Utah Soaring Association Trends for a Successful Club Dale Taylor President, Utah Soaring Assoc.
Jan 12, 2016
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 onthings 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
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
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
Heber Airport
Morgan Airport
Watch those DetailsCarefully 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 Videohttp://kutv.com/video/[email protected]
SummaryOnline 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
Questions?