How is your Club doing?

This is from the last leader-member minute which some of you have already seen but it needs to be seen by all members so I hope this will reach a few clubs with some great ideas.

How is your club received by your community? Are you gaining members or losing them? Is your club friendly to new or prospective members? Below are some ideas by Eric Williams for promoting a healthy club membership.

1.  Always seek ways to keep your club in the public eye and continuously seek new members. A wise man once said, “A club without signs is a sign of no club.”

2.  Establish a relationship with your local mayor or town supervisor, as well as other local elected officials. Have a cookout and invite them to your field.

3.  Create an external club newsletter that you regularly email to local elected officials, school administrators, science/tech/STEM teachers, local scout troops, the local VFW and other veterans’ groups, the fire department and rescue squad, and other local civic groups and community organizations. Doing this helps expose the community to your club and helps the club establish new friendships and relationships. It also helps cultivate new members!

4.  Create a one-page flyer about your club and what you fly. Invite the public to come to your field and discover model aviation. This is your club’s “sales brochure.”

5.  Have your club embrace a local charity and have an event just for it to raise funds and awareness for the charity. Be certain to also invite local elected officials and the local news media to the event! This helps demonstrate that your club is not just a model aircraft club, but a civic organization that contributes to the community!

6.  Participate in local parades, community days, and other multi-organization events.

7.  Paste a label with your club’s contact information on the front of your old Model Aviation magazines. Leave these issues at your doctor’s waiting room, your barbershop, local coffee houses, auto repair shops, etc.

8.  Many companies have local groups of their retirees that meet monthly, or for special events. Invite these groups, and/or the local VFW, veterans’ clubs, the Elks club, and similar groups of people who have time and money on their hands that might be looking for a hobby or a pastime.

9.  Signs are critical. Unless you’re restricted, have a sign at your club inviting people to call or email for information.

10. Websites work. Be certain that your club has an up-to-date website that is inviting and exciting, with contact details that are easy to find.

11. Create a club Facebook page. Keep it up to date and, of course, prominently include the club’s contact information. Include photos and video of your club’s activities. Social media is a very powerful tool for promoting.

12. Choose an individual who is outgoing, friendly, and who gets along with everyone. Delegate this person as the club’s welcoming committee and contact person for the general public.

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