Is your Club Size Diminishing and your Membership Ageing?

[Bush Walker]

I wanted to join the brisbane bushwalking club but could not do so unless I attended a meeting at brisbane. As this involved a 4 hour return drive I did not do so.
Silly rules like this just drive experienced walkers away!

From the perspective of the Club this is not a silly rule. Why would you let someone into your "home" to spend intimate time with you without having met them before?

There goes your demographic!

I can see the club's point of view, but isn't the club ignoring/snubbing the outlook of the target generation here? Once the club displays this kind of attitude, it will struggle to attract younger people. The trail would be a better place to assess someone's capability/suitability than a formal club meeting. Why not have provisional membership for new members rather than turning them away at the door?

Provisional membership is something that many Clubs do, but it often involves attending a meeting before you get to go on a walk. I agree that if this is major hurdle for some then the first " meeting" could be the first walk, with the walk leader doing the initial assessment. As you suggest a little flexibility is needed in the "desperate" times.

I suspect the under10kg was more put out by the screening process than the 4 hour drive, but I could easily be wrong.

[ILUVSWTAS]

The HWC had been getting smaller due to the changing demographics but over the last year we have been reviewing the way we do things. Facebook site, last minute walks, easier joining procedures etc. Our membership is still primarily active retirees but last year we had a 25% increase in participation. We are also looking at our programme and it is looking very impressive with a vast range of walks from "Toddlers Toddles" to some multi day wilderness extravaganzas. Rupert

Hi Rupert

Glad to hear that HWC has been trying social networking and to meet the needs of younger members. You say that you have had a 25% increase in participation. Does that mean membership increased by the same amount and if so what percentage were younger than your average age?

It would be really useful for the rest of us if you were able to indicate which changes, of those you listed, were believed to be most successful if you have indeed attracted new younger members.

I have several friends that have just recently joined the HWC (enrolled by myself of course :p) And it is my view that the cancellation of the mandatory overnight training trip has made it more appealing to join. Now members just have to attend a few hrs of first aid/navigation/basic bushwalking skills instead of gonig out for an overnighter. Doogs offered many good reasons as to why overnighting on such a trip isnt attractive to younger folk. Once you become a member, you are in fact a prospective member for 12 months, and have to do 3 walks with the club before you are elected full member.

[Bush Walker]

I guess many organisations have had to relax their entry rules to remain viable. Some Clubs have even had to let women join!

If the overnighter was just a hurdle to make entry more difficult and hence selectivethen doing away with it is no problem, but if it was there for a purpose then it seems a pity to compromise "just" to gain new members. Does it give new members a good introduction to what HWC is about and if so, isn't that a good thing?

[Marwood]

It seems to me that if the relative or absolute number of people bushwalking isn't decreasing, but club membership is, then bushwalking clubs have a marketing problem. By that I don't mean there's necessarily an advertising or promotional problem. What I mean is that the "product" that clubs are offering is apparently not something that is attractive to a sufficient proportion of their potential "customers".

So if clubs want to increase their membership - and I wouldn't necessarily take that as a given - perhaps they should rethink what it is they offer and how they can change to meet the current wants and needs of folks that go bushwalking or who might want to give it a try. Which goes beyond just lowering barriers to entry.

[Penguin]

There are very few clubs that are not struggling for membership - very noticeable in rural areas.

Is it a factor of whether 20 to 40 y/o's are "joiners" as a generation. From Rotoract/APex to Leo's to cricket clubs to scouts to political parties.

Maybe the day's of the clubs as we know it are numbered. As has been mentioned earlier, clubs may have to change to meet the needs of the upcoming generation and the new information systems.

Eg for the training/first aid. Could waking clubs get together and develop an online course?

P

[Bush Walker]

It seems to me that if the relative or absolute number of people bushwalking isn't decreasing, but club membership is, then bushwalking clubs have a marketing problem. By that I don't mean there's necessarily an advertising or promotional problem. What I mean is that the "product" that clubs are offering is apparently not something that is attractive to a sufficient proportion of their potential "customers".

