In another thread, Geoff offered this analysis of the 33% "churn" in membership endured by AGB each year. I realise that this has probably been covered before, but the fact that it is still going on despite the efforts such as "On Target" aimed at helping clubs grow makes me think it is worth considering again.....
I think the 11000 churn in membership might not be so serious as it seems.
Where I shoot, the new beginners are made welcome and given regular help. We still suffer from members not renewing after a year or so. I have always been interested in why this should be and from evidence at the club collected over the years, it falls into two groups; unavoidable and avoidable. Some archers find that their lifestyle changes and archery has to be dropped. Some find that once they have got used to their new toys, the novelty wears off and they find other things to do.
It is only very rarely that they leave because they had an issue that could have been avoided, if the club had acted differently.
If there are clubs around who actively or accidentally lose members through faults in their actions or lack of actions, then those clubs need help. I wonder how many people would be interested in finding out which clubs need that sort of help; and would be interested in offering it.
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I have highlighted in the quote one section that does worry me. Essentially, does this not mean that the members are simply bored with archery? I do feel this is something of an indictment of our sport, the way it is carried on, and the overall organisation. Should we really be accepting this as inevitable, in the percentages that it is happening? It happens at Adel, and I have no idea why, to be honest. What I do know is that, in the years when the "churn" is greater than normal, we almost become financially unviable, so it is a real danger.
Your thoughts, please.