Triangle Woodworkers Assoc (TWA) Membership

[WoodWrangler]

Unfortunately, I can't add much to value other than location, location, location. However, if I were in Raleigh I'd probably give it a try.

Some value I could add though would be in my past experience with another club I was the president of for a while ...

We had membership that dwindled to 14, but goals (and need) to maintain closer to 80-100, with at least 50% regularly active. Nothing seemed to work until we "listened" to what our guts told us (and in this case what ex-members are saying) and made immediate, and direct changes. Withing 8 months we had 120 members and more than 70 active at 100% of our weekly (yes, weekly) meetings -- plus social hours twice a month where even more turned out.

Our trick wasn't a trick at all ... we "turned up" the volume on the social side, improved the quality & frequency of our professional speakers (many of which would do it for free, or very little), and we formalized the meeting format so that it flowed smoothly and efficiently (and members knew what to expect each time).

The other lesson learned which paid dividends is that time is valuable. If we said we had a 1 hour meeting started at 7pm -- guess what, it started at 7pm and was announced as being over in 1 hour -- to the minute, usually. This shows people you respect their time, appreciate their company, and understand that your meeting isn't the only thing on their plate. This one action alone encouraged people to keep coming because we were no longer "stealing" their time.

Now ... with all that said, some people will ALWAYS have an excuse, some will always complain, and some will never show. DON'T FOCUS ON ANY OF THOSE PEOPLE! Focus on those that give the effort and the rest will fall in place. (It's the Walmart way, market to the masses!)

Good luck!

[Jonz]

Originally Posted by rcorne01

Perhaps start a little earlier, at 7? Have a general meeting for the entire group, and then break up into discussion/special interest groups, smaller in size.

I think at the very least it would help to try and get an idea from some potential younger members of what meeting times would work best for them. The only reason I say that is they are more prone to have small children in the home and less free time. Just in this thread I know Dave does, Tom does, and I have another on the way myself (stealth gloat).

[rcorne01]

Originally Posted by Jonz

I think at the very least it would help to try and get an idea from some potential younger members of what meeting times would work best for them. The only reason I say that is they are more prone to have small children in the home and less free time. Just in this thread I know Dave does, Tom does, and I have another on the way myself (stealth gloat).

Please don't take this the wrong way. No ill intent at all. Your response is a very good example of what we are up against. We are a bunch of older guys, looking for suggestions. I tossed up something to stir discussion and asked for ideas from the "young folk". But we haven't gotten anything close to a suggestion or alternative - just a reinforcement a problem exists. Suggestions would be most welcome. What has been done so far hasn't worked. We need ideas!

[NC Scroller]

To Rick, Bruce, Fred and my fellow other TWA members. I think the folks on this web site have offered the board up a few good suggests to try. We have to learn to walk before we crawl and if some of these changes result in an increase of just 1 member we have made progress. Some of the suggests I think should be considered are:

- 7:00 start time
- More hands on time at the meetings
- Small break out sessions at the sessions
- More socials events
- More group shop activities

p.s. NO I can not hold a position on the TWA board at this time.

[junquecol]

Unfortunately younger guys have family responsibilities. Lucky for us older guys is that doctors don't have night appointments, thus we are able to go to meetings. Would a short hands on demonstration before the regular program be advisable? Any ideas as to topics, and more importantly, PRESENTERS? Many excellent craftsmen don't do well in front of a crowd. Norm isn't the best craftsman in the world, but he does a good job of presentation. Look at the comments about one of our national speakers. Woodworkers tend to be solitary people. Look at how many will go to Charlotte show by themselves. As far as "socials", do we want woodworking, or to become a just get together club? Remember that several members have for years gotten together before the meeting for a meal, and socialization. In the past we have done a couple of "mini workshops". In a day, we covered three or four topics. The last one we planned FLOPPED! No interest, even though it was topics that membership had asked for. There is always going to be conflicts in the timing of meetings. We all are very busy. Last year, we reinstated the annual dinner. Attendance was about the same as one of our regular meetings. But half of those present were spouses, who don't come to our meetings. So a lot of our regular attending members members didn't attend the meal. These are my thoughts, and in no way are to be considered the opinions of TWA, or it's board. Bruce

[Jonz]

Originally Posted by junquecol

As far as "socials", do we want woodworking, or to become a just get together club?

It should be a combination IMO.

[Jonz]

Originally Posted by rcorne01

We need ideas!

Rick, I would second Scott's points.

I think the first order of business should be to get some social something going. I say that because when people know each other just a little it greases the rails for everything else. Pot luck dinner, finger food, whatever.

