Each month we all come together to talk about modeling and our current projects, or in the case of a few, the project they are planning. Everyone takes a minute and participates by putting their name on a piece of paper to take a chance at winning a gift card from Roger.
Once a year we all participate by paying our dues to support the club, then a few months later most participate once more at the contest.
Every other year we participate once more by voting for club officers. Some also participate by standing in front of the group and talking about a technique or a skill they would like to share, but for many that is where their participation ends.
Being a club member is easy, and participating is just as easy. There are many ways you can raise your level of participation, you can step up and join the show committee, you can knock on doors and call to find sponsors for the show, you can write reviews and articles for “The Scratching Post,” or you can simply read the newsletter and leave comments.
You can participate by doing something as simple as leaving the occasional comment. It does not sound like much, and really does not take a lot to do so. By leaving a comment on an article, a story, a review or a column you can help the person that wrote it decide to contribute another. You can help them determine what both you and other club members would like to see in your newsletter, you could help Tom decide how much room to give articles, reviews, columns, photographs and other items.
This newsletter, just like the club itself, and the contest, belongs to each member of this club. It is not the property of the club officers, or the editor, it is not the property of IPMS or of HobbyTown. CASM is the property of Richard Buzbee, Lloyd King, Chris Luna, Noel Lawson, Ron Leker and every other person that pays dues and attends meetings.
Take a minute the next time you read the newsletter and respond to the article or column you read or the photo you like. Tell the writer what you like, or do not like about what they wrote. Tell them that you think they are off course in their column, suggest how to improve their offering, or what you would like to see them write about next time. Participate the easiest way there is.