So if clubs want to increase their membership - and I wouldn't necessarily take that as a given - perhaps they should rethink what it is they offer and how they can change to meet the current wants and needs of folks that go bushwalking or who might want to give it a try. Which goes beyond just lowering barriers to entry.

Well said Marwood

[Bush Walker]

Maybe the day's of the clubs as we know it are numbered. As has been mentioned earlier, clubs may have to change to meet the needs of the upcoming generation and the new information systems. Eg for the training/first aid. Could waking clubs get together and develop an online course?P

You have nailed it ..."meet the needs of the upcoming generation"

I think there has been an intergenerational change which Clubs need to address. What suits 55+ is no longer attractive to 20+. The decision that needs to be made by Club hierarchies often dominated by the 55+ age group, is whether they want to remain a club which reminisces about walks they did 40 years ago when they just joined the club, or whether thy want to leave a legacy for the next generations of bushwalkers ... a viable, vibrant Club with an exciting program which makes everyone welcome and encourages participation.

Social networking via web 2.0 tools ( Twitter, Facebook, forums like this, wikis, blogs etc) increases participation and collaboration and breaks down hierarchies, which is the reason some clubs resist such changes. Instead of a few key office bearers doing all the work web 2.0 tools allow many more to participate in club business, sharing the load and contributing their unique skills.

There is no need to attend a club meeting to do all this!

[FatCanyoner]

I think there has been an intergenerational change which Clubs need to address. What suits 55+ is no longer attractive to 20+. The decision that needs to be made by Club hierarchies often dominated by the 55+ age group, is whether they want to remain a club which reminisces about walks they did 40 years ago when they just joined the club, or whether thy want to leave a legacy for the next generations of bushwalkers ... a viable, vibrant Club with an exciting program which makes everyone welcome and encourages participation.
Social networking via web 2.0 tools ( Twitter, Facebook, forums like this, wikis, blogs etc) increases participation and collaboration and breaks down hierarchies, which is the reason some clubs resist such changes. Instead of a few key office bearers doing all the work web 2.0 tools allow many more to participate in club business, sharing the load and contributing their unique skills.
There is no need to attend a club meeting to do all this!

I'm glad you posted this. I was looking at your responses and was going to take you to task for ignoring important feedback which made it seem like you were less interest in finding a solution and more interested in maintaining the status quo. I can now see that wasn't the case:

I wanted to join the brisbane bushwalking club but could not do so unless I attended a meeting at brisbane. As this involved a 4 hour return drive I did not do so. Silly rules like this just drive experienced walkers away!

From the perspective of the Club this is not a silly rule. Why would you let someone into your "home" to spend intimate time with you without having met them before?

As an active walker smack bang in the middle of the target demographic I can tell you that under10kg is not the only one who would be turned off by the need for long drives to physical meetings and qualification walks. Perhaps that is why I joined the club I did. I walked with them without ever doing either of those things (and I only live 45 minutes away, but with work and family commitments that is more than enough to make it hard). Our club has many members, including active walkers, who have never been to a formal club meeting.

I think the challenge is to work out what things a club can offer younger walkers. ie, why would they want to join, and are our clubs offering that. For me, I walk with a club for three main reasons:
1) I like meeting new people with a similar passion. As I often say to people, bushwalkers are all weird, just in different ways. It is this uniqueness that makes them fun people to sit around a campfire with. Of course, this is made more natural when you have more (demographically) in common with them.
2) My wife likes the idea of my having fellow walkers and insurance. I'd happily do a lot more of my walking solo, but it makes getting the leave passes a lot easier to walk with a club.
3) I like bringing new people in, showing them the ropes, and seeing them run with it. I run quite a few beginner walks and canyoning trips. I find it rewarding to see new people come in, get skills and discover places they had never dreamed of. Again this is best done in a club environment.

I did not join a club because I wanted to go to meetings or skill days. If I want to study wilderness first aid I'd probably pay to do a proper course. If I want ideas for trips I'll trawl maps, the net or books. If I want to socialise, I'll catch up with friends (many of whom I neglect through lack of time). If I want to walk with other people, I'll flick an email out to my club's list and see who wants to join me!

