P3D Who needs those stinkin officers...?

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

>>Hmmm... I see you have a name now!  Great!  Do you also have
>>officers, constitution/bylaws, newsletter?
>        
>    No, why?  Do we need those things?

No, you don't.  But I don't think you need a name either. :-)

We've had some discussions about this in the past.  My theory
is that if you are going to hold monthly meetings then a more 
formal structure might be of some benefit.  Without this 
structure the club appears to be the result of the efforts of 
one or two people who do all the work, provide their own 
equipment, organize the monthly programs, etc. and, generally, 
do as they please.

With a more formal structure that includes "club officers"
you have a pool of people working in different areas.  As people
alternate assignments, more and more "members" gain experience
in doing things.  So, the club can operate as an autonomous
organization even if the person who started it and did most of
the work in the beginning moves away or is unable to be involved.

Having funds that belong to the organization ("treasury") is 
also important, in my mind.  The club can then buy its own 
equipment needed for the meetings (projector, screen, etc.) 
and also built up a library of books, magazines and an inventory 
of equipment for rent, to benefit members (especially new members
that can use the club an a valuable resource in their newly
discovered interest.)

Finally, the newsletter serves a double purpose:  1) remind
members of the meeting and get them interested about the program
so that they are more likely to attend and 2) describe what 
happened in the last meeting so those who were unable to attend
can read and don't feel disconnected with the club.

I know there is a tendency for informal operation of stereo
organizations and many people are proud for that fact... 
It is fine if you can do it that way.  The formal structure
is not necessarily better, but I do feel that the chances of 
survival and growth are higher.

George Themelis


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