http://www.agsem.com/200706-brittonw.html

At times I’ve often wandered, why am I a member of our museum? Then to top it off – renew my membership again and again. Then it occurred to me that people who seem to emit an aura of kind hearted warmth, friendship, and a sense of trust tend to have at least one thing in common — service to the community and a caring about others a little bit more than themselves.

So, do I really need this kind of nonsense for myself? And wasn’t this something that was already instilled in me at an earlier age and all the other members before the existence of the museum? Most likely, yes. So, why am I a member of the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum? The $30.00 annual membership fee or the one time fee of $600 for a Life Membership wasn’t even a consideration when I joined. If I break out the actuary tables, the museum will most likely come out ahead on the money if I keep renewing my membership each year for the $30.00 until death.

My membership badge says “Member Since 2004” instead of “Life Member”. I do like displaying my seniority. It lets others know I’ve been around awhile (three years, da) – maybe it’s the big ego thing?

Of course we have the usual Membership Benefits:

1. 10% discount on Gift Shop items.
2. 10% discount on any facility rentals; (i.e., new assembly building).
3. The bi-monthly edition of The Ignitor magazine mailed to us regularly.
4. We can adopt a piece of equipment as an individual caretaker or in severalty. I adopted the Tucker Snow Cat and now I’m going after the Case D3 tractor, No.2; used at the Flower Fields to give Cecil some relief.
5. We are also allowed to operate and drive museum equipment on the grounds during shows and events. Nothing like a little noise and action from that sweetheart of a machine we’ve spent so much time alone and together with.

At times, the museum is a retreat from my day-to-day problems and it also tends to minimize those life issues that I just can’t seem do anything about. This year, I was healed by getting my picture taken more times then Mickey Mouse. I just started smiling and waving to all the children while driving tractors at the flower fields this season. Waving and a smile was such a small thing for me to do, yet so meaningful to all the parents and grandparents who paid for the wagon rides that fund our operations.

No one held an axe over my head if I arrived a little late or left a little early at the flower fields either. Someone was always there to cover. So I filled in on my days off if someone couldn’t make it and also stayed late a couple of times until all the tractors were refueled for the next day. It reminded me of the Marine Corps – looking out for each other.

And here is something else I’ve noticed. I found that a little time and a couple of bucks out of my pocket from time-to-time that would be spent just as easy somewhere else helps the museum quite a bit too. So I really can’t say I’ve spent any noticeable amount of money beyond my normal spending habits to become a considerable help to the museum. Why no one complains when I’m doing all the complaining is still beyond me.

I guess if you show up and make the same racket that everyone else has made at one time or another, your eligible to run for the board! I’ll let everyone know when I honestly figure this one out. Futile as it may seem, voluntary organizations are just that – voluntary. They grow and preserver through the bond created between men and women who share a common interest in the well being of the organization they choose to serve for the benefit of society as a whole. For all that within, is why I’m a member of the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum.

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