P3D Re: club dynamics

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard Koolish writes:

>I belong to a number of clubs, a 3D club, a rowing club, an astronomy club, a
>photographic history club, a small boat club, etc.  

I am tempted to ask which 3D club is this... :-)

>It is absolutely true and
>truly amazing that you can have a club of 300 members or more and only a couple
>of people who will step forward to do the work to keep it going.  In clubs with
>elected officers, the nominating committee often has to drag people kicking and
>screaming into the elected positions, especially for positions that require
>some work, like secretary, membership secretary or treasurer.  Even if a club
>has strong leadership now, that changes instantly when even one of the active
>people decides to scale back his/her participation.  

Perhaps a stereo club is different than a "photographic history club"? 
Perhaps our very special interest attracts more enthusiastic participants as 
demonstrated daily by the photo-3d postings?

In Detroit they change or switch officers every year or two. I have not 
noticed any "kicking and screaming"... Same with other clubs that I try 
and follow.

Now, regarding your "3D club", I read the following in the club's "official"
pages http://www.ultranet.com/~copley/StereoNE (official in quotations, 
for obvious reasons):

"Stereo New England is an informal organization. We are not incorporated, 
there are no dues, and we do not have elected officers.  A small group of 
interested members keep the mailing list and plan and run the meetings. 
Some of them are: Jim McDonough, Ron Labbe, Dick Koolish, David Berenson, 
Jon Golden, Eric Goldstein, Larry Rochette. We raise money at each meeting 
with an auction of donated items, and then we pass the hat. Anybody who 
signs up for the mailing list receives future meeting announcements."

I see some pride in declaring your "club" an informal organization.  
There is money collected, people doing work, a name, a logo, regular
meetings, use of the words "organization" and "members"... so what
exactly is preventing you from becoming a formal organization and why
are you avoiding it?  I can only see more responsiblity and better
operation in a formal organization... while maintaining whatever
good you have going on now.  Am I missing any drawbacks?

-- George Themelis


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