I"ve always thought the best way to get younger members is to make a club more
relevant to them.
I'm probably part of the last generation that sees groups like the BRHS
relevant because of a direct experience, riding the CB&Q from Chicago to Quincy
as a kid in the late 1960's. For most people younger than me, its old history.
And, unless they are into history, it means nothing to them.
So, how to make it relevant to younger people? Get involved in the present day.
Maybe rail groups should make themselves heard and felt on matters like
Amtrak's continued existence, and initiatives like Midwest High Speed Rail
Corridor. If they can get people enthused over these things it would spill over
into the history part, because there will always be a segment that want's see
what led to it.
Without making ourselves relevant, we will become just a bunch old folks pining
over the past.
Rob McNay
--- On Mon, 12/21/09, Gerald & Virginia Edgar <vje68@hotmail.com> wrote:
> From: Gerald & Virginia Edgar <vje68@hotmail.com>
> Subject: RE: [CBQ] RE: exisiting BR steam locos & "10 Meets
> To: cbq@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, December 21, 2009, 12:29 PM
>
> Tks Bob. Where BRHS falls short if membership
> retention & attraction. EVERY officer needs to get
> involved and frankly, membership should be THE topic of
> every Business mtg. ALL things stem from mbrship:
> money, volunteers, donations of memorabilia. Mbrship
> is the lifeblood of any group, esp. one with a VERY aging
> membership. I was college kid when I founded CB&Q
> H.S. nee BRHS - am now 61! Overton, Corbin, Masterson,
> etc are all long gone not to mention the vast majority of
> former Q emp's. Al Holck is 80, Bill Glick's health is
> marginal, etc. We need to act now to get all the mbrs
> we can & somehow attract young guys/gals looking for a
> 'fallen flag' to become THEIR interest. Hard job but
> if we don't try, we die. Several rail groups have
> "passed away" and frankly are are but a few yrs away from
> doing so as well as a lot of mbrs will die (or become too
> senile to keep a mbrship; I AM blunt!) in the next 10
> yrs. With such a thin group of active mbrs what
> happens when Dave &/or Hol suddenly croak or 'retire'?
>
>
>
> However I remain the optimist, we have a heckuva of a
> "product" to sell IF we promote!
>
>
>
> We do very poor @ "marketing" BRHS with far too many mbrs
> solely being dues payers. Any group (per sociological
> studies) will only have a small % active, whether a church,
> service club, etc but our % is far less than other special
> interest groups. We need to fire 'em up! Thus
> there is good potential to add mbrs & 'activate'
> existing ones IF we have a plan & we activate it.
>
>
>
> Tks again & Merry
> Christmas! gerald
>
>
> Gerald A. & Virginia J. Edgar
>
> 230 W. 5th St.
> Garner, IA 50438-1404
>
> (641) 923-2573 evenings & w/e's
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> From: cinnamonjunction@yahoo.com
> Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:05:10 -0800
> Subject: Re: [CBQ] RE: exisiting BR steam locos & "10
> Meets
>
>
>
>
>
> Gerald
>
> The Society needs to put you on retainer. You are a great
> promoter of the BRHS and BRHS meets. I appreciate all you
> do. Keep up the good work.
>
> Bob Grenier
>
> ________________________________
> From: Gerald & Virginia Edgar <vje68@hotmail.com>
> To: cbq@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sat, December 19, 2009 11:47:21 AM
> Subject: [CBQ] RE: exisiting BR steam locos & "10
> Meets
>
> Lists of existing CB&Q (inc. C&S) steam locomtives
> are either in Corbin's "Steam Locomotives. .." or "Burl in
> Transition" (I forget which & am not @ home) and have
> been repeated and updated in BRHS publications; may also be
> @ the BRHS site.
>
> Folks - if you need CB&Q info/data, join BRHS & get
> to a meet once in awhile. Plan your 2010 vacation now to
> include a day or two @ Streator this spring or Geneva this
> fall. Dates & locations are out well in advance so you
> can plan at work and with the Mrs & kids.
>
> Both locations in Chicago area so either plan other parts
> of your vacation by the Windy City or pass thru on your way
> to & from ulitmate destination as Chicago area is still
> a big crossroads! I-80/90 nearby, airports & Amtrak's
> hub.
>
> Make it your 2010 Resolution (get to a Meet) and Christmas
> gift to yourself (BRHS mbrship and a CB&Q book or two!)
>
> The clock is ticking. The mbrs who railfanned or worked for
> the Q nearly 40 yrs ago are disappearing fast. You can NOT
> do anything about the pics you never took BUT you can join
> BRHS & get to a meet AND buy, for example, one of Bill
> Glicks magnificent Q passenger car books, the Pea Vine book
> mentioned recently, etc. Encourage our authors!
>
> Gerald
>
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>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
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