[QCWA] New 2010 Roster Statistics

[L M]

Hi Dave, Val, et al.,

I cannot help but to put in a plug for a youth activity that I have been
promoting and administering for more than 25 years - the School Club Roundup
(SCR).

It would be nice to hear from local chapters and individual that are using
the SCR promote amateur radio.  If you are not familiar with SCR you can
find info at WWW.ARRL.ORG/school-club-roundup-scr.  (The page is a work in
progress).  We have an email group: SCR-L at yahoogroups.com. There are two
sessions/year; one in the 3rd week of October and one in the 2nd week of
February.  The next session is October 18-22, 2010.

Although I am a life member, I have never been involved with my local
chapter.  In my working years, they met during the day while I was at work.
More recently, I found that most of the members I knew are either SK or
moved away.

73,
Lew
n2rq at arrl.net



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave - VE3JX" <ve3jx at sympatico.ca>
To: "Val Erwin" <dallasqcwa at sbcglobal.net>; "QCWA Reflector"
<QCWA at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 11:37 AM
Subject: Re: [QCWA] New 2010 Roster Statistics


> 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
>
>