AOMCI Instagram concept?

[david-bartlett]

I like the idea. You just pushed me to sign up for Instagram. I have resisted until now, but need to be willing to adapt or Darwin will get me.

Good luck and Welcome!!!

[nj-boatbuilder57]

quote wbeaton:

No offence intended, nj-boatbuilder57, ….

None taken, I assure you! I’m all in favor of forward motion…..

[george-emmanuel]

First off, I apologize for not making my comments soon after this post appeared. Unfortunately for me I am traveling and have borrowed my daughter’s computer to respond.

I am not speaking on behalf of the Executive Council but I am on the Executive Council and speaking my thoughts. Every year there will be some new form of communication that has instant response and is easier to use than previous forms. Currently we are seeing a lot of activity on the AOMCI Facebook page. It has advantages in some ways that may be better than using our discussion boards. I have no doubt that Instagram might well have other advantages. My concern comes from the financial standpoint in terms of maintaining a healthy organization that has an administration that oversees day to day activities, continues to publish a magazine and provides the necessary insurance that allows our activities to take place at public venues. Of course, that cannot be done for free. The attractiveness of the internet is users use it for free. Because it is free the numbers of "members" the Facebook page has is considerably higher than AOMCI’s. If we factor in Instagram, there is then another magnet pulling people in that produces no revenue. At some point when our paid membership reaches a low number, we will cease our operation and there will be no home base for those interested in the hobby of old outboards. We already know that the Facebook site provides help and answers to questions without requiring a financial commitment and that satisfies people enough that they don’t join the organization. While Facebook and Instagram may well create additional interest in the hobby, I don’t see them creating membership in AOMCI. So far, Facebook hasn’t caused a boost in membership.

Some might argue my point but let’s take a look at the business world in its current state. Online merchandizing has had a huge effect on retail stores. Sears is closing many stores. With online merchandising if you have a problem with a product you have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get satisfaction. Prior to that, if you had a problem you simply visited the store, met with a sales person and got it taken care of.

If AOMCI ceases to exist due to people preferring free internet versus paid membership, the hobby will crash in terms of organized events and a base for knowledge. Organized events and chapter activities are what draw most of us into the hobby. I for one want more than simply a post on Facebook or a picture with captions.

Please don’t take my comments as a negative towards Facebook and Instagram. They are wonderful tools for the hobby. But we have to keep the home base organization of AOMCI strong. Now, if you can tell me that your idea can generate paid memberships and how it would, my ears would be listening. I do need to say that use of any AOMCI name or logo is strictly forbidden without permission from the Executive Council. We would welcome your ideas if presented to us for discussion, but not on this board.

George Emmanuel
Treasurer, AOMCI

[oldlure]

well said George

Mike Sims

[RICK EICHRODT]

George,
You hit the nail squarely on the head!

Thank You,
Rick Eichrodt
AOMCI 1st Vice President

[silvab7232]

Thanks for your thoughts on that. I’m 16 years old and really I don’t know what I’m talking about when it comes to talking about money and financial stuff. I have good intentions and my idea is to get the club seen by younger guys just like myself. I don’t know anyone my age that shows an interest in a hobby and passion like mine. Mainly because they probaly never new the club existed and there was even a group of enthusiasts. Also from my experience as a young guy pretty much everyone I know is on and uses some form of social media. Instagram is for sure a VERY popular platform used for my age and even my parents are on it. I do understand that the guys on this form might never have any intent to use Instagram at all. My good intentions are to share photos of events and projects people may have. With Instagram your interest are tied into your feed and explore tab. This can make it very easy for somebody to stumble upon the club and be like “Oh wow, I want to be apart of that!” Or “Cool, my brother might be interested in checking this club out!” Therefor the word can spread.

Instagram is just posting pictures with captions. Really nothing else. Basically I looking to just post pictures of AOMCI meets and get together a and projects people may have. Its really just advertising what this club has to offer and the amazing people you can meet. Therefor if people see this and show interest and joining, they can see that there is a website to visit to get to the club. This is no intention to replace the amazing forms and amazing knowledge the community in the forms we are talking on right now. It’s simply just sharing photos.

[wbeaton]

George, our chapter, and therefore the AOMCI, has gained paid members as a direct result of our Facebook page. Social media is the new way to advertise and it’s free.

Wayne
Upper Canada Chapter

uccaomci.com

[2fast4me]

Good idea, definantly add captions to the pictures and give credit where due. Also the "Ask a Member" web site should be linked or referenced for technical information permission might also be required by the executive comity. There is some good info on Facebook by aomci members but also some loose cannons rolling around on deck if you know what i mean.
Just my thoughts,
Jim

2Fast4Me

[2fast4me]

You guys type faster than i. Iknow the next time i post on Facebook I’ll provide a link to the club site. I’ll encourage others to do the same.
Jim

2Fast4Me

[george-emmanuel]

Alex, and everyone else who commented, fresh ideas are what every organization needs. But we need volunteers to implement fresh ideas. The Council has pleaded with the membership for volunteers to bring new aspects into the club and we have almost no responses. Fred Truntz has been asking for assistance from members who could help with archiving past issues of the Outboarder. Special Interest Group leaders are supposed to write one article per year for the area of their interest. Any organization is only as good as its volunteers. If you see a need that would benefit the membership, step up to the plate and help us!—We’d love it! And if you’d like to join but can’t financially right now, please contact me, gemmanuel@bellsouth.net and I’ll work something out for you.

George

[Author]

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