I think that a club organized into todays world should be based online 100%. Monthly meetings in a chat room, etc.
Here is a quick draft of what I think... feel free to completly disregard it if you see fit.
I also think that all the Ericson clubs in the US should be a member of the national club, making membership of the national organization limited to area clubs only. Owners could then join their local club.
I think that in the begining, all dues should be paid directly to the national organization. The organization should not sponser any events until it has the funds to support itself (website hosting) for two years.
After the funds for two years of operation have been secured, the organization should establish an "advertising committee" which could research the amount of traffic that the site gets and what companies would be interested in advertising on the EYOA site and the contact them. Many companies the made/make parts for the Ericsons could be interested.. Raritan, Edson,Ronco Plastics etc.
If it is agreed that enough money could be made through advertising every year (maybe 150% of the site costs) then the dues for the following year would go to the member clubs. The money made through dues would be kept in the bank account of either the national org. or the local organization. This should be decided upon later.
A portion of the money made from dues should go to the national org. for the purpose of helping to run the club. The rest of the money should go towards the annual rendezvous. The party could be partially funded with this money, a race etc.
The committee that runs the national club and the local clubs should be structured like that of a yacht club; Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Thats all I have for now. I will draft my own ideas of the bylaws tonight.
Once again, I am just writing this because I have the time to do so. Let me know what you think about my ideas!
Respectfully Submitted,
Chris Matthews