Quote:
Originally Posted by cgutzmer
Yes - we will have s SIG as well - I dont think they are mutually exclusive 
Chris |
No real overlap between a SIG & a Chapter - they are two different mechanisms to meet different needs. A chapter is to form a 'club' or to support 'club' activities. A SIG is just as it says - a collaborative group that shares a common (and usually specific) modeling *subject* interest. I really don't think you can have a virtual chapter, in spite of IPMS interest in doing so, since Forums tend to meet that function/need. If the purpose of this initiative is to officially link into IPMS' organization, then a SIG would do the trick without the costs & rules of forming a chapter. Now, if there is somewhere a "hotbed" of paper modelers who already have a club, then perhaps they can also affiliate with IPMS by becoming a chapter(?) Granted, many of the functions of a chapter/club *can* be virtually simulated (demonstrations, show N tell, contests) however, the physical contact, the after meeting dining the demonstrations for youngsters, all those *social* aspects are just not possible 'virtually'. So, what is the motivation for forming a Chapter? Check out the "Bent Throttles" folks' (Air racing SIG) website for an idea of what a SIG can be before committing to any particular action, it may help focus your concepts.
As always,