How to encourage clubs to thrive

Posted on By Pete M0PSX 1 Comment on How to encourage clubs to thrive

One key session at the 2025 RSGB Convention was “How to encourage clubs to thrive” – a panel discussion aimed at clubs that may be struggling. The session was chaired by BBC Radio 4 ‘s Jim Lee G4AEH, and the panel consisted of the following clubs:

  • Cray Valley Radio Society
  • Bracknell Amateur Radio Club
  • Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club
  • Thames Amateur Radio Group

Event link: rsgb.org/main/rsgb-convention-2025/rsgb-2025-convention-livestream/

Thriving Clubs Panel at the RSGB Convention 2025
Thriving Clubs Panel at the RSGB Convention 2025

We asked AI to review the discussion, and here’s AI’s report:

 

Panel: How to Help Your Radio Club Thrive (2025)

Chair: Jim, G4AEH
Panelists:

  • Dav, M0WDV — Cray Valley Radio Society (CVRS)

  • Colin — Bracknell Amateur Radio Club (BARC)

  • Ian, G0AZB — Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club (MUARC)

  • Andy, M0IXY — Thames Amateur Radio Group (TARG)

Snapshot

A practical, no-nonsense panel sharing what’s working right now for membership growth, training, and engagement. Common threads: warm welcomes, visible public events, structured training/mentoring, smart partnerships (Men’s Sheds, U3A, Air Cadets, universities), and consistent, friendly online presence.

Club Playbooks

Cray Valley Radio Society (CVRS)

  • Face-to-face training at all three licence levels since 2006; high pass rates.

  • Structure: short weekend courses; exam on final day; 1:1 mentor for every candidate.

  • Cadence: Spring Foundation; Autumn alternates Intermediate/Full (two-year cycle covers all).

  • Onboarding: 50% first-year membership discount; ongoing post-exam help (antennas, getting on air).

  • Extras: CW training via CW Ops Academy (3 intakes/year); monthly CW “playground”—Zoom + 2 m local net for low-pressure practice.

  • Access: Club shack; loan equipment; annual surplus sale.

Bracknell Amateur Radio Club (BARC)

  • Rebounded from decline to more than double membership; now adding members monthly.

  • Partnerships that convert:

    • Men’s Sheds → demos, Foundation course, “Men’s Sheds on the Air”.

    • U3A (University of the Third Age) → daytime sessions, cross-membership.

  • Why it works: daytime meetings, beginner-friendly, relaxed social vibe.

  • Outreach: local fêtes, Scouts/Guides, POTA activations, steady website + social media.

  • Front-of-house: sign-in desk, introduce visitors publicly by interests to spark conversations.

  • Publicity officer actively works local media and timing features ahead of courses.

Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club (MUARC)

  • Media-first approach: livestream talks during lockdown (global attendance); strong YouTube results (e.g., 12,620 views on coax/connectors).

  • Funding wins: Lottery funding → gear, mobile shack; showcased in BBC coverage (spurred enquiries, improved accessibility profile).

  • Inclusion: visible member stories (e.g., operators with mobility aids) encourage newcomers.

  • Partnerships: Queen’s University Belfast; agricultural shows; heritage sites (Navan Fort).

  • Culture: WhatsApp for glue (with “mute at night” wisdom).

  • Motto: Promote • Educate • Enjoy — social media is a friend, not an enemy.

Thames Amateur Radio Group (TARG)

  • Post-pandemic pivot from decline to high-profile public events (7+ per year): QO-100, HF, big-screen demos.

  • Targeted recruitment: military vehicle shows (owners with live radios but no licence); youth clubs (11 new Foundations this year).

  • Venue move to Wickford for better internet + training rooms; hybrid club nights draw out-of-area attendees.

  • Realism: some traditionalists left; embracing change is necessary.

  • Noise workaround: industrial-estate HF noise → remote operation displayed on 200″ screen.

Audience Q&A – Best Ideas to Steal

  • Make newcomers feel welcome: staffed register/front-desk; introduce visitors (by name and interests) at the start; assign a guide for the evening.

  • CW confidence: a monthly “playground” (Zoom + local VHF net) where mistakes are expected and learning is supported.

  • Find candidates where they are: Scouts/Guides, Air Cadets (ten new M7s via a squadron), universities, heritage/agri shows, Men’s & Women’s Sheds, WI and U3A. Ensure DBS/child-safeguarding coverage for under-18s.

  • Publicity matters: appoint a Publicity Officer; pitch local magazines; time pieces ahead of courses.

  • Post-COVID re-bonding: run a “Show & Share (Free) Table” at meetings—members bring spare gear/boards/books to give away; the real value is it gets people chatting again.

  • Lower the cost of starting: club shacks (where possible), loan libraries for radios, test gear and books; annual sales; mentor support so borrowers aren’t afraid of breaking things.

  • Activations as onboarding: POTA days are perfect for first QSOs without upfront kit costs and with on-hand coaching.

  • Social media focus: pick one or two platforms and be consistent; livestreams and short videos travel far—and attract press and funders.

10 Practical Takeaways

  1. Staff a welcome desk and publicly introduce visitors.
  2. Offer 1:1 mentors for trainees and new members.
  3. Run time-boxed, predictable course cycles (publish dates early).
  4. Add a CW practice net that’s deliberately low-pressure.
  5. Build partnerships: Men’s/Women’s Sheds, U3A, WI, Cadets, universities.
  6. Show up at public events; aim for visible, touchable demos (QO-100, portable HF).
  7. Nominate a Publicity Officer; coordinate media, socials, website.
  8. Maintain a loan-kit + test-gear library with a named librarian.
  9. Use hybrid meetings and good connectivity to broaden reach.
  10. Celebrate member stories (inclusion inspires participation and funding).

 

Audience Questions & Contributions

1. Peter (MI5 JYK) – Men’s Sheds & Collaboration

  • Praised the Mid Ulster ARC for its energy and example.

  • Shared that his own Men’s Shed includes M7-licensed members, many drawn from motorcycling.

  • Plans to start Foundation courses through the Shed and perhaps a “Women’s Shed” link too.

  • Mentioned a discreet “shed radio station” with camouflaged verticals on the allotment!

Panel response: Strong agreement — Men’s Sheds are an excellent partner model; add local U3A (University of the Third Age) for a mixed-gender complement.

2. Colin (following Peter) – Broader partner organisations

  • Added that U