Somebody has to come out and just Say It.

[Shear Pin]

Trying to make people join doesn’t work. The previous administration tried that by making it mandatory to be a member before you could join a chapter. The result was we lost a chapter and the numbers have continued to decline. The steps it takes to search this sight or post a picture discourage people. I don’t know if eltoquads comments were taken down or they just went “Poof “. The result is the same.

[billy-j]

Eltoquad. I would be very interested to see the post you made that has been omitted. Why don’t you resend it, then you would know for sure . And to Shear Pin I agree you cannot force people to join this organization. Although the rule AOMCI had to join the local chapter you had to be a member of the parent group did prompt me to be a dues paying member. Not that I was cheap I just have an aversion to joining any organization.  My local group .The Western Reserve Chapter Has great people in it and I enjoy the camaraderie and the wet and dry  meets. I started this post not to be a downer but to open up a dialog. As I stated in my original post we are at a crossroads. Like the Ostrich you can’t put your head in the sand and hope the problem goes away.  Sincerely Bill,

[joecb]

Poof!  yah, I posted a comment yesterday, it even showed as “last post. jcb, a minute ago” but never appeared.

As for mandatory membership, I know that it may be heresy, but I always thought that the way to get more members was to first invite them to our local meets… social media , craigs list , boat shows, public events etc. Once they see what we are all about and how enjoyable the hobby is, then they may these “visitors” will want to join the national. In order to not loose contact with these “visitors” we will send then copies of the chapter newsletter. Now I understand that there may be insurance/ liability issues with non -members at our meets.  This can be minimized by not allowing non AOMCI members to participate in water events, official functions like judging / awards etc…in other words the non-member is simply a guest visitor. Our chapter (GLC) and some others use a meet “sign-in” sheet that has a liability statement as a heading. Keep in mind that many of our events are held in public venues, parks, businesses and not at private residences, as such, I don’t think that you can exclude anyone that just walks in and hangs around.

Joe B

[jimk]

As a non paying person who visits this site almost daily here is my opinion. The facebook group brings attention to this group.  I have got a lot of info off here and appreciate it. One of the reasons I am not a paying member is the fact that there is no local chapters in my area. This is a great group with a lot of info but its not the only one. I am not the person to try and get a chapter going in my area but would belong to one if any were closer. I feel having the facebook group would help with getting the word out about this site and bring in members? Just my opinion!

[crosbyman]

As a  paying member with no local chapter….  I  still value  the  hundreds of cumulative   years of  knowledge/experience   made available  for a  small   annual  membership fee.

Where else  could  one get  such counselling and  expert  support to keep our oldys running …   No such support would come   from your local car dealer  or appliance repair shops

Certainly a lot cheaper than  one’s   ” $3-4 morning  latté’s”  to get going !”       cigs, golf  and the rest of our  good and  bad habits 🙂

One  aspect (JMHO)   to consider is  maybe to many freebies are shared  with non-paying visitors… (no offense)  Parts listings, manuals etc…  maybe should be  shared/restricted   via  a suggestion  to  get  the info  via  “members only”  access as an encouragement to join in .

btw  got my Outboarder this a.m. …no dammage  under the plain white cover enveloppe 🙂

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[stanley]

crosbyman wrote:

As a  paying member with no local chapter….  I  still value  the  hundreds of cumulative   years of  knowledge/experience   made available  for a  small   annual  membership fee.

Where else  could  one get  such counselling and  expert  support to keep our oldys running …   No such support would come   from your local car dealer  or appliance repair shops

Certainly a lot cheaper than  one’s   ” $3-4 morning  latté’s”  to get going !”       cigs, golf  and the rest of our  good and  bad habits 🙂

One  aspect (JMHO)   to consider is  maybe to many freebies are shared  with non-paying visitors… (no offense)  Parts listings, manuals etc…  maybe should be  shared/restricted   via  a suggestion  to  get  the info  via  “members only”  access as an encouragement to join in .

btw  got my Outboarder this a.m. …no dammage  under the plain white cover enveloppe 🙂

I think you’ve hit the nail squarely on the head.AOMCIs greatest asset is the accumulated knowledge it possesses.I would bet that every topic or question that appears on Facebook AOMCI has been covered or answered thoroughly and accurately either in the Outboarder or on this forum. The challenge as I see it is how to monetize  that knowledge.The first step is to collect that information organize it in an easily searchable format.I know it will take dollars to do that but I think it’s necessary and would be happy to donate to the cause.

[fleetwin]

To be fair, please know that I/we are not blaming/criticizing all the AOMCI staff that works hard, for no compensation, and very little thanks/recognition.

I surely understand that our club is at a cross roads here, losing membership, and membership dues.  Seems like a downward spiral.  Do I have the answers, certainly don’t.  The sad truth is that this website just isn’t gonna cut it.  Frustrating enough for members, outsiders will give up on it quickly.

I realize that this website/layout is probably all we can afford.  Speaking for myself, I would be more than will to donate/dues more to get a better website.   Our club/organizaton means alot to me, and I surely want to do what I can to preserve it.   We have alot to offer outsiders with outboard issues/questions as well.   Do I expect outsiders to join AOMCI just to get some answers about outboard problems, absolutely not.   Realistically, we could only expect a very small percentage of outsiders to eventually join AOMCI.

But, our organization would surely get alot of positive exposure to outsiders if our members had the opportunity to help outsiders with outboard issues.  I guess the question is just how can we accomplish this.  Admittedly, I know little or nothing about websites, the interweb, or just how all this stuff works.  I do know that most outsiders would never find our website on their own.  But, most everyone is on FB.  So, having some sort of exposure on FB is a necessary evil, but somehow that should direct folks to our main website.  But, our website needs to be greatly improved.

OK, just me rambling I guess.  Again, we all appreciate the hard work, and dedication all of the staff members thanklessly donate.   We are on your side, and admittedly don’t understand all that is involved.  Easy for us to criticize when we are just sitting here without any knowledge of what it takes to keep our club going.

PS:  I am even willing to join FB, if that is the only way to get exposure to outsiders with outboard issues/questions.

[green-thumbs]

There is no such thing as FREE! Someone has to pay for anything someone else gets without paying. Dues are collected to fund the expenses of AOMCI and each chapter. At a minimum, AOMCI should limit non paying public access. We need to plug the leaks, bail out the bilge water, and enhance the value of being a dues paying member of club.  I doubt the 19,600 are all potential members. Many are likely just curious. Maybe a small fee could be charged for online visitors or limit content. If there is a way to make users pay I am all for it.

Louis Doering Member Aomic & Great Lakes Chapter

[fleetwin]

green-thumbs wrote:

There is no such thing as FREE! Someone has to pay for anything someone else gets without paying. Dues are collected to fund the expenses of AOMCI and each chapter. At a minimum, AOMCI should limit non paying public access. We need to plug the leaks, bail out the bilge water, and enhance the value of being a dues paying member of club.  I doubt the 19,600 are all potential members. Many are likely just curious. Maybe a small fee could be charged for online visitors or limit content. If there is a way to make users pay I am all for it.

Louis Doering Member Aomic & Great Lakes Chapter

Well, I guess I am just reflecting the way I usually behave when looking for info online, only to find they want a fee….  I usually just navigate away.  No guarantee the info will be helpful or factual I guess.  Plus, not real eager to spread my payment info around on several different websites.   Wish I knew just what the answer is, perhaps some free info, then pay to speak directly to one/more than one of us on some sort of online chat session.

[outboardnut]

Can we get this discussion moved to Dockside.
The general public views “Ask a Member”

[Author]

Posts