|
Jul 2023
5:43pm, 21 Jul 2023
47,953 posts
|
DocM
we do parkrun takeover events where the volunteers are nearly all from the club, they wear club colours which gets the club noticed in a non pushy way. The club is free, but not affiliated which probably helps getting people signed up.
|
|
Jul 2023
6:08pm, 21 Jul 2023
11,380 posts
|
Fragile Do Not Bend
I think it helps to find a niche in the local running community to fill. We go for the middle ground between the competitive running club in town, and the pricey club that focuses heavily on beginners.
We’ve gradually built up a reputation for being inclusive and supportive of each other. Things like encouraging members to wear club shirts to parkrun and having a good turnout to local races where we wait at the finish to cheer our last runner in. We usually get a good turnout of club members supporting.
We’ve found that having several different groups running at different paces on the main club night is popular, instead of runs where the speedy ones run off ahead and have to keep stopping for the others to catch up.
|
|
Jul 2023
7:37pm, 21 Jul 2023
9,888 posts
|
GordonG
All these thoughts and comments are very helpful, thank you
|
|
Jul 2023
8:55pm, 21 Jul 2023
3,309 posts
|
Lesley C
These are very helpful, thanks for bringing this up Gordon.
|
|
Jul 2023
9:21pm, 21 Jul 2023
9,889 posts
|
GordonG
i guess it shows - as if we didn't all already know - that there's no simple solution.
One last question*. Those of you in running clubs: does your committee/governing group circulate minutes of Committee meetings, perhaps either by email or putting notes on a website, or whatever. It's just occurred to me that in the 3 years I've been in my (otherwise excellent) running club, I've never once seen an email informing me that there's a committee meeting next week, or what's on the agenda, or what was discussed and agreed, etc. Is this typical, or do other clubs have more active communications?
*it may not actually be my last question 
|
|
Jul 2023
7:02am, 22 Jul 2023
3,310 posts
|
Lesley C
I am actually the leader of my club and yes I do circulate the agenda and minutes for our AGM. If the committee have little things to discuss then we just do so through a group chat.
I send out a weekly email which includes session details. Race results and what's coming up. Also advertise local races.
I do a separate one now and again for our paid members as they are allowed to buy the club kit and get sportsshoes discount etc.
We advertise on the local Facebook page as well, especially for our social events. It doesn't really do much.
We did also just ditch the website, it was out dated (nobody wanted to look after it) and expensive. The Facebook group is updated at least once a week so there is activity on there.
There is one local club (next town over) that we have had few people go to then come to ours because those guys are too competitive and cliquey. One lady who is faster than me said they thought she was slow, she isn't.
|
|
Jul 2023
7:38am, 22 Jul 2023
2,140 posts
|
CK2
Having been a member of a couple of clubs but not sticking with my local one since moving, this advice rang particularly true.
Is your website or social media beginner friendly? Think of the sort of questions that newbies will ask eg will I be last / left behind / what is the slowest pace / what is a typical training session like / what is expected from me as a member. Think about testimonials from some of your more recent recruits too.
From friendly, welcoming clubs who communicated clearly about how the club operated, opportunities for runs, etc, the club I joined and left had little and inaccurate communication, and very disjointed information about runs. For me, clear information is key. I envy those of you with friendly, welcoming running clubs.
|
|
Jul 2023
7:38am, 22 Jul 2023
11,382 posts
|
Fragile Do Not Bend
Yes, we feel it is important to keep club members informed of as much as possible.
Mostly we communicate via Facebook but for those who don't use it, we have an app called Spond for booking club runs and we can also put news/information on there.
|
|
Jul 2023
7:48am, 22 Jul 2023
11,383 posts
|
Fragile Do Not Bend
Also getting feedback from members is really important! Hopefully they would feel able to talk to a committee member if they had anything to say but we also do a short members survey about once a year to see if we are putting on the right sort of runs and training and we have made changes based on the feedback.
|
|
Jul 2023
8:05am, 22 Jul 2023
9,839 posts
|
TeeBee
Just to say that - not being a Facebook user - I find it's use as the sole digital based front door for any group or community very exclusionary. It's impossible to navigate fully without signing in. Thismeans that I will not consider joining that group.
|
