I'm tossing this out with the hopes of getting a feel for how some of the
model railroad clubs are structured.
I'm currently the president of a club that has 8 paid members, roughly half
of what it was a few years ago. We enjoy, free of charge a 13 x 40' room in
the basement of a municipal building. The HO layout fills roughly half of
that space and there is a G scale double loop around much of the wall about
5.5 feet off the floor.
About 4 years ago, we voted to allow the construction of a U-shaped G scale layout but unfortunately, the 2 proponents went too far and build it bigger and this caused a lot of friction in the club. Over the next couple of years, it was voted to tear it out, to keep it, to tear it out etc. Before we finally reached a compromise that saw the G-scale layout cut back to a smaller loop with a liftout section and separate operating nights, we had lost half of our members.
Personally, I feel our dues of $30 (CDN) per year are way to low. It is now our main source of income and if you do the math I think you will see how it is nearly impossible to support not only one, but 2 scales. G-scale track is VERY expensive. To make matters worse, the membership, led by the G-scale faction, have voted to drop the dues back to $20 (CDN).
Now to the purpose of my posting:
What do other clubs charge for similar privledges? Specifically access to the clubhouse 24/7 etc.
How many members in your club?
How strict are your rules? Especially in regards to members pulling their weight, different scales etc.
What are your qualifications for membership? A probationary period?
Any advice or input would be much appreciated.
Glen Smith
I'm currently the president of a club that has 8 paid members, roughly half
About 4 years ago, we voted to allow the construction of a U-shaped G scale layout but unfortunately, the 2 proponents went too far and build it bigger and this caused a lot of friction in the club. Over the next couple of years, it was voted to tear it out, to keep it, to tear it out etc. Before we finally reached a compromise that saw the G-scale layout cut back to a smaller loop with a liftout section and separate operating nights, we had lost half of our members.
Personally, I feel our dues of $30 (CDN) per year are way to low. It is now our main source of income and if you do the math I think you will see how it is nearly impossible to support not only one, but 2 scales. G-scale track is VERY expensive. To make matters worse, the membership, led by the G-scale faction, have voted to drop the dues back to $20 (CDN).
Now to the purpose of my posting:
What do other clubs charge for similar privledges? Specifically access to the clubhouse 24/7 etc.
How many members in your club?
How strict are your rules? Especially in regards to members pulling their weight, different scales etc.
What are your qualifications for membership? A probationary period?
Any advice or input would be much appreciated.
Glen Smith