To Join or Not o Join the Daysailer Association

[GreenLake]

Bob, thank you for an interesting perspective on the "independent sailer". I recognize myself to a large extent, but, not least because of the very lively discussions we've had on this forum, I'm beginning to be more open to changing long-held assumptions and preferences.

As far as DSA is concerned, there are three things. One, which I've commented on before, is the formal statement of the organizations purpose as set forth in the bylaws. That particualr formal statement is very focused on racing and seems to be out of synch to what you describe, which is the second thing, namely the actual range of activities that the people who make up the organization actually engage in. That appears to be considerably broader than covered by the bylaws - which implies that the latter should be updated to bring them into alignment with both the membership and the demographics of the class.

Finally, the third element is specific initiatives of the kind you described, and which are not "round-the-buoy" racing. One thing that I could find interesting would be a long distance "race". Perhaps not on as grand a scale as the Texas200, but nevertheless something where you go for perhaps a day-long course around a suitable island somewhere.

Have there been initiatives in that direction in the past?

[GreenLake]

As result of the intensive discussion on this thread, I mailed in my check about a month ago (to the address on the 2009 membership form). Seems that the DSA isn't all that interested in contributions, because my bank informs me the check hasn't been cashed.

Anybody here have a similar experience?

[algonquin]

Hi GreenLake. I understand your concern. Although I don’t know exactly what the DS staff has for meetings I do know that quite a few organizations aren’t staffed full time, especially when most are volunteers. Many organizatons require a checks and balances of signatures to make bank deposits and withdrawals. Also there were a couple holidays in November that may have contributed to your check not being cashed. I know I have had this similar issue with the American Legion Post that I am currently the Commander of as well as a volunteer fire department that I Chiefed for a few years ago. It quite often it takes more than 30 days to conduct business. Brad.

[jpclowes]

All of you guys who say there isn't a fleet close by, have you thought about starting one? When I bought my DS about 10 years ago, there wasn't a fleet here. I started racing PHRF handicap, with a bunch of larger boats. Then one day I pulled up to the ramp, and there was this guy and his DS. I said "hey!" He said "hey!" and then things started rolling. Boats seemed to come out of the woodwork. Now we have a fleet with over 10 boats. Besides the great fun of racing and sailing, I consider the guys I sail with as some of my best friends. I wouldn't have known them if we hadn't put in the work to get this fleet going.

[dannyb9]

what does it cost dsa to maintain this site and forums? just curious. i am another loyal daysailer enthusiast ( over a period of 30 years and two boats, so far). i have lost interest in racing so joining dsa to race is not appealing. seems to me that the association would want to continue to publicize info, provide forums, and maintain contact with current and potential members in the spirit of enlightened self interest.
thanks
dan in port royal

[Imgaryo1]

In response to Bob Hunkin's, Brooks listed the latest membership numbers are around 235 in the meeting minutes from the board meeting at the NACR. Therein lies the problem. We USED to be around 400 and now at 235, it makes it more difficult.

To those that say membership would drop if there was a charge to access the web site, the membership numbers are dropping already so something has to be done to stop the bleeding. Nobody wants to charge for access.

I would encourage our fellow Daysailers to please contribute if they can. Nobody is making money from the membership dues. It keeps us afloat, pays for printing costs and postage for the quarterly, pays the hosting fees for this website, boat stickers that show you are a member of the association, etc.

And we give money back to the membership in the form of a grant to the club hosting the NACR. The grant is reviewed each year to make sure there are sufficient funds in the kitty and if the host club request a grant, they get it as long as funds are available. The only stipulation is that the funds must be used to help pay the direct costs of hosting the NACR.

I expect that this grant will bring up some comments from those that don't participate in racing. I don't see why there could not be a grant for the club that organizes a cruising event to help promote the association. Put it on the agenda for the board to address at the next board meeting and if approved, guess what...the grant is created and subject to the same yearly review as the NACR grant.

The point here is that we are looking for ideas. All will get a fair shake.

Regarding the checks that have not cleared yet...Brooks and her husband have been on an extensive trip but are back now. I'm sure she has some catching up to do but will get it done.

[GreenLake]

Those of us who participate here in the forum realize it's a great resource. One we were allowed to discover, because access wasnt' restricted. I'm still a strong believer in the NPR style fundraising model in this context, so my suggestions tend to focus on how to help the DSA improve the results. (The pay to play model really doesn't work well. Just one example: how many people would join the DSA to be able to list a DS for sale?).

One small suggestion I have could be implemented by the forum administrator. A forum can display a "rank" under user name, for example "President" (see the post above for an example).

Why not give "DSA member" badges to those that have joined, or even, "DSA member since..." ?

There might be a bit of work involved initially, but after that, only new members or retiring members are affected.

A secondary benefit would be that it identifies people on the forum who are not (yet) members, and therefore should be lobbied to join.

[Imgaryo1]

Hey Greenlake,
From someone that is trying to identify non-members and encourage membership this is a great idea. I also understand that for someone on the other side of the fence, this would be kind of like wearing the scarlet letter. My concern is that people participating in the forums may take offense to being identified as not being a member of the association and stop participating. That is NOT the intent.

