Pete Martin (CTID)
Very well known Exeweb poster
We have been hovering around the 3,000 members mark for quite some time. At various times it goes over that figure and, at others, slightly under. It is interesting that a large proportion of the members do not live locally and it is my feeling that being a member gives them a link to the club that they love and a chance to contribute, when it is difficult for them to attend matches. particularly at home.
There has historically been a spike in membership applications when a 'big club' is coming to town, but many of those are for one year only as statistics clearly show, because of the need to be a member to get ticket priority for 'big' games.
Membership drives have happened in the past and a large number of membership forms were printed and a major leafleting campaign was undertaken, probably 7/8 years ago now but it produced very limited results.
As time passes, it becomes a bit harder to convince younger people to join because they have grown up following the club, but rarely understanding the history and background of 'fan ownership' thing. Inroads are being made here with initiatives like the Junior Grecians and the development of the 'Family Zone' . Membership of the Trust is part of the Junior Grecians package and will, hopefully, mean that a good number will continue to follow the club and remain Trust members into adulthood. The initiative has seen Junior Grecians membership rise from around 280 to 415 in a short space of time and I understand that it is continuing to rise as youngster speaks with youngster.
There is also quite a lot of resistance from season ticket holders to joining the Trust as many feel that they are already paying enough into the coffers as it is. To try to press gang them to join would be counter productive and only gentle persuasion when the opportunity arises is likely to bear any fruit.
One area that might have an impact is to try and negotiate deals with local businesses where there would be discount to Trust members, but the organisation and administration of such a thing is pretty time consuming.
I honestly believe, and I guess I always have, that campaigns to get supporters to join are not particularly effective and talking face to face with non-members and encouraging them to understand the reasons to join are significantly better. I guess a campaign to encourage members to 'have a chat with a non-member over a drink' might help?
Personally, I and my group of volunteers are currently working on a proposal to produce 'flyers' to give out on matchdays and otherwise circulate, to try and 'sell' the reasons for and benefits of joining. For me, membership forms are fine, but a tad too formal for that specific purpose and, unless a person asks for one, can feel like press-ganging. The flyers will give the info. and invite folk to have a think about it....and pointing them in the right direction to join without any arm twisting.
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