In our last meeting we formed a committee to re-examine membership policy and issues. Here are some of my thoughts on the issue.
Whippersnapper sailing in various forms has been a part of our club for a long time now. The bulk of the latest iteration is a bunch of high school and college kids sailing lasers. They have been a huge asset to the laser fleet and to the club as a whole, in my humble opinion. They have added vitality to the fleet, and have been instrumental in some of the innovative ways in which we have laser fun. Many have been in the fleet for three or more years, and in that respect, some have seniority over the newer adult fleet members.
The problem is how to keep them after they graduate from college. Historically, the club has had little success in this area. Two of our current life members were graduates from whippersnapper status, but that was more than 25 years ago. Since then, I can only recall one other. Those three are all very good sailors and huge assets to the club. So how do we develop this terrific resource?
There needs to be a strong positive draw to keep them sailing. Continuing to have a strong fleet in their boat of choice sure helps. Sailing in formats they have enjoyed in high school and college sailing (e.g. Multiple fleet races on shorter courses and team racing) is attractive to them. Involving them in fleet and club decision making creates an atmosphere where they are a part of the community, instead of a tag along to an established adult community.
We must also do what we can to overcome the impediments that push them out of sailing. We cannot control the fact that they inevitably get busy with jobs, relationships, apartments, and other grown-up life things. However, we could reduce some of the cost. Although there is a certain fairness to paying the regular adult fee, there is the financial reality of not having much money at that time of life. I would suggest that there should be a gradual increase in dues transitioning to full adult dues over two or three years. I also think that the new initiation fee for whippersnappers whose parents aren’t members is very alienating. Hard to tell if a few hundred dollars would make the difference, but a small loss of revenue to the club is a bargain if these enthusiastic sailors stay with us. These are the kind of members the club wants, and it would be a shame to lose them over a few hundred dollars.
So what do you whippersnappers think? What’s it going to take to keep you sailing? Is the money standing in your way?
Gary
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I would support a different plan for dues. Many more young people are returning to live at home. We live in a very different economy these days than just a few years ago. An extension to the family membership could be considered even if they graduated from college or are over 21. For those who's parents are not members, a reduced plan is very reasonable. I would not support a dues increase to keep the membership revenue per head the same as a way to subsidize a new structure.
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ReplyDeleteI would certainly support the idea of gradually increasing dues, perhaps with the cost being made up in extra work for the Club that some of us have a hard time doing (climbing trees to get branches down, etc.). Or even just a gradual increase works for me for sailors who have been a part of the Club and want to stay. I would even support a different set of dues for under 25, over 25, or other creative ways to help with the finances.
I would also suppport reduced fees for those under 25. How about some sort of special social events for our younger sailors. Perhaps there could be a small committee made up of "whippersnappers" to propose ideas.
ReplyDeleteEric