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| Interdependency, The Need For Others In Order To Succeed By Norm Fusaro, W3IZ
All relationships require effort from all who are involved. Member recruiting and retention has long been a challenge for local clubs and cultivating interpersonal relationships with your club members is important to achieving the goals of the club and its members.
As people we are independent, capable of our own thoughts, actions and opinions but as members of society we are interdependent and rely on others to fill certain needs. As radio amateurs our interdependence is as basic as the need to have another radio operator to establish a contact. The local club fills a need beyond this basic illustration and provides where we can go to meet with friends and share knowledge and experiences.
If the needs of the individual are the Ying, then the Yang must be needs of the club as an organization. Clubs need members to manage club business and perform the jobs required to operate a successful club. One does not have to look too far to see that successful clubs rely on synergistic roles that benefit both the individual and the organization. If a club provides a way for non hams to get licensed then the club will recruit new members. The club that offers classes for licensed hams to upgrade will retain members. Active hams that are willing to share their experience will teach the newcomers who then become club members and so-on and so-on.
Clubs that seek perfection and a world where all the members get along and agree on everything are striving for an unrealistic goal and often end up in discontent. Healthy and active clubs tend to work together as a group toward a common goal. Setting the goal can be a democratic process, which in itself is a healthy activity, however once the objective is set it takes the effort of everyone to achieve the result. For club leadership, it is your job to keep the members focused on the mission. Club members also have a responsibility to the club by supporting the mission and not undermining the project just so they can say "I told you so."
People joined your club to get involved. One of the best ways to keep club members is to include them in club business and activities and most importantly, recognize your people for their contributions to the club. Your club newsletter is a terrific vehicle for recognizing members who participate in club activities and programs.
Sometimes a special presentation or award may be in line with a member's exemplary involvement. The actual deed is not as important as is the recognition of the people who make it all possible. When others see that the club appreciates the work of the members then more people will be willing to take on jobs and run for office.
Mutual effort must be ongoing if a club is to recruit and retain members.
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From the ARRL newsletter |
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