This thread as a whole is a window into why a lot of younger folks aren't involved. A simple discussion/question turns into 7 pages of back and forth banter, with some very good and wildly off topic discussions, throw in some offensive (to some folks) remarks and ideas and biases, and of course, the "oh ive seen the light now" post as well.

Got everything in one package right here!

Now, change the topic of "how can we get young blood to get involved" to "which piece of equipment are we going to focus on restoring/stabilizing/acquiring". Chance are, the exact same thing that happened in this thread is going to happen. People are going to argue over which piece, someone with power is going to force their ideas and wants down the throats of others who don't agree, bad things are going to be said, and people are going to get aggravated and feel their ideas don't count for anything and a rift is going to form and each time, the rift gets bigger. And in the end, usually the "old guard" wins and what is done is what they want. Further alienating other members, however young or old they might be.

Younger people just don't have time for the bull$#!t. Not even just younger people, but a lot of people who aren't involved just don't have time for the real or imagined BS that goes on. Good management and goals is a necessity for any group or organization, and not so good management and direction is a recipe for alienation and exclusion.

I live in an area and was personally affected by Hurricane Sandy (New Jersey Raritan Bayshore). The amount of youth groups and kids who came around to help out with cleanups and muck outs and food handouts and anything you could possibly imagine was simply amazing to me. Im 34 - not "old" but not "young" any more either. But to see hundreds of kids coming up to volunteer on their spring break or weekends off from college, etc, to help complete strangers, or to set up a hot food distribution service after the Red Cross left is very heartening. "U-Hungry" is a group of "Occupy Sandy" people who could be considered "outcasts" (kind of an off shoot of the Occupy movement, the 99%'ers etc) doing what could be considered the work of angels - there is NOTHING more heartening than someone rolling up in a truck giving away free hot food and drink after a long day of throwing out all your ruined belongings. It really does feel like a god send. Trust me.

I ask everyone here to watch this video. If this doesn't help change you view on the younger generation even just a little bit, then I dunno what will

http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2013/0 ... ccupy.html

Change your opinions on the younger generation, and understand them better, and reach out to them in ways that they understand and accept (facebook, other social media, etc) and not in monthly newsletters or meetings with slide shows and stories of days gone by....LONG gone by.

Do the same that Mr. Rowland did with tattoos. Look a little differently, think a little differently. A personal opinion or bias does not necessarily mean someone else is good/bad or indifferent. Each of us has our faults. No one should judge anyone on their abilities or skills before they see them in action. Easier said than done, but some of us could try harder.

It all boils down to cutting the BS......

I stopped reading this nonsense a while ago but now upon revisiting this thread it is being locked.