[jez_au]

I wanted to join the brisbane bushwalking club but could not do so unless I attended a meeting at brisbane. As this involved a 4 hour return drive I did not do so.
Silly rules like this just drive experienced walkers away!

From the perspective of the Club this is not a silly rule. Why would you let someone into your "home" to spend intimate time with you without having met them before?

There goes your demographic!

Clubs need to be more flexible, a phone or other meet interview could have been arranged. Some people can't make meetings due to work, dependents or distance. Continuing like that clubs will be their own demise.

[jez_au]

I think there has been an intergenerational change which Clubs need to address. What suits 55+ is no longer attractive to 20+. The decision that needs to be made by Club hierarchies often dominated by the 55+ age group, is whether they want to remain a club which reminisces about walks they did 40 years ago when they just joined the club, or whether thy want to leave a legacy for the next generations of bushwalkers ... a viable, vibrant Club with an exciting program which makes everyone welcome and encourages participation.
Social networking via web 2.0 tools ( Twitter, Facebook, forums like this, wikis, blogs etc) increases participation and collaboration and breaks down hierarchies, which is the reason some clubs resist such changes. Instead of a few key office bearers doing all the work web 2.0 tools allow many more to participate in club business, sharing the load and contributing their unique skills.
There is no need to attend a club meeting to do all this!

That's it!

[Bush Walker]

Clubs need to be more flexible, a phone or other meet interview could have been arranged. Some people can't make meetings due to work, dependents or distance. Continuing like that clubs will be their own demise.

From a leaders perspective:

Some clubs intentionally make it difficult to arrange walks unless you attend meetings. The philosophy behind this is that leaders need to meet the prospective walkers to form an opinion about whether they would be compatible with the group and so they can arrange transport, as this is not the leaders role.

The club meeting then simply becomes the venue for bringing together like minded walkers. The leader is effectively just the initiator of the walk and submits their ideas to the peer group for discussion and group approval.

[jez_au]

Clubs need to be more flexible, a phone or other meet interview could have been arranged. Some people can't make meetings due to work, dependents or distance. Continuing like that clubs will be their own demise.

From a leaders perspective:

Some clubs intentionally make it difficult to arrange walks unless you attend meetings. The philosophy behind this is that leaders need to meet the prospective walkers to form an opinion about whether they would be compatible with the group and so they can arrange transport, as this is not the leaders role.

The club meeting then simply becomes the venue for bringing together like minded walkers. The leader is effectively just the initiator of the walk and submits their ideas to the peer group for discussion and group approval.

This is true, I have seen this, and I agree with you, but if the meeting is only at x-time and x-location and there is no other way of doing it, then I think the club will struggle to recruit new younger members, some people simply cannot attend at the specific time and location. I wouldn't have anyone on a walk I was organising I had not met, but if I had met someone online and had interacted for awhile and seen them interact with others prior to planning a walk this could be ok because just like in-person the context makes it easier to judge. But if the only communication had been about the walk in question and only between ourselves over a short period leading up to the walk this would be harder and might require a phone call or meet in a pub or cafe. It would depend a bit on the walk difficulty or walk partner trust required.

[tom_brennan]

I understand that the Sydney Bushwalking Club has had some success in increasing membership. Any insiders able to give us some details?

I’m a member of SBW but not an “insider”! The new web site seems to have been the number one driver of increased interest.
http://www.sbw.org.au/
The web site comes up fairly high in searches for “bushwalking sydney” or “bushwalking club sydney”, which is probably fairly key. It also looks fairly fresh, modern and is updated reasonably frequently.

The photos on the web site have a fairly high proportion of younger members in them, and there is an informal social network of younger (<40) members called the Tiggers (a play on the Tiger walkers of the 30s).

