Captain Harbor Sail & Power Squadron of Greenwich CT (District 2) has
increased their membership this year and we are particularly proud of having more than doubled the
number of students in our spring ABC3 class compared with the previous few years. This is at a time
when most other organizations are bemoaning dwindling membership and attendance.
We have a stellar publicity program so attendance at all our events is way up. Let me give some bullet points
pertaining specifically to points you mentioned:
Recruiting:
- At our ABC final class we have several members of our Bridge attend and speak one-on-one with students to get them to join.
- Our ABC classes are preceded by an optional half hour on ‘knot of the week’ which always interests students.
- We invite students to all our events and call them every month for a few months until they either join or we realized they will never do so.
- We have over 50% of our ABC students join us – and some join later.
- Event flyers and newsletters are sent to all students for several months
- We have a community liaison person to keep in touch with yacht and boating clubs
- I have short articles and photos printed in local newspapers
- Boating club newsletters often print notices or boating information under the Squadron’s name
Keeping them involved:
- We keep track of new members’ interests and an officer will call them when s/he needs help for a specific committee or project.
- We have a membership retention person whose only job is to call each new member before every event
- We have a free membership appreciation barbecue at my home every summer for them to meet the officers
- Instead of having just an Admin Officer, I’ve created an Admin Committee to do that work – and new members are on this and help when they can. This takes the load off the officer, and brings new members into the fold.
Keeping them happy and satisfied:
- We hold monthly general members’ meetings and strive to get a variety of spectacular speakers for these.
- We attempt to have a variety of interesting venues and formats for all events. These range from a very informal clambake at the beach to a more formal Change of Watch at a country club.
- Event flyers are distributed broadly to the boating community so we have different attendees – so there’s always someone knew to meet and get to know.
- Whenever a member or officer does something good, s/he’ll receive a thank you card, email or phone call from me.
So, in a nutshell we do our best to have a vibrant squadron that is involved in education, community service and fellowship.
If you would like me to elaborate on any of the above, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
|
