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Why Open Houses?
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[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by Covina Mike</i> <br /><br />I just came back from the fourth open house hosted by one of the clubs in my local area and this will probably be my last. I know this is going to open up a lot of impassioned discussion, but for the life of me I can't figure out why clubs open their doors to the public. My wife's experience in accompanying me to hobby shows and open houses is that model railroaders generally are a bunch of grumpy old men--a very unfriendly lot--and not a few of them are just a little weird. I get a little defensive when I hear that kind of characterization, but I'm beginning to wonder why it is that we come off that way. I know that many of us tend to be loners by nature, but at the same time, I would guess that most of us enjoy sharing what we really enjoy--model railroading--with others who have similar interests. That's why it absolutely baffles me that clubs will host open houses, presumably to boost their membership and to share the hobby with others, and be so unwelcoming to visitors. I think I am a pretty easy person to talk to. I've spent 25 years in the ministry talking to people and trying to make others feel comfortable. I don't think I appear to be unapproachable. I ask questions and show an interest in the work of others, and yet, in the four clubs I have visited, I have yet to have one person say, "Welcome." I have yet to have one person ask if I would have an interest in becoming a member. I have yet to have one person ask if I am new to the hobby or would like to know more about the hobby. In fact, not once has a member ever initiated a conversation--it's alway been me. It's almost like you're invisible at best, or an intrusion at worst. What gives? Am I missing something here--a secret handshake or something? Or, is this a hobby that is shared only among a few select friends? Just curious. <br />[/quote] <br /> <br />I have lived and visited clubs in the Southern California area for thirty or more years, and have received most every type of good and bad welcoming to the open house events. <br /> <br />It is not only the Model railroad clubs, it is just sort of the busy attitude that people get today and who knows what is the problem. Most clubs certainly do this out of tradition and outreach to get new people interested, but clubs can have a tendency to shoot their own feet so to speak, when their greeters are not friendly. I also noticed that many are my age and even a little older and maybe not really interested in taking much. This is sad when an open house is really open for all to see and you should be able to ask questions. Don't get me wrong, I put myself in that category too sometimes, but try not to show it to others when they are interested in something I might have knowledge of. <br /> <br /> I certainly have asked many questions at show, but only after complementing the high points and giving certain praise just to break the ice for the hard core members. I once was in a club that is now gone, and ran trains during several open houses. It was certainly fun to watch the kid’s eyes as they watched one of my GS4’s with the mars light working coming out the tunnels. It was fun to answer questions if you are not running and that is why they should have a host doing that. <br /> <br />I visited the great San Diego club museum last year and was really overwhelmed by the gracious attitude of their staff. They run seven days a week fifty two weeks a year with only two or three holidays off if I remember correctly, but John noticed I was interested and never really asked about my background, he just asked if we wanted to come back into the layout and get a tour. We received a royal tour and they really have a fantastic layout to tour also. The loop was not completed yet while we were there, but the whole layout is so entertaining, I could watch it all day. <br /> <br />So don't blame yourself, unless you know why you should, but just realize some of these people are not in Public relations. <br />
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