I applaud Kalmbach Publishing, Walthers and other model railroad groups for banding together in a new effort to promote the hobby to new people.
For too long little has been done to bring new people into the hobby. Sure, we have train shows, open houses, etc., but we never really “actively recruit” at these events.
When the NMRA announced a major dues increase this summer, President Pollock admitted the group basically is accepting a drop in membership because of it.
At that time, I wrote him urging the NMRA take the lead in recruiting. Rather than hitting a smaller membership with higher dues, try to grow the membership to increase revenues. I realize this is a somewhat radical idea in America today when companies increase profits not by growing, but by shrinking.
I suggested the NMRA staff and trustees establish a training program to teach region and division leadership how to recruit. One way would be to offer training sessions at national conventions so that those attending can take what they’ve learned home and apply to their efforts.
Another way would be to send staff members out to visit each regional convention at least once every few years to teach them there. In college, our fraternity did both of these things to help chapters learn to “Rush” new members. They had sessions at national conventions and sent out “chapter advisors” to visit on campus every few years.
To often you go to train shows and there is no NMRA, regional or divisional representation. There are no manned informational booths to answer questions and encourage people to join.
I challenge shows, too many of which have become only money-making flea markets, to provide free space to NMRA groups for such booths. If we don’t grow the hobby, your shows are doomed as there will be fewer model railroaders seeking to buy things from your vendors.
I further challenge flea market-only shows to diversify by inviting portable layouts to set up and