Our Connecticut chapter is experiencing renewal of previously-lapsed members this year, even with the membership rate increase. This is most likely due to the conference in Philly. If your chapter is experiencing a similar increase, we should be asking ourselves, “what will entice members to renew next year?” Thoughts?
Region 1 conferences, New England conferences, or both have been discussed occasionally over the years and then just fade away. (I remember going to Interchange years back.) Would anyone like to discuss the feasibility of a regional conference next year, either in e-mail or on our chapter blog? If so, post away or send to presidentatstc-ctdotorg.
I suppose I ought check the status of regions within the STC, as they have been deemphasized and might no longer exist. However, for this discussion, Region 1 includes chapters in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. So, any Region 1 conference would be located to serve those regions.
So, fire away. Thoughts on promoting membership renewal next year? Thoughts on a Region 1 conference?
6 responses so far ↓
Bill Swallow // April 21, 2008 at 3:18 pm |
I think a regional conference is a great idea. With budgets waning and travel costs rising, I think regional conferences – even if a full day – are a great idea. I suggest contacting the leadership over at the Rochester NY chapter. They run a highly successful yearly local conference. Perhaps they can help with tips on organizing such an event.
Milan Davidovic // April 21, 2008 at 4:42 pm |
No reason not to, aside from the fact that there’s no such thing as a “region” anymore.
But here’s what you could do to make it “regional” anyway: contact all the communities that were part of Region 1. Each community that contributes at least (something — people, money, whatever) to the organizing committee gets a certain admission price to the conference.
Donna Ford // April 23, 2008 at 8:03 am |
Thanks for the input which I will put into action next month when everyone is fired up from the Philly conference.
Any suggestions about location?
STC-CT Webmaster // April 23, 2008 at 8:58 am |
Hawaii.
Wait, they’re region one, right?
Region 1 includes chapters in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. So, any Region 1 conference would be located to serve those regions. Indeed, our last Region One Director was from Ontario.
So, if I look at the size of the chapters, and driving distances, and consider my own geographical location, I’d have to say probably not Connecticut.
The location of Interchange, somewhere north of Boston, was it Lowell?, was good. However, another place to consider would be Springfield, MA, or somewhere on the I-91 corridor in Massachusetts because, while it’s still a ways from Canada, it’s accessible from there, from east and west via I-90, and finally is a reasonable jaunt from Bradley airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, CT.
Ron Milos // April 25, 2008 at 1:04 pm |
I think a regional conference is a good idea. The STC-tecvalley chapter will be happy to help.
Donna Ford // August 15, 2008 at 8:13 am |
Due to lack of chapter leader resources, CT chapter will not take the lead for organizing a regional conference.
Is there another chapter nearby willing to champion this?