Dear Douw,
This is a topic that I think is of concern to many people for a variety of
reasons.
As pointed out not too long ago, there are still plenty of shell collectors,
and will continue to be, as long as man walks beach and can pick up some
dead, but in their eyes, beautiful part of nature.
I believe the problem is partially ours. We forget how hard it is to learn
all the Latin names and then to find out that shells can cost in the
thousands. When I went to buy my first shell books almost 25 years ago, I
remember thinking I had never spent that much on a book before. At one time I
had more cash invested in my library than I did my collection.
Hang around CONCH-L awhile and you can feel really inadequate. All they want
is a fun hobby and we can sometimes make it seem to technical and expensive.
If not careful we can be viewed as an elitist group of well-to-do, mostly
retired people. So new folks ask, where do I fit in? Isn't that the question
we all ask of any group?
I think we have to become more user friendly. I have had the opportunity to
be on the executive committee for several groups that I have been a member
of, and the question of membership usually comes up, sooner or later. The
process that I have always found works best, is "Ask them." Find out what
people want and give it to them. Yes, it may mean a step back for some of the
more advanced or senior members, but for the future of this hobby I believe
we must do what any business has to do to be successful in today's global
economy. Find out what the people want, and then deliver the goods (so to
speak).
Many great folks, most no longer with us, took the time to help many of us
get where we are with this great hobby. Each of us has to take personal
responsibility for being a beacon to others of this great hobby. Lynn can't
do it all on her own. Look at us, it's all about "my next shelling trip," "my
next shell," "my next show," my, my, my. We need more talk about what we can
do to get the word out. I know behind the doors of many homes around the
world are great folks who just returned from a vacation, and looking at their
newly acquired beauties are saying, "Aren't these beautiful. Wonder where I
can find out more?" They check out the local library, and if like most town
libraries, woefully underfunded, find little or nothing, and eventually lose
interest. And we wonder what's happening to the membership. From where I'm
siting it looks like that is the position most of us have decided to take.
As a dealer I have an advantage that most of you don't. People seek me out to
see what I have for sale. In the last year, as a fairly new dealer, in
Massachusetts, I have had six people approach me about shells that didn't
even know COA existed. Two of them went to the convention last year. I
encouraged five of them to join the local club and three to join COA. Will
get all of them before this year is out. Not looking for kudos, but this took
a little time and effort on my part, but it was fun, because I love shells, I
like people and people who like shells are the absolute best, even ferrets.
Had to get that in Mark just so I didn't lose you.
Best wishes to all,
Frank (yes it is snowing today) in Massachusetts
Frank Walker
Gems From The Sea
72 Peltier Street, Marlborough, MA 01752 USA
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