2yr old Rocket Club crisis needs your imput

It's been a week that I've been wanting to put this but I don't know...
Well here it goes:
HPRC (Homestead Public Rocketry Club #745) is two years old, these three past months I've been disappointed
the by the amount of flyers and spectators have showed up. Well the first time I understand, it rained. last month
only four people came(not including me). And last week only one person came !
Now, I understand people have a life and some other things are more important than rocketry but I just dont understand
out of many who knows HPRC exists or and knew we launch that day none showed up.
So Im requesting feedback in methods to attract more flyers and spectators.
Okay Okay before someone says it I know flyers website ect ect see the problem is since people rarely go fly or to see our donations are real low at the moment its at $-25 we have to pay the park :lol:
And Im a college student with a tight budget and a job that doesnt give hours (it barely pays for gas and food )
Right now Im really disappointed and dont know what to do :confused2:
Thats why im askig for your imput (I wrote alot )

Club Facebook page. Talk to members and see why they're not coming. Could be scheduling, maybe something else.

DizWolf said:

Club Facebook page. Talk to members and see why they're not coming. Could be scheduling, maybe something else.

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have one thats where we do all of the posting.
some have jobs
soccer games
Civil Air Patrol
and the rest is unknown

My club has been pretty healthy the last few years with good attendance at all its events. Sadly, I rarely get to go anymore. For a couple of years before that, we had a situation like you describe. It was strictly a LPR/MPR field but it was a rare field that was available. Even more important, it was the only field in the state exempt from burn bans. There were many times when only one or two people would show up. Sometimes, I was the only one. Strangly about half of the sparse attendees were just people who saw the web calendar and had never shown up before. Some of these later became regulars.

What we learned was that dependability of the schedule was important. When people knew that, barring weather, there would be a launch no matter what the attendance, they started committing to it. It probably helped that back then there were no fees also but I really don't think that was the main driver.

We were also helped by an active Yahoo group. Members were kept informed and knew that they had missed an opportunity.

JAL3 said:

My club has been pretty healthy the last few years with good attendance at all its events. Sadly, I rarely get to go anymore. For a couple of years before that, we had a situation like you describe. It was strictly a LPR/MPR field but it was a rare field that was available. Even more important, it was the only field in the state exempt from burn bans. There were many times when only one or two people would show up. Sometimes, I was the only one. Strangly about half of the sparse attendees were just people who saw the web calendar and had never shown up before. Some of these later became regulars.

What we learned was that dependability of the schedule was important. When people knew that, barring weather, there would be a launch no matter what the attendance, they started committing to it. It probably helped that back then there were no fees also but I really don't think that was the main driver.

We were also helped by an active Yahoo group. Members were kept informed and knew that they had missed an opportunity.

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We have the Facebook page, we have 109 "likes" but only 80% is local the other 10 is people from other counties. :lol:
anywho, I have less a year to fix this, I leave the state next summer.

put your face book page link on this thread!:smile:

Donaldgranger said:

put your face book page link on this thread!:smile:

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Here it is !
https://www.facebook.com/hprc.cc

Are permits required to launch in your area? If so, ask to put small "LAUNCH SITE INFO" stickers on all motor packs and kits at all local rocket retailers.

I'll provide a word file you can edit for your local club - if you want it just email me.

+1 for using a Yahoo groups mailing list to email everyone about upcoming launches. Several of the clubs that I have flown with use them and you can always check them in the morning before you leave for a final Go/NoGo for launch. if you have a smartphone you can get that info while on the way to the field if its a long drive. This link is also used to give a report of how many folks showed up, what happened at the launch etc. as well as be the conduit of any other useful information. A Facebook page is nice and can attract people to your club, but is not always reliable for passing along information. Our church has a FB page, but sometimes only 30-50% of the people who "like" the page ever see a particular post, and from what I have read, our percentage is fairly high. FB often "decides" what is important enough to show you so many people who like your page many not ever see an important message unless you have a more reliable means of communication.

shreadvector said:

Are permits required to launch in your area? If so, ask to put small "LAUNCH SITE INFO" stickers on all motor packs and kits at all local rocket retailers.