Club currently has around 500 full members and 350 prospective members. Probably only 10-20% of those prospectives will go on to become full members. There is a qualifying process, which seems to be pretty challenging for the average person - and the overnight walk component (see HWC above) seems to be the most challenging part of that. I'm sure we could (more?) rapidly increase the membership by doing away with it, but in my view it's part of the raison d'etre of the club. In fact, the Bush Club (another large Sydney-based club) was formed during the Second World War precisely because certain foreigners were not allowed out overnight, and thus they were unable to join SBW! (Bush Club membership requirements are 3 day walks).

[Lotsafreshair]

Thanks to FatCanyoner for sending this link to me for comment. Here goes!

I'm a member of Sydney Bush Walkers Club and am the person responsible for essentially, 'turning the ship around'. I won't take all the credit, as there's been much time put in by many, but it all started somewhere... For what it's worth, here's the download. (HEY TOM, I GUESS THAT MAKES ME THE INSIDER!)

(I presented to the NSW Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs special President's meeting last year, to share our experiences and help other clubs see that there can be a bright future for the clubs they love.)

I joined SBW just over 10 years ago, when I was around 28, and at the time was probably the youngest person there. I wasn't put off by the quirks and quaintness of club life (which to a 20 something appeared completely alien at times) and threw myself into it, joining Committee the following year and trying to contribute and address some of the balance issues. Even then, they were talking about how to attract younger members, although not seriously. I jumped in, boots and all and developed a deep loyalty to my club. In many ways, SBW changed my life and for that I'm very grateful. If I loved it so much, it would be such a shame to see it die a slow death through no new and younger members. Surely others could fall in love with it too??

A home for everyone has been one of my guiding motto's when looking at the future for the club. The challenge is: How do you attract younger members, whilst not alienating the older members?

One of the questions that I asked the President's meeting was: Do you REALLY want younger members? Do you REALLY know what this could mean to your club? How will this CHANGE your club? Are you PREPARED for change? How will you react? How will you make a Gen Y-er feel at home (as you are) when they turn up to a walk in all the new gear and follow the walk on their iPhone, tweeting about the trip on the way? Will you be 'GOM' (Grumpy Old Men/Women) and say, 'that's not how we do things here', 'no technology on walks' or 'you don't need to spend all that money on new gear when your old volleys are fine and foamies are fine for sleeping on - luxury compared to bracken fern.'

Sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for.

If clubs really want this, then I think that they can do things to help reverse the trend.

In my professional life, I work within the Communications/Marketing/Advertising industry, so for us as a Club, I was able to draw on what seems common sense to me in my everday life. It was about building a strategy, sharing the dream and getting the club onside and then implementing it.

It's communications 101 - but if you want to speak with a particular demographic of society, you need to speak through their channels and in their language. Don't expect that what attracted you to the club will attract them. Don't assume that everyone wants the same thing from a club that you did when you first joined. A club can mean many things to many people.

I wanted to speak with people in their 20s and 30s, so the best way to do this is via the internet. So in 2008, I proposed to the SBW Committee that we needed a new website. It's quite difficult for some people to grasp, but having a website these days isn't necessarily enough. A lot of clubs have websites - mostly done by volunteers and people with programming/coding backgrounds, not necessarily DESIGN backgrounds. Without realising it, some club websites may be doing you a disservice. If 20 somethings spend all day on the internet going from one site to another, you need to make sure your site doesn't turn them off - rather than ON to the wonder that club life and the great outdoors brings.

I believe that the 4 key elements of a website are DESIGN, CONTENT, USABILITY/NAV and SEO. All very different skills. Think of them as Architect/Interior Designer, Furniture Retailer, Engineer and Real Estate Agent.

So step one was to get a good looking site that not only speaks to Gen Y/Xers, but doesn't alienate the older members of the club. The other thing, was that I realised this was going to cost money and take a lot of time. Most clubs can't afford a commercial site - so go looking for 'sponsors' in your club to pay for it. Find a handful of people willing and able to contribute to the costs of getting it done.... and then, LET YOUR PROJECT MGR DO IT. Too many cooks, too many committees can be the bane of club life.

Things didn't necessarily happen overnight, but from 2008 (when the club was starting to decline) to now, we now have just over 200 people in their 20s and 30s and over 800 members (up from 500ish).

