[QCWA] Making QCWA Better - PREAMBLE (Part 1 of 3)

[Dave - VE3JX]

  PREAMBLE:  QCWA is a great organization. Its premise is that of honoring
the “senior” members of our amateur radio fraternity.  It has been described
as a “rite of passage”; that is, something to which to aspire.
  One of the main features of QCWA has been their regularly-held annual
“national” (or should it be termed “international”?) convention.  The
convention coming up next month in Virginia Beach is one I would dearly
loved to attend; but, alas, we’re into heavy care-giving at this qth, which
precludes it for this year.
  The strength of QCWA seems to lie in its structure, that of having many
local chapters throughout the U.S., and scattered throughout the world.  The
last chapter formed bears the number “220”, which means that over the years,
there have been 220 chapters formed in QCWA.  However, the number of
 “active” chapters, chapters that are still in operation, is less than that.
  There has also been concern expressed for the drop in membership numbers
from its zenith.  I am told that, at one time, QCWA had around ten thousand
members.  Considering that we now have around the seven thousand mark, I can
see why there is consternation over this.  True, membership in all ham radio
organizations seems to have dropped from its highpoint in the 1990’s, but
the percentage drop, if the 10K figure is correct, seems to be much higher
for QCWA than for others.
  One reason could be that QCWA membership is somewhat discretionary.  While
membership in a national, representative organization such as ARRL, RAC,
RSGB, WIA, DARL, etc. can be viewed as necessary (or mandatory) for the
protection of our rights and privileges associated with the amateur radio
service, other ham organization memberships may be viewed as optional, i.e.
as you desire to be affiliated.  QCWA is amongst many others (e.g. FISTS,
OOTC, 10-10, etc.) that have to draw people to it, based on their
attractiveness rather than on the necessity of having a national
representative.  For example, if a person is experiencing economic
difficulties, the optional memberships would be the first to go.  If one’s
interest in ham radio has waned, it is the optional memberships that they
would drop first.
  Therefore, if that is the case, how can we make QCWA even more attractive
than what it already is, to a prospective new or renewing member?  What can
we do to make QCWA better?

Dave Hayes VE3JX
QCWA Life #33597