Over the years I have heard many people express the opinion that they don't get their money's worth out of their membership.
The stated purpose for the existence of a non profit society dedicated to the preservation of horological objects and knowledge seems to be insufficient for many.
Thus I wrote this semi tongue in cheek essay!
NAWCC Discussion Link
Why Should I join the NAWCC?
(Or renew my membership?)
Legend
has it that someone asked Willie Sutton why he robbed banks. His
response was supposed to be, "BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS!
Similarily,
the NAWCC is where the knowledge, experience and horological resources
are. I don't know our average age, but I am sure there are a lot of
seniors amongst us. Thats a lot of experience and knowledge that is
going to pass into history in a relatively short period of time. I
recall reading in a 40
+
year old bulletin where a younger member wrote, perhaps tongue in
cheek, that the best way to collect watches and clocks was to make
friends with old people. Well, I think that pretty well defines the
membership of the NAWCC.
One
of the drawbacks of associating with old folks is that a lot of them
are in declining health and some times act like they are approaching
senility or in their second childhood. A large percentage of them have
politics to the right of Attila the Hun or to the left of Karl Marx and
think the younger generation is a bunch of spoiled whippersnappers!
Because
a large percentage of them are no longer physically in their prime and
suffer from numerous ailments, they can tend to be cranky and bitter.
Many are disappointed with how life has worked out for them and are
not always pleasant to deal with.
Taking
this a bit further, the ten percent or so who actively use the internet
and have the time to do so are most likely to be retired with time on
their hands and fit into some of the above categories.
We
could wish for all of our elders to fit the image of the kindly
grandfather or grandmother but it doesn't always work out that way.
So
to you younger folks who wonder why you should join or renew, rather
than ask you to respect your elders, think of it more like an
inheritance! Not many people will tell the rich old geezer to stuff
his bucks and shut the @#$%#.
And
if you keep your expectations low, you can never be disappointed! A
lot of those old fogies are nice guys! Be sure to attend chapter
meetings, the assistance, camaraderie and opportunities that arise there
more than compensate for annual dues and petty personality clashes!
In the end, its all about watches and clocks and not the personalities of their present caretakers!!
And yes, I can see more than a hint of a self-portrait in this essay!
Happy hunting,
Bill Kapp