Also, we have experimented a few different ways with Facebook - with our exisiting page (instead of our initial 'group') being here: http://www.facebook.com/SydneyBushWalkers

You can check out our website http://www.sbw.org.au/ here. This site is now 4 years old and we are in the process of moving to Phase 2, which aims to reduce the hours of our volunteer admin/membership duties and dbase management.

I know, it almost sounds too simplistic. But essentially, all that we did was change our website (Plus put in hours and hours and hours of volunteer hours (and sponsor dollars) to make it happen and keep it happening to this day)... worked hard and patiently waited for the tipping point.

I hope that's helpful to someone... my advice is, if you love your club - don't sit back and watch it die.

Cheers
Lotsa

[Lotsafreshair]

Heh, I've also just realised that my avatar is a shot of a club trip that attracted all 20s and 30s (though open to all). It was a weekend Colo River float.. with a difference. You needed to float in/on inflatable animals. Much hilarity ensued with a killer whale and dinosaur being spotted!

But this is also another idea - put on trips that attractive to younger people...

[Bush Walker]

Our club has many members, including active walkers, who have never been to a formal club meeting.

I think the challenge is to work out what things a club can offer younger walkers. ie, why would they want to join, and are our clubs offering that. For me, I walk with a club for three main reasons:
1) I like meeting new people with a similar passion. As I often say to people, bushwalkers are all weird, just in different ways. It is this uniqueness that makes them fun people to sit around a campfire with. Of course, this is made more natural when you have more (demographically) in common with them.
2) My wife likes the idea of my having fellow walkers and insurance. I'd happily do a lot more of my walking solo, but it makes getting the leave passes a lot easier to walk with a club.
3) I like bringing new people in, showing them the ropes, and seeing them run with it. I run quite a few beginner walks and canyoning trips. I find it rewarding to see new people come in, get skills and discover places they had never dreamed of. Again this is best done in a club environment.

I did not join a club because I wanted to go to meetings or skill days. If I want to study wilderness first aid I'd probably pay to do a proper course. If I want ideas for trips I'll trawl maps, the net or books. If I want to socialise, I'll catch up with friends (many of whom I neglect through lack of time). If I want to walk with other people, I'll flick an email out to my club's list and see who wants to join me!

Some excellent points. You use the Club so you can meet other walkers with similar interests and of the same age group, to provide a safe environment, and because you enjoy "teaching" others. The other things you might get from a Club, you would prefer to get elsewhere.

I guess the question has to be asked "Do we need physical Club meetings?" I suspect that by using web tools such as email, forums, Skype, Facebook, Twitter to communicate we can achieve most of the things Club meetings achieve but in a less formal way. Virtual meetings!

As you suggest this would make the Club more accessible to those who are time poor or too distant from the meeting place. Several service organisations have set up virtual clubs to achieve just this and have a high number of younger people as members.

Is this the future?

[jez_au]

I know, it almost sounds too simplistic. But essentially, all that we did was change our website

You did more than just revamp your website, you must have changed attitudes too, this is much harder to change (even with the manhours and $$ the website took).

Do you REALLY want younger members? Do you REALLY know what this could mean to your club? How will this CHANGE your club? Are you PREPARED for change? How will you react? How will you make a Gen Y-er feel at home (as you are) when they turn up to a walk in all the new gear and follow the walk on their iPhone, tweeting about the trip on the way? Will you be 'GOM' (Grumpy Old Men/Women) and say, 'that's not how we do things here', 'no technology on walks' or 'you don't need to spend all that money on new gear when your old volleys are fine and foamies are fine for sleeping on - luxury compared to bracken fern.'

The website is very good. It is well designed to answer the basic questions all people who want to join a hiking club have, it's engaging 20s 30s where they are. Recognising that that is a specialist skill you might need to engage ($) rather than just throwing a heap of information onto a website is something many people don't realise or appreciate (I work in marketing. Overcoming these misconceptions is no easy challenge.)

