IWCS Member Survey

Dear Member,

IWCS leadership has been reviewing everything from committees, bylaws, budget, meetings, to our World of Wood Magazine. In some areas change has been proposed. As any possible changes can affect the members, the leadership believes it is important to obtain feedback / input from the membership prior to any changes.

The attached questionnaire requests some basic member information to update our membership directory. We currently do not have accurate phone numbers, emails or addresses for some members. This is important so that we can insure all members receive timely important updates and other information, and to insure you receive the World of Wood magazine.

As noted in the questionnaire, the World of Wood magazine is the largest single cost in our annual budget. We deem it necessary to look at how to reduce costs while still providing an informative and quality magazine that represents the IWCS Organization. We have discussed options with the editor and the publisher as well as shipping options. See the notes on the questionnaire. The one option that may be the best opportunity is to change the magazine from a bi monthly 32 page issue to a quarterly 40 page issue. This reduces the overall cost for producing and shipping the magazine and offers an opportunity to add more features such as member profiles, silent auction, and potentially more space for advertising of wood sales by members, etc.

Overall membership has declined significantly in the past 10 years. We are getting new members, but want to build the membership up to much higher levels. We are also interested in reaching out to younger generations to join IWCS as our membership median age is, let’s say in the senior citizen category. Any Ideas, recommendations on how to best get the word out to a larger, broader audience is most appreciated. Obviously social media is an opportunity, along with advertisements in wood type publications. Facebook and possibly videos? Please provide your ideas.

Changing the name of the IWCS organization has been a topic of discussion. The proposal suggest that a change to a name that may better relate to more and younger persons to attract them to our organization be implemented. Based on previous feedback, significant discussions and research, the Executive Board believes that such a change is not warranted at this time. From a business perspective to file for change of a nonprofit organization like ours as well as changes to website, magazine, etc., involve significant costs as well as work and time to implement. We believe that through other means such as social media, etc. we can get the message out to more folks and help with growing the organization. Additionally, our name is unique and we need to keep the name unique so as not to blendin with the plethora of wood organizations/ clubs that exist. That said we do want to hear from the members on their thoughts.

In addition to our annual meetings, regional meetings are an important part of getting members involved and continue the social, educational and just plain fun of hanging out with other members. Many members are unable to attend the annual meetings because of the long distances, costs, etc. Regional meetings or weekend gatherings offer and opportunity for more members to gather closer to home. Any thoughts/ ideas for such gatherings are most welcome.

This survey can be saved/ submitted on line at the IWCS website or can be returned by email to the IWCS President Elect Jim Dominick [email protected]

or mailed to Jim Dominick, 40 Moses LN, Horseheads, NY, 14845. We are asking all members to please return the questionnaire by 1 October, 2026.

Most Sincerely, John Tillack, IWCS President