Unfortunately, our efforts to attract new members to our association have met with failure. After weeks of posting flyers, and free ads on various sites, we have had only one inquiry and that went nowhere. What makes it worse is that a fellow z-scaler, who we thought was keen on joining us, has not been heard from in a long time. I have sent emails to him just to let him know what we have coming down the rails, but there has been no response. He seemed interersted in joining us at our first meeting, and even expressed interest in helping us adapt our layout to run both DC and DCC which is what he runs. But we have not heard from him, and with a show coming up at the end of September, we no longer have the time to wait. We have to get our layout ready for display DCC capable or not. I wonder if it is because he does run exclusively with DCC and we are DC and therefore not worth his time in getting involved with us? Do all DCC'ers look down on those of us who run DC as being archaric and out of touch with reality? In any case, I find it disturbing. Oh well, I guess the three of us will have to carry on and hope that we can attract some additional members this September and again next April. Too bad too. He had a lot of interesting ideas.
Unfortunatly, thats normal in most places unless you are in the bay area. I know there are a significant amount of z scalers down here to support two well stock hobby shops in z, but I have never met them and never seen them in a show.
This isn't just Z scale. We're experiencing a bit of a membership crisis in my N scale club. I think it's a larger issue of a lot of people just not wanting to join clubs for whatever reason.
It probably doesn't make that much of a difference in New Mexico, but in the Northern states, Summer is the time or outside activities. So, unless you're doing garden railroading, chances are you'll spend the least amount of time in the layout room and doing MRR stuff during summer. By the way, welcome to TrainBoard! Please take a moment to post an introduction of yourself in the member introductions area.
Clubs are always a hard sell. Here in Medford...where you have one of the best known N scale Train MFG...I only know of 3 people who have layouts...and none of them are interested in forming a club. Z fars a bit better, but you have nut jobs like me and Loren and Karin who live, eat and breath the the stuff. The only way to attract members is to do the hard work and go to shows and display. We have a number of lurkers who show up and help out, but have other priorities that keep them from becoming full fledge members. Understandable. The SF Bay are is unusual in the demographics...other regions are not so lucky to have so many folks who are tech-train oriented. Joe
Well, we tried to explain how small the Z scale community is so it is not surprising. So you an also better understand why we can not get every road or variation of any rolling stock or loco. The manufacturers need customers too ! .
I know it's summer. It happens here too and yes I know that most people would rather do outdoor activities rather then work indoors on a club layout. I sometimes think I'd much rather be camping or gardening rather they work on our layout. But the truth of the matter is, the older I get, the less interest I have in doing outdoor stuff. I walk the dog for an hour or so every day in all types of weather, and I have done my garden and now watch it grow and wait until I can start harvesting the veggies. But if it weren't for our layout and my desire to make it the biggest Z scale layout in Canada, I would just be sitting around looking for something to do and going crazy in the process. Perhaps even waiting for death to come and relieve me of my bordom. What I have trouble with is people telling me, that yes they are interested in joining and yadda-yadda-yadda, but then do nothing about it. The way I look at it, if you are serious, then do something about it. Don't lie and say you are, just to placate someone or jerk them around. I really hate when people aren't serious about something. At the Supertrain 2011 show here in Calgary, a lot of people, mostly guys of different ages, expressed and interest in getting involved in working in Z-scale. and expressed interest in becoming part of our newly formed group. But out of all of them, only one actually contacted me and we met once, and I haven't heard from him since. If he truly was interested, he should have at the very least said, I can't right now, but in the fall.... But instead he has not answered emails, I can't reach him by phone, and I'm not driving out to his place only to find out that he has decided not to join afterall. As many of you have said in one thread or another, it takes committment and a desire to succeed to be involved in model railroading in any scale. For those who belong to clubs, then know only too well that things don't come to a halt during the summer months, especially when you are trying to get ready for an upcoming show. Members take vacations and do other things, but if they are truly committed, then they put in at least some time to help out. And I suppose there are those who think that if you want to put in a huge amount of time on such a project, then you should be committed. To an institution near you. I'm not asking for a huge membership in our Association, but it would be nice if those who did express an interest in joining, actually made and effort to contact us and say yeh or neh. But to blow us off well, that's just plain ignorant. Those are the kind of people you really don't want in your club anyway.
Ken, I truly feel your pain and can relate to your frustration. Joe D'Amato and I are a bit frustrated by the fact that in Southern Oregon, besides my wife and us two, we seem to be the only folks sincere enough about Z scale to actually put time, effort, and money into the hobby. There are other scales adequately represented in this area, but Z just doesn't seem to catch on here at all. However, with that said, and taking the three of us as an example of the overall population in this area, I suppose our small group is represented about equally as the large ZoCal group is in all of Southern California where there are millions of potential Z addicts. 'Talk is cheap' is the expression and while many get excited initially at shows, the majority are just momentarily gushing their excitement at seeing Z perhaps for the first time. Not many really catch 'the bug' as we call it. Actions speak much louder than words so if they don't come through as they indicate they will when first talking with you, then it is a pretty safe bet that they have not caught 'the bug' Z scale is a very peculiar and special disease if you want to put a tag on it of any sorts, or even call it an addiction. It can be very addicting like many things. If you have caught the disease, then your actions will almost immediately announce to anyone observing that you have been bitten. Remember Ken, that Z represents only a tiny % of all those that like model trains enough to go out and begin purchasing product and building layouts. You can't immediately identify someone who has the interest needed to actually begin the hands on aspect of this hobby unless that person begins to do something about it. i.e. spend, and build. It is also possible that there are Z collectors around you and you just don't know it. Unfortunately, collectors, while they may own many dollars worth of Z, are missing out on a very rewarding and enjoyable aspect of this hobby by sharing at trains shows in a group. They may also have home layouts and be content to keep their hobby to themselves. Pity them Ken......pity them. Like in the movie "Jerry McGuire", the football player was complaining to his manager about not seeing the money. He yells into the phone...."show me the money". Same goes for Z scale. If they really want to be involved, they will "show you their face and energy" Hang in there and keep doing what you are doing........and do it well. You are a Z ambassador in a foreign land and you must carry the flag proudly and hold it high with pride. Be the friendliest, most knowledgeable, helpful, supportive, enthusiastic fellow at the train show or where ever you display your trains. Remember, ambassadors are often by themselves in sometimes a hostile environment, and maybe very lonely for companionship, but they are a vital factor in representing the homeland. And we as a collective Z community are the homeland. Spread out as we are, we are still united for one cause, and we are family. You have many brothers and sisters in arms. You are not alone. Keep fighting the good fight.
What part of N.M. are you from? I live in the Texas Panhandle. I'm the only Z scaler in this part of texas, as far as I know. I dought if I could do you much good, except to cheer you on. I'm Disabled and I can't travel. But you never know. (kin-hood@yahoo.com) Have a nice day, and good luck with your club.
Thanks Loren. Unfortunately my z scale brothers and sisters all seem to be everywhere else but here. But I will carry the flag as best I can. I just hope I don't stumble and fall on my sword.
