Let's go clubbing

Today we take a look at a club in the USA who for some 30 plus years has maintained a membership of close on 300 active amateurs.

We ask the question, how?

Well these 300 are members of Washington DC group, GMRA, the Green Mountain Repeater Association.

VARIETY THE SPICE OF LIFE FOR ALL TYPES OF CLUBS
In addition to the repeaters autopatch, audio playback, VoIP features and other technical enticements, periodic synthesized and real voice announcements are programmed on the repeater to keep the members informed of emergency situations such as hurricanes, tornados, severe thunderstorms, Ares/Races nets, and special activities, to monthly and annual social gatherings.

Some of the announcements have been recorded by radio and television celebrity, Ed Walker, N3HFT, who adds a recognized professional voice to the bulletins. Your area may have a celebrity who may be willing to make a sound bite for your repeater and he/she does not necessarily have to be a ham. Certainly in Ipswich VK4, the dulcet tones of long time radio announcer Paul J Turner are heard with the idents.

The Association's Activities Manager schedules visits to local area points of interest such as: The Museum, airport, factories to name a few. These events provide a variety of activity to maintain member interest. Some are combined with other area clubs.

On the first Saturday of each month members get together at a local mall food court for a social visit.
Informal gatherings allow for bonding and developing friendships and a chance to meet the people that you talk to on the air. Choose a local restaurant or other establishment that is convenient to get to and has
accommodations to allow your group to sit together.

NEW MEMBERS; A SUCCESS STORY IN ITSELF
Taking a lead from the advertising world, the Association goes after new members. In 2003, the internet was checked on a daily basis for new hams as well as hams relocating into the area. In that one year alone almost 800 mailings went out to hams in the repeater's coverage area resulting in 65 new members. Of course word of mouth plays an important role. A reasonably active club and/or repeater that welcomes newcomers and makes them feel comfortable, does not go un-noticed.

FRIENDLY WORKS!
(1) talk to someone who comes on the repeater for the first time,
(2) help members with equipment and antenna problems,
(3) support their county's emergency organization,
(4) keep the membership informed through weekly Emails,
(5) provide operating guidance and support to new and seasoned hams ensuring the repeaters are utilized in a manner which reflect the highest standards of operating practices.

A final, but important note; it is learned very quickly that you do not attract nor retain membership through repeater censorship, overly aggressive, self-important control operators and silence day after day when you make a call on the repeater.

Whether you have a club repeater or not, create a friendly atmosphere coupled with activity, variety and a solid information system and you will entice new members and retain your present membership.

The author, Murray Green, K3BEQ, is one of the Founding Fathers of The Green Mountain Repeater Association, and has written numerous feature and column articles for QST and the ARRL Web site.

He highly recommends reading the excellent and in-depth ARRL article: Active Club Online Primer.

He resides in Maryland near Washington DC and can be reached at k3beq@arrl.net

Ronnee Meachen VK4CO

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

Other recent stories..

• Get our news headlines for your website - click here
• Submit your news story - click here