NEW Florida Fast Electric Club

[highndry]

Good. So what I'm hearing is we have an:

Option Two: $50.00 annual fee: No adjustment for part-year residents < I like that better than $35.00>

Clearly, anyone can run there..it is their choice whether they desire to benefit from the amenities of membership.

[tiqueman]

I had a great time out there as well. Bill, I metioned I hadnt put the Castle motor in the Genesis b/c I didnt have 6.5 bullets... I was digging thru things on my work bench today and found 4 bags of castle 6.5s. remember folks.. I AM polish.

Being I think the newset member of the club, I may not have tons of info or ideas right off the bat, however, as Bill stated about the park, being county owned, we cant do much from prohibiting others but also, as far as I know, we havent the responsibility to maintain it either. Other than ant bait and the hornet/ wasp spray. That being said, club wise, I know there are other expenses etc that have to go into it (rescue boat, maintenance on that, etc. I do not have a problem even with $50.00 a year for locals rather than $35 w/ no initiation. Out of state, I think $35 is good for a "Snowbird" season. Theres also another scenario, people from out of state here on vacation or buisness for a week or two. There is a forum member who recently visited (not the races but town) and asked me last night how that situation would be handled. In this case, he is a NAMBA member. So what happens in that scenario. Do they just run what they brung, or is it for instance $5.00 to play? Perhaps that is something that needs discussed as well.

OH and Bill, thanks for getting the vids up.

[bill34207]

Theres also another scenario, people from out of state here on vacation or buisness for a week or two. There is a forum member who recently visited (not the races but town) and asked me last night how that situation would be handled. In this case, he is a NAMBA member. So what happens in that scenario. Do they just run what they brung, or is it for instance $5.00 to play? Perhaps that is something that needs discussed as well.

OH and Bill, thanks for getting the vids up.

That's ok Scott. I don't have any polish ancesrty to blame it on (that I know of) so I have to blame CRS.

I was told loosely when I inquired (before joining) that the club would allow you to run with them for free up to 3 visits. After that you were expected to join the club. I basically feel this scenario should continue the same way regardless of how the dues structure winds up going. You got namba and want to play with us for a weekend when we're running, come on down.

I will agree though that a $35 part year membership would be a lot easier for a visitor to accept. I'd whole lot rather have a lower paying contributing menber to the cause than to not have the contributing member at all. Key word here is "contributing".
At the same time, the part year members should have no real say or vote in the way the club is run. If you want to be equal you contribute equally. Us locals that are expected to pay full dues are the ones down here sweating our nads during the summer trying to keep things going and interest up in the hobby. (I'm really no that enthusiastic about summer runs. It get's miserable at pond side on a hot humid day around July or Augist.)

As for the vids I enjoy doing those even though it does clutter up my YouTube page a bit. :)

[highndry]

..I was thinking in terms of an official timing system, leasing our facility, as required, rather than 'squatting' which in turn may encourage the county to allow us to make some structural changes that would allow for a more ergonomically accomodating facility. If it is the ultimate goal for our club to host , with efficiency, not only our own events, but others as well, then funding will be necessary. If it is the collective desire to have club level fun runs and not pursue anything further ..then I think we could even reduce the current member fee.

[ron1950]

i dont have a dog in this fight but if u are running in a pond owned by the county u will have to go to the co commission to get exclusive rights to the pond...otherwise anyone can come there and play anytime i would think...we have our pond in a state park and its really great...we do the water work and they do the work on the shore etc....so when we have a race we make all the money so we are a free club with retrival boat and drivers stand etc.....

[RayR]

Ray, is that the 'new' one you told me about?

Chris, yes that's the one.

[bill34207]

..I was thinking in terms of an official timing system, leasing our facility, as required, rather than 'squatting' which in turn may encourage the county to allow us to make some structural changes that would allow for a more ergonomically accomodating facility. If it is the ultimate goal for our club to host , with efficiency, not only our own events, but others as well, then funding will be necessary. If it is the collective desire to have club level fun runs and not pursue anything further ..then I think we could even reduce the current member fee.

Before we start thinking about buying any kind of equipment, let me talk to Rich K. I've known him for years and he recently mentioned to me that he still has most of the stuff from the nitro club that used to run there. Basically ours for the asking. I will need to verify exactly what he has before saying it's handled though. According to him there was a provision when the owner donated the land to SRQ that the lake is supposed to be rent free for the use of RC boating as well.

