Utah Soaring Association

Trends for a Successful Club

Dale Taylor

President, Utah Soaring Assoc.

Who am I?Computer Engineer in working life(Intel Corp. w/ Mobility group)• Soaring pilot for 8 years• Private pilot for 23+ years• President Utah Soaring Association

for the last 4 years• Served on the board prior• Other public board positions

This presentation is based onthings we have done in our club.

People need to be able to find out about your club.

The Internet is the new source for information

• Online presence via a Website is essential

• Make your Newsletter available online

Example:• http://www.utahsoaring.org

http://www.UtahSoaring.org

Website Ideas

• Costs are minimal• Club members can maintain

Website and provide design• Domain registration and fees are

simple and low• With plenty of space you can

expand your content.• Soaring stories• Soaring pictures• Track-logs and more

Use Technology to provide Increased Services

Now that you’re online… why not take advantage of the new abilities?

• Email for all members• No more passing around the latest list

• Online scheduling• Really helped in our communication with

FBO’s• Helped increase their # of tows• Increased plane usage while reducing

overhead

Example:• http://www.aircraftclubs.com

http://www.AircraftClubs.com

Be careful to watch expenses

• We remove all gliders but 1 during the off season to avoid the monthly charges

• Maintaining a presence during off season keeps the email system working

• Saves time in spring when setting up the entire club online

• Placing stored glider insurance policies on hold also helps

Keep in tune with members Adjusted glider mix to match member

needs. Evaluate usage patterns Survey members We sold our 2-33 Purchased another Grob 103 No longer had facilities to train, didn’t

compete with FBO’s

Additional 2-place allowed expansion to an additional airport

Map of our Soaring Sites

Heber Airport

Morgan Airport

Watch those DetailsCarefully watch expenses• Insurance, maintenance and tie-downs

are our 3 highest expenses• Years of wise financial guidance and

good boards enabled us to act now• We live in a great place to soar• Club members help promote soaring

and the club

Example: Roland’s News Videohttp://kutv.com/video/?id=6493@kutv.dayport.com

SummaryOnline presence w/website

• Include soaring related content• Online reservation system

• Saves time and hassle• Online email system so all can contact each other• Updated glider mix to match demand• Moved one glider to a new airport• Careful attention to health and safety of gliders and

club members• Board history of building club and financial prudence

• Enabled the purchase of Grob w/funds on hand• Great place to soar• Club members helping promote

Questions?