[Lotsafreshair]

I know, it almost sounds too simplistic. But essentially, all that we did was change our website

You did more than just revamp your website, you must have changed attitudes too, this is much harder to change (even with the manhours and $$ the website took).

Jez, yes. You're right there too. I was in the club (building trust, learning, listening, thinking, questioning, waiting) for years before the time was right for change.

One of the biggest factors to overcome with change in clubs is FEAR. People are afraid that change will mean that the place they once called home, 'their club', won't feel like their club anymore.

So the question comes back to, "how do you create a welcoming place that is attractive to X and Y, whilst still remaining home for the older members."

It's been really lovely watching the younger members get excited about the collected wisdom of our walking sages and in turn, watching the 'Krusties' (my affectionate term for them) get encouraged by the influx of young, enthusiastic blood to carry on their stories and the club.

It didn't happen overnight, but it did happen. We're not there yet, it's a continual work in progress...

[jez_au]

So the question comes back to, "how do you create a welcoming place that is attractive to X and Y, whilst still remaining home for the older members."

I was in the club ... listening... for years [long-term]

I requote here, just to emphasise what you did, and how you did it.

[Bush Walker]

The challenge is: How do you attract younger members, whilst not alienating the older members?

One of the questions that I asked the President's meeting was: Do you REALLY want younger members? Do you REALLY know what this could mean to your club? How will this CHANGE your club? Are you PREPARED for change? How will you react? How will you make a Gen Y-er feel at home (as you are) when they turn up to a walk in all the new gear and follow the walk on their iPhone, tweeting about the trip on the way? Will you be 'GOM' (Grumpy Old Men/Women) and say, 'that's not how we do things here', 'no technology on walks' or 'you don't need to spend all that money on new gear when your old volleys are fine and foamies are fine for sleeping on - luxury compared to bracken fern.' Sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for.

Thanks Lotsa for this detailed response, which gives us all an insight into the task ahead for many clubs. Yes these are all key questions to be answered before initiating change. Change management in a club with so many senior members will no doubt be difficult, especially when traditions go back to early last century. Unfortunately things have to be bad before many Club's will respond.

It's communications 101 - but if you want to speak with a particular demographic of society, you need to speak through their channels and in their language. I wanted to speak with people in their 20s and 30s, so the best way to do this is via the internet.

Web 2.0 is the way!

[Bush Walker]

One of the biggest factors to overcome with change in clubs is FEAR. People are afraid that change will mean that the place they once called home, 'their club', won't feel like their club anymore. So the question comes back to, "how do you create a welcoming place that is attractive to X and Y, whilst still remaining home for the older members."

It's been really lovely watching the younger members get excited about the collected wisdom of our walking sages and in turn, watching the 'Krusties' (my affectionate term for them) get encouraged by the influx of young, enthusiastic blood to carry on their stories and the club.

It didn't happen overnight, but it did happen. We're not there yet, it's a continual work in progress...

FEAR of change is a big barrier, especially when traditions are so important to older members. There are other examples in other Clubs eg CWA where fears have disappeared once the benefits of having lots of new younger members can be seen. Patience and tolerance is needed on both sides.

[Bush Walker]

Heh, I've also just realised that my avatar is a shot of a club trip that attracted all 20s and 30s (though open to all). It was a weekend Colo River float.. with a difference. You needed to float in/on inflatable animals. Much hilarity ensued with a killer whale and dinosaur being spotted!

But this is also another idea - put on trips that attractive to younger people...

Meet potential and provisional member needs!

[melinda]

Hi everyone,
I'm a member of the Sydney Bush Walkers too! And the club is feeling pretty strong at the moment!
A few years ago there was a definite concern about numbers, and one of the strategies our Committee decided upon was the revitalisation of our website.
If you haven't looked at it yet, look now!
http://www.sbw.org.au
Have a good look at it. 'Lotsafreshair' and company have done a great job!
This has made a considerable difference and numbers have been picking up steadily ever since.
We consolidate new membership growth by offering lots of training opportunites (navigation, bush craft, abseiling and kayaking, etc) and there is a great deal of support for members who want to start leading their own trips.
We are very lucky to have a solid group of longterm members who have have a wealth of experience to share with our newer members.
And we are also very lucky to have some amazing younger members joining who are already seasoned adventurers.
The experienced people, young and old, inspire the newer inexperienced members to strive harder and push the limits.
I guess one of the real strenghts of our club is that it offers members so much, that people come to love it and take pride in being a member.
And in return, they are prepared to volunteer their time and effort in order to keep it all running smoothly!
PS Did I mention that we also offer a great Walks Program!

