Gary
It sounds as though you've approached the problem of being 'spread out' in much the same way we have in Modesto. You may have MORE meetings than we. In our case, membership gave up and voted to become an Internet Camp in 2013. We went out of business, but now we're proud of our designation. SCV for the 21st Century. For those who (as Chuck put it) "might want a little more," we hold one meeting per Quarter. They are scheduled at the same time and location as some larger event.
We too had difficulty getting members to drive an hour or two for a 1 hour meeting. We are spread out over 20,000 square miles. Now they can attend a meeting and then also attend a civil war re-enactment; or a parade; or a living history event; or some other event, immediately after the SCV.
Like you, our meetings move around (depending on the BIG event). Last year we were in Oakdale, Sonora, Lockford, Knights Ferry and Mariposa. The same core people came + plus additional members who lived nearby. It sounds as though the same strategy is working for you.
We partnered with the local United Daughters of the Confederacy to schedule/hold two cemetery Memorial's so far. They've been great partners. We've also involved a local group - Stanislaus Civil War Assn. They worked with us on one project, and had our Chaplain as THEIR guest speaker on another date.
A real blessing is our Confederate Gazette newsletter. It's published 'internet only' now. That is the best part of the Internet Camp. The newsletter is home to our Internet Committee. Every member is a member of the Internet Committee. We have projects members can do on the internet. We ask members to write about THEIR own ancestors & publish it in our newsletter. We receive/publish info about events in their OWN communities. This has given EVERYONE the chance to participate - despite age, infirmity, location etc....
I send personal e-mails to all members (well, I change the name at the top of the form before hitting SEND) giving them a chance to vote on projects, on officers, announce meetings and events, and simply asking their opinions. It takes me only a few minutes at a time but helped members fell "more involved." The members like hearing from and about each other though the e-mails in our "Members Comments" section of the newsletter. More EASY involvement.
I applaud you and your Camps innovation - I know first hand how difficult it is to get these things going. I enjoyed your newsletter and just wanted to share a "GOOD JOB," to you and the Camp.
Com. Dan Shepherd, Ph.D., Camp 2023 SCV (no pseudonym for me)
Like you, our meetings move around (depending on the BIG event). Last year we were in Oakdale, Sonora, Lockford, Knights Ferry and Mariposa. The same core people came + plus additional members who lived nearby. It sounds as though the same strategy is working for you.
We partnered with the local United Daughters of the Confederacy to schedule/hold two cemetery Memorial's so far. They've been great partners. We've also involved a local group - Stanislaus Civil War Assn. They worked with us on one project, and had our Chaplain as THEIR guest speaker on another date.
A real blessing is our Confederate Gazette newsletter. It's published 'internet only' now. That is the best part of the Internet Camp. The newsletter is home to our Internet Committee. Every member is a member of the Internet Committee. We have projects members can do on the internet. We ask members to write about THEIR own ancestors & publish it in our newsletter. We receive/publish info about events in their OWN communities. This has given EVERYONE the chance to participate - despite age, infirmity, location etc....
I send personal e-mails to all members (well, I change the name at the top of the form before hitting SEND) giving them a chance to vote on projects, on officers, announce meetings and events, and simply asking their opinions. It takes me only a few minutes at a time but helped members fell "more involved." The members like hearing from and about each other though the e-mails in our "Members Comments" section of the newsletter. More EASY involvement.
I applaud you and your Camps innovation - I know first hand how difficult it is to get these things going. I enjoyed your newsletter and just wanted to share a "GOOD JOB," to you and the Camp.
Com. Dan Shepherd, Ph.D., Camp 2023 SCV (no pseudonym for me)
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