General

Hey all. I was cruising the site and clicked the Club Brochure link on the About Us page. It's so out date it still lists Bill Spadafora as the key contact with his phone number, talks about The Sentinel newsletter, and mentions Toys-R-Us. We really could do with an update. I volunteer my services if we wanna make it happen. It could be great to have a few of these available in print on the launch table at all times so those who stop by and are interested in what we do can walk away with some piece of print in their hands.

So WDTY? I'd clean up the design and add some fresh pics. We'd need to update the contacts (and do we include a link to the Facebook group? Do we still include contact phone numbers, or would email addys be better? Do we still need to list three contacts, or can we compress it one?), review the main text for any needed or desired changes (it might be nice to add a bit more comforting outreach language for beginners), and update the benefits list (do we still have a discount going with Hobby Emporium?).

Let me know if you'd like to see this happen and I'm happy to take it on. Here's the brochure as it currently stands.

--Rob

Absolutely! You're hired! :-)

In terms of contact phone numbers, I would leave them out, and sub in the contact emails (president, treasurer, secretary), unless those contacts want to use their numbers. I wouldn't reference the FB page, but that's my disposition.

Great that you're taking this on. Whatever you write, consider whether that text should be also on one of the website pages (not just buried in the PDF). The home page should be overhauled, and that preamble shortened/moved to the AboutUs page. The NAR homepage provides a good example of this.

Thanks for volunteering on this.

Great! I can start to move ahead. I'll start by doing a pass revising the intro text and the benefits list, then post them for everyone to poke at.

Given the nature of this flyer - essentially an outreach tool for those new to us and what we do - do you really think we need to list president, treasurer, and secretary? What these people will need is just a single contact for general club info. We just need to get them to coming to regular launches, to start. They won't be trying to conduct club business from the flyer... and all that info will be on the club website, which they get directed to. As a source of basic contact information, my inclination would be to keep it clean a direct, not giving them more info than a noob really needs.

I know the Facebook page is "unofficial", but it is another informational tendril that they can latch onto and maybe be inspired by. The more ways we can creep into their brains, the better! It tends to feature videos which don't usually make it to our club page, and folks like Curtis tend to do big image posts there that are not replicated on the club site. Bottom line: it just provides another way they can get informed about us and our activities... but I'm all for putting more emphasis on the club website for both its resources and as THE outlet for official club news. WDYT?

Speaking of resources, a nice feature on our website could be a list of hobby shops, since they're becoming an acutely endangered species. And I'm sure those shops would be thrilled to have ANY additional traffic pointed their way. It's also a topic that frequently comes up with newbies dropping by launches: where can I get rockets and supplies? Sadly I only know of three good true hobby shops left in Mass. for rocketry and related building supplies, but I hope I'm undercounting: Hobby Emporium (Tyngsboro), Centerline Hobbies (Hyannis), and Hobby World (Adams, MA).

--Rob

Okay... here's my first pass on the text bits. I was wondering if we should work in our association with the Scouts? It offers a bit of cred... but it might just be extraneous detail. What's folks thoughts... on that and any other details around the text?

Also, an ideas for added concrete membership benefits?

INTRO===========================

Since 198? CMASS has been the premier flying model rocketry club for central New England. Using the club's innovative launch pad design we fly regularly from Spring into Fall, with launches open to club members and the public - or just stop by to spectate. With its seminal roots in the 50's, model rocketry is a proven safe, educational, and exciting hobby that has become a multi-generational activity for the whole family. 

Our club members fly an inspiring variety of rocket types, from small mini-motor designs to large high-power fliers, from off-the shelf kits to adventurous original creations. Paid CMASS membership includes your year-long launch privileges, full access to our resource-rich club website, regular online club meetings, and connection with an energetic group of experienced folks who share your interest in rocketry and are happy to help beginners find their wings. Non-members can fly at any launch for a nominal fee to cover field use expenses.

CMASS is a chartered section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and can provide support for high power certification flights, as well as being venue for official NAR competition flying. For more information about CMASS membership and club activities, visit the club's official website at cmass.org. If you are interested in becoming a member, click the New Member Sign-Up link at the top of the page. 

Whether you're an experienced flier or new to rocketry, CMASS takes your model rocketry adventure to the next level!

CONTACT=================

CONTACT US VIA EMAIL: president@cmass.org

VISIT THE OFFICIAL CLUB WEBSITE: cmass.org

FIND US ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/groups/modelrockets

BENNIES===================

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• Regular MA-Area Launches

• Professional Launch Equipment

• NAR Affiliation

• Club Website Access

• Regular Online Meetings

• High Power Certification

• NAR Competition Flying

• Local Discounts ? 

• Fun For The Whole Family

• Learn Skills And Techniques

• Meet Other Modelers

• Adult Supervision

• Great Outdoor FUN!

Hey all.... as you'll note from my text, CMASS was formed in 198? !!!

Anyone got an exact date? I couldn't find it listed anywhere in the site literature, so all I could do was narrow it down to a decade.

Here's a link to a photo that Ron Q. sent me of the original certificate. It's in the Gallery.

Thanks! That was my pie-in-the-sky guess date. '86 is when I became a BAR and when I introduced Deb to the hobby. Too bad we didn't do a big 40th celebration last year!

Hey guys, this is Dick Pelle (water rocket)...I found historical data and made 7 screen shots,see attached,

and yes it confirms 1985

Hope this helps.

PS....I just asked AI

In terms of hobby shops, there are a few in RI and Southeastern MA.

