MAAA Wingspan

18 WING SPAN AUGUST management matters: welcoming new members by embracing our club spirit BY HARNESSING THE FUN AND CAMARADERIE THAT COMES FROM OUR SPORT, WE EXPLORE WAYS TO ATTRACT NEWMEMBERS TO YOUR CLUB, WHILE KEEPING EXISTING ONES HAPPY Our clubs are the heart of our aeromodelling community. Helping to retain a positive and welcoming club spirit is all part of what makes the sport of aeromodelling safe, enjoyable and fun-filled. To enable our clubs to thrive, we need to be continually looking ahead to the future on how to attract newmembers to our sport and how to keep our existing ones happy. “Ideally, a growing club will have a process for attracting new and younger committeemembers, which encourages fresh thinking and challenges the norms,” says President of the Warringah Radio Control Society, Clive Weatherhead- a club that is situated on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and comprises over 150members. “These clubs will almost certainly have a few people who go out of their way to make visitors welcome, ensuring new members and beginners get involved and don’t have to watch from the sidelines.” Taking Clive’s views for amore positive, all-embracing aeromodelling club culture as an encouraging starting point, we consider some instrumental ways you can help boost your membership numbers and continue to grow our thrilling sport into the future and beyond. Welcoming Packs Sometimes it’s the little touches that people remember. Introducing a Club Welcome Pack for new and prospective members is a great way tomake a positive impression and highlight unique aspects of your particular club. Why not include a personal welcome from the Club President or Secretary, some important contact details, with an introduction to your executive members and flight instructors, a little history on your club and some insider tips on flying for beginners from members. Also, consider including the club’s social events calendar, useful information like where to find the club’s tea and coffeemaking facilities for example and the club’s website, where additional details can be found. Hosting a ‘Have a Go Day’ What better way to introduce potential members than to let themget a feel for flight themselves by hosting a ‘Have a Go Day’? It’s a great incentive