[Bush Walker]

Hi everyone,
I'm a member of the Sydney Bush Walkers too! And the club is feeling pretty strong at the moment! We consolidate new membership growth by offering lots of training opportunities (navigation, bush craft, abseiling and kayaking, etc) and there is a great deal of support for members who want to start leading their own trips.

Hi Melinda. Its great to see a club bite the bullet, and modify their program to meet the needs of their younger members.

How do you offer a training program which is attractive younger members, as we have heard from others that they don't have time to attend? What do you do to support those who want to become leaders?

[Nuts]

Good morning,

Contrary to the topic, I am looking to join a club! . Anyone here from the north West Tassie Walking club?
I am wanting to join but find it difficult to get the the meetings due to transport issues. I live in Wynyard
and looking for fellow Wynyardites to pool with. Please let me know here or PM me.

Genesis

There are some come on here now and then from the NW club genesis. There is also a group that meets from BWT, but usually pretty full. I have been discussing with a couple of people opening another to include again the general forum but probably wont happen till late summer (I hope you don't need to float down river on pool toys to keep yer interest ) You may need to get east along the coast depending on others? PM e if interested eh.

[melinda]

Hi Bush_walker,

There are some practical navigation days specifically designed for new members where they can do their navigation training during the walk. In fact, members can request to do their navigation training on any walk, and if the leader is willing to to this, the Committee accepts it!

This is on top of the dedicated navigation and first aid training days.

Walks program (and short walk notices) have also had a few rogaines added recently and these seem to appeal the younger members, (and certainly help them to develop their navigation skills real fast!)

If people are serious about becoming full club members they will find the time. People can stay as 'prospectives' members for a number of years.

Not all prospective members will go on to become full members, but most of those with a genuine interest will.

The club has recently started to also run a leaders training program to encourage new leaders. There have been a number of 1 and 2 day workshops covering various practical leadership scenarios and a very relaxed mentoring program is available for emerging leaders. (If desired!) We also have developed a pathway for new canyon leaders: and I do believe two women have just qualified as canyon leaders. (Yaahh Rachael and Sue! )

Now Nuts,

(I hope you don't need to float down river on pool toys to keep yer interest )

I'm sure you're just jealous because you can't float down Tassie rivers on lilos because they're too damn cold! Brrrrrhhhh!

The lilo trips are a whole load of fun, they are run in the summer when it is too hot to walk all day! An awesome way for people to see some of our beautiful canyons and rivers all from the padded comfort of your lilo!!!

Wollongambe One

[photohiker]

Well, I'm certainly jealous of the Sydney Bushwalkers Club, I reckon I'd join

[Bush Walker]

Thanks for your feedback Melinda. It has been very informative. I hope you have time to answer a few more questions that your answers have brought to mind.

Hi Bush_walker,

There are some practical navigation days specifically designed for new members where they can do their navigation training during the walk. In fact, members can request to do their navigation training on any walk, and if the leader is willing to to this, the Committee accepts it!

It think doing the nav training on a walk is an excellent way to fit training into tight time schedules.
Do the walk leaders have a list of skills to be covered or this negotiated individually with each person concentrating on their "weaknesses"?

This is on top of the dedicated navigation and first aid training days.

Have your thought about setting up some online courses and utilising those that are already available form St John ?
Are you using outside organisations to provide the training or is it all in-house?
Is the cost of these courses subsidised or are those training expected to pay?

Walks program (and short walk notices) have also had a few rogaines added recently and these seem to appeal the younger members, (and certainly help them to develop their navigation skills real fast!)

Do you designate any of the walks specifically for < 40s?

