I think our club now has about 60 some members. Trying to gain new members is a challenge for any type of club, not just an HL club. There are many collectors out there in NE but we don't know HOW to reach them, and so they probably don't know that our club exists. There are over 170 HL dealers in the 6 NE states which we serve; and they were all sent a flyer when our club began. Only a few have helped to pass the word to their customers; and this is hard to understand, as usually club membership generates more interest in a collectible in general and results in members buying more from their dealers. I wonder if other HL clubs are experiencing this? I think it is unique to get a warm relationship with any one dealer to the extent that they will really strive to promote a club. What success have you had with strong dealer backing?
Thank you for your kind words about our programs. As President, I have also been wearing several other hats of Program and Outing chairmen. New England is fortunate to have so many resources to draw upon; but that is due to being ocean-oriented; having lots of lighthouses; and the knowledgeable personnel connected to them.
In May we are touring and climbing Eastern Point Light in Gloucester, MA, before our regular meeting. June is the signing and program with Bill. There will probably be a cruise that morning on the Sound between CT and Long Island. In September there is an Outing planned to Block Island, RI. And the annual fall meeting will probably be close to Boston. I am hoping to get a well-known lighthouse authority if his schedule permits.
I have seen the following idea carried out very well in the camera clubs (over 75) in NE; and would like to propose it here for all HL clubs to consider: making up a resource list of program ideas that all or most clubs could try at their meetings or events, depending on whether they were land-locked with no lighthouses near; or if there were lighthouses available. General ideas need to be listed and also specific names of people who give programs. If someone from far away happens to travel into your area, they might be willing to give a program to the club also-- even a well-versed HL'er.
Ideas to get it started would be: current Coast Guard personnel living at a lighthouse giving a tour and allowing a climb of the lights; Coast Guard personnel from the Aids to Navigation section to come in and give a talk on current lighthouse activities , maintenance, types of lights being used, etc. Authors and photographers in the area to give a talk and slide program on lighthouses they have written about and photographed. Universities which have a course on area history that includes maritime -- get the professor to give a talk. Same could apply from a historical society. Look for the persons chosen to be on the Board for the new national lighthouse museum on Staten Island, is there anyone from your state -- for a talk. Same goes for the museums that are being started in Mackinack, MI and elsewhere. The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers has people trained in giving talks. Preservationists who work on lighthouses--what does it entail? Member show-and-tell: what lighthouses did you visit, what did you learn about them; and show your photos (taking 35mm slides and projecting them lends itself better to group presentations); bring in a photo expert in digital cameras to explain how a digital camera works along with a computer, so members can have fun putting their photos out online and on the Forum. Hold a club photo contest. I have tried to get an interclub contest going also, with the winners maybe put here on the club news forum. Bring in someone very talented in doing model railroad layouts or setting up Dept. 56 villages and give a class on how a diorama could be made with scenery, ocean, rocks etc. to really show off a lighthouse.
Have a club contest for best diorama.
If all clubs would submit their ideas, it would be a start. Is there interest out there in this idea?
I look forward to hearing more details on this forum about other clubs and what programs they are scheduling.
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ladylightkeeper