[obrien]

Before we start thinking about buying any kind of equipment, let me talk to Rich K. I've known him for years and he recently mentioned to me that he still has most of the stuff from the nitro club that used to run there. Basically ours for the asking. I will need to verify exactly what he has before saying it's handled though. According to him there was a provision when the owner donated the land to SRQ that the lake is supposed to be rent free for the use of RC boating as well.

Rich told me the same thing.

[sailr]

For the Charter members that paid the initiation fee, you shouldn't be unhappy. That initiation fee is what enabled us to buy two retrieve boats, a trolling motor & battery, oars, life jacket, and most recently a small generator among other small supplies, NAMBA fees, etc.

Reverting to no initiation fee and lowering the dues will work OK IF and only IF we continue to grow. Any idea of buying a timing clock, etc. will require a vote and per member assessment as there is no way we will have enough in the treasury to swing it.

DON'T forget to renew your NAMBA membership!

Our biggest challenge as a club is to find a publicly owned lake where we could set up a first class facility. We could 'lease' the Riverview site for organized state wide races but I think the charge is pretty steep...It's either $100/day or $300 for a weekend. .... I think.

Yes. I propose we have a vote by current members on the 12th. My proposal, given the thoughts offered here previously, and my obvious opinionated position on part-year residents would be as follows:

OPTION 1: Annual fee $ 35.00 for everyone: Yes or No

OPINION:That seems somewhat unfair for the charter members since we all paid an initiation fee, but if that is the concensus, I'm cool with it.

The members should propose other options for a vote if they have other thoughts.

[sailr]

Next gather is the 14th I believe. Not the 12th. Right?

Yes. I propose we have a vote by current members on the 12th. My proposal, given the thoughts offered here previously, and my obvious opinionated position on part-year residents would be as follows:

OPTION 1: Annual fee $ 35.00 for everyone: Yes or No

OPINION:That seems somewhat unfair for the charter members since we all paid an initiation fee, but if that is the concensus, I'm cool with it.

The members should propose other options for a vote if they have other thoughts.

[sailr]

There's a lake at SRQ???!!! I thought SRQ was on a closed landfill?

Before we start thinking about buying any kind of equipment, let me talk to Rich K. I've known him for years and he recently mentioned to me that he still has most of the stuff from the nitro club that used to run there. Basically ours for the asking. I will need to verify exactly what he has before saying it's handled though. According to him there was a provision when the owner donated the land to SRQ that the lake is supposed to be rent free for the use of RC boating as well.

[tiqueman]

Im pretty sure the 12th is on a Sunday.

[bill34207]

Rich told me the same thing.

You know Rich too huh? He is a great all around guy and has been very helpful in the hobby over the years.
Just a note for the tunnel guys, he's been working on a CF composite leg for the electric outboards and think they may even be in production by now.

[bill34207]

There's a lake at SRQ???!!! I thought SRQ was on a closed landfill?

SRQ is a general abbreviation for Sarasota. The air terminal uses those. Ackerman is Sarasota county owned/maintained.

[sailr]

One of the problems of voting on new dues structure is there are so few that actually come to this forum, show up at the lake, or otherwise participate. I need to update the membership list to include the last four new members and make a new email list. I can send out a broadcast email asking members to vote. I will also include former members. Maybe we can lure them back to the club.

First, as I see it, here are the options being discussed:

1. eliminate initiation fee - Yes/No
2. Keep dues at $50/year for year-round members. - Yes/No
3. Reduce dues to $35/year for year-round members. - Yes/No
4. Establish part-time (snowbird) (MUST be out of state residents) at $35/year - Yes/No
5. Establish guest policy of 3 times without charge. After that they must join or pay $10* per run - Yes/No * see discussion below
6. Pursue official relationship with Sarasota County for use of Akerman Lake. This would allow us to improve the facility, etc.

* Discusion of number 5 above: If we only charge $5 per run, it would may be cheaper to pay this fee every time and never join the club! Another option would be to charge guests $5 for the first three times and $10 (or join) after that. It would also be difficult to police this policy and who is going to collect the money if I can't be there?

My personal opinion is that we should start official discussions with County staff about the lake.