After declining over the past five years, overall membership in Union-sponsored activities has seen an increase this year. President of the Union Ariana Twitchell points to a strong budgeting year as a reason for the increase. “Because of the budget process we went through, I don’t think there’s been a decline in membership,” said Twitchell.
Twitchell credits the newly-implemented first-year experience for encouraging club membership. The series of events for freshmen, has created a “much more cohesive class,” Twitchell believes.
As freshmen arrived on campus, they received information about all of the clubs and the Union’s offerings. Such information has resulted in a greater use of the Union, especially the games room by underclassman, says Twitchwell.
The Activities Fair, an event mainly attended by freshman, saw a larger than normal turnout this year. While it was formerly a semi-annual event, the spring fair was discontinued several years ago due to low attendance. In an effort to promote membership year round, a new idea is in the formative stages: the Activities Expo will have tables at the Commons a few nights a week, staffed by a rotating schedule of clubs, in an effort to increase visibility.
In addition to general Union promotion, Twitchell credits club presidents with member retention. “The reason that so many clubs are successful and retain a great number of members is because of the strong leadership in our clubs,” says Twitchell. “I know a lot of officers who work hard every day to promote their clubs and organizations. They post signs, talk to people, make banners, update websites, and the list goes on.”
The office of the First Year Experience has been active in its plans to increase club participation and to provide opportunities for freshmen to explore their interests.
This has helped the RPI Players increase their membership this year. During freshmen orientation week, the office organized fifty freshman to come together and to put on a play with the RPI Players.
According to Geoff Pendry, membership chair for the Players, the event helped the group to recruit eight active freshman.
“We plan to continue the effort,” said Pendry.
In addition to the FYE, the group holds random social events and work parties on Friday nights. Increased advertisement, including a link on the RPinfo page, encouraged about 40 people to audition for Kismet, a musical which is set for production in April.
The Model Railroad Club has also noticed an increase in membership this year, but has received little direct help from the office of FYE. Approximately 9-12 people attend regular meetings.
While the number is split evenly between community members and students, the group managed to acquire three new active members in the club this year. The group hasn’t done any recruiting besides the activities fair in the fall. Corey Lynch, president of the Model Railroad Club, believes that people find their niche in the club and “you’re either into it or you’re not.”
He believes that people continue coming back to the club because it provides its members with a sense of continuity and something to work towards. “Members can work for a long time on a part of the layout for the club, while other clubs don’t require a long term commitment,” Lynch said.
The Juggling Club, however, has not experienced increased membership. Last year, the club had approximately 11-12 members but many have since graduated and the club has been left with only three students and a few community members and alumni. According to club president Dan Keith, Union funding has been cut for next year because so few students are members.
Although the group attended the activities fair this year, and performed during the Welcome Night in the Union, the group was unable to recruit new members. Keith said that it is difficult to recruit new members because he is away on co-op for the semester.
