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DEMONSTRATION LAUNCH

One good way to attract attention and members for your new club is to host a rocket demonstration launch (demo). This requires some equipment and some fellow modelers willing to help out -- one individual cannot run a demo alone. Once you have four to seven dedicated modelers, you can make use of this method to start or expand your Section.

Line Up Sponsors

Hobby shops can provide a base of support for your demonstrations. A hobby shop owner may be willing to sponsor your demo -- to arrange for your launch site, help with publicity, and perhaps even obtain engines or kits for you at low or no cost. Tell him in detail why you want to run a demo: to attract support and members for your club, and to show the public the safety, educational value, and fun of rocketry.

Arrange for a Launch Site

Secure permission to use the launch site. While this may seem obvious to many rocketeers, it is often overlooked in the enthusiasm of getting ready for one's first demo. Many site owners will be unfamiliar with rocketry, so be prepared. Explain the basics of the hobby to the owner. Have explanatory drawings, photographs, or even actual models on hand for examination. Stress the impressive safety record of sport rocketry. Tell the owner about the public service he is providing to the community.

Issue Press Releases

Issue press releases to local TV, radio, and print media. Here is a sample:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
Centreville Rocket Club Hosts Launch
The Centreville Rocket Society, in conjunction with Bob's Hobby Shop, 123 Main Street, is conducting a public demonstration launch on Saturday, March 15. Over 50 rockets of various types will be flown from Memorial Park starting at 2:00. Included in the launches will be a scale model of the Space Shuttle "Discovery," constructed by club member Fred Smith, and scheduled for flight at 2:30. At 3:00, club member John Miller will attempt to launch a raw egg 300 feet into the air and recover it undamaged. Further information on the launch is available from club president Bill Jones at 555-1234.

TV Cameraman Filming Launch Local papers find stories on rocket activities interesting copy. Including a good photograph can actually help your chances of getting run -- editors love visuals.

Send the release to the media about two or three weeks in advance of your event. The coverage after the demo will continue to bring members to your doorstep.

Prepare Launch Equipment

Assemble the equipment necessary for the demo. There are several key pieces of equipment needed to run a proper demo:

A good public address (PA) system;
A rack or satellite launch system with central control of all pads;
Flag or rope barriers to separate the launch and prep areas from the public;
Chairs and tables for your workers to use during the demo;
Tested, proven, safe models;
Engines, wadding, igniters, and other supplies for the models;
Flyers describing your club, its activities, and launches.

Run The Launch Professionally

To run your demonstration launch, it helps to have someone comfortable with talking to the public. Your "Master of Ceremonies" should keep the public fully and continuously informed about what is happening. He should describe the models and engines used, and comment about flight characteristics.

Many successful demos start by showing a variety of model types. Fly streamer recovery first, followed by parachutes, gliders. multi-stage, cluster, scale, and specialized models. Talk up the impressive models' flights beforehand, and let people know they are coming. This builds anticipation and holds crowd interest.

Also, remember you are supposed to be having fun. If you make the demo too serious and structured, your members will get stressed and the public is going to be unimpressed. Have your MC ask for rounds of applause for a particularly impressive flight. You will know you have got one when the crowd goes "Ahhh."

Capture New Members in Real Time

Always have information about your club available and have one member assigned to signing up all rocketeers interested in joining. This is the key reason for running the demonstration. People's interest will be high, so take advantage of the situation. Flyers like those you put in hobby shops are okay, but applications are better.

Another trick to keep the crowd buzzing is to raffle off a few simple kits every hour or so. This gets you names and addresses of potential members. You can buy the kits for the demo, get a hobby shop to donate them, ask members to donate a model, or raid your range store.

After the demo is over, have some members available to answer questions and sign up stragglers. There will always be a few spectators who want to ask questions after the demo is over, even if you had someone answering them during the demonstration.

Finish Up Responsibly

Clean the launch site thoroughly, especially if you ever hope to launch there again. If you passed out flyers, over 90% may be left as litter. People also leave soft drink cans and candy wrappers. Put all equipment away neatly.

Before you leave, get impressions from all members who helped out as to what could be improved next time.

Within two weeks of the demo's conclusion, write thank you notes to everyone involved. Since so few people take time to say "Thanks" in writing, your group will be sure to be noticed by the site owner, hobby shop sponsor, and local authorities. Don't neglect this important final step!