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Utah Soaring Association. Trends for a Successful Club Dale Taylor President, Utah Soaring Assoc. Who am I?. Computer Engineer in working life (Intel Corp. w/ Mobility group) Soaring pilot for 8 years Private pilot for 23+ years President Utah Soaring Association for the last 4 years
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Utah Soaring Association Trends for a Successful Club Dale Taylor President, Utah Soaring Assoc.
Who am I? • Computer Engineer in working life • (Intel Corp. w/ Mobility group) • Soaring pilot for 8 years • Private pilot for 23+ years • President Utah Soaring Association for the last 4 years • Served on the board prior • Other public board positions • This presentation is based on • things we have done in our club.
People need to be able to find out about your club. The Internet is the new source for information • Online presence via a Website is essential • Make your Newsletter available online Example: • http://www.utahsoaring.org
Website Ideas • Costs are minimal • Club members can maintain Website and provide design • Domain registration and fees are simple and low • With plenty of space you can expand your content. • Soaring stories • Soaring pictures • Track-logs and more
Use Technology to provide Increased Services Now that you’re online… why not take advantage of the new abilities? • Email for all members • No more passing around the latest list • Online scheduling • Really helped in our communication with FBO’s • Helped increase their # of tows • Increased plane usage while reducing overhead Example: • http://www.aircraftclubs.com
Be careful to watch expenses • We remove all gliders but 1 during the off season to avoid the monthly charges • Maintaining a presence during off season keeps the email system working • Saves time in spring when setting up the entire club online • Placing stored glider insurance policies on hold also helps
Keep in tune with members • Adjusted glider mix to match member needs. • Evaluate usage patterns • Survey members • We sold our 2-33 • Purchased another Grob 103 • No longer had facilities to train, didn’t compete with FBO’s • Additional 2-place allowed expansion to an additional airport
Map of our Soaring Sites Morgan Airport Heber Airport
Watch those Details • Carefully watch expenses • Insurance, maintenance and tie-downs are our 3 highest expenses • Years of wise financial guidance and good boards enabled us to act now • We live in a great place to soar • Club members help promote soaring and the club • Example: Roland’s News Video • http://kutv.com/video/?id=6493@kutv.dayport.com
Summary Online presence w/website • Include soaring related content • Online reservation system • Saves time and hassle • Online email system so all can contact each other • Updated glider mix to match demand • Moved one glider to a new airport • Careful attention to health and safety of gliders and club members • Board history of building club and financial prudence • Enabled the purchase of Grob w/funds on hand • Great place to soar • Club members helping promote