On Nov 24, 1:30 pm, HoUdino wrote:
Frank-
Sometimes I think that many SSA members don't know the tools developed
and thus already have in hand!

Yes, mentoring WRT the web site is needed as the member and committee
level (in my draft). The SSA web site is more member resource than
recruit the new person. Much material is in there, but not up front
and in their face.

"Sales" is a hurtle race requiring a sequence of activities to flow
adequately well...Awareness (GMA, Disney, all activities NOT at the
airport), trial Interest (FAST, positve experience via a rides,
convienence, fun website, airshow booths), Qualifiying (safety/
finances/rank against alternatives), Closing ("the ask" to join,
friendly faces, SSA Intro program), and maintaining involvement (SSA
badges, club activities, secondary benefits, clean WC facilities).
Stumble on one of these hurtles or misdiagnois the problem and the
whole process is certainly less efficent. Every organization is
different and thus has different areas to focus on, often fixing one
problem in the waterfall creates a pooling in the next level (aka "The
problem I want to have"). That is why we have so many solutions
because at the field level we who run soaring organizations actually
have many different marketing problems. That's why the solutions can
seem so complicated...it is a complex problem.

Good points.

Frank W, Dave N, Val P have created many great tools to grow soaring.
The improved SSA Growbook is online...when was the last time you
looked at that? It's all there. It's hard to be "viral" without a
compelling club website, being "social" takes a team of individuals
working in concert..OK make it happen, the whole SSA website is a
media section. Quit wishing and start moving. You have everyones
permission you need. Ask yourself if you could change just one or two
things to grow soaring at your local soaring site, what would they
be? We don't lack solutions, IMHO many lack initiative.

Absolutely, there are many ad hoc opportunities.

Now ducking behind the soapbox to avoid the tomatoes....

LT

PS- A big congrats to Tucson Soaring for doing something "the first
time"! THAT IS THE BEST THING I HAVE READ IN THIS THREAD. We need
everyone to do something more, different, or "the first time". The
answers are all around us, each local organization just needs to (re)
assemble them. This should be the primary subject for discussion
around the grog bowl at every end of year soaring gathering. Have an
"improved club marketing membership plan" for 2010.

On that topic, I sent the AZ SSA governor (and TSC member) the Intro
member concept. I've been in a club that did 130 'rides' during a one
day open house. It did not generate a single member, but the
underlying intent was really fund-raising. Since 1995 in my current
club, I don't recall a single new member resulting from a scenic
ride. However, on the three lesson min-courses we sold, 80% of those
that got a soaring flight or two joined. We stopped doing those for
insurance reasons for a period, but the SSA Introductory Membership
has opened the door again, so we've added a three-month club Intro
membership into the by-laws. So TSC could offer a ride, or the full
monty. The Intro allows a prospective pilot to see if they are a good
fit and gives the club an opportunity to prove what they've said is
true. The price point filters out the drive-bys from the seekers.

Chapters operate under some different constraints than commercial
operators. Some are restricted from giving rides due to IRS rules.
Other clubs have gross receipts limitations and exist where there are
no commercial operations. Under the SSA Group Plan, membership is
required for trial/introductory lessons. This concept solves that
issue.

NOTE: OCSA used to have a growing soaring club...now OCSA's problem is
completely different. I'm learning again, see:http://groups.google.com/group/save-...et-today?hl=en

You are quite right to defend access to that public airport.

Frank Whiteley