How to get new members for a orchid society?

[Bud]

post schedules of your meetings at the orchid section of Walmart, Loews, Sam's Club, Home Depot, Trader Joe's etc...that way people who buy orchids will know there is such a thing as an orchid club in Colorado...
those seedling giveaways are neat...id attend your club meetings just for the giveaways

[Cym Ladye]

Our Cymbidium branch of the CSA just completed it's Annual Hands-On Re-potting Workshop. Of the 20 person limit (stretched to 25 by demand) there were 11 non-members, and 6 new members who had signed up at our show the previous month. Of the 11 non-members, 7 joined the club before the workshop started with a lovely, blooming orchid as a raffle chance to anyone who joined at that time. We also only charge $10 for a membership and $5 of the $10 workshop fee was credited to the new membership. Such a deal. Our show garnered 27 new members. Our membership now stands at its highest level in our 13 years at 165.

HOW?

Keep dues low!
1) With email newsletters, there is far less expense with getting them out.
2) Making the dues support the club activities won't work in the long run. Be creative and do not penalize the members with high dues.

Once you sign up the members, they will usually come to one meeting. Make that first meeting exciting enough and pertinent enough to their level to make them come back again. It is all about establishing an enthusiastic as well as an educational experience.

CL

[james mickelso]

I agree. Good guest speakers along with lots of hands on fun will help get and keep new members. Down here in Oceanside we have caravans to peoples homes to look at their collections. Some are small collections and we can caravan to two or three places. Make repotting fun and informative for new members. There is alot of competition for time out there. Make yours fun and they will come back.

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

My opinion ? Don't do it.
These "clubs" draw people looking for attention and "friends".
Make your way to organized shows and enjoy your hobby. Your friends will think you are nuts......but that's all good. Buy books.

[Gage]

I appreciate my local orchid society for some of the same reasons I appreciate Orchid Board. It's a place to learn, and a place to connect with people with common interest. Although I do have my own alone time caring for my plants, it's very important for me to be able to share my interest and the fruit of my labor with others. My local club really encourages all the members to bring their blooming plants for the show table(s). For me to take the time to go to the meetings, it is a huge motivating factor to know I am going to get to see what others in my area are growing/blooming. And I always pick up a at least a nugget or two of insight from the lectures, some more than others.

I like a lot of the previous suggestions. As was stated already, I would try putting out business cards at local nurseries, florists, feed stores, gardens and anything else remotely plant related. Again I know this was already said, but state on the flyers/business cards that new members get a free orchid! Also, keep posting on craigslist and do make a Facebook fan page and blog page. It's good to have an online presence so people in your area can find you when they do a search, and plus it's free!

Congrats for starting an orchid club and good luck!

[RJSquirrel]

we got a new method of getting new members..

We did a display table for a Messengers of Love benefit and handed out coupons for free raffle tickets for newcomers to bring to the meetings and win plants. Along with these coupons we had OS forms to join right there. Im not sure what the count was but we ran out of Forms and coupons. Ill let you know how many actually show up june the 7th.



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