Ways to Increase Your Club Membership

by Suzy Kihlander

Senior Members

Just who is a Senior Member? All clubs go by age and it is usually accepted that any member over the age of 18, or college age, is a Senior Member.

By those standards, if you happen to be over 25 years old then you are over the hill. Thirty to thirty-five—one foot on a banana peel. Over 40—ancient. According to most kids if you are that age you were born before radios and cars. After spending my summer listening to the younger generation, I realize what a shock they are in for as they mature.

I asked my 16 year old son about some of the fish club members he has met and worked with over the years and realized that he has a different way of aging older club members. He gauges his opinions by what we do, how we relate to 'kids’ and how we treat them. He has been lucky, I feel, as he didn't consider Grandmothers or others of comparable age to be old. The reason? Simple! When he was little and asked questions, they didn't treat him as if he was stupid. Rather, they helped out by explaining things and as he got older they began to treat him as an equal. "They still help", he added.

Now, when we talk about new members, remember his words. Regardless of age, the new member is trying to learn. It is the duty of all club members to help those who are new to join. You cannot imagine how much a simple 'hello" can mean to a person attending his first meetings and how much a few words can help overcome their feelings of being "lost in a crowd”.

If you want to keep your new members, talk to them. Let them know that they can call on you for help. Invite them to visit your home and offer suggestions to help with their set ups. Increasing your membership is much easier than keeping it!

Retired or Not Working

Go to where they gather in your community. Condos, hi-rises, Community Centers, etc. Usually the local newspaper will have a listing of their activities during the week and who their speakers are.

Call, or better yet, go in person and talk to them. Arrange to speak to them at a meeting.
Set up a demonstration or arrange a course on aquarium management for them. You may even find that some of those attending were hobbyists years ago. You could also find someone who may just want to keep one large 'pet’ fish. Those on Social Security should be charged reduced (equivalent to Juniors) membership dues.

They have the time to spend and will enjoy helping your club in all activities. In other words, they are workers! Keep in mind that their budget may be severely limited. I have known them to bring their children and even grandchildren into the club.

College Students

If there is a college in your area, call the Marine Biology Department to arrange for permission to put up posters advertising the club. You'd be surprised how many students keep aquariums in their rooms. One of our members gave a summer course at a university on Aquarium Management which was so well attended he was obliged to do it again during the regular semester.

Always keep a list of members willing to help. Be sure to include their area of specialty such as: Fish, Plants, Diseases, etc. and use this list and the members expertise to assist those in trouble. Put this list into pet shops and fish stores. The owner cannot usually leave the store, but your volunteer members can. This idea could easily gain you new members.

Army, Navy & Air Force Bases

Personal contact with people on the base, arranging to speak at their meetings of social groups and notice boards can be used. Many bases publish a local newspaper which is an excellent medium for your advertising.

You should attempt to contact some officer connected with personnel administration. It is a simple matter of phoning the base operator and asking for the number of someone from that department. Your club can be of service to these members by informing them of the nearest club to the place of their next posting or even providing them with a name or phone number of a hobbyist which would be of great help to them.

Fish Shows & Workshops

Always plan to have a little demonstration repeated several times each day, perhaps given by a Junior Member. Simply setting up a tank can be a good subject.

I've been in stores when customers complained that a pump they had just bought wouldn't work. Arrange for tours of the show by local schools and their teachers. Call rehabilitation centers and community centers to make them aware of the show.

Provide all visitors with free literature, and most important, have your members circulate among the visitors to answer any questions. Don't just sit in a group and talk. Mix!

Advertising Freebies

Call local papers and give them press releases. Invite them to do a feature such as a personal interview with one of your members.

Pick an interesting member—someone  with a fish room who may be retired. Or choose a junior member with tanks in his room, basement and/or garage. You could even try to arrange to have a pet answer column (for fish, herps and outdoor pools) as a regular feature in your local newspaper.