dmc
SILVER Star
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2004
- Threads
- 47
- Messages
- 966
- Location
- Wandering the Western Hemisphere
- Website
- www.expeditionamericas.com
So this thread...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=619576#post619576
got me thinking about what local clubs can do to increase/influence TLCA participation/membership. I'm curious what other clubs have done to increase/maintain membership.
Having browsed around a little bit I realize that Wasatch Cruisers is a bit different in a few ways from many other clubs. Primarily our official monthly activity is not meeting at a restaruant or member's home. We have an official Trail Run every month. We are a 4 wheeling club first and a social club second. We have secondary activities each month. Some are social (restaurant, bbq, bowling) and some are technical (first aid, welding classes, wiring basics) but they are not considered official functions toward club participation.
Which brings us to a second anomaly. We required 3 trail runs a year to maintain status as an active member. I know some people and clubs look upon this as foolish and unnecessary but it was in the bylaws when I joined and every year when it comes up for discussion it is maintained. The current officers have talked about different levels of membership depending on what people want to get from the club. Full membership is for TLCA members only. We allow non-member (jeep drivers) to join as associate members but we only have 2 out of 50+ who are not TLCA.
This year's set of officers made a decision that to maintain members we need to give more responsibilty to the membership and take less for ourselves. Of our 24 events this year I think the elected officers are responsible for 3 of them. This has been incredibly successful for the club and especially for those who have owned the activities. The member in charge of the activity is responsible for all communcation leading up to the event, all trail leading and education duties during the event, and doing a write up for the club newsletter after the event.
I was an officer for 2 years (2002-2003) previous to becoming President. During those 2 years it seemed like the 5 of us did everything. We were all very burnt out. The 04 officers made it a point to off load some of the burden and I think this year we have made it even moreso. I feel like we have 30 solid members working on behalf of the club. Instead of being told where and when to meet we have far more active discussions on each activity and the enthusiaism is noticable for each run. When the trail leader is excited it tends to trickle down. That has been our basic attempt at maintaining membership.
Growing the club has been a bit more difficult. We have grown in the last few years mainly through word of mouth. Most of the new members have been 80s owners as well. As our club dynamic changes so do our activities. Trail Rides have to cater to a larger array of vehicles and driver skills. Needless to say some of us miss the hardcore trails. It's a balance that is tricky to find and I'm not sure we're doing it properly. Our club has always been about quality over quanity so we're not looking to eclipse Lone Star in numbers. However in the 5 years I've been in the club we've only had 1 potential member not get voted in. Something to do with the safety of themselves, club members and completely idiotic 4 Wheeling skills and ethics. Perhaps he was the exception that proves the rule. It must just be a sign that most Cruiser owners are solid people. We'd like to continue to grow as a club but not sure the best way to go about it. Honestly I'm clueless. Aside from word of mouth and our newsletter at a local dealership we haven't really tried anything else.
I'd like to hear from other clubs what they have done well and what hasn't worked. I'd also like to know what hurdles/obstacles you face.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?p=619576#post619576
got me thinking about what local clubs can do to increase/influence TLCA participation/membership. I'm curious what other clubs have done to increase/maintain membership.
Having browsed around a little bit I realize that Wasatch Cruisers is a bit different in a few ways from many other clubs. Primarily our official monthly activity is not meeting at a restaruant or member's home. We have an official Trail Run every month. We are a 4 wheeling club first and a social club second. We have secondary activities each month. Some are social (restaurant, bbq, bowling) and some are technical (first aid, welding classes, wiring basics) but they are not considered official functions toward club participation.
Which brings us to a second anomaly. We required 3 trail runs a year to maintain status as an active member. I know some people and clubs look upon this as foolish and unnecessary but it was in the bylaws when I joined and every year when it comes up for discussion it is maintained. The current officers have talked about different levels of membership depending on what people want to get from the club. Full membership is for TLCA members only. We allow non-member (jeep drivers) to join as associate members but we only have 2 out of 50+ who are not TLCA.
This year's set of officers made a decision that to maintain members we need to give more responsibilty to the membership and take less for ourselves. Of our 24 events this year I think the elected officers are responsible for 3 of them. This has been incredibly successful for the club and especially for those who have owned the activities. The member in charge of the activity is responsible for all communcation leading up to the event, all trail leading and education duties during the event, and doing a write up for the club newsletter after the event.
I was an officer for 2 years (2002-2003) previous to becoming President. During those 2 years it seemed like the 5 of us did everything. We were all very burnt out. The 04 officers made it a point to off load some of the burden and I think this year we have made it even moreso. I feel like we have 30 solid members working on behalf of the club. Instead of being told where and when to meet we have far more active discussions on each activity and the enthusiaism is noticable for each run. When the trail leader is excited it tends to trickle down. That has been our basic attempt at maintaining membership.
Growing the club has been a bit more difficult. We have grown in the last few years mainly through word of mouth. Most of the new members have been 80s owners as well. As our club dynamic changes so do our activities. Trail Rides have to cater to a larger array of vehicles and driver skills. Needless to say some of us miss the hardcore trails. It's a balance that is tricky to find and I'm not sure we're doing it properly. Our club has always been about quality over quanity so we're not looking to eclipse Lone Star in numbers. However in the 5 years I've been in the club we've only had 1 potential member not get voted in. Something to do with the safety of themselves, club members and completely idiotic 4 Wheeling skills and ethics. Perhaps he was the exception that proves the rule. It must just be a sign that most Cruiser owners are solid people. We'd like to continue to grow as a club but not sure the best way to go about it. Honestly I'm clueless. Aside from word of mouth and our newsletter at a local dealership we haven't really tried anything else.
I'd like to hear from other clubs what they have done well and what hasn't worked. I'd also like to know what hurdles/obstacles you face.