Recruiting/attracting new members

[penybontshed]

The loss of three members over the past year has brought into sharp focus the issue of recruitment to our society. Now before any one states the usual facts
1 Its always been a challenge
2 Its a hobby for the old/retired
3 You can attract the younger member but then they discover etc etc etc
There are obviously ways and means or the hobby would've dried up years ago. So what have you done/tried that worked and can you share it here?
Thanks ( a worried society secretary)

[John Baguley]

Do you have an outdoor garden railway, i.e. Gauge 0 and Gauge 1 ? That seems to be a popular addition to clubs nowadays. We built one a few years back and it attracted at least another 20 members. I think other clubs have found the same.

Building or buying passenger hauling locos is an expensive business and beyond some people's pockets. Gauge 1 and Gauge 0 are a lot more affordable for those who on limited budgets.

John

[barlowworks]

Also 16mm narrow gauge garden railways. We have one at the Sheffield club in 32mm and 45 mm scale. Always has a crowd in front of it on running days and makes people think when you explain how affordable it can be in the garden.

Mike

[JonL]

We have been running novice workshops, but our biggest problem is being a bit tucked out the way. I think most of our members come from word of mouth.

[Deleted]

Hi

It's interesting to note John and Mike's comment re other sections to the hobby attracting larger numbers, I think this is sound advice and totally logical.
My own club NLSME has many sections to it at both the club track and the HQ building. At HQ we have the model railway sections representing, 00, O, HO, we also have a large slot car unit, plus the general hall for meetings, talks, etc. At the club we have two large railway groups, ground and raised tracks, we have 16mm narrow gauge and 45mm garden railway plus the large gauge 1 track (two tracks same gauge). There's also a boating lake for the marine section. There are a few others, traction engines, Mobil track for fates and rallies and I believe ham radio was a popular section although never seen the guys myself. All this equates to nearly 200 members, the vast range of subjects catered for must give weight in some part as to the large membership book?
As for ages, I think we have a fairly wide range, I believe in the latest round of new members there were 2 or 3 junior members along with some adults, most monthly newsheets report new members.
Thus adding new hobbies if possible should bring in new members, it seems to work for us.

Pete

[JonL]

We sometimes get accused of being a bit railway focussed, but obviously thats where a majority of our members interests lie. We do still have quite a few stationary engines in build, but I guess it's not quite as exciting to most as Rain, Steam and Speed!

[penybontshed]

Thanks for the suggestions all. We do have a model railway club house and it is fairly well patronised, but again mainly by the retired. I wonder if any clubs have had an open day focussed on attracting volunteers?

[Cro]

Sept 29, 2021 14:27:22 GMT penybontshed said:

Thanks for the suggestions all. We do have a model railway club house and it is fairly well patronised, but again mainly by the retired. I wonder if any clubs have had an open day focussed on attracting volunteers?

We held a "members day" during a normal public running day. We invited any potential members that had got in touch during COVID whilst we were closed and then published on social media that we were inviting anyone interested along during the day. We gave tours of the club house, workshop and facilities and handed out membership forms. We took 8 or 9 forms from the day with 6 being juniors which boosts our already strong junior section of around 15 below the age of 25. 

We are now trying to find more engaging activities for them to do through the winter with the first possible option being evening workshop classes to teach them how to use the workshop with the hope they will go "I'd like to build something" which we can then help them with. 

Adam