How about getting to basics with an ongoing series of presentations on joinery? Mortise and tenon, dovetails, dados, box joints etc. Could possibly be broken down further by power/jig vs. traditional/hand tool methods. I for one would like that, I cut dovetails by hand and have never used a jig so would be interested in seeing how one worked.

[froglips]

I am really enjoying this thread!

A few more thoughts......

Relocate the meeting to RTP. Much like the sun, RTP seems to be the center of the triangle universe. Maybe a geographic survey of both where members live and where they work.

Or maybe alternate meeting in raleigh and in chapel hill?

I'd also say moving the meeting up to as early as 6. Lets assume many of us work 9-5 (plus unpaid overtime of course), 2 hours is a long time to wait.

In my example, if I were to come home from RTP then off to Raleigh, that puts me on the road for almost 3 hours.

I'd be happy to look into my office (Nortel at Davis/54). We host an akido club in the cafeteria one night a week. Its a large room, tons of tables and enough seating for about 1000.

On age, I think its great. I have learned more than I can ever remember from folks with snow on the roof. I also know that people with a lifetime of experience share that with little prodding.

Many of us "utes" are getting into woodworking for the first time. I know I grew up towards the end of the shop class phase of education.

I mention this, as a newbie, going to a big group is intimidating. Do I know enough, will I embarass myself?

I don't think "intro to wood-topic" is the answer.

I think that looking at different "social" approaches is key.

I find my peers love to get together and talk wood. We hang out in shops, drink an adult beverage, kick table legs and the like. To me, thats one of the high points in this hobby/obsession.

Now back to bed, the Flu found me........ <cough><cough>

Jim

[Nativespec]

"Woodworkers tend to be solitary people" (by Bruce). That's why I have no friends outside of this program. Now I need to choose between my passion and having a social life.

David

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by rcorne01

Please don't take this the wrong way. No ill intent at all. Your response is a very good example of what we are up against. We are a bunch of older guys, looking for suggestions. I tossed up something to stir discussion and asked for ideas from the "young folk". But we haven't gotten anything close to a suggestion or alternative - just a reinforcement a problem exists. Suggestions would be most welcome. What has been done so far hasn't worked. We need ideas!

Add Beer......

and make kilts mandatory...

...see what I mean.


Jimmy

[DavidF]

Have you tried making a "Skills inventory" of the current members? then when the occasion demands a short presentation on a specific topic then you know who to contact and better still, if at the time they are asked whether they would mind doing the odd spot up front.

[rcorne01]

JimmyC - I am glad I had my lunch BEFORE I saw those shots!

David - That is a good idea. What do you think of inventorying not only skills, but interests as well. Seems like doing both would give us an idea of potential speakers AND the foundation for creating smaller, special interest groups.

Thank you.

[fsdogwood]

I let my twa memebership lapsed, didn't feel I could learn
much in that big hall, as I was always in the last row, that
could barely see and hear.

Schedule aside, I missed Hack's session, did enjoy Roy's
presentation, didn't know that Frank Clausz was in town.

Went to a workshop, picked up some knowledge, saw some
operations with my own eyes. But all the audience did was
to turn some screws. It should be a lot better if we (each
of us) could make a cut or two.

I agree with the idea that smaller interest group is better.
If everyone could bring some idea/problem to share and
try out, that would make both social and mutual learning
easier.

My 2 cents.

Pinwu

[DavidF]

Originally Posted by rcorne01

JimmyC - I am glad I had my lunch BEFORE I saw those shots!

David - That is a good idea. What do you think of inventorying not only skills, but interests as well. Seems like doing both would give us an idea of potential speakers AND the foundation for creating smaller, special interest groups.

Thank you.

Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Just a thought - Not that I am volunteering, but at my other clubs I have given talks on CAD as it relates to woodworking and people showed great interest in that and another thought could be Drawing and sketching, I for one can't draw worth a bean hence the CAD. Another talk we had was from a Chiropractor on the problems associated with bench work etc an how to avoid them. Maybe thinking just slightly outside the immediate wood working arena might garner some interest.

[DaveO]

My suggestions:
Better PA system, I really can't hear the programs, being new and liking to socialize before the meeting I never got a seat in the front.
More socialization, my favorite part of the "meeting" was the dinners a Buffalo Bros before hand. I enjoyed that more than anything.
Meeting time makes no difference to me, it's just difficult to get home from work and leave with a young child. An earlier meeting in my case wouldn't be better as I have to wait for my wife to get home from work before I can leave. But if the meetings had more to offer to me, the difficulties of rushing home and rushing back out again would be out weighted. So program content is really important to me.
Beer!!!! just kidding, but a keg would make things a lot more fun

Dave