AOPA Membership fee

[Keef]

I've played with MySQL and Access (and Excel) a fair bit, but wouldn't feel confident enough to take on something "mission critical" like this. At work yonks ago, I hired an Oracle consultant who did a stunning job setting up a vast database - so I'm sure something SQL-ish is the way to go.

If Mike knows how, use those skills to specify what's wanted!

[dweston]

Forgive me for saying this but nowadays pretty much every organisation will have an effective membership database. If,as I agree, it is 'mission-critical' then this would be a legitimate organisational expense.

I would criticise AOPA for a lack of presentational skill (the website too). I would contrast this with the BGA and LAA who also rely heavily on volunteers.

So do it right, and it will save you money

[SteveC]

Forgive me for saying this but nowadays pretty much every organisation will have an effective membership database. If,as I agree, it is 'mission-critical' then this would be a legitimate organisational expense.

I would criticise AOPA for a lack of presentational skill (the website too). I would contrast this with the BGA and LAA who also rely heavily on volunteers.

So do it right, and it will save you money

So why not do it for them? Or are you restricted to giving advice on a subject that the organisation is aware off?

Speaking as someone not involved anymore it strikes me that there is a lot of telling AOPA how it should be done but not a lot of actually offering to do anything. Or do I have the wrong end of the stick?

[Keef]

I would be glad to help AOPA on something like this, BUT it's too mission-critical for AOPA to take risks with an "amateur" like me doing the coding. I could specify a MySQL database, with suitable PHP interface and security to allow members to access their own details, pay membership dues, submit photographs for their aircrew card, update etc - and which would then feed the mailing list and provide the information the "office" needs. It could also have e-mail addresses from those who choose to provide them, thus allowing member communication by e-mail, member surveys, and more.

The database setup, data transfer, and PHP coding would need to be done by someone with the expertise to get it "unconditionally" right - and that's not me.
There are some folks on here who I'm sure could do a brilliant job, if they have the time and inclination. If I had to choose a hosting company, there's a forumite who I would go to every time, having recommended him recently to a friend who is now very chuffed indeed.

[SteveC]

So I am still seeing lots of advice on how it should be done but not seeing anyone actually offering to do it.

Now just like you Keef I am just another member so going to chip in with my suggestion. Why don't you offer to take on the ownership of the project and call on the skills of the 'others' you mention to deliver it? AOPA is a small organisation and employing experts to deliver all of these enhancements suggested by my fellow members takes money that will inevitably have to be diverted from fighting the good cause or has to be undertaken by volunteers from within the membership.

My feeling is that AOPA seems to have a lot of members who are thinkers but are not actually doers? Again I could be wrong but that is one of the benefits of shooting from the sidelines!!!

[Keef]

Indeed, which I thought is what I said.

But I'm not going to press-gang anyone - that's not my way. Let's see who feels inclined to volunteer to work on the project. Then let's see if AOPA will accept our offer of help.

Willing volunteers: please PM, or if you prefer e-mail to keef at keef dot org dot uk.

I'll take this offline from here. Either a communal offer will be made to AOPA, or it won't.

[KNT754G]

Looks like there are two willing volunteers at the bottom of page 1

[SteveC]

Yes indeed. I look forward to them reporting on how they progress.

[mmcp42]

I'm just waiting to find out who I contact to get the info I need to get cracking

I'll contact Keef who seems to have some neat ideas, and Dweston too
(or if they want to contact me...)

Any idea where I should start to get the current database and requirements, Steve?

[SteveC]

Mandy holds the database at the moment and I am pretty sure she will be able to sort an extract for you to work with.

[SteveC]

If this does get off the ground please let me know and I will do something for the magazine on the grounds of 'AOPA Members working to improve AOPA Membership Handling' or something of that ilk.

[Keef]

My inclination, if the "team" can make it work, would be just to do it quietly, without trumpets and drums. A lot more gets done that way, in the background and with no fuss.

Mike - I'll e-mail you.

[SteveC]

Alas keef, as his been clearly demonstrated people on here don't like work being done in the background, makes them feel nothing is being done.

Once you have the project under way then an article showing how members are working for AOPA will give people a better understanding if what goes on.

[Keef]

Actually, Steve, I disagree. Lots is done in the background, unseen by most. It does a lot of good, too. I listen a lot, and look a lot, and I see many unsung heroes who would be embarrassed if I named them (which I won't). It's close to "those who do most, say least".

If the team can make it work, the next thing AOPA members are likely to see is an announcement of the availability of a new online facility. That's how the upgrade of the Flyer Website and Forums was done. That's how the dozen or so websites I've been involved in over the past ten years were done.

If we can't make it work (for whatever reason) nobody is going to be upset because they'll have forgotten all about it. If we can make it work, then AOPA members will be pleased. If we keep saying "It's going to be wonderful" but never deliver, people are going to call us BSers - and rightly so.

E-mail is on its way to some. Anyone else who would like to help, PM or e-mail to keef at keef dot org dot uk please. Keef out.

[SteveC]

If the team can make it work, the next thing AOPA members are likely to see is an announcement of the availability of a new online facility.

Er at the risk of backtracking you, this was what I asked for.........

When you get this of the ground I will do a bit for the magazine.