If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would
literally astound ourselves.Thomas Alva Edison
Everybody knows what the focus of 4x4 clubs is; wheeling. But what happens when the wheeling just isn’t enough? Should we fight the tide of membership loss and start pushing ways to retain the numbers or should we accept the change and work with the numbers we end up with? Man, those are some difficult questions really. Let’s look at both of ‘em.
Acceptance and decline:
So the membership numbers are falling off, sometimes in droves. As I’ve stated before, there are numerous reasons why this happens; the economy, trail closures, personal reasons, politics, etc. Remember that the reason there’s a club to begin with is that we’re a group of guys and gals that enjoy what we do, and that’s go wheelin’! So when someone…or quite of few someone’s, no longer enjoy it or simply can’t go during the club’s trail rides, the numbers shrink. To choose this course to let run, we can weigh some of our positives and negatives:
Negatives –
Fewer volunteers for events, charity work, trail work, etc.
Fewer members mean less money in our accounts. If we’re actually doing something with that money, that could be a big negative. If it’s not doing much, trim what expenses you can…like a PO Box or newsletter or stickers. Big events might be out of the question of course.
Fewer members mean fewer voices on our political issues. That is probably the worst thing to happen. We need everyone to be involved when it comes to our representation!
Positives –
Fewer members mean fewer trail users mean easier trail rides and scheduling (mostly).
Less “paperwork” dealing with the membership and less “administration”.
Generally, fewer people means it’ll be a little easier (again, for the most part).
Retain and grow:
So the membership numbers are falling off, sometimes in droves (still). Look at it like a business, with customers, employees, services, etc.
Negatives –
It takes a lot of hard work to keep the group together during good times, let alone the hard.
Your “service” better be worth it.
Your application process may become lax or too lenient.
Positives –
There’s strength in numbers!
You’re resolving to continue could lead to a renewed interest in the club, region, or anything really.
There’s really no right answer, but every club and most organizations will go through this all. Let’s look at ways to ride it out or take it by the horns;
Money: Perhaps a dues structure to take advantage of everyone’s passion without compromising their membership? For example, limited membership benefits such as forum access or events at a lower cost to the member. If $50 a year gets you full membership, perhaps a $30 membership would get you just the forum access but no member rides. Or $20 or $10 or even free…the key here is to retain an active number of voices within our organizations and also, not to lose friends and acquaintances based on money alone. Eventually things will get better and those members won’t feel as alienated later on.
Politics: There’s just no way around this one. We’re all going to get ticked at other members and they’re all going to get ticked at you. How you handle it is the key. Learning to disagree AND ACCEPT THE OUTCOME is very difficult. Hell, I’ve damn near tossed in the towel countless times, pretty recently too! LISTEN to what the club wants, whether you’re the club president or just a member…LISTEN. If it’s one item like where to wheel this weekend, suck it up. If it’s the entire course of the club’s future, speak up. Then if it still doesn’t go your way, run for office! Call people, talk to everyone, convince them WHY you’re way is better! DON’T JUST QUIT.
Trails: There just really aren’t enough, are there? This is the Holy Grail right here. I got nothin’
Incentives: A way to help attendance is FREE STUFF! Gas cards, 50/50’s (yeah, not really free, but kinda!), old t-shirts, etc. Give people a reason to show up. Kill off some of the formalities if need be, at least once in a while.
Diversify: One way to draw new members with similar interests is to open up the club to other user groups. The obvious ones being motorized users, but thinking outside the box would be to enlist the members of organizations that may have the same issues you do; like government land closures and the anti-access groups. Organizations like equestrian, ATV, OHM's...they need trails too. Just be sure the trails you may offer are just as open to them as the seat you offer at the table. Step away and "think outside the box" is the point.
Remember, during difficult times it can become almost impossible. DON’T GIVE UP! Think like a lighthouse; sure, you can shut off the light if you don’t see any boats, but WHAT ABOUT THE BOATS STILL OUT THERE??? Seriously, there’s always a boat on the horizon, or an up and coming OHV’er ready to learn more. Always. Bring ‘em in as far as you can, then smack ‘em with a rock and tell them to friggin help ya with dinner once in a while.
On to the specifics;
TRAILFEST 2008 IS ALMOST HERE!!! Are you frikkin' kidding me?
We've only received a small number of registrations, so the opportunity to win something at the raffle will be pretty damn good. T-shirts are iffy right now based on the number of registrants, though. Remember to support your Region! If you can’t make it, THEN HELP BY SPREADING THE WORD PLEASE!
http://www.ec4wda.org/regiond/TF08/TF08_reg.pdf
4WD TRAILFEST 2008 AUGUST 15-17, WINDSOR CT
Book your room today! http://www.clarionhotel.com/
Clarion Inn & Suites of East Windsor
161 Bridge Street, East Windsor CT 06088
The July newsletter is out. Find it online at http://www.ec4wda.org/regiond/doc/july08_trailregister.pdf
If you want hardcopies, email me.
Keep together out there. We really can’t afford not to right now.
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Albert Einstein
