I saw this article in the ARRL Newsletter and what it speaks about resonated with me immediately. I still remember the first SBARC event, field day, I ever attended, and it was a "lonesome" event.
As a former officer of SBARC, one thing I always tried to do at SBARC meetings/events was to keep my eye open for people who looked like they were being ignored, and 1) introduce myself, and 2) try to put them in touch with others who had similar interests. And then say Hi to them when I saw them again.
I might add SBARC grew when I first joined to over 500 members mostly thanks to others doing the same thing I did. The other really important thing SBARC did was have events... field day, Bazaar, Hamfest to name a couple, that provided members (and others) a chance to get involved with SBARC activities.
Another major factor in growing SBARC was to actively involve many others in SBARC activities. The most recent similar activity I'm thinking about was Levi (and others) and his work involved with our new Carpinteria Ham station. Another person almost all of us know is Bill Talanian, W1UUQ, and his consistent work (mostly behind the scenes) with building a first class repeater system.
For me, Darryl Widman, KF6DI, was a major factor in SBARC growing as did back then. He was ALWAYS asking members to get involved. His push to grow SBARC resulted in a membership of over 500 people (including one dog that rumor has it.)
These are just a couple of my thoughts on building an organization to be more than just a club name.
Marvin, KE6HTS
Two Simple Tricks to Expand Club Membership
As an ARRL official, I talk with hundreds of hams each year, many of whom are newly licensed or returning to the airwaves after a long absence. I ask them if they belong to a local club. To my surprise, many reply no, and cite two reasons why they don't join. First, no one responds to a call from them on the club's repeater, and secondly, they feel awkward at club meetings because few members wear badges to identify themselves. Both situations can easily be remedied.
Make it a club policy for members to monitor the club's designated repeater for at least 1 hour ahead of meeting times, not only for regularly scheduled meetings, but also for any informal events, such as breakfasts, lunches, or dinners. Answer unfamiliar calls, and invite the caller to your event, confirming the location. This is not only appreciated by new hams, but also operators returning to our hobby after many years. Remember that VHF/UHF FM equipment sold 30 years ago is still fully functional, so lots of returning hams still expect repeaters to be the primary conduit to communicate with members before meetings.
Many hams have gotten out of the habit of wearing a badge. While most members may know one another by sight, a visitor does not. Wearing a badge at a gathering helps associate a name and call sign with a face, and makes the visitor feel at ease. An easy way to make sure everyone is identified is to have blank adhesive name badges from an office supply store and a marker by the entrance to the meeting room. Another suggestion is to have your club work out a bulk order arrangement with an amateur radio badge maker. The club could even offer to pay a percentage of the price per badge to encourage members to buy one.
Monitoring the club's official repeater and wearing a badge are two simple ways to make nonmembers feel welcome and part of your club, with the hope they will join.
-- ARRL Roanoke Division Vice Director Bill Morine, N2COP