Thread: Lara Woodworkers Inc. 2010 Planning.

Stink, try to get stories in local media.

AFAIK Carbatec will give members of registered Woodworking clubs a small discount.(5% from memory). The club has to submit a list of current financial members and Carbatec would prefer that the members have a "Club Membership card" to produce for verification. I'd also give the other woodworking mobs a call and to see if they'll be in it as well. Try CWS

Originally Posted by Sir Stinkalot

Last night the committee members of the Lara Woodworkers had a meeting before the year got underway to flesh through some ideas for the coming year. I thought that I might list them here to possibly give other clubs some ideas of things that they may introduce. With any luck if you are a member of a club you may be able to add to the list to build upon for next year.

Club Activities:

• Visiting members sheds for meeting nights to have a sticky.
• Smaller groups of members undertaking shed visits over the weekend.
• Buy, swap and sell night.
• Small raffle each meeting (eg items costing about $5 glue, sandpaper etc) with tickets at $1 each.
• 2x Half yearly project.
• Half yearly project 1 - each member brings along a piece of timber which is given a number. Each member draws a number out of the hat and gets that timber to come up with a project to make from it.
• Half yearly project 2 - Toys for the local hospital. Each member to make one male and one female toy.
• Club project such as tool boxes to give members a chance to try new skills, sell project at end of year at markets.
• Weekend trips to source cheap / free materials for club projects.
• Guest speakers - Not just woodwork related but also possible doctor to talk on mens health (only men at our club at the moment).
• End of year Christmas lunch with partners where half yearly projects are displayed for the ladies to see.
• Club member of the year to be voted upon and presented at end of year lunch.
• Sentimental tool night - bring in and talk about the one tool that you have a sentimental attachment to.
• Old tool night - bring in and talk about your oldest tool.
• Special tool demonstration nights - ie Incra router fence etc.
• Bus trips to various locations such as Ballarat woodshow, open days etc.
• Attend local primary school market and fire brigade market to sell a few items and advertise the club. Club pays for stall fees and takes 10% of sales. Even on a good sales day 10% of your sales often works out cheaper than paying for your own stall.

Obtaining New Members / advertising:

• Implement a buddy system for new members until they find their own feet / friends within the club.
• Check with local library about setting up a DIY display where DIY books, tools and flyers can be displayed.
• Writing articles for the local paper.
• BBQ at Bunnings.
• Membership cards - check about discounts at local woodwork stores.
• Put up a list showing what the club intends to do over the year to create interest and help achieve goals.
• Try and get featured in local school newsletters.
• Creating a club website.
• Flyers in local woodworking / hardware stores and community noticeboards.

Anyway these are a few of the things that were raised. I hope that they may be of use to some others.

Cheers

Stinky.

Oh yeah ......

Lara Woodworkers Inc. meet on the second (meeting) and fourth (worknight) Thursdays at 7:00pm at 138 Station Street, Norlane (North Geelong Victoria) - The Community Shed. Need any further info just send me a PM.

For beginners (such as myself) the idea of making things that someone else (other than relatives) gets to see is kind of intimidating

Edit - However visits to members sheds is a fantastic idea, I always try to steal (er borrow)_ideas from other workshops.

Originally Posted by Pat

Stink, try to get stories in local media.

Pat ..... the local paper is quite good if you provide a photo and also write the article for them. I think we have had about three articles in now that I have written so as long as you are doing somebody elses work they are happy to publish it. As for the membership cards one of the members got a discount at Carbatec and was asked about a card so it seems like a good idea. The discount is useful but it also adds another reason to join a club.

Originally Posted by pellcorp

For beginners (such as myself) the idea of making things that someone else (other than relatives) gets to see is kind of intimidating

Pellcorp ..... I am sure that you will be fine. You will get a lot of encouragement from the members and I have never experienced anybody knocking somebody having a go. There is always somebody willing to offer advice if wanted.