Finding potential members for a club

[cruikshank]

As stated in my many post I'm working on a club layout.  It's a nice large layout in an easy to get to location. A mall in Frackville PA.  It currently is all 3 rail trains.  We expect later to add some "HO" and "N" seperate layouts as time and membership allows.  I know from talking to many people, that there are those out there, like me who don't have room for a sizeable 3 rail layout in their house.  The layout is far from finished, but there is enough there that people can bring and run their equipment, and can practice or learn any Model Railroading skill they'd like.

I have posted announcements on all the Model Railroad boards, we have signs up at the mall and at area hobby shops, we talk to everyone who comes in on the weekends to see it run.  For the life of me we can't get any new members.  Is this a normal problem ?  The closest active clubs are about 25-30 miles away and they are HO.  I'm going to try to get a story in the local newspaper.  Any other ideas or advice you can give me.  We initially set dues at $20/month which we thought was reasonable.  We do have expenses like electric, insurance, and all the various parts you need to make and maintain a layout.  Right now the money is all coming out of the pockets of 2-3 members.  We figure you can pay weekly if you'd like.  Thats only $5 a week which is like a pack of smokes or a 6 pack bottle of beer.  We do and will offer lower rates to students and seniors, and lower the dues when we have a larger membership base.  People tell us they are interested and then we never hear from them, or we get the kiss of death "I need to ask my wife"

     At this point you can give us your dues and show up whenever you  can or come and work hard, and let your dues slide.  We need more hands.  The 3-4 core members are burning out.  Open to any advice.  Thanks,   Dave

 

[Jumijo]

 

I wouldn't join a club that would have someone like me as a member.

[Anonymous]

Dave,
It will take time, maybe lots of time, before your club expands.  You will only increase your membership once you have a few 'open houses' or 'exhibits'.  People need to see your layout before they will come, and your membership will have to be very friendly.  Also, I would recommend not requiring dues right away.  Also, your membership should be bringing people to see the layout... and hopefully recruit new members.

[dwiemer]

To expound on what Brent suggested, I would look to special events.  Around Christmas, have a large Christmas display with lots of scenery and trains running.  You will have to make the whole place look good and then you can have an open house then.  I would do it just before Christmas, say, the second week of December.  Have a pamphlet made up about model railroading and some specifics about your club.  you may want to check with The Worlds Greatest Hobby for any resources.  You may even want to check with Lionel, MTH, etc to see if they have any materials.  Also, Check with Classic Toy Trains to see if they have some information.  You could have a "Information Station" that has all this available info in one place. 

Good Luck,

dennis

[Odd-d]

Twenty dollars!!??  Twenty dollars per month?  Phew!  No wonder you can't get any new members.  I belong to an HO modular club and their dues are $24.00 per year.  I also belong to an O gauge modular club.  Their dues are $20.00 per year.   They also get income from being paid to set up at train shows and private showings.  Get real, guys.    Odd-d

[dbaker48]

Our O-Gauge club dues are $15 per month.  Dues do vary as per need.

[laz 57]

As stated in my many post I'm working on a club layout.  It's a nice large layout in an easy to get to location. A mall in Frackville PA.  It currently is all 3 rail trains.  We expect later to add some "HO" and "N" seperate layouts as time and membership allows.  I know from talking to many people, that there are those out there, like me who don't have room for a sizeable 3 rail layout in their house.  The layout is far from finished, but there is enough there that people can bring and run their equipment, and can practice or learn any Model Railroading skill they'd like.

I have posted announcements on all the Model Railroad boards, we have signs up at the mall and at area hobby shops, we talk to everyone who comes in on the weekends to see it run.  For the life of me we can't get any new members.  Is this a normal problem ?  The closest active clubs are about 25-30 miles away and they are HO.  I'm going to try to get a story in the local newspaper.  Any other ideas or advice you can give me.  We initially set dues at $20/month which we thought was reasonable.  We do have expenses like electric, insurance, and all the various parts you need to make and maintain a layout.  Right now the money is all coming out of the pockets of 2-3 members.  We figure you can pay weekly if you'd like.  Thats only $5 a week which is like a pack of smokes or a 6 pack bottle of beer.  We do and will offer lower rates to students and seniors, and lower the dues when we have a larger membership base.  People tell us they are interested and then we never hear from them, or we get the kiss of death "I need to ask my wife"

     At this point you can give us your dues and show up whenever you  can or come and work hard, and let your dues slide.  We need more hands.  The 3-4 core members are burning out.  Open to any advice.  Thanks,   Dave

 

HI DAVE,

  I've been to your layout at the FRACKVILLE MALL. Nice layout.  I live in Millersburg,Pa., about 45 miles away, originally from Hazleton and wife is from Mahonoy City, Pa.  Get up there to visit relatives and yes I would be interested in your club.  The drawback for me is first distance, it would be a ninety mile round trip.  Along with time 2 hours total.  Finally it would be the cost of membership $240 for a year.  It would be nice to have an open house to invite people to see the layout and maybe start a beginners class in operation and basics of model railroading.  This would get some people interested and maybe charge a nominal fee say $5.00 per session.  This would get the people in the door and start to gain an interest in railroading.  I for one being raised in the COAL REGION, and others in that area don't have the finances to even plop down $20.00 for dues.  But if you would have a feeder program and get the interest in your club I think it could have great success.  Good luck.

laz57

[PhilaKnight]

I'm glad to hear that you have a layout in the Frackville Mall. My family lives in the Ringtown Valley. Only problem for me is I'm in Philly. Definitly to far for me. But next time I'm up there would surly like to see to layout.

[cruikshank]

Family in Ringtown Valley !  Did you happen to go to North Schuylkill High School?  That's where I graduated in 79.  Dave

[thatboy37]

hey if i lived up that way i would join because there aren't any clubs down here for me to join and be a part of.

[spankybird]

Boy I must have missed the boat when I started the OTTS. It's membership is FREE and to join The Western Resreve Model Railroad Museum ( with a 25 by 60 foot O gauge layout) is also Free.

[cruikshank]

Boy I must have missed the boat when I started the OTTS. It's membership is FREE and to join The Western Resreve Model Railroad Museum ( with a 25 by 60 foot O gauge layout) is also Free.

Well we only have 5 members.  We are blessed to pay no rent, but we do have Liability Insurance, electric which is not cheap in a big mall space, anything we need from track pins to engines must come out of pocket, legal fees to incorporate, etc, etc, etc.  If we ever get enough members, or the layout quits eating money, or we can generate income through open houses etc, then the membership dues will drop.  Every one in our group is on the low end of middle class, at best.  And we all agreed on the dues.  Gotta have electricity to run electric trains.   Dave 

 

[dougdagrump]

Dave, In your club charter, you indicated you are incorporated, are you recognized as a charitable organization. If so you can try setting up a donation box and also work on the manufacturers and local companies for some token donations. Put company name on a building, billboard, etc. Unless some additional sources of revenue are found relying solely on dues will make it very difficult. With the popularity of 3rail in the east you'd think it would be much easier to find potential members. Another possibility, now don't shoot the messenger, is to also develop a "kids club" but require parent/gaurdian presence at all times. You'd be surprised how often a parents interest/participation will come as a result of the kids interest/participation.

[cruikshank]

Thanks for your reply.  We already have a donation box.  We have gotten about $20 per Sunday, which does help.  We also plan on writing to corporations to try and get equipment donations.  We will recognize them with a sign or plaque on the wall and a link on our website, when it is up and running. Any little bit helps.  Dave

[alexweiihman]

The idea about a kids club that doug mentioned is a great idea.