I'll provide a word file you can edit for your local club - if you want it just email me.

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Just demonstrate the liability insurance, and pay the park fee.
the closest one is walmart :lol:
the next nearest is about 20 miles away.

Peartree said:

+1 for using a Yahoo groups mailing list to email everyone about upcoming launches. Several of the clubs that I have flown with use them and you can always check them in the morning before you leave for a final Go/NoGo for launch. if you have a smartphone you can get that info while on the way to the field if its a long drive. This link is also used to give a report of how many folks showed up, what happened at the launch etc. as well as be the conduit of any other useful information. A Facebook page is nice and can attract people to your club, but is not always reliable for passing along information. Our church has a FB page, but sometimes only 30-50% of the people who "like" the page ever see a particular post, and from what I have read, our percentage is fairly high. FB often "decides" what is important enough to show you so many people who like your page many not ever see an important message unless you have a more reliable means of communication.

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Are Yahoo groups still open ?
sadly i have a dinosaur phone.

First let me say I've met Sergio. He's a young man that would make any parent proud. He is the future of the hobby.

Next let me make a general point,... not aimed at Sergio. To build a club a fixed schedule is needed. For example...1st saturday of the month... 9-3... always there. Avoid cancellations like the plague. To build a club takes years of hard work and commitment. Be there every month and people will start to expect it,... and then plan for it. But it takes time.

Now a suggestion...

IF (big IF) you can afford it... keep a couple of ready to fly estes rockets / or those 30 minute kits on hand to sell to dads who show up with their kids. Have a 3 pack of matching appropiate motors. Even if it was only 2 sets... Dad shows up with son/daughter in tow... "Daddy... daddy can we do that? " For $25... hand him a rocket and 3 motors... you may have a new member. (Avoid the temptation to jack up the price... sell it at the walmart price+ tax rounded up to the nearest dollar).

Fnally,... Sergio,... who is taking over for you when you leave next year? If their isn't someone equally committed as you,... it may not be worth your effort now. If it's going to die on your departure,... is it worth planting the crops now?

Quaranta said:

First let me say I've met Sergio. He's a young man that would make any parent proud. He is the future of the hobby.

Next let me make a general point,... not aimed at Sergio. To build a club a fixed schedule is needed. For example...1st saturday of the month... 9-3... always there. Avoid cancellations like the plague. To build a club takes years of hard work and commitment. Be there every month and people will start to expect it,... and then plan for it. But it takes time.

Now a suggestion...

IF (big IF) you can afford it... keep a couple of ready to fly estes rockets / or those 30 minute kits on hand to sell to dads who show up with their kids. Have a 3 pack of matching appropiate motors. Even if it was only 2 sets... Dad shows up with son/daughter in tow... "Daddy... daddy can we do that? " For $25... hand him a rocket and 3 motors... you may have a new member. (Avoid the temptation to jack up the price... sell it at the walmart price+ tax rounded up to the nearest dollar).

Fnally,... Sergio,... who is taking over for you when you leave next year? If their isn't someone equally committed as you,... it may not be worth your effort now. If it's going to die on your departure,... is it worth planting the crops now?

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:blush: Thanks, Sadly one does... anyway,
Well, we had a big issue earlier this year but it's fixed now, we started to have a fixed schedule now.

I've had that idea too, I've gotten a big box of kits from quest aerospace (this was years ago) their the 30min type ones.
but I've kept most of them due to the attendance.

I have three people in mind but now after these three months i don't know now.
That my nightmare that my hardwork goes down the drain.

One enthusiastic person does not make a club. Many enthusiastic folks do. If you don't have a loyal following who enjoy rocketry, the club won't last.

I think you are doing too much yourself, and you need to have an exit strategy if you are leaving in a year and want the club to survive without you. You need to delegate tasks and train others to take responsibility for various aspects of the club's business if the club is to survive.