I would ask everyone to weigh in on this idea and if the objections are minimal, I will contact the web site administrator and membership to see what it would take to get that started.

[GreenLake]

I would avoid a tag like "unpaid interloper" for non-members
That would indeed be a "scarlet letter". But simply a blank label where paid members get a neutral "DSA member since ..." would not cause me any problems - I've been on many other forums where insiders get special, sometimes very special, treatment.

As long as non-members get treated respectfully in response to their posts, no matter how much they are repeating age old questions, I see no real issue. But, you are right, let's hear from others.

PS: I'm not a member (yet). Check's been mailed, but not processed for 60 days now.

[algonquin]

But simply a blank label where paid members get a neutral "DSA member since ..." would not cause me any problems.

As long as non-members get treated respectfully in response to their posts, no matter how much they are repeating age old questions, I see no real issue. But, you are right, let's hear from others.

I am in agreement with Greenlake on this.

I am also not a member as of "yet" but I am curious as to why GreenLake's membership request hasn't been processed. A few others stated that they had also submitted their applications during the same time period. Are they processed ? Brad

[Jett]

Ditto with Greenlake on recommendations and comment about check...mine has not been processed either.

[seandwyer]

I know this may have been suggested in the past and I am also aware that it may be cost prohibitive, but I feel it necessary to still suggest:

If you want more members, you need more people to know about the class and you need more boats. I think a little PR might help and could be at least initially done with some advertising. I never see adds for the association, nor for the boat from CCSB. It seems like a little public awareness is in order. Everyone that knows my boat when they see it, tend to be older and are remembering something from when they were younger or from their childhood. Why not start trying to appeal to young people and get more folks interested in essentially reviving the day sailer? What about a joint venture or advertisement with CCSB making the boat and class known to the public? Did anyone notice in Small Craft Adviser, in the current issue, the Mariner class has an advertisement for people to join the organization. Surely if a smaller class like the Mariner is doing this a larger and more well known one, such as the DS could do likewise.

Just a thought.

[GreenLake]

Advertisement is very expensive. And, in order to have an effect, it needs to be really well thought out and well-placed. Otherwise it's money spent for nothing. That said, the magazine you suggest might be among the best places to advertise both the boat and the class.

There are two issues here. One is the number of members in relation to the number of class-legal Daysailers that exist (or, even the smaller number of boats that are in actual, active use). The other is the number of people actively sailing a DS in relation to the total number of people actively sailing comparably sized boats.

The discussion in the context of this forum has been focused on the first issue: how to grow the membership among people known to already own and actively sail a DS (or at least, actively maintaining/restoring one). Largely, this is equivalent to the discussion of what the DSA is able to offer to people not already associated with an active fleet. And the question for advertisement is how to identify and reach current owners.

The second issue involves defining the niche for the DS in the larger world of dinghy sailing. In the half-century since the DS was first sold in large numbers, the number and variety of choices for dinghy sailing have only increased. Attracting new owners (whether to take over under/un-used boats, or to jump in by getting a new boat) requires making a case specifically for the DS. For younger people, there are so many choices of more athletic (and wetter) boats for racing nowadays, so I'm not surprised at what you noticed about the age.

After I bought my boat I found several nice descriptions of its essential nature, benefits, etc. and most of these are probably still online. (In outward appearance, many of them looked like they dated from the age of the typewriter). However, this is something that needs to be redone anyway about every decade or so, as the picture will be different for each generation and that niche I mentioned will have to be redefined.

[K.C. Walker]

So as far as I know my check and membership that I sent in the 1st of November has not been processed. I noticed a couple of other people posting that their check had also not been processed. Has anyone had their checks cashed lately?

I got a note a while back from Brooks Measures, the secretary, that my check and application had not arrived. I had sent it to the address on the downloadable membership application. Well, that was not the correct address. I remember that it was an Oregon address but now it has changed to a California address. Why my check and application were not forwarded by the former secretary I do not know. My correspondence with Brooks was that she would check to see if the former secretary had my check and application and get back to me if she could not straighten it out. I have not heard anything for about a month. Being that Jett posted recently that his check had not been cashed, I thought I would check with Brooks by e-mail (the one on the new downloadable application). Well, that apparently is also not a correct address because my e-mail was returned.

I must say I'm a little confused. Here it seemed that this thread was started as a plea for membership. Here we have free advertising to a very well targeted group with a readership that would seem to be LARGER than the newsletter and don't seem to be able to take advantage of the situation.

KC

[seandwyer]

KC - I agree entirely. Although I've not sent my membership in, my intent had been to do so after the beginning of the year (due to the way I am paid it just makes things easier this way). However, having read about all the checks that have not been processed, errant addresses, bad emails and apparent disinterest in potential new members, I'm hesitant to do anything now. I'm another person who has no real interest in racing. I as others see the organization as a predominantly race related group, and any effort on my part to join will be done with the hope that the organization will appeal to all owners sometime soon. If what we are attempting is an increase in membership, as well as trying to cater to all areas of interest pertinent to the DS, it seems that the potential members I would consider to be "low hanging fruit", aren't being given a lot of encouragement - or respect.

Hopefully things will be straightened out soon. As soon as we are certain of where to send a check, know who can process the membership and have a reliable point of contact (should problems arise), I will be one of the first to join.