.  This event introduced potential pattern pilots (and future NSRCA members) to many of the local Houston pattern enthusiasts in a relaxed atmosphere, without the usual stress of introductions during a busy contest.

Best Regards,
Mark
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Wilson 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 8:28 AM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Sinking shipSyndrome?Pleasereview'NSRCAMembers'


  Mark,
  Can you tell me more about your pattern primer.  Sounds like it might make for a great club meeting program.

  Thanks,
  Bob

   
  On 8/23/07, Insightrc <flyintexan at comcast.net> wrote: 
    I had the pleasure of meeting Jack Li at the Nats.  Very polite and a YS wiz.

    Good to have you back Bob.

    We have held a pattern primer each year for the past three and it has produced a couple of active pattern pilots.  Moreso, it has given pattern a favorable name in our club...allowing us to hold a yearly pattern meet without a hitch. 

    -mark

      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Bob Wilson 
      To: NSRCA Mailing List 
      Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 8:40 AM
      Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Sinking ship Syndrome?Pleasereview'NSRCAMembers'

       
      Insights from a long time RC flyer who has just joined NSRCA.

      Most RC pilots don't understand pattern and don't want to look bad.  It's easy to flippity-flop all over the sky, but disciplined flying is tough.   No one has ever required them to fly a straight line parallel to the runway.  Anything other than a loop or roll is alien.   Humpty's, Top-Hats, Figure M, Cobra…you might as well talk Swahili.   If NSRCA is going to address falling membership they need to educate the RC community at the ground level.   At the Peoria RC Modelers we are trying hard to promote pattern.  Most exciting, however, is a young man from China (Jack Li) who joined our club.   Jack is 16 and practiced pattern in China.  This year he competed in "Intermediate" at Hoffman Estates and won first place.   His subsequent visit to the NATS resulted in an Intermediate 2 nd place.  Next year he will be competing at the "Masters" level.  Our club is taking a new look at Pattern and beginning to wake up.  A recent club "Mini Pattern" event had 10 competitors.   Hopefully, we will build on this and get more people into serious competition, but we really feel that education and emphasis on the Sportsman sequence is the key to bringing in new blood. 



      Bob Wilson

      VP

      Peoria RC Modelers




      On 8/22/07, John Gayer <jgghome at comcast.net > wrote: 
        Del,

        Having sold advertising(a lot) when I ran a radio station, I can tell you that the customers need to be constantly resold on a product that is clearly in their best interests. 
        This also means selling on the basis that the advertising works, not as charity support for the NSRCA. Feedback to the advertisers is also key to keeping an advertiser on-board. We as members need find a way to mention the K-Factor whenever you buy something and to make sure that you know who is currrently advertising. 

        John

        Del K. Rykert wrote: 
          I suspect is mostly because of lack of support or don't have the resources/time or health to commit to office. What I haven't seen is a change in the numbers no matter how positive the attitudes are of the officers and leaders. A few years ago when I tried to bring up the perception of a known problem in my mind I was told to be quiet as we are making changes and things will improve.  That was years ago..  How many more years will it take? I still see a continuing decline with some insisting it is only a local thing thinking as their area/district is growing so therefore no problem. If I don't see a change to the positive I have to assume the efforts on everyone's part hasn't truly addressed the issues. I fully realize all about " assuming". So if the true goal is to draw new blood and grow the ranks then the efforts have to be shifted to focus the few resources the organization does have to focus more efforts to draw the new blood. If the advertisers were truly onboard they would be there year after year..  Not need further enticements to return to placing an ad.  
              
          None of my comments are meant to infer all the efforts of all parties hasn't been commendable in their efforts to address the problem. The results are what I still feel need to be addressed. Survey the potential wannabes. If no wannabe exist then we are left with what we have. 

              Del    
            ----- Original Message ----- 
            From: Steven Maxwell 
            To: NSRCA Mailing List 
            Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 8:40 AM
            Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Sinking ship Syndrome? Pleasereview'NSRCAMembers'

             
             Have to agree with John and Mike on this, this adminstation has only been in office a few months and nothing happens over night.
             The other thing I always see is people with ideas but never see there name on a ballet if people are really want to make a difference and they have all the better ways why do we see unopposed ballets.
             Steve Maxwell

            mike mueller <mups1953 at yahoo.com> wrote:
               Very well stated JLK. I have been in pattern for a very longtime and I can tell you that the leaders we have right now are taking us in a positive direction. I have a lot of faith in them. It will take some patience but I think there are a lot of positive things in place. 
               This forum is an open discussion of ideas and thoughts some are agreeable some are not. Either way its it important that everyone be heard. If there's a new concept that has merit then in time the group will adopt it. 
               The biggest problem that I see with our sport is the lack of younger people getting in. We need new blood ASAP.        Mike

              John Konneker <jlkonn at hotmail.com> wrote:
                If I may.
                As a lot of you know I am the ad manager for the K-Factor.
                It is my goal to bring enough advertisers on board to make the K-Factor self 
                supporting.
                I believe that goal is achievable.
                I just prepared the invoicing for the July issue and total billings, month 
                to month, are increasing.
                We have a great bunch of advertisers already that have been very supportive 
                of the NSRCA.
                Please support them whenever you can.
                I contact potential advertisers all the time.
                If you have any you'd like to suggest please let me know.
                If you have personal contact with any and think you can get them interested, 
                by all means talk to them.
                Ron Davies is doing a great job as treasurer and reports on the NSRCA 
                finances every month in his K-Factor column.
                Through these reports you can see it's not just members dues that generate 
                the operating income of the NSRCA.
                As an aside I flew the Nats this year.
                Derek invited me to the NSRCA board meeting held on Tuesday night.
                I had been out of RC since the late '80s and only started pattern again last 
                year.
                I can't tell you how impressed I was with the officers.
                Everyone, without exception, has the advancement of pattern in their hearts.
                Everyone, without exception, was positive in their attitude.
                There were no hidden agendas. 
                No "us" vs "them".
                >From Derek on down we have a great bunch!
                JLK


                >From: "Del K. Rykert" 
                >Reply-To: NSRCA Mailing List 
                >To: "NSRCA Mailing List" 
                >Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Sinking ship Syndrome? Please 
                >review'NSRCAMembers'
                >Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 07:51:54 -0400
                >
                >I truly hear you message loud and clear John. Do you have any further 
                >suggestions, as many don't want to look at some of the changes that have 
                >been proposed? I know it has been discussed on the list to degree of 
                >making some just deleting post without even reading them. Either they don't 
                >care or don't want to hear it. Hate to be so sinister to assume they want 
                >to see the NSRCA fail. I hope.
                >
                > Del
                > ----- Original Message -----
                > From: John Gayer
                > To: NSRCA Mailing List 
                > Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:51 PM
                > Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Please review 'NSRCAMembers'
                >
                >
                > The attached Chart is based on numbers on the NSRCA website and the 
                >treasurer's report in the latest K-Factor. If the membership continues to 
                >reject any thoughts or proposals that might help, I see this downward slide 
                > continuing. We are currently on the verge of being unable to afford 
                >producing the K-Factor which is about the only reason to stay on. 
                >
                > I tried to post this several days ago with an inline chart but the size 
                >was 4K oversize for the list parameters. It's been awaiting approval of the 
                >moderator.
                >
                > John Gayer 
                > NSRCA 632
                >
                >
                >------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                >
                >
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