I assume you are club president. Do you have any other club officers? If not, immediately appoint a secretary, treasurer and senior advisor and/or a vice president. Appoint a community ambassador to publicize the club. Write a set of club by-laws with defined roles for the leaders, and have regular monthly meeting or meetings in addition to a scheduled monthly launch. Say the 1st Wednesday evening of the month (or 1st and 3rd evening of the month if you have 2 meetings a month. Getting together to build rockets and even just talking is important for team building.

The utility of having a regular schedule should not be underestimated. Never cancel a launch, post-phone it till the next day or weekend. When you rent a field arrange for a rain date in your permit. We do our launches on Saturdays so if it rains, we launch on Sunday. If you have to launch on Sunday, then make your rain date the following Sunday. If you meet on the 1st week of the month, make your launch on the 3rd weekend of the month, and if you can only get Sundays, make the rain date the 4th Sunday. If you have 2 meeting a month during the 1st and 3rd week, and want 2 launches each month space them out on the 2nd and 4th weekends of the month.

You should not be picking up the club's costs by yourself. Charge some nominal club dues, $5-10 per year, and ask for a $2 to $5 launch fee donation per family per launch. Sell soda/water, cookies and snacks, and maybe have hot dogs. We charge $1.25 for dogs, $0.75 for soda/water, and $0.50 for snacks, and put about 50% of sales into the club's treasury. We've been doing it for years, and make between $50-S100 per launch. This money goes back into the club treasury to pay for the costs of the club and cover equipment purchases and repair.

Good luck.

Bob

I'm not clear. Is it that your own members are not showing up? Then I agree, make a regular schedule, talk it up and stick to it. ALSO, plan something in addition to the meeting/launch...that is, consider moving to a Denny's or Big Boy or someplace for a common meal afterwards. The good time and socializing afterwards not only can answer some questions among members, but also builds community.

If you're looking to attract new members, capitalize on the current hot movie, "Gravity" by posting fliers at the movie theatre (with permission) and consider going on an immeidate area talk radio show to discuss your hobby and the club. Also, consider shooting and assembling a crude but visually interesting demonstration of how to build a rocket, or how to pack it, and include the pay-off launch and recovery. Make certain to append the video with your correct contact info and the regular routine launch schedule you have established. Take that video to your local cable TV company and ask what their provisions for "public access" or "local origination" are. Ask to have the video or tape aired multiple times at various time periods for maximum exposure.
Make sure all the links to your site on Rocketry websites and from internet searches in your area WORK! Nothing kills interest faster than dead links that are years out of date!

Good luck!

ALL great ideas but Majority mentioned require money which is something I dont have :cry:

cruzsergio said:

ALL great ideas but Majority mentioned require money which is something I dont have :cry:

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If attendance is light, you may have too frequent of launches. If you schedule 2-3 a year, people might be less inclined to cancel for some minor excuse. As people come aboard, add days.

We cut from 2-day launches to 1 day since there were not enough flights the second day to justify it. 2 day launches existed only because of old research rules.

In addition to launches, during the off season we do meeting and workshops. Workshops cost $10 for members and cover things like electronic's bays, making fiberglass tubes, propellant mixing, finishing skills, or whatever the club members need to help share skill sets.

cruzsergio said:

:blush: Thanks, Sadly one does... anyway,
Well, we had a big issue earlier this year but it's fixed now, we started to have a fixed schedule now.

I've had that idea too, I've gotten a big box of kits from quest aerospace (this was years ago) their the 30min type ones.
but I've kept most of them due to the attendance.

I have three people in mind but now after these three months i don't know now.
That my nightmare that my hardwork goes down the drain.

Click to expand...

I don't see it as your hard work going down the drain. At the very least you'll take with you some experience with you--including how to and what to avoid--in leading a club in the future. That counts for a lot.

cruzsergio said:

ALL great ideas but Majority mentioned require money which is something I dont have :cry:

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My suggestions are aimed to fix your 2 biggest problems: you don't have any support or enough money.

