Thinking of moving the SubRon sections to members only

[myles yancey]

Hi Everyone

I am considering moving the SubRon Forums to the members only section and would like to hear from everyone who wants to comment on this idea.

Thank You
Myles

[Guest]

I'd rather you not. I

I'd rather you not. I advertise pool runs and regattas there, which can entice folk into the hobby, and potential recruits of the Sub Committee.

[boss subfixer]

I agree with sub Culture.

I agree with sub Culture. Right now I have a guy that is interested in the hobby so I gave him this website and told him that our meetings are usually announced in the SubRon4 section. I've just met the guy and to me it's too pushy at this point to be asking him for personal contact info. That's a sure fire way to drive someone away. Do what you want but I think it's a valuable tool and should be left as is.

[subdude]

Agreed. Please DO NOT do

Agreed. Please DO NOT do this.

[crazy ivan]

Ditto all of the above.

Ditto all of the above. We definitely have added new members to SR8 who found us through our forum. This is the place where we publicize our local events, so it is an opportunity for non-members to come and have a look in person.

[myles yancey]

Everyone this is your website

Everyone this is your website you pay for it with your dues, and I am asking you for your input so that I know what you want, so please voice your opinion so that i know what you think.

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far and your point is noted.

Thanks Myles

[Larry Kuntz]

I have to agree with

I have to agree with Crazy Ivan, we need a place for potential members to look at what is happening and where. I just sparks more interest when you can go talk with members face to face at a local meet.

[cnutting]

To re-iterate what others have

To re-iterate what others have said before, I joined SC many moons ago after attending a couple regattas on the base. In other words, by seeing what was going on locally, I became more comfortable spending the money to get into the hobby. I knew I would have a support structure if I got in trouble.

There is no benefit in closing this avenue to non-members, but there is a significant downside - loss of visibility to what is happening locally. Key factor in the decision tree for a nervous new member.

Closing off key features of the site (i.e. plans, construction tips, etc) does make sense. Close this area off and make people pay for valuable information.

There is no "mission critical" information in the SubRon sections. It's essentially a list of who is running what and where. Don't close off what is essentially membership advertisement.

But.... I am not a current member, so it's really not my call.

[wlambing]

SubRon 4 has had various

SubRon 4 has had various contacts over the years, PRIMARILY because of the website and the availability of access to our forum. If the SubRon section gets closed off you'll kill a valuable "recruiting" tool. I realize that you and the EC are trying to fix a lack of membership, but I believe this proposed action to be misguided. Don't kill the goose!

Bill Lambing
Commodore SR 4
SC 0288

[bigdave]

What that very wise man

What that very wise man said above me.
Dito!! The subron section should be open to all.
Dave Welch
Commodore SR-8

[PaulC]

I think I see a

I think I see a consensus opinion. Leave it open.

[myles yancey]

Gentlemen I can see that

Gentlemen I can see that everyone agrees that the SubRon forums should be left as they are .

I think that the following areas should be also left open to the public to view.

1) The General Forum
2) The Requested Features Forum
3) The Forum Rules
4) The Upcoming Events Forum

How do you feel about this after all it is your club we are just trying to make it better for you.

Please make any necessary comments you feel are ikportant to you on this matter, so that we can make things better for you and future members of the SC.

will leave this topic open for more advice from all of you.

Thank Myles

[Rogue Sub]

Hey if your gonna do

Hey if your gonna do this leave the vendor new products, and subswap sections open

[cnutting]

Just a thought...

Before you randomly

Just a thought...

Before you randomly close down sections, maybe put yourself in the potential new member's shoes:
Am I new to R/C?
Do I like submarine history?
Do I want to build static models?
Do I want vendor info?
Where can I run?
How does this all work?
What brought me to SC in the first place?
etc., etc.

Maybe look at the list of new registrants for the last month or two and ask them to take an on-line survey to figure out what they want out of a club. What will persuade them to join? Give them $5 off the membership for answering or randomly select 1 or 2 for a free membership if they complete the survey.

Know thy audience, tailor to suit the numbers. If it means change, then so be it.

[tmsmalley]

The SubRon sections are an

The SubRon sections are an important recruiting tool. Newbies see the fun run photos and come to the local meets to see what the hobby is all about. Please leave them open to all.

Tim Smalley & John Schagane
SubRon6