In Rhode Island there is

Apponaug Color & Hobby Shop

1364 Greenwich Ave

Warwick, RI 02886

401-737-5506

They sell Estes rockets

====================

In Southeastern, MA

Rockets to The Sky

60 Conduit Street

New Bedford MA 02745

774-271-2921

Looks like they have a wide selection.

I need to look around for more hobby shops in Rhode Island tomorrow. There were a few that said they didn't sell model rockets.

The two I go to:

Hobby Quarters

Commercial St,

Foxborough, MA 02035

(508) 549-9959

Hobbyquarters.com

A large hobby store specializing in radio-controlled (RC) vehicles like cars, trucks, planes, and drones, along with trains, slot cars, Estes Rockets, and model kits. They offer a wide selection of products from major brands, expert advice, and on-site repair services, catering to both beginners and experienced hobbyists.

Hobby Emporium

440 Middlesex Rd #24,

Tyngsborough, MA 01879

978-649-5055

WHO WE ARE

Our normal store hours are M-F 10-8, Sat 10-6, and Sun 12-5.

We're a full line retail hobby shop who've been in business since 1974, with a heavy emphasis on HO and N scale railroading. Currently we're the largest N scale retailer in the eastern half of the U.S., but in addition, we support a broad range of pastimes to include plastic and wood models, puzzles, paint by number, mechanical discovery kits, and model rocketry as well as an enormous selection of paint and finishing supplies and raw building materials. We also offer a large selection of printed material to supp

ort the hobbyist.

Toyland in Milford NH has a limited selection of Estes kits and most popular A, B, and C engines. I wouldn't say it was worth the trip for rocket supplies for anyone

not in the area, but if you are in town, worth a look. Quite a large selection of

children's toys.

Toyland

321 Nashua St.

Milford, NH 03055

(603) 672-1537

Does anyone have a fairly hi-res version of the CMASS logo? If you do, could you email it to me: skylakerob@yahoo.com I'll need one for the brochure work.

Thanks!

--Rob

Yes, CMASS still gets a discount at Hobby Emporium. If you ask for it.

Andrew

Man must rise above the earth, to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, for only thus shall he truly understand the world in which he lives. Socrates ~ 400 BC

First, thanks for the responses about existing New England hobby shops. There were a few that I didn't know about! I'd like to be able to keep "Local Area Hobby Discounts" as a listed club benefit, though as it sits it seems that only applies for Hobby Emporium (may they long endure under the watchful eyes of the Hobby Shop Gods). It'd be great to try to expand that to some (or "all", dare I wish?) of the other shops on the list, so with that....

A. Would members who are able to visit those other shops be willing to make a pitch for a club discount next time they visit?

B. Would the website admins be willing to create a page that lists our participating hobby shops, along with address, contact details, and specifics on the offered discount? I think this part is vital to making point A (above) work as it gives the shops something concrete in exchange for their goodwill.

C. If anyone has other ideas of how to sweeten the deal for hobby shops, please chime in. Maybe we can list them at the bottom of the new brochure second page, with a small-print "Thanks for the support of these fine hobby retailers: ..." line?

--Rob

I've been visiting Hobby Emporium fairly regularly, especially since Spare Time and Hog Heaven closed.

They've got a broad selection of Estes kits, and lots of Estes parts and accessories. And sometimes you can find a deal on an OOP kit.

They've also got kits from Custom Rockets and Starlight Rockets. That's where my Sky Master two-stager that I flew twice last Saturday came from. They always seem to have the engines I ask for in stock too.

I wasn't aware that they offered a CMASS discount but I'll ask about it next time I go. I was thinking that if they didn't, then they might consider a loyalty program like Hog Heaven used to do.

Anyway, I'm not sure when I'll be heading there next, but I always need more engines. I'll try to pass this information along.

I'm thinking this would also be a good place to send our Cub Scout packs and other youth groups.

I'm glad to see that there are still some shops in the area I haven't visited yet. I'll have to check them out sometime. I do a lot of online ordering, but sometimes it's good to have a place close enough to drive to where you can get stuff on short notice.

See you at the next launch!

Rick

Master Hobbies

565 Main St, Cherry Valley, MA 01611

On Rt 9 just West of Worcester.

I haven't been there sense I moved to Haverhill in 2007.

For rockets they have Estes stuff.

Hello all,

I paid a visit to Hobby Emporium last weekend and they honored the discount when I mentioned CMASS which is good because I spent over $100.

Mostly engines.

I tried to have a conversation with them about the website upgrades and mentioned we might post a link to the store but they didn't seem too enthusiastic about it. Hard to tell, really, they're not much on conversation, IMO.

Still, they do have a good selection of kits and parts and engines for low and mid power, so maybe a few more trips or a an email or a phone call might work. I'm wondering if they'd let us leave a stack of brochures there so they can refer anyone getting into rockery can each us.

It's the closest shop to me that has a decent selection, so I'll definitely keep going there.

Rick

Thanks for trying to engage with them a bit more, Rick. As far as conversation, it may depend on who you're talking to. I'm not sure if Art Segal still technically owns the store or if he's handed the torch to anyone. I know Art's become a bit less chatty with me in his older years (he's probably close to 80 now) and I haven't seen him at the register since an age.

Anyhow, I'm glad to hear they're still honoring the discount. I know they used to offer a one-time annual "birthday" discount for customers as well, but I'm not sure if that's still in effect. You're lucky to have them so close by. They're one of the best surviving "all around" hobby shops. I miss Hog Heaven and Spare Time.