1.) You are doing everything yourself. That's route 1 to disaster. You need to engage a core group of enthusiasts and let them make suggestions and implement those suggestions. You can't do it all yourself.

2.) There's no free lunch. You alone are financing the club and providing the free lunch. That's route 2 to disaster. You have to start collecting donations to fund the clubs activities, and better yet, after you appoint club officers, have them do it. You can't do it all yourself.

3.) Regularly scheduled club meetings in addition to regularly scheduled launches are important. For a small club, one meeting and one launch per month is about all that can be supported. Start out in a library or a restaurant so it costs you nothing. This way folks get to meet each other in a more causal relaxed manner without the concerns of a rocket launch. Start from a written agenda that includes reports of the club's recent activities, the financial status, and the minutes and action items from the last meeting. The should be presented by yourself and the club officers, and then let the conversations flow from the floor. You may initially have to direct it to the future needs of the club and elicit suggestions, but once the ball get rolling let the members have their say. If a good suggestion is made, put that person in charge of making it happen and report back at the next meeting. This gets everyone involved and vested in the club far more than simply having launches.

4.) Any club activity should be fun for all. If it's not, then it's time for a change. If changes can't be made, then maybe it's time to close shop.

Again, good luck.

Bob

cruzsergio said:

..., I have less a year to fix this, I leave the state next summer.

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Since I suspect this is a happier subject... where are you off to?

Quaranta said:

Since I suspect this is a happier subject... where are you off to?

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My parents have decided to leave the unforgiving heat of Florida to Albertson North Carolina.
The sad thing is there is no records of rocket clubs near by, only in Bayboro NC.
The good thing is that SEMROC is closer :grin:

I expected you to say you were off to college. Your parents may be surprised by the heat in NC during summer... but you do get a taste of the seasons. Good luck!

Back to the topic at hand,... Since it sounds like you are leaving So. FL for the foreseeable future... I'd suggest you hand over the reigns now,... and help with the transition. If there is no willing and able successor,... enjoy it for the time you have left. But don't waste excess energy or treasure trying to build something that is destined to perish.

Update?

Quaranta said:

Update?

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none yet
but from the previous quote I am in college
but when we do move I'll have to work for a year to wait for financial aide.
I've done my research there are two Aviation/Aerospace Colleges in NC
and there's a USAF base near by meaning Airshows
I still haven't found a rocket club there

cruzsergio said:

none yet
but from the previous quote I am in college
but when we do move I'll have to work for a year to wait for financial aide.
I've done my research there are two Aviation/Aerospace Colleges in NC
and there's a USAF base near by meaning Airshows
I still haven't found a rocket club there

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I remembered you were in college near home,... was guessing you might be going away to school. In a round about way,... you are! Wish you the best of luck.

Quaranta said:

I remembered you were in college near home,... was guessing you might be going away to school. In a round about way,... you are! Wish you the best of luck.

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Thanks
But i have a small problem now,
what to do with a full fleet of rockets. :lol:

Go to your local newspaper. See if they will do a story about the club and rocketry. Check with your local radio station to see if they do public service announcements. Get the word out as many ways as you can.
Our club sets up booths at the local air show and the county fair. We usually get good results from both.

s_coach said:

Go to your local newspaper. See if they will do a story about the club and rocketry. Check with your local radio station to see if they do public service announcements. Get the word out as many ways as you can.
Our club sets up booths at the local air show and the county fair. We usually get good results from both.

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Last year the airshow admin wanted to charge us $200 for setting up a booth there !
I've tried that but they dont seem to reply or they say we'll get a reporter out there, but never show up !

So HPRC launched again today. Actually I launched today.
I am considering of shutting down the club I can't deal with
the fact that its only me, I can no longer fund the club from my
pockets.
Right now Im really disappointed and dont know what to do