Gardening, so all the polls tell us, is the #1 hobby in this country, so it would seem that we have a very large pool of potential club members. But times have changed and we need to be sure that what our clubs offer is what this new generation of gardeners is looking for:

Emphasis on gardening

This is why they joined!  Often they are new to the community and wish to learn what grows and how to grow it. Are you fulfilling this need?

Meetings run in a timely manner

Nobody appreciates their time being wasted. Does your meeting follow the agenda or does it frequently become sidetracked? Do you even have an agenda?

Business kept to a minimum

There's absolutely no need for the minutes to be read and approved by the entire membership. Have three members read and approve them and then post them for anyone else who is interested. Post the itemized treasurers report too and just announce the ``bottom line". Time saved here could be used for a workshop - much more interesting!

Community oriented projects

Members prefer their money to be spent in their community. How much do you spend in your community annually, compared to sending it elsewhere? You may be in for a surprise!

Programs given by knowledgeable amateurs or professionals

This is what keeps your members coming back. Send out a questionnaire every now and again to find out what they've particularly enjoyed and what ideas they may have for future programs. Do members leave before the program starts?  If so, have you ever asked them why?

   Quite a few clubs have already asked themselves the questions and found the answers. They are the ones ready to make changes and try something new, thereby stimulating the interest of their members.

   Acquiring new members, integrating them with the older members and retaining them is the essence of a successful garden club. Assess your club. Is the membership growing and if not why not?  Where will it be in five years without new members? A problem some clubs seem to have is visibility - their community doesn't know they exist! Get the information out - brochures at nurseries, libraries, your local Chamber of Commerce; notices of your meetings in the newspaper and on the public service TV channel; large, colorful posters whenever you're involved with the public at fairs, flower shows, plant sales etc. Advertising does pay - with new members!

   Until now the CGCI membership chairman has had very little to do with recruiting members.  But the CGCI web-site (found on the internet at www.californiagardenclubs.org) has changed that. Those visiting the site, who are interested in joining a garden club, have a direct email link to this chairman. Since the link was created an average of 2 emails per week arrive. Prospective members are provided with the necessary information for contacting a club/s in their area. Obviously not all the enquiries lead to a new member but the word is spread as to who we are and what we do. Clubs and districts not taking advantage of the web-site to promote their activities are losing out. More and more people are visiting the site. Tell them what is going on in your area - it may be their area too!

   Make this a year for acquiring new members, be it one or two, ten or twenty. Membership is the lifeblood of an organization such as ours. Without members we wouldn't exist.  Without new members we stagnate. Older members provide continuity and stability. Think about the points listed above and mentally review your meetings. Would they appeal to a new member?  If not make some changes and watch your garden club grow!

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