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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/08/2006 : 21:12:27

As of 6/30/2007 we had 712 members (number is since up since 6/30 saw a number of people up for renewal)

of the 712 almost 45 percent have been to our site in the past year and 37% have posted. 58% of our active members have a web account, however if they don’t log in when the come to the board, or don’t use the board just the ancillary stuff, we can’t track that. I also know that there are about another estimated 20% that have an account but I wasn’t able to match them up due to time. I did that with a random sample of about 200 users who have never posted by checking email addresses, converting them to names, checking the database, using the profile or boat name. 95% confidence plus or minus 3% the guys I converted in this fashion equated to about 40 odd names.

There are still another 800 names to go through. Again these 800 are guys that names, addresses (if provided on the forum) and email didn't line up exactly

I also did some other slicing and dicing.

75 ex members have posted within the past year after they have expired. If even half of these guys still own the boat, that is another 600 dollars in membership.

There are another 101 non members who have posted in the past 90 days and 20 more who have visited in the past 90 days. (over 25 posts)

In Short –
190 members should consider joining or rejoining the association.

About 60-70 percent have a web account and visit the site regularly(forum visits)

50 percent posted with the past year.

dw

D. Wolff
DPO C25 Hull 401
Currently Sailing "Champagne and Ripple" 1982 O'day 30

Chief Measurer 2002-2006
Vice-commodore 2007

Edited by - Champipple on 08/08/2006 21:29:32

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2006 : 21:19:57

Me thinks time on task hast made for a harsh tone.

I have always believed there is a problem with people signing up for the forum and not realizing that they still have not joined the association. I think many believe they have joined the association by registering for the forum and never realize there is an additional process, (and money) to join the association.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2006 : 21:30:44

You are correct Frank - I read it as more sarchastic than harsh...however I have toned it down.

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

Members Avatar

406 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 09:10:13

The point is to support the organization That supports YOU!

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 11:07:47

Is the Association short money?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 11:40:11

In order for get your point across, you need to advertise effectively. Put a little blurb in the "First Things First" forum stating the benefits of this association or even put a "Have You Paid Your Dues Yet?" banner ad at the top of the forum pages.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 12:14:02

When I first posted on this forum, a member suggested cordially, that I join. I thought at the time that this was a reasonable, personable request/suggestion.
Because there are good people on this forum, a straightforward request for membership dues would probably yield good results.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 12:24:57

I spent te first year on this BBS with out paying dues, the information I got from the site has been priceless. I joined the association when the Capri 25's were taken on board.

Why don't you create a members only part of the BBS. Leave a simple section like the General open to the public, and have the other sections Members Only.

Just a thought............

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 15:42:07

I think the value of this forum makes it a great marketing tool. We recieve information from anyone and give it to anyone. The point is to create an environment that helps sustain the value of our boat. An exclusive forum would, in my mind hinder that.

The association is doing fine with money. The point of the study was to show that we do get decent utilization of the web by our members (more than we ever thought) This was a concern by some that the web doesn't represent the majority. The secondary outcome was our ability to see that we need to market the association to those that aren't joining, but are the website. As Frank noted, I was a bit harsh in my wording.

We also need to develop ways for our fleets to utilize some of that surplus cash that is created in the way of special events or flotillas etc. But that is down the road.

DW

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 16:43:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Duane Wolff
 We also need to develop ways for our fleets to utilize some of that surplus cash that is created in the way of special events or flotillas etc. But that is down the road.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Please keep in mind that some of that "surplus" cash really represents a float on the Mainsheet subscriptions that are due in the future.

More specifically, a member joins in January and pays $22 in dues. $4.00 gets paid to the publisher on the members behalf in March, June, September and December (I'm not near my records so don't quote the $4.00 representative figure I am using to emphasize my point).

If we had 700 members that all paid in January, then something like $11,000 of the $15,000 in receipts would be due to the publisher over the year. As you can see, the bank account would appear to have $11,000 in surplus funds if viewed at the end of January, and would appear to have insufficient funds if viewed at the end of December.

Of course, the membership renewals are spread out over the entire course of the year, so the picture is not so clear. Therefore, to truly understand the "surplus" cash balance, the incoming Treasurer will need to complete a detailed analysis of the future obligations of the association.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 08:39:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Capri25
 Why don't you create a members only part of the BBS. Leave a simple section like the General open to the public, and have the other sections Members Only.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
...a thought that has been debated several times in the past. I, for one, can attest that my interest in the C-25 was developed by these forums. I originally lurked here (when it was a forum on Trailersailor.com) to learn more about the C-250... I ended up getting to like the C-25 (and its price), but more especially, I was amazed by the good folks and great support. To me, it was a prime feature of the boat. The recent buyers of Passage expressed the same thoughts. These forums, and their availability to anyone who's curious, enhance the value of your boats.

I think most of the owners here, if reminded, will agree that $22 is a pittance for what they get from this association. And now that you can pay online.......

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/10/2006 10:49:17

Brooke Willson
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 11:44:19

Duane, for what it's worth, I thought your statistics were "no brag, just fact," and neither sarcastic nor harsh. Sometimes people just put the shoe on, and it fits. I do agree that a better topic title might garner more attention.

Brooke

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 12:28:28

I have been a member of another forum RC Universe which deals with RC related aircraft, boats, jets, etc. They have over 100,000 members and the discussion is the same. They did set aside some sections of the forum that only paid members could participate in, but for the most part it is still free. One difference on that forum is that the servers actually host things like photos, and they have an area called the Marketplace if I am remembering correctly. It is similar to E-bay, and carries only RC products. I for one did not join that forum as a paid member, but I have so here.

One BIG plus was the ability to upload files like mpegs, gifs, etc. The system automatically sized the item and put it in the body of the post. That way I didn't have to have a separate account for uploading. I simply found the picture in my files and uploaded it. You could upload 4 files simultaneously and they were converted to thumbnails. If you wanted to see the original size, you just clilcked on it and it brought up the full size pic. With that type of system, old posts are not missing photo's. On those here, if the account goes away, so the pic that might be showing the reader a picture of what the text is referring to.

There were many many other features, but the membership was huge, and they took on sponsors for the finances to support the many enhancements along with voluntary memberships.

BTW: I too did not see any offense in the original post. I took it as simply a statement of facts. Others may have interpreted it as a statement about why you should be a member, but it didn't seem to be hitting us over the head with a hammer like some other forum posts I have seen.

Edited by - cat1951 on 08/10/2006 12:33:43

rclift
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 13:20:00

One point that JB made was the cost of the Mainsheet. I would like to see a two tier membership based on whether or not you want to subscribe to the Mainsheet. There is very little about the C25 that is mentioned in the Mainsheet that didn't come from this forum so it is rare that I find a lot of relevant new info that is helpful. That's not to say I haven't enjoyed an article or two from the magazine but I wouldn't exactly seek it out from the magazine rack and for sure it's a pretty quick turn around to the recycle bin for most of them. Mailbox to recycle in 24 hours. The $22. membership fee is worth the cost just to have this forum. Perhaps a fee of $20 for basic membership and $36. for the superduper membership that includes the Mainsheet.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 13:54:47

Speaking of the Mainsheet, has anyone got the August issue yet? I noticed that the mainsheet website has been updated.

Edited by - on

gnorgan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 14:28:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Capri25
 Speaking of the Mainsheet, has anyone got the August issue yet? I noticed that the mainsheet website has been updated.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Not yet....our mail delivery happens shortly so I "might" get it today (Aug 10).

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 14:44:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rclift
 I would like to see a two tier membership based on whether or not you want to subscribe to the Mainsheet.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Unfortunately, that would be very complicated and hard to manage. However, you can email our database administrator, Lu Ann, at nanosecla AT yahoo DOT com requesting to opt out of the Mainsheet subscription, as I did. That way the full $22 dues payment is retained by the association.

Edited by - on

BradH
Deckhand

Members Avatar

6 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 14:56:43

I've lurked for a while but haven't joined because I assumed it was an owners association and I don't own a boat.

Edited by - BradH on 08/10/2006 14:58:03

rclift
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 15:50:28

Excellent JB, I'll do that. I wasn't aware that we could opt out of the Mainsheet. Perhaps we should provide that option/link when people join the association. No sense in wasting money on a magazine when the money could be better spent by the association.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 19:32:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by BradH
 I've lurked for a while but haven't joined because I assumed it was an owners association and I don't own a boat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Brad,
You are welcome to lurk and in fact you are welcome to participate. We hope you will decide to buy a Catalina 25, Catalina 250, or Capri 25; all are great boats and we would love to have you as an owner. Many people have done what you are doing and finally decided to buy one of our class boats and that is one of the functions of our association and one of the reasons the association provides this board to everyone.

Edited by - on

dblitz
Navigator

Members Avatar

240 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 20:03:18

The fact that the forum is open to all makes it priceless. It takes you back to when the internet was almost "noble". Now, everything is show me the money. This forum is an incredibly wonderful, almost beautiful, priceless exception. I don't exagerate. I bought my C-25 because of this forum.
Afterward, not too long afterward, I paid my dues.
Keep it like it is, OPEN, and let everybody know that you can join, support the org with money and be a part of it. Goodness, in all things, will prevail.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1764 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2006 : 20:07:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dblitz
 The fact that the forum is open to all makes it priceless. It takes you back to when the internet was almost "noble". Now, everything is show me the money. This forum is an incredibly wonderful, almost beautiful, priceless exception. I don't exagerate. I bought my C-25 because of this forum.
Afterward, not too long afterward, I paid my dues.
Keep it like it is, OPEN, and let everybody know that you can join, support the org with money and be a part of it. Goodness, in all things, will prevail.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Well said, Daniel ... I concur ...

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2006 : 07:44:27

I'll second that, Daniel!

As for the Mainsheet, it should be for sharing. The rest of my household can enjoy some of what has become my daily routine while I get my "coffee fix."
You could share even more by taking it to your marina or club and leaving it in the rack for others.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2006 : 07:54:03

For those that haven't received their Mainsheet issue for August. I just got mine in the mail yesterday, so it should be coming soon.

Edited by - on

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