Help My Organization Get Members

[bobomar]

Hello, I've just been asked to join the board(that runs) our local branch of country's naturist organization. So, I would like a few pointers from anyone being helpful enough.

There has been a problem with attendance at the indoor swimming-pool (few show up regularly), and we are at the moment getting almost no new rcruits.

To make matters worse, there are about 10% youths, 10% children/early teen agers, and the rest is 30+, which in turn makes it alot less appealing to join, or come back. (there will occasionally be one, or two visitors)

The bottom line: We are not attracting new people, and we espesially need young people.
This is a problem. Every reply is appreciated/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[bobomar]

Hello, I've just been asked to join the board(that runs) our local branch of country's naturist organization. So, I would like a few pointers from anyone being helpful enough.

There has been a problem with attendance at the indoor swimming-pool (few show up regularly), and we are at the moment getting almost no new rcruits.

To make matters worse, there are about 10% youths, 10% children/early teen agers, and the rest is 30+, which in turn makes it alot less appealing to join, or come back. (there will occasionally be one, or two visitors)

The bottom line: We are not attracting new people, and we espesially need young people.
This is a problem. Every reply is appreciated/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[greensunshine]

I think part of the problem may be with economics with the crowd you are attempting to bring in...most in their 20' and early 30's are either attempting to get on their feet finacially or they are raising families or in school, or all three...I remember being one of those people, thus taking time out for nudism, unless it was free, was expensive...

After one gets past their mid 30's money does tend to be a less of a problem provided the same holds true for their circle of friends... /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Another less obvious issue tends to be one feeling like they either fit in or don't fit in with the crowd, and I am refering to this as one looks at those around them...bodies tend to not be as great looking as they were when we were younger...time has a way of expanding many of our horizons including those we wear on our bodies naked /infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif

Greensunshine in the Pacific NW /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Female, Mormon, and Proud of Both /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Trailscout]

Perhaps it is not the cost. Young single people want to go where the crowd is.

So to get them there the first time, you must have a special promotion. Publicize a "Young Singles Night, keep the price reasonable and maybe they will give it a try. Do it once a month. Perhaps they will start visiting on other nights once they get used to coming on singles night.

Advertise where young singles go. Health clubs, colleges, dance halls, perhaps sports arenas.

[aunaturelone]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> 10% youths, 10% children/early teen agers <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>You're actually doing quite good. Seem quite a few groups where there were NO youngsters, not even one person under 35.

Where are you located? What kind of facilities do you have? What's your budget? That makes a difference what you do.

To attract a particular demographic of people you've got to do things they are interested in doing and find a way to get the message out to them. A local university would be the logical place to find open minded young adults. A concert by a popular local band would beone way to do it.

Elysium used to give steep group discounts on Saturdays in the hope of attracting more people. One of those groups was Mensa. Another was Au Natural the Cal State Northridge student nudist group. There was also the Naturist Society and the Libertarian Party. (I don't know if they offered a AAA discount...)

It's all about knowing your market and there is no way to do that other than research. You might check out the Trade Association for Nude Recreation (http://www.tanr.com/) for help.

[Phil Stockdale]

Is the problem that people aren't finding out you have the activities on or are you telling lots of people who aren't interested?

If it's the former I can suggest some free or cheap ways of promoting the event. If it's the later it's obviously a case of making the event's more attractive to newcomers which is a different issue.

Kind regards,
Phil

[bobomar]

I believe it is not very attractive to newcomers. I believe that it is because of a sligt male majority, and hugely the young are few.

So, what you all are saying:
Target a group:
-teenagers to 30. -Then, give them a reason to come:
-Some sort of arrangement they would like, like some sport in the water.

I'll put up posters all over campus..

Does this sound like a good start? Anybody?
Anybody see anything missing? Student discount?

[Rex]

I recently posted on Hash House Harriers, [a social running club, who like a drink, or two], being nudist-friendly, and I have got feedback confirming this.
They will probably have at least one group in your area.
You can probably contact them via the internet.

[Phil Stockdale]

The only trouble with discounts is that they make the people who aren't eligible for them think they're being overcharged!

Why not offer a 1st session free (to everyone, maybe?) and then you can go for the "what have you got to lose" tack. Also, back in the days when I was a student, if you asked your mates if they wanted to go walk down the street nude they would say no, but dare them to do it and it would be a different story, so maybe you could incorporate a dare.

Kind regards,
Phil

[WNYjoe]

I am VP of a local club in Western NY and we have the same problem. Its all too common. I agree with aunaturelone that if those numbers are correct, you are doing well. Phil Stockdale also a makes a valid point about making people know of events. There's a few other issues for you to be aware of, and I have brought them up here before.
I get the impression you are not from the US. That may even be to your advantage. Combine the conservative lot that we have in this country, with the climate in NYS not being conducive to a long outdoor season, and add to that the idea of "The Graying of Naturism," and thus the conundrm. (I think it was "N" Magazine that has recently done a series of articles about Naturism is becoming a group of old folks...) Plus, youth have more entertainment choices. Volunteerism nationwide is down, people are staying more to smaller/"intimate" groups...
So, in my view; recruiting and attendance are problems. Acceptance, knowledge, comfort (body issues), locality, image, etc are issues. AND MAJOR ONES that I have begun to feel are items that we as a whole need to look at.
I think the biggest solution is education to more people about naturism and why it is not only OK, but downright fun!!

Some things we have done, with limited success: (Or will do soon)
Rent out local athletic club
Discount to members of our club when attending
advertise in local alternative newspapers/magazines
build a webpage
acquire a toll free information number
start to work on consistency with name recognition
place posters at local colleges
place posters at all of the stores on the neighborhood where the more alternative crowd hangs out
ads, posters, etc in local pagan places
Posted info to appropriate pagan, youth, and similar groups offered via Yahoo!Groups
Send out a quarterly newsletter to members
Plus topfreedom is legal in NYS. Thanks to actions 12 years ago by our club, but it has become forgotten. A picnic this summer has been discussed to remind people.

There really is 2 issues as viewed from an advertising perspective:
1) Get the message out.
Get it out good
Get it out often
Get it out to the right people
2) The perceived image that there is something wrong with us
Mostly older demographics
The bible says...
Perception of not exciting
Body acceptance
Openmindedness to trying new things
And quite frankly, I would like to see a larger total push towards familiarity and acceptance.

BTW, for people here like Stu: you and I can agree to disagree. The discussion has already existed as to public nudity and you have made your views known. At this point, the issue is private club activities that would have no effect on anyone who is not interested. And there will always be some people who share your views about nudity. But there are many more who may not. And the key to our continued growth and acceptance as a lifestyle, an activity, a group, various clubs, and a travel industry would be to reach as many of those who are open to the concept.

Joe