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When is a class dead?
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transient View Drop Down
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    Posted: 27 Sep 17 at 9:56am
Originally posted by Cirrus

Sailing is generally a social activity for the vast majority whether they race or not.  When clubs grind on about 'decling membership' they often focus on the racing side ... and seem oblivious to the fact that they have often allowed the social aspects of their club to gently falter/decline/fade away over the years.   Even if you don't race regularly, and the majority DO NOT if ever, when the social programme declines so does your interest in the club.   Non sailing family members have little to attract them to a club and their family 'occasionals' find more social things to do with their time. Most of the 'good ideas' coming out of typical SC committees to halt any decline seem to be racing related ...  come along guys work it out. 

No Christmas party, or summer one for that matter, no more 'end of season' dinners, or 'start of year' ones, no Bonfire night gathering (cos 'Health and Safety' frightens the worthies running many clubs), fewer and fewer curry and live music nights, closed bars too often as well   ... etc etc ... What on earth is there to attract and keep the 'occasionals' and their families there ! .... and then they even get chased to do yet more duties as numbers dwindle.  Now there are still some brilliant clubs out there of all sizes .. but they all seem to be disproportionately driven by the social aspects.  Get that right and the racing sorts itself out naturally.

Ignore the social aspects and you may as well pack up shop completely as you slide down the inevitable slippery slope.     


Yep, spot on. 
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NickM99 View Drop Down
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Posts: 145 		Post Options Post Options   Quote NickM99 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 17 at 10:28pm
I agree 100% with Cirrus too. It is quite easy for a club to be a social success if they are lucky enough to be somewhere where sailing is the main focus of much the local population - typically on the sea and remote from any major conurbation.

The real challenge is for inland clubs where the membership typically travels in all points of the compass and can live up to an hour away. After sailing they just want to get home, maybe through heavy Sunday evening traffic. Social events need to be quite special to tempt people to make that sort of journey in an evening outside of sailing events. I would love to hear of any ideas that have worked for other clubs in this situation.
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Old Timer View Drop Down
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Posts: 370 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Old Timer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 17 at 9:55am
Originally posted by JimC

I imagine alcohol/driving enforcement must have had a big impact on the social scene for many clubs. When I look at my club's membership list I doubt even 1% are within walking distance.

Attitudes to drink driving and the smoking ban have certainly change the social side from what went on in the 70s & 80s.

I'd argue that the more recent demise to the social scene in sailing clubs has more to do with present day attitudes  ... people have become more isolated through technology and are more happy entertaining themselves in their own homes than going out to a social gathering.

Just look how many pubs are closing ...


Edited by Old Timer - 28 Sep 17 at 9:56am
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KazRob View Drop Down
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Posts: 245 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KazRob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 17 at 11:55am
I totally agree the social side is so important to keeping clubs going and fresh. for Wednesday night sailing one of my clubs (Aberdeen and Stonehaven YC) have the inspired move of adding one more duty to the OOD/Rescue team. When you sign in for the race you also sign in on the chip form and after racing one member of the team calls the local chippy and scoots up to get fish suppers or whatever has been ordered. By the time most are changed and packed away the grub is there and encourages everyone to hand around and have a drink and a chat. Really makes a huge difference to the club atmosphere rather than seeing people melt away after sailing
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Do Different View Drop Down
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Posts: 1312 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 17 at 12:09pm
Sounds fantastic KazRob and what a great location. We generally have a day over to Stonehaven when we are up for mountain walking the Cairngorms; next time we'll make it a Wednesday evening. Beer
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Posts: 750 		Post Options Post Options   Quote H2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 17 at 12:12pm
Our Wednesday night series is called HotDogs because we have them with some beer after sailing, its my favourite series!
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Gfinch View Drop Down
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Posts: 67 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Gfinch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 17 at 8:37pm
Originally posted by KazRob

I totally agree the social side is so important to keeping clubs going and fresh. for Wednesday night sailing one of my clubs (Aberdeen and Stonehaven YC) have the inspired move of adding one more duty to the OOD/Rescue team. When you sign in for the race you also sign in on the chip form and after racing one member of the team calls the local chippy and scoots up to get fish suppers or whatever has been ordered. By the time most are changed and packed away the grub is there and encourages everyone to hand around and have a drink and a chat. Really makes a huge difference to the club atmosphere rather than seeing people melt away after sailing



We have a sailors supper after our Wednesday Evening Racing. Great idea, people stay as they're hungry and club makes money too. RO/ Support Boat helpers come along too and everyone has a beer or two. Perfect mid-week socialising!
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