If people are serious about becoming full club members they will find the time. People can stay as 'prospectives' members for a number of years.Not all prospective members will go on to become full members, but most of those with a genuine interest will.

I think one of the major benefits of club membership is being able to improve your skills, by watching others, mentoring and attending courses and I feel that those who see the requirement to attend training days etc as an unnecessary burden are limiting there future enjoyment and safety on advanced walks.

The club has recently started to also run a leaders training program to encourage new leaders. There have been a number of 1 and 2 day workshops covering various practical leadership scenarios and a very relaxed mentoring program is available for emerging leaders. (If desired!)

I have in the past promoted the concept of mentoring which I think is an ideal way for more experienced walkers to pass on their skills without a great deal of formality.
Is there a checklist where potential leaders have to do a certain number of courses or cover particular skills and if so how does mentoring fit in?
Is it rated as equivalent to doing a course?

We also have developed a pathway for new canyon leaders: and I do believe two women have just qualified as canyon leaders. (Yaahh Rachael and Sue! )

Do you target ( tap on the shoulder) under represented groups ( <40, women? ) in your Club, inviting them to attend leadership courses?

[Jellybean]

Hi everyone,
I'm a member of the Sydney Bush Walkers too! And the club is feeling pretty strong at the moment!
A few years ago there was a definite concern about numbers, and one of the strategies our Committee decided upon was the revitalisation of our website.
If you haven't looked at it yet, look now!
http://www.sbw.org.au
Have a good look at it. 'Lotsafreshair' and company have done a great job!
This has made a considerable difference and numbers have been picking up steadily ever since.
We consolidate new membership growth by offering lots of training opportunites (navigation, bush craft, abseiling and kayaking, etc) and there is a great deal of support for members who want to start leading their own trips.
We are very lucky to have a solid group of longterm members who have have a wealth of experience to share with our newer members.
And we are also very lucky to have some amazing younger members joining who are already seasoned adventurers.
The experienced people, young and old, inspire the newer inexperienced members to strive harder and push the limits.
I guess one of the real strenghts of our club is that it offers members so much, that people come to love it and take pride in being a member.
And in return, they are prepared to volunteer their time and effort in order to keep it all running smoothly!
PS Did I mention that we also offer a great Walks Program!

I'm also a member of SBW and can vouch for the fact that it is an awesome club!

I joined at the beginning of 2010 after trying to identify a suitable club for a number of years. (They all seemed to be for retirees! Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I wanted to join a club that catered for a wide range of ages). I wish I'd found SBW years ago!

I was first attracted to SBW by the very well laid out and informative website but was then drawn in by the massive range of walks and other activities on offer (5 - 6 walks on offer every weekend in Sydney or surrounds, plus intrastate, interstate and overseas walks; as well as canyoning, rogaining, canoeing and cycling!), not to mention the really friendly club members , wealth of experience and interesting talks that are arranged from time to time. Regrettably, a huge amount of work travel this year has curtailed my walking somewhat and will into next year (there's a rather important event happening for us in London), but after that I'll be right back into it. I'll also be retaining my membership with SBW despite the fact that I've recently re-located back home to WA. (I intend to plan some of my work trips "over east" to coincide with SBW walks and, longer term, hope to offer to organise some WA trips - Cape to Cape, Bib Track, other? - for SBW members).

Cheers,

JB

[Bush Walker]

I was first attracted to SBW by the very well laid out and informative website but was then drawn in by the massive range of walks and other activities on offer (5 - 6 walks on offer every weekend in Sydney or surrounds, plus intrastate, interstate and overseas walks; as well as canyoning, rogaining, canoeing and cycling!), not to mention the really friendly club members , wealth of experience and interesting talks that are arranged from time to time.

Thanks Jelly Bean

How many of our Clubs have a web page that looks like it wasn't designed pre 2000?

A club's home page is now the door way to membership; if newcomers don't like it they won't even go past the home page, let alone join up. Maybe its time for many Clubs to update their home page and add social networking options such as Facebook, Twitter etc to our home pages.