Did You Know when we have a pro tuner come here for a demonstration and hands on classes that it costs from $450.00 to $750.00 per day for the demonstrator plus transportation and meals. We also have to pay for the large meeting room over and above our regular rent.
Did You Know That if we don't get enough members at the Saturday meeting or the classes to cover the daily fee & other costs we have to pay the demonstrator his full fee & fixed costs anyway. 75 or more at Saturday meetings and a full 8 students at each hands-on is ideal.
Did You Know That if we don't get enough registrants to cover the costs we have to spend down our reserves to cover the shortfall. The fact is that reserves don't last forever. They are replenished by the profits we make at our symposiums.
Did You Know That some people think we have too much money in reserve. The fact is that if we didn't keep a robust reserve we never would have made it through COVID. You can thank our past and present leadership for planning for the possibility of missing a symposium.
Did You Know That our last symposium, while profitable, did not make as much as previous symposiums. In addition we missed the profit from the 2021 symposium because of COVID. Thus our reserves are not as robust as they might be.
Did You Know That our reserves are also used to pay rent for the Learning Center and to keep the equipment in good repair, buy supplies, replace broken or lost items and buy new equipment to meet the needs of the club.
Did You Know That Laurent's classes only 2 1/2 weeks away are far from full. Classes in the past have been under booked too. It would be nice to have all classes full with waiting lists well before the events.
Did You Know If we can not fill classes we will need to have fewer classes and it will be harder to book demonstrator/teachers. Of course raising prices is also an option. No one wants to do that.
Did You Know That our $125.00 fee for hands on classes is comparable to John C. Campbell and Mark Adams and you don't have to travel or pay for motel and you get the same quality instruction. What are you waiting for. Sign up today and start 2024 learning some new woodturning skills and techniques.
Did You Know there is a theme developing in these Did You Know messages? If you missed it the theme is: "A volunteer organization cannot survive without participation at all levels. We need more fresh passionate leaders, helpers, participants at events and programs." So far, the theme has had negligible effect on the behavior of the membership.
Did You Know That I'm worried the club can not remain one of the best regional clubs if we don't get more participation by the newer and younger members. We old guys are moving to workshops in the sky or burning out.
Did You Know If you love these messages so much you want to read them again, they are available on the website under the Emails Menu tab. :-)
These opinions are my own. I am open to civil discussion. Vitriol will be ignored.
If what I say causes you to contribute to the success of OVWG in some way, then I have accomplished my goal. Please step forward and volunteer for a role that fits you and your passion.
OVWG Webmaster, VP Programming