Re: Newbie At Home in 3D Club

[P3D Gabriel Jacob <jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In Paul Talbot's response to Erlys, I would have to agree that a friendly
person in the club helps matters. Jon Golden made some good points 
regarding a welcoming committee, member, etc. Which would be appropriate,
so as to make new members feel at home, and to want to come back. First
impressions are important and the club members should not be too eager and
smother the person with kindness, so as to not scare the person off, if
they are shy. 

Also regarding the social aspect, I agree with Paul. Initially a new 
member would come to a club to see what it's all about and see (hopefully)
some nice 3D pics. But if the social atmosphere is not there, this would
not sustain the interest of coming back. Of course this is generalising
and doesn't apply to everyone. Only stereo-types. ;-)

Dr.T's point is well taken, that what draws a person to a 3D setting
is an incurable interest or also I might add a curiosity to the field.
Again these two points will not sustain going back to a 3D club. 
Personally when I finally decided to go to my first NSA convention,
it wasn't to only see what is new but to meet the people with same
interests. I could have bought whatever by mail order from catalogs
or the internet. The camaraderie on P3D and then Bill Davis friendly
help, faxing me the particulars and finally meeting the first person
at the convention to register (Bill Davis again) helped make it be
a good first impression. Then meeting the people with like interests
was thrilling. Of course 3D is what brings us together in these settings
(as in any other field) but the people aspect is very strong and sometimes
we don't realize it.

Dr.T writes

>You are correct about the level of enthusiasm but not about the outgoing
>personality... Because of my rather esoteric personality, it is only my
>love for 3d that makes me join these social gatherings.
  
Replace esoteric with a bit shy and I think most people including myself
fall into this category. But we overcome our shyness and go to these 
gatherings to meet people with like interests. If the gathering is not
pleasent, we don't return. Now I wonder where George is. ;-)
His last post was on Dec.26, and he mentions

>Talking about social gatherings, there will be one in the MPLS area on
>Monday Dec. 30th.  Dr. T will be there he likes it or not!  Contact me
>for more details!

I rest my case, your honor.

Gabriel, 23 hours and counting.


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