Ashamed at our treasury $$$
Here at the Southern Maine Woodturners we have a $20 annual membership fee. With over 120 members, that adds significantly to our treasury. We meet at our local Rockler (sometimes with 60-90 people) once a month. Our local Rockler continually supports us by giving our Club items for our monthly raffle...gift cards ($1 for each member purchase that previous month) as well as several items from their inventory. Occasionally, members will bring in wood for the raffle. Our monthly raffle ($5 for six tickets) brings in quite a few dollars. I don't think anyone buys just one ticket.
Our supportive Rockler Manager, Molly Petit, is part of each meeting. She announces special promotions and reminds us there's a 10% discount for all members for any non-power items they buy (smart business move); she also provides a OneWay lathe and physical space and chairs for us to have our monthly meeting. She and her exceptional staff are incredible!! Her support for the Club, especially for our "Empty Bowls Project" each fall, helps net $1500 for the statewide Good Shepherd Food Bank. (Shout out to you, Molly, your "baby-to-be", and your experienced and wicked-friendly staff.)
Even after Alan Lacer spends a full day with us on Sept.14th, our club treasury will be ........well.....I'm embarassed to say. Ask our Treasurer how much moolah we have. It is very significant for a club that is less than five years old.
Our ol' duffers (self included) are willing to shell out a few bucks for their fav'rite hobby,... sumfin' they love. Ayuh.
We may be 'n Maine, but we gotta a 'ceptional club that also promotes AAW membership.
BTW: another club in the Woodcraft store in Portsmouth, NH, gives us space to hold our meeting, a lathe to use, and a 10% discount for non-power items.
Haven't been able to get there in several months, but I think their 20+ attendees are going to start a $20 annual dues. It's a fledgling ten-year old, informal group, but under pro-active leadership. it may take off.