Soaring's decline SSA club poll

[Craig Freeman]

In the result's from the SSA club poll fourty seven percent of
responding club's said they did not want large numbers of new
members. Maybe the word "large" caused clubs who would want some
new members to answer in the negative. Maybe this indicates that
there is no more room in half of the responding clubs because
soaring really is popular and there are enough participants to keep
these clubs equipment utilized to the maximum. In this case there
should be enough demand for new clubs to form. But perhaps it's
true that at half of the soaring clubs in America they just don't
want any more members. If so, that is very sad and probably at the
root of the decline in soaring participants. I am wondering how
others interpret these poll results?

Craig-

[Bill Daniels]

"Craig Freeman" > wrote in message
om...
> In the result's from the SSA club poll fourty seven percent of
> responding club's said they did not want large numbers of new
> members. Maybe the word "large" caused clubs who would want some
> new members to answer in the negative. Maybe this indicates that
> there is no more room in half of the responding clubs because
> soaring really is popular and there are enough participants to keep
> these clubs equipment utilized to the maximum. In this case there
> should be enough demand for new clubs to form. But perhaps it's
> true that at half of the soaring clubs in America they just don't
> want any more members. If so, that is very sad and probably at the
> root of the decline in soaring participants. I am wondering how
> others interpret these poll results?
>
> Craig-

I think that's a pretty good analysis, Craig.

About half of all clubs seem to suffer an endless internal political
struggle about who's in charge. Each faction fears that new members would
support their adversary. Therefore they oppose new members if they can't be
sure the new member will support their faction.

Sometimes it's overt opposition to growth stated in club policy but more
often it's covert taking the form of general nastiness toward prospective
new soaring pilots. The most severe nastiness will come from the
'no-growth' faction. The 'no-growth' factions do damage to the club and to
the overall soaring movement that is far beyond what would be expected from
their small numbers. I'd like to see clubs take decisive action to contain
or eliminate their 'no-growth' factions. Soaring as a whole would greatly
benefit.

The problem with starting new clubs is that they need a critical mass of
members to support operations. If the prospective new club proposes to
utilize a club owned tug for air tow, the critical mass is large. If winch
launch is used, as in the case of your club, the critical mass is much lower
and the growth rate will be much faster. Winch launch operations tend to
generate a 'team spirit' that works against factionalism.

Bill Daniels

[Jack]

On 4/23/04 10:58 AM, in article
, "Craig Freeman"
> wrote:

> In the result's from the SSA club poll fourty seven percent of
> responding club's said they did not want large numbers of new
> members.

Not true for us. We have grown by more than 25 members since last season: in
part due to the retirement of the local commercial operation, but especially
because the club moved boldly ahead to make the decisions, the investment,
and to do the training, coordination, and outreach necessary to position
ourselves for this spurt of growth.

A club that wants to grow, can grow.

See the following link to the DG website which provides insight and
discussion (in English) about the challenges facing soaring growth
worldwide.

http://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/zukunft-segelflug-e.html#Piloten-Zahlen



Jack

[Bruce Greeff]

Jack wrote:
> On 4/23/04 10:58 AM, in article
> , "Craig Freeman"
> > wrote:
>
>
>>In the result's from the SSA club poll fourty seven percent of
>>responding club's said they did not want large numbers of new
>>members.
>
>
> Not true for us. We have grown by more than 25 members since last season: in
> part due to the retirement of the local commercial operation, but especially
> because the club moved boldly ahead to make the decisions, the investment,
> and to do the training, coordination, and outreach necessary to position
> ourselves for this spurt of growth.
>
> A club that wants to grow, can grow.
True - there are some change management issues, and it takes effort, but the
rewards are there.

We have grown our paying club membership by 30% and the active membership has
probably doubled in the last year. Two years ago it was not uncommon to only
take one glider down to the runway, because we only had enough people there to
fly one. The club was technically insolvent, and continued existence in
question. Sunday we had four airborne and could have flown more.

Main points for us were:
Stop acting impoverished and sort things out so that the club WORKS.
We improved the airfield maintenance, and general equipment like the folding
chairs at the launch point, and got a new windsock (it is no better than the old
one, but it makes a lot better impression)
Get a decent website going - have all the documents and information there.
At least 40% of our new members saw us first on the web, or looked at web sites
and decided we were the better choice. Not because of our equipment , which is
antiquated, but because we communicated better.
Get people involved, welcome them when they appear. Gliding involves a lot of
people on the ground, use the time to talk to visitors.
Discourage disagreeable, rude or disruptive behavior. If the person guilty of
antisocial behavior is unwilling or unable to change - motivate him/her to find
another club. We had to lose a couple of curmudgeons to gain a crop of great
colleagues.
Get youngsters involved, people like being able to bring their kids. Sometimes
their parents join too...
Motivate them to join.
Follow up visitors/prospects - Did you enjoy your flight?
We are flying again on XXX.
Tell them what it costs - explicitly. Most people have an erroneous idea of how
expensive flying is.

To a large degree it comes down to Operate, Communicate and Activate.

>
> See the following link to the DG website which provides insight and
> discussion (in English) about the challenges facing soaring growth
> worldwide.
>
> http://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/zukunft-segelflug-e.html#Piloten-Zahlen
>
>
>
> Jack
>

This is recreation.
Lots of other expensive, time consuming pastimes are thriving.
Ours happens to need a little more application etc. But the primary impediment
to growth is the attitudes of people in many clubs.
A room full of grumpy old men is hardly an enticing offering. A case in point is
this newsgroup - we tend to discuss a lot more negative stuff than positive.

[Clint]

I can agree with what Bruce says about communication - and cost. It is
also about creating the right atmosphere that will keep people coming
back. We have quite a few members who drive 300km from Johannesburg
(or even further from Pretoria) to fly at our club (Gold Fields
Gliding Club – www.ggc.co.za). There are clubs far closer - but
some are perceived to be expensive and snobbish. The fact that we have
a fantastic fleet also helps (3*K7, K13, ASK 21, ASK 23, ASW 19 and
ASW 20). The club is also very focused on training and socialising.
Meals are provided most Saturdays and most of the people, who travel
far, stay the night and make a weekend of it. The club has its own
airfield and facilities, which creates a very favourable perception to
visitors. The fleet and equipment is well maintained. Flying is cheap
but we do not cut corners in providing safe and efficient flying.

The one benefit of having a good fleet is that members are encouraged
to stay flying at the club long after receiving their basic training.
So often the feeling is that if a person cannot afford a private
glider - there is no future for soaring as a sport as one cannot
progress to flying cross-country etc. We have members attempting 300km
flights in the ASK 23, and the ASK 21 is becoming a regular at
competitions (including the Nationals). This is by members who have
not yet accumulated enough experience to fly the ASW 19 and 20. Once a
member does his 5 hours – and completes his 50km – he is
encouraged to head out following the more experienced pilots.

High quality and dedicated instruction is also vital. There is nothing
more demoralising than arriving to fly and not having an instructor
available (no flying is allowed until a qualified instructor is on the
field). At our club - instruction is seen as a privilege and is by
invitation. The plus side is lots of free flying, and the chance to
perfect ones' skills on the student's account.

Monthly newsletters with the accounts, commitee and instructors
meetings and a excellent web page all contribute to a well run and
professional operation. All members are informed of all the activities
taking place at the club - as well as any incidents that have an
impact on safety. The club becomes the focal point for many of the
members social lives (not much else happens in the Free State).
Friendships and companionship also spread to the wives and kids as
well.

Clinton Birch
LAK 12