Where do our new members come from? Options

[alan]

Many twinning groups started in the 50,s, 60,s, and 70,s at a time when the idea of twinning was still fairly new, fresh and exciting.

Unfortunately, many of the groups started then have since fallen by the wayside. there are many reasons for this, but one of the most prolific reasons is the lack of new blood.

Many of us are in danger of becoming a closed society, not really going out of our way to encourage new membership.

This is a problem which is fasced today by many groups and societies, even to such organisations as the Royal British Legion and other ex-service groups, also many of the traditional youth movements such as the Scouts, Guides, Boys Brigade etc.

Whilst this is a typical modern day problem, there must be a way of reversing this trend. Could you help other groups by suggesting ideas which they could persue in order to gather in some new blood.

Do we do enough to interest other organisation in our towns to join in, perhaps a trip during a normal twinning visit to meet their opposite numbers in the link country with the intention of eventually forming a specific link between their organisations. Or do we tend to sit back and enjoy a basic family link as it is less trouble.

If for instance your twin town has, for example a judo club, but your town does not, do you therefor ignore any overtures for a link or do you investigate whether a nearby town has a judo club who would like a link.

It may not particularly bring newe members to your particular group. but there could well be valuable side effects from making the effort.

Any other idesas on how to promote membership and attract new people?

[kidder]

Hello, Alan

I've been thinking a lot about this problem. A fair proportion of those of us who are actively involved in twinning are getting a bit long in the tooth, and if it is not to die the death then we need to find ways of bringing in younger and maybe more active people.

I'm glad to say that we seem to some extent to have cracked it. Our particular modus operandi is to encourage, facilitate, cajole groups of people, as well as individuals, into taking the plunge into twinning. We don't have a big "splurge" once a year, when everyone goes, but rather a continual programme of visits by interest groups - these include at present: churches, schools, FE college, cricketers, golfers, choirs, orchestra, gardeners, scouts, Carnival Queen, as well as "official" visits by the Mayor and some of the councillors (I'm sure I've missed some, and they'll quickly tell me if I have!). Some of these groups have been very large (two choirs going together, with "groupies", numbered 96, and in July we shall welcome 78 scouts - from Germany, Denmark and Poland!).

Don't fret- I'm coming to the point, which is that among these are a fair number of young people - scouts, young cricketers, church youth reps, youth choir, as well as family contacts. These are the ones who we are perhaps expending the biggest effort on, since if we can instill in them at this age the pleasure as well as the necessity of twinning they will stay with it through college, young family, job pressures, etc. and come out at the other end with twinning as a priority when they've got time (and perhaps money) to give to it. It's a long-term strategy, but then, for those who are involved in twinning, lead-times can sometimes run into years!!

We don't rest on our laurels regarding the groups that we persuade to get involved; we are always on the lookout for new blood, be it young or old! I'm a fairly experienced speaker (on the WI list, etc.), and I'm invited to talk about twinning to various groups - WI, Probus, church groups, etc. It's a good way to at least inform, sometimes to interest and enthuse. I would hope that every Association should aim to have at least one person who is prepared to act as an advocate in this way. There are lots of opportunities: grasp them!

I hope this is of interest and will spark something for someone!

Happy twinning!

Kidder.

[alan]

Thanks Kidder. I could not agree more, we all need to be more proactive in our approach.

I have today posted another subject within this thread concerning a blog twinning between twin towns, which will be interesting to follow up later to see how it goes.

Alan

[sunshine]

Hello;

This is my first post here and I have read through some of the comments made, very interesting.

As a member of staff at the local primary school I am also interested in twinning. Our local group is Haworth - Macchu Picchu. We have held a Spanish Day to great success and have tried linking the school in friendship with the local village school in MP. an awareness has grown in school, although hard to make contact sometimes, it has been very satisfying so far, but there is still a long way to go.

I am also a cub leader and scouting is very keen on making friendships across the world, a successful trip to MP was made by our Yorkshire Explorers (14 - 18 year olds) last year and they also did school assemblies for us.

This year should be great for a scouting link as they are celebrating 100 years.

Any approach to a local scout group to do a talk, slide show about twinning in thier local town etc, should be welcomed with open arms. I would for my cub pack. With the world jamboree in essex expecting 40,000 visitors it may be worth contacting the Scout Association. Try their website.

Hope this info helps anyone wondering where to start.

Sunshine

[alan]

Hello Sunsine, welcome to the boards,

An interesting post and one that makes a lot of sense, most of the youth organisations such as the Scouts, Guides, Boys Brigade etc teach about understanding and respecting other societies etc. but how many actually take the trouble to take on the challenge of a link with an overseas community.

I have just been looking at the Scout Association website and it offers many opportunities for international cooperation etc.

The youth of our communities are the lifeblood of the future and we should make full effort to get them involved or at the very least, informed as to our activities. I am sure that if we started to listen to them they would have some useful ideas we could build upon.

As we get older we tend to get more comfortable and set in our ways and close our minds to new ideas, thereby losing out on some great opportunities.
I have experienced similar problems with exmilitary organisations, where the older members tend to ignore the newer, younger members or people they consider to be of an inferior rank, as a result many of their branches have closed down through lack of support. Let us make sure our organisations do not go the same way.

I am going to throw out an idea for discussion as a result of this thread.
Most of our groups are run by committees, normally with a requirement for certain people such as councillors etc being represented, why not make a vacancy for a youth member of the committee, or a youth sub-committee.
What do you think??
Comments please.

[Fil]

Hi

I've been reading the posts on recruiting new members and the suggestion that we appoint a "youth" committee member.

Well we have done! Emma is 18 and was voted on at the AGM in August this year. She has been in the twinning for the past 10 years and has first hand experiance of what it's like to be a child and young person in the twinning. She has lots of ideas that are new and very interesting. She is advocating that we put on special activities for children during the visits such as linking up with art galleries/museums to get the children involved in painting and pottery perhaps with a local interest. For instance Lincoln was a Roman town and the Vikings had a large settlement here so perhaps the children could paint an everyday Roman scene or make a Viking helmet, that sort of thing. It would keep them amused and teach them something of our local history. Emma says she was bored with trips to breweries, vinyards, transport depots and such like and wants to put on events that wiil attract and keep the younger members who after all are the future of out twinning associations.

I am sure she is going to be a huge success and I will keep you posted on out progress.

It was interesting to note that the last post on this subject was a year ago when Alan suggested youth committee members, has anyone else got one then? Don't be shy, tell us about them!

Fil