[QCWA] New 2010 Roster Statistics
Dave - VE3JX
ve3jx at sympatico.ca
Fri Aug 6 11:37:52 EDT 2010
Hi Val,
It was great to hear from you. Hope all is well in the big state of Texas.
You mentioned, WRT declining membership, certain questions: "A.) Is it due to loss of interest in the organization/failure to renew membership? B.) Loss of interest in the hobby? C.) Has the Member gone SK?"
I think there is a measure of truth behind A and C, but not so much with B. I would hope that, if a person has stuck with the hobby for over 25 years that their interest would not peter out after joining QCWA.
As far as A is concerned, Chuck commented: "it's the loss of renewals that is most troubling" in reference to this membership decrease. So, "A" is quite valid.
Question "C" highlights why we have to always be a growing organization, since a significant number of Silent Keys will always be a factor associated with QCWA. We are a "senior" association; therefore, SK's will always be a major membership normal attrition factor. We can't stop people from dying.
Your comments WRT some Chapter meetings just being meals, and that not being conducent to growth, is well taken. Many Chapters, though, seem to have associated, with their meal venue, technical presentations and other programs that are much appreciated. Those chapters are to be commended for making the experience more than just a strain on the waistline.
You made a point about "the majority of our Members being more mature" and that was " inversely proportional to the energy level that the average Member is willing to put forth in ensuring a vibrant/enthusiastic organization."
It is no doubt true that some members can barely make it out to a meeting, due to their advanced age. However, my experience, with ARES for example, seems to indicate that it is the "older crowd" that you can depend on to participate in exercises and projects, as well as social functions. As well, we do have a number of members that are "younger seniors" and would love something useful to do; they don't want to be put out to pasture just yet. And so, if a Chapter is active with various projects or programs, I think there would be lots of support and interest, once these things get off the ground. It takes leadership at both the Chapter and National levels, though, to pull it off.
"National" projects may give the whole organization some active direction and stimulate interest among QCWA members throughout the whole structure. For example, I believe that there was a commitment made by QCWA and ARNewsline to foster a youth mentoring program. Could we do more in promoting this on a National/International level? Some Chapters are already participating in youth educational (ham radio) programs. Perhaps, promotion at the National/International level would assist in getting more chapters and people involved in that. I know discussion has been going on about youth education and QCWA's possible increased role in this. Once it is decided how best QCWA can participate in this, we may have a common project to promote for all chapters to share in. Other ideas, such as radio history preservation, might be good as a "National" project also.
Whatever National/International project(s) we come up with need to be actively promoted and "advertised". In my role of WRO columnist, I would be happy to assist in this, adding to whatever promotional materials are contained in the Journal.
I understand Val, from what I've observed in the "New Members" page in the Journal, that you are exceptionally adept in signing up new members. Well done! Now, we just have to close the back door in order to grow.
Some random thoughts from the bitter end of I-75. Thank you so much for yours.
Cheers,
Dave Hayes VE3JX
----- Original Message -----
From: Val Erwin
To: QCWA Reflector ; Dave - VE3JX
Cc: QCWA GM
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 10:18 PM
Subject: Re: [QCWA] New 2010 Roster Statistics
Howdy Dave........
I appreciate all your hard work in putting together those statistics. When I see declining membership numbers, certain questions come to mind: A.) Is it due to loss of interest in the organization/failure to renew membership? B.) Loss of interest in the hobby? C.) Has the Member gone SK? ........Of course the answers to those questions are difficult if not impossible to determine.
Of course, the very existence of our organization is seemingly predicated upon the majority of our Members being more mature which in itself seems to be inversely proportional to the energy level that the average Member is willing to put forth in ensuring a vibrant/enthusiastic organization.
As one that attends and works many QCWA tables at various hamfests, my experience has been that there are far more of our midst that are just simply "joiners" as they want to proudly declare that they are "Members" of the QCWA. And, there is nothing wrong with that. But, if we are to grow, we need far more Members that are willing to be "active participants" at both the national and the Chapter level.
It is my personal feeling that a QCWA Chapter that meets for the sole purpose of eating is destined to a slow death. Why?........Because the Members will quickly realize they can eat anywhere and over time fewer and fewer Members will show up at the meetings!...............It is vital that Chapters keep the Members interest by not only providing the culinary attraction but also an array of other attractions at QCWA Chapter meetings such as public speakers, technical presentations,videos, etc.
In closing, I would like to issue a personal challenge to every QCWA Member: Go out and recruit just one Member before the end of the year!
Best regards,
Val L. Erwin / W5PUT
QCWA Natl' Director
--- On Wed, 8/4/10, Dave - VE3JX <ve3jx at sympatico.ca> wrote:
From: Dave - VE3JX <ve3jx at sympatico.ca>
Subject: [QCWA] New 2010 Roster Statistics
To: "QCWA Reflector" <QCWA at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: "QCWA GM" <qcwagm at rcn.com>
Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2010, 4:04 PM
Greetings all,
Below is a Statistical Presentation of the new Roster dated June 30th, 2010, as compared to the previous two years. All figures are from straight addition of all roster entries.
Our International members increased modestly, while our US members decreased by over 200 from last year, and by 342 from 2008. Call area 9 was the only US area to increase, going from 440 (2008) to 456 this year. Could that be because of interest in hosting the Convention Cruise? Conventions could be a catalyst for membership increase in the venue community.
Canada increased by 20 since 2008, and Switzerland went from 8 (2008) to 13 in 2010. Well done!
I'd like to hear your input and analysis on the figures below.
Sincerely,
Dave Hayes VE3JX
QCWA Life Member
P.S. The layout was done with Courier as the font of choice, in an attempt to align all columns appropriately. Hopefully, you will be able to view them that way. -jx
***QCWA Roster Statistics/Members Totals***
-------------------------------------------
2008-06-30 2009-06-30 2010-06-30
---------- ---------- ----------
All US - 6469 US - 6333 US - 6127
Call Area 0 - 632 0 - 617 0 - 594
1 - 488 1 - 466 1 - 439
2 - 668 2 - 655 2 - 629
3 - 524 3 - 520 3 - 504
4 - 987 4 - 976 4 - 958
5 - 752 5 - 744 5 - 714
6 - 697 6 - 667 6 - 634
7 - 577 7 - 568 7 - 542
8 - 704 8 - 681 8 - 657
9 - 440 9 - 439 9 - 456
2008-06-30 2009-06-30 2010-06-30
---------- ---------- ----------
International - 442 462 474
Australia - 3 3 3
Austria - 9 9 9
Belgium - 2 2 2
Brasil - 1 1 1
Canada - 245 258 265
Columbia - 0 1 1
Czech Rep. - 1 1 3
Denmark - 1 1 1
Germany - 123 128 124
Honduras - 1 1 1
Hungary - 1 1 0
Isle of Man - 1 1 1
Israel - 4 4 5
Italy - 2 2 2
Japan - 26 25 28
Kroatia - 1 1 1
Netherlands - 1 1 1
Norway - 1 1 1
Paraguay - 1 1 1
Poland - 2 2 2
Russia - 2 2 2
Sri Lanka - 1 2 2
Sweden - 2 2 1
Switzerland - 8 9 13
Taiwan - 2 2 2
United Kingdom - 1 1 2
Totals 2008-06-30 2009-06-30 2010-06-30
------ ---------- ---------- ----------
All US 6469 US - 6333 US - 6127
International 442 462 474
--------------------------------------------
WORLDWIDE 6911 6794 6601
--------------------------------------------
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