Ideas and suggestions to spread the word about severe weather and disaster observation in South Africa

SAWDOS is thinking...... and that can be dangerous or disastrous. We need to come up with a plan, idea, project to encourage more members of the public to become SAWDOS members(Observers). We need to spread the word of what we are doing and how we monitor severe weather and disasters etc. in South Africa.

I have a few ideas:

1. The SAWDOS now have 359 social media members. If each one of the 359 members recruit only one new member we will double the membership. Please this is not a statistical drive to boast with how many members we have. This is getting more members of the public in areas were we do not have weather observers. On the other hand say we already have 50 members in Mossel Bay, the more we have the better. We urgently need more weather observers in South Africa.

2. Should we look at advertising the SAWDOS on radio and the media. For this we will need money which we do not have. Alternatively would there be an interest in advertising by selling SAWDOS T-shirts, Golf -shirts, Jackets, caps, mugs etc. Another option: Using advertising banners at events. (However these are very expensive) The money earned by selling the above can be used for advertising purposes.

3. The SAWDOS receive so many great images from our observers. Should we run a three monthly photo competition and choose 12 of the best and rare images to be used in a yearly almanac/calendar. Money earned by selling the calendar can be used for advertising purposes. Another idea which I am looking into is to compile a coffee table book of weather and disaster images received from our viewers. However we will need permission from the photographers that took the chosen images. Would this be feasible?

4. The SAWDOS received several requests in the past to enlist weather observers in a formal data base. Observers will have to complete an official application form, send two ID photos to SAWDOS whereby a SAWDOS ID card will be issued to observers. I looked into these requests. This can be done but I am hesitant as we will lose many informal observers. 98% of data and information is received via social media. I have noticed that people today prefer the informal route for obvious reasons. Any ideas on this?

5. Should the SAWDOS go the commercial route and become a fully fledged private weather forecasting service in South Africa? Eish this would really raise the eyebrows of certain entities. We already have quite a few private weather- and forecasting web-sites. Is there space for another?

Okay enough for now. I have a few more ideas but will publish them later. Please give feedback on the above but most important if you have any further ideas please share them with us. We need to brainstorm continuously to stay relevant in today's fast moving and changing world. Looking forward to receive your positive and negative comments and ideas.

Post comments and ideas on the SAWDOS Facebook Group,  Twitter @SAWDOS1 or SAWDOS Email.

Johan Terblanche
Founder: SAWDOS
Mossel Bay
28 June 2012