[Woodcarver] What is a Carving Club?

[m.bloomquist]

Terry,

 

Like Denny, I'm fortunate to belong to two clubs, one from each category.  I
think size might be the determining factor.  The "social" club has about 20
some members and meets almost every Thursday.  We used to have officers, but
found we could accomplish what we wanted to without them.  We still have a
treasurer to handle the bank account and a "go-to-guy" (my buddy Harold),
but no set terms or elections for either pseudo-office.  The responsibility
gets moved about as the need arises.  The other group is at about 100
members, loosely follows "Roberts Rules" because with a larger group it's a
necessity, has elections (sort of), has by-laws (somewhere) and meets once a
month.  I enjoy them both very much. but differently.  Wouldn't want to do
the large formal club more than once a month, but wouldn't try to organize a
show with the smaller group (not enough "worker bees").  

 

I think a healthy club is always changing. evolving.  My "social"
woodcarving club used to have officers, then a defining moment came when it
was proposed that participation in a certain number of club events (or
organizing the Christmas party or holding an office) be "required", recorded
and tracked.  It was discussed and the majority voted that the only
requirement was payment of dues ($10 annually) and anything above that was
greatly appreciated, but not mandatory.  After that someone quipped "Well
why bother with officers at all!", so we discussed it, voted on it, and did
away with them too.  Because of the changes we lost a couple members (and I
do miss them. honest), but the majority created the environment they wanted
and we've survived peacefully for about 3 years now.

 

Not everyone is a worker bee or leader or teacher or organizer.  You still
need to recognize these folks as valid member of the club who contributes by
being there.   I won't say there aren't members that freeload and take
advantage, but there's a line and I always members get weeded out naturally
when they cross that line. one of the natural mechanisms of a "social" club
I think.  I'll get down off my soap box now. ;-)

 

Keep on Carvin' 
-Mike B.-> 
Wooden Dreams Woodcarving 
http://www.woodendreamz.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: woodcarver-bounces at carverscompanion.com
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at carverscompanion.com] On Behalf Of
tzobl at email.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 10:12 AM
To: woodcarver at carverscompanion.com
Subject: [Woodcarver] What is a Carving Club?

 

Open question to all





Many of us carve with some friends at convenient places like senior centers,
etc. with no other purpose then to tell stories and solve the world's
problems.  For purposes of this topic I will call this a Social Group.
Sometimes a Social Group will want to form into a Club.  My question is
"What are the new things or behaviors to make this a Club".  There should be
a lot of opinions on this and I want to hear them all.

 

Terry Zobl, Mich

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