November is Model Railroad month here in the States. In the past, the Central Indiana Division, NMRA held a regular Meet/Dealer Show at the end of October or early November. But we had not stressed promoting the hobby until recently. Again this year (and scheduled into the future) we are holding a free admission Meet in November in cooperation with the Pike Township Lion's Club (Indianapolis, IN) Pancake Breakfast (the pancakes cost, the Meet is free).
We have beginner clinics and portable and modular layouts and an on-going scenery construction project. The first clinic of the day is an ongoing clinic aimed directly at young modelers with a car kit construction clinic. They will get to keep the car. We supply the simple tools that need to build it and an adult to assist them, but not do it for them. Everything we do that day will be aimed at introducing the hobby to new people. We started this before we heard about Kalmbach's 'World's Greatest Hobby' program, but it certainly ties in with it.
Why do I tell you this? I would suggest that there is still time for clubs and organizations to set up something for November. Advertise it! Let people know about the hobby. Don't just put a notice in a hobby shop. That's nice, but it is preaching to the choir. Get something in the local paper, or on radio. Maybe a local TV station would be willing to do a spot. Perhaps you might get an active display in a shopping mall. Get some help from a local shop if you have one. The sky is the limit when it comes to ideas. It IS a great hobby, so let's tell people about it!
Roger
Roger Hensley - madisonrails@railfan.net
== http://cid.railfan.net/ ==
== Central Indiana Division, NMRA ==
We have beginner clinics and portable and modular layouts and an on-going scenery construction project. The first clinic of the day is an ongoing clinic aimed directly at young modelers with a car kit construction clinic. They will get to keep the car. We supply the simple tools that need to build it and an adult to assist them, but not do it for them. Everything we do that day will be aimed at introducing the hobby to new people. We started this before we heard about Kalmbach's 'World's Greatest Hobby' program, but it certainly ties in with it.
Why do I tell you this? I would suggest that there is still time for clubs and organizations to set up something for November. Advertise it! Let people know about the hobby. Don't just put a notice in a hobby shop. That's nice, but it is preaching to the choir. Get something in the local paper, or on radio. Maybe a local TV station would be willing to do a spot. Perhaps you might get an active display in a shopping mall. Get some help from a local shop if you have one. The sky is the limit when it comes to ideas. It IS a great hobby, so let's tell people about it!
Roger
Roger Hensley - madisonrails@railfan.net
== http://cid.railfan.net/ ==
== Central Indiana Division, NMRA ==