Nick Dennis
WCHA UK
I have read this thread with interest. Getting youngsters involved is difficult. Here in the UK the younger generation gravitate towards the thrill of kayaking on whitewater. Those who go for older wooden canoes appear to have to meet several criteria (a) Have a beard (b) Own a Tilley hat (c) Have good disposable income (d) Have space to store and work on the craft (e)An appreciation for the craft. I have tried the discounting of membership which gets people for the first year but then they tend not to renew. (WCHA could think about a continuous direct debit renewal with the offer of a slight discount for repeat membership). I promote at boat shows setting a stall up and showing the craft, literature , books etc. I then talk the hind legs off folks to grab their interest. Trying to extract the equivalent of £42 out of their wallet is a different matter as here all I can offer is 6 copies of a great publication which is Wooden Canoe, a few paddle days, participation in our Facebook group and a beer out of my own pocket when we do get together. For some its seen as good value for others its just another subscription.
I have attendees at paddle days who own wooden canoes but who are not WCHA members and my continued aim is to get them to join and for members to share tips on restoration, projects etc via this forum or Wooden Canoe. What we need to try and promote is a "Plus One" initiative. If we were to ask every current WCHA member to introduce and sign up one new member we double our membership over night. Even a 50% hit rate would make a difference. We all know someone who would join I am sure.
I will be promoting the WCHA at a major canoe event in the Netherlands in September. They and the Germans are keen on wooden canoes so lets have a challenge of extracting some Euro's out of them and get some more overseas members.
Have a great Assembly. This weekend for 2 days I and fellow WCHA-UK member Alick Burt will be promoting the WCHA at a canal restoration project in Norfolk and between us will have 3 vintage canoes with a combined age of about 316 years being a Thomas Gordon, Peterborough Cedar Rib and a Chestnut. Fortunately we are pitched up close to a bar so it won't be arduous. I will post photos of the event. We will raise a beer and toast 40 years of WCHA and wish it many more. Remember "Plus One"!
Cheers,
Nick
Chapter Head- UK
I have attendees at paddle days who own wooden canoes but who are not WCHA members and my continued aim is to get them to join and for members to share tips on restoration, projects etc via this forum or Wooden Canoe. What we need to try and promote is a "Plus One" initiative. If we were to ask every current WCHA member to introduce and sign up one new member we double our membership over night. Even a 50% hit rate would make a difference. We all know someone who would join I am sure.
I will be promoting the WCHA at a major canoe event in the Netherlands in September. They and the Germans are keen on wooden canoes so lets have a challenge of extracting some Euro's out of them and get some more overseas members.
Have a great Assembly. This weekend for 2 days I and fellow WCHA-UK member Alick Burt will be promoting the WCHA at a canal restoration project in Norfolk and between us will have 3 vintage canoes with a combined age of about 316 years being a Thomas Gordon, Peterborough Cedar Rib and a Chestnut. Fortunately we are pitched up close to a bar so it won't be arduous. I will post photos of the event. We will raise a beer and toast 40 years of WCHA and wish it many more. Remember "Plus One"!
Cheers,
Nick
Chapter Head- UK