Official Launch of Locksport International

by **digital_blue** » 8 Jul 2005 19:30

Problem fixed... for now. locksport.org will have a more permanent home shortly, but for the mean time, hopefully the server it is on will be up to the challenge. If you folks encounter any problems, please let me know.

db

by **kodierer** » 8 Jul 2005 23:57

DB. What are all the services provided for with this membership. I mean there has to be something special about this for us to want to pay $20, and I have been to your site, and I think I am missing it.

by **vector40** » 9 Jul 2005 0:13

Yes, that would be a helpful addition XD

by **digital_blue** » 9 Jul 2005 8:33

Hey guys! Thanks for your questions!

Membership fees are collected into general revenue at LSI. Once the necessary costs of operation are covered (very small costs, we've kept that reigned in very well through the help of a few who have donated resources to make this happen) the remaining revenue will be budgetted to aide local chapters as need arises. These things may include:

- Promotion of local chapters through some form of community advertising
- Subsidizing the rental of meeting space where chapter numbers require it
- Subsidizing special events held by individual chapters (year end picnics, et al.)
- Possible prizes and promotions.

The idea is that all of the revenue after basic operational costs are covered goes back into the club. Those clubs that have the greatest involvement and therefor the greatest need will receive more back. We will work with local chapter presidents and treasurers to determine need and budget accordingly.

Rest assured that none of the revenue is lining the pockets of the board of directors. In fact, we have all put in a good deal of time and effort with no financial reward for doing so.

We've also tried very hard to settle on a membership due that will allow LSI to be able to adequately meet the needs of its members while still remaining affordable for people. If the intention of a chapter is to meet 10 times a year, this represents $2 per meeting.

I hope this clears up any questions you might have.

Cheers!

db

by **Grudge** » 9 Jul 2005 9:09

DB, you forgot to mention a couple of things, first the nifty picture membership ID. Not only does that cost something to make and send, it is a cornerstone of a formal organization. I know it doesn't sound like much, but without it and a centralized mailing list/email newsletter, people won't feel as if they are part of something official and larger. This helps hold the local clubs together and new ones to form.

Second, having a central organization brings some legitimacy to lock sports. If lock sports gets some national or local publicity, the article will be a lot different in people's mind if it reads something like:

"Bob and his friends like to pick locks, in fact they call it a 'sport'. All are members of LockSport International, an organization promoting lock picking competitions across the world. Each week they get together and try to best each other in who can open even the highest security locks the fastest..."
Instead of
"Bob and his friends like to pick locks, in fact they call it a 'sport'. Each week they get together and try to best each other in who can open even the highest security locks the fastest..."

To the average Joe, the first says people all over do it, so it is just some sort of weird contest. While the second may leave a question in his mind about what some local boys are up to with their spare time and perhaps his recently missing VCR.

Of course that is just a made-up example, you can always get good or bad press either way. However I think it is a lot easier to get good press with a national/international organization behind you.

Just my 2 cents, I am jumping off the soapbox (for now :wink:

)

by **Chrispy** » 9 Jul 2005 15:51

.....first the nifty picture membership ID.

An ID/membership card is a must.

*Quotes Dumb & Dumber*

"It's OK!! *flashes cool looking ID card* ... I'm a lock picker!!!"

Things like the LSI logo, chapter, expiry date (so we know when to send more money :wink:

), and photo would be all you need to include on it.

by **digital_blue** » 9 Jul 2005 18:54

Chrispy wrote:Things like the LSI logo, chapter, expiry date (so we know when to send more money ), and photo would be all you need to include on it.

Logo, check. Chapter, check. Photo, check. Expiry date, sorta. The cards themselves expire every 5 years because of the photo component. But membership letters will be sent out 60 days prior to expiry to help members stay current.

In addition to the items above, every card has the name and phone number of a contact person (usually the chapter president, though at this early stage while things are forming, I've been elected the default.

). The purpose of the contact person is that of a "authority figure" within the club whom people (particularily law enforcement) can report illegal behaviour to. This is one of the hooks set up to keep law enforcment onside.

Cheers.

db

by **Chrispy** » 9 Jul 2005 20:41

In addition to the items above, every card has the name and phone number of a contact person (usually the chapter president....

Good idea. Have a section on the back that has the chapter president and his/her contact details.

Smart thinkin'

by **cracksman** » 9 Jul 2005 22:38

To consider for the future, signature on the back strip-not valid till signed, etc.

by **digital_blue** » 9 Jul 2005 23:51

Each card will be endorsed with a signature of a member of the board (pretty much me so long as I'm the one doing up the cards

) but I don't know if it's necessary to have a member sign his own card. For one, it won't be accepted as actual photo ID anywhere on the planet, and since the photo is there anyway, it should be pretty straightforward figuring out if the card belongs to the person holding it. That, and the laser-inscribed anti-counterfiet measures...

... no, not really.

db

by **Chrispy** » 10 Jul 2005 16:05

db wrote:That, and the laser-inscribed anti-counterfiet measures...

... no, not really.

Too late, I've already ordered some microprocessing smart chips to install on the back of cards. They'll include personal information about the member (name, joining date, FBI file, etc.), how many locks have been picked by that member (and how long it took them) and also what their favourite foods, movies, books and songs are. What a wonderful technological world we live in..... :lol:

by **GateTwelve** » 10 Jul 2005 18:21

Chrispy wrote:I've already ordered some microprocessing smart chips to install on the back of cards

What?! I thought we were getting subdermal implants. *cancels membership*

by **kodierer** » 12 Jul 2005 0:15

I think that perhaps we should have member thumb prints next to the picture. Just makes it look cool.

by **kodierer** » 12 Jul 2005 0:18

Oh and DB.
I am going to watch and see how your organization, and how my group efforts turn out. Hopefully both will pan out, and if they do then I will be sure to invest in your organization, and become a member.

by **digital_blue** » 12 Jul 2005 13:17

Well kodierer, of course we'd be happy to have you.

More chapters more chapters more chapters.

There's a theme here.

I suspect that there are a number out there that are kicking back and watching, waiting to see how this all takes shape. I think that once you guys start seeing the results of chapter meetings start popping up on locksport.org you'll want to have meetings of your own. Cool stuff is in the works. Just be patient. There's a ton of work that's been done, but there's two tons more to go. Much of the workload has come from suggestions from you folk, so rest assured your voices are being heard.

Cheers!

db

Official Launch of Locksport International

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