Emergence
How one small club became a moving force in its community.
THIS IS THE story of how a small city RC club in New Hampshire came out of obscurity, right into the middle of the community spotlight. It is intended to give heart to other small clubs who feel that they are not big enough to engage in public relations to gain membership and city support for a flying site.
The Ashuelot (pronounced Ash-wee-lot) Valley Flyers of Keene, New Hampshire, population 20,000, was formed in 1970 with a total of eight members and has since grown to 26. At our first meeting in the fall of 1975 after a rather unorganized and troublesome flying season, the subject of the club's future was broached and it was decided that we should make every effort to improve ourselves, bring in new members, and attempt to gain the support of city government to obtain a more permanent flying site. It was proposed that we employ the device of a static display show in the early spring with a flying demonstration later in the summer. Since we suggested it, John Verhoef, proprietor of the Holland House of Hobbies and I were appointed by club president Eliot Kimble to handle the job. At this time we asked the membership for a total club effort in order to achieve success, to which everyone agreed. This was a very important step since, as time proved, such an effort requires total commitment by the entire organization.
Monthly meetings were held at which the show was the main topic of discussion. At our second meeting we presented a listing
Jack Stevens
of what we felt should be done at the show. Along with the usual display of new and old aircraft—old aircraft to illustrate the durability of equipment—it was decided to include movies of flight action, displays of support equipment and tools, special materials, a kit being assembled, used-items sale, and outdoor activity consisting of boats or a seaplane taxiing in a small pond outside the Keene Recreation Center should it be available to us. Further group discussion brought out the possibilities of running an RC tank in the hall, flying a peanut scale indoors, and door prizes. An information handout covering the club, affiliation with the AMA, an invitation to join, and persons to contact was also proposed as a method for bringing in new members who might be stimulated by the show.
Using this input as a base, a job list was drawn up and names were assigned to complete each task. At the next meeting, job assignments were made which were readily accepted by all concerned. Work progressed smoothly and a rundown of the job list was conducted at each subsequent meeting with progress reported and problems resolved.
A very interesting and productive meeting was held by the co-chairmen and Art Jones of the Keene Parks and Recreation Department, the general results of which bear reporting to illustrate the cooperation and eagerness to help that you will find in your city government.
After explaining what we wanted to do and discussing progress we explained our prime purpose for conducting the show, i.e., to expand membership and to become large enough to obtain a more permanent flying site from the city. Art was very excited about the prospects and informed us that he would handle all publicity through local newspapers, radio, and TV as well as producing sufficient fliers for all of Keene's school children to take home and for us to use as postings around town. Secondly, we could use the large gym at the recreation center, and he would provide whatever he could for tables and other supplies, all free of charge. Third, and most important, he informed us that, if we wrote a letter to the city council explaining who we are, what we are doing, and asking for a permanent flying site, that he could help us would be referred to his Parks and Recreation Committee for review and recommendations. Needless to say we were ecstatic as we had suddenly been provided with the key to what we really wanted. As of this writing the letter has been written, successfully passed the council, and will be reviewed by the committee in a few weeks.
Even though publicity was handled in large part by Art Jones, we contacted the local radio station, WKNE, and were informed that we could have a half-hour to discuss our sport and the show on Marianne Dinkel's show. This opportunity was immediately taken and the writer, even though frightened half to death, agreed to do the show. At a pre-broadcast meeting I presented Marianne with an outline of what I wanted to discuss and, during the broadcast, which I am told went very well, she guided me through with her expert interviewing techniques.
In addition to the radio broadcast we also had an artistic new club member, Dick Webster, design and produce several large posters which were placed in prominent places, and a quantity of small notices which were placed on the information boards in public places all over the area. Further, we prepared announcements which were submitted to three other radio stations within a 20-mile radius of Keene for inclusion in their community activity broadcasts.
Just an example of the type of cooperation and hard work expended by every member was the job done by Bill Sullivan, a new member last year. Bill not only handled printing of the raffle tickets, door prize forms and club information handouts, but he also directed the canvassing of local businesses for door prize donations, and sold over 40 raffle tickets.
With the show slated for Sunday, April 25, we held a final meeting in early April to tie together all loose ends. From there on it was simply a matter of covering last minute details and anxiously awaiting the big day. In the meantime we all contacted non-club members whom we knew to be working on models and were successful in convincing three of them to join us at the show. As a result, we had a U-Control and an RC aircraft that were in process, and a beautiful RC Chris-Craft included in the display.
The evening before the show we descended on the hall and set up for the next day. We had decided to wait for early morning before bringing in items of value to prevent the possibilities of theft or vandalism.
The big day dawned grey and rainy, preventing outdoor activities; however, everyone arrived on cue starting at 7 a.m. and worked steadily toward our 10 a.m. opening. More tables were brought in by Cliff Bressett and his able crew; displays were carefully laid out, models hung from the rafters, parked in the middle of the floor, and roped off as planned. Movies taken by Cleotis Miller were on the projectionist. Kevin Calkins and the raffle and door prize table was set up and graciously manned all day by Wilna Bently. A display prepared by Max Ruelke, our secretary-treasurer, included two large posters of color photos of all types of aircraft and a new club logo. Bill Sterling, past president, came up with a surprise display covering various materials and hardware which was very well done.
At 9:45, when everything was just about set, our first visitors arrived and began to make the rounds. From then on until our 6 p.m. closing we had a steady flow of visitors which kept everyone thoroughly occupied. All concerned stayed with their displays all day, busy talking and demonstrating to an enthusiastic public. Fay Wood sold well over $300 worth of equipment at our used items table. Youngsters who followed were fascinated with the RC tank as John Verhoef ran it around the hall periodically, and the movie room was crowded at each hourly showing which was announced over the PA system by MC Tom Latorenau.
The public was impressed. Art Jones of Parks and Recreation was impressed and, frankly, we impressed ourselves with our "mini Toledo." We covered our minimal expenses, made a few dollars for the treasury, but most important, gained new membership and have become a more cohesive, active force in our community. As this is written, we plan for an actual flying demonstration later this summer to keep the public aware of our sport.
To sum up, don't underestimate the power of your club, no matter how small, to become a moving force in your community. With a little PR effort you can get your club off the ground just as we did.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
