Much of what I want to reflect upon has been mentioned by others, but
saying it from another person's perspective might add some additional
value to the discussion.  These are only my observations and generally
one's observations are "viewed" through one's experiences.  Certainly,
in the area of mechanical musical instruments, my experiences have
been wonderful.

In general, I have observed that one joins an organization because of
the purpose of the organization or for what they believe they might
gain from the organization, but they remain a member of an organization
because of the people they meet through the organization.  Whenever I
can, I like to attend both the AMICA and MBSI Annual Meetings.  For me,
having these meetings in a city that I might like to visit or offering
tours that I might like to attend is the "icing on the cake."  Primarily,
I attend these meetings to interact with the people who will be present.

On another "note," if someone stops attending meetings and no one in
the organization feels comfortable enough to contact that individual to
find out why they stopped attending and personally invite that person
to the next meeting, then, in my opinion, the organization and its
members have failed that individual.  Also, I would encourage members
new to an organization to be "patient."  I realize that "first
impressions" are hard to overcome, but that "stand-offish" individual
with whom you tried to talk, might just being having a "bad day."

I have found that, in general, people enjoy talking about and passing
to others information in which they are knowledgeable.  I have learned
much from members of both AMICA and MBSI.  All that information was not
conveyed in one "sitting," but for me the enjoyment is returning the
next time to learn that next bit of information.  Again, I would
encourage patience.  Often, those who have the information in most
demand are the busiest.  If these individuals stopped to immediately
answer every question that comes their way, they would never get
anything else accomplished.  In my experience, you will get the answer.

I have had a curator at the Smithsonian Institution, more known for his
expertise in the instruments of Stradivarius than mechanical musical
instruments, get for me the serial number and pictures of a piano in
which I was interested.  I have had similar experiences with all the
mechanical musical instrument collections, large and small, that I have
contacted.

Concerning those people that some might term as "lunatics" (I prefer
the term eccentric), I would encourage one to hear them out.  You might
not agree with everything they say, but I have learned much from
individuals though to be out on the "fringes."

In my opinion, the absence in many organizations of the age group
between twenty and forty-five is mostly due to demographics.  That is
the age group that has many other demands on their time and resources.
They are busy with family, purchasing a home, establishing a business,
etc.  What I have observed is that at around forty-five years old many
people now have the time and discretionary income to pursue interests
that made an impression on them earlier in life.  I would encourage
organizations to reach out to that age group, but for overall
membership purposes it might be more important to introduce even
younger people to mechanical musical instruments.

The most important group might even be elementary school children who,
as yet, have not become so accustomed to "modern technology" that they
might not be impressed by the technology that went into these mechanical
musical marvels.  I suspect that for many of us our first introduction
to mechanical musical instruments was as a small child feeling the
security of a parent holding us on a carousel while hearing the music
of a band organ.

Considering that my interest in mechanical musical instruments is as
a hobby, I would not dwell too long on the value of the instruments.
In my opinion, no matter the price level, one never "owns" one of these
instruments, but merely pays for the privilege of being its caretaker
for some period of time.  Many of these instruments were here before us
and if we do "no harm" they will be here long after us.

I would encourage a person to enter the hobby at whatever level one is
comfortable with (mechanical musical toys would be fine) -- fully
realizing that, at whatever level that might be, you will be lucky,
even twenty years later, if you get back as much as you spent.  But,
for all that time will get enjoyment from having the item and its
acquisition might be the excuse to join an organization where you will
meet some wonderful people.

Considering costs, often people do not take into account that the
"buy-in" is the smallest expense.  Consider a carousel.  As expensive
as might be the initial cost of a unrestored carousel, I suspect that
cost would pale in comparison to the restoration costs, and the
construction and maintenance of a building to house it.

I would encourage anyone who has been unhappy and left an organization
to consider rejoining and giving the organization and its members
another chance.  For myself, I would reflect how I could have made that
person's membership more fulfilling and given another chance what I
would do to see that an unfortunate situation is not repeated.

One thing nice about having a little free time (the July 4th holiday on
July 5th) is that it gives one time to reflect on subjects for which
one might not find the time in the usual course of events.  One thing
most likely about the future of mechanical music is that tomorrow will
be different from today -- not necessarily better or worse, just
different -- and that those who participate will make of it what seems
to be important to them.

The MMD has been a wonderful experience for me and I appreciate how it
has provided a forum for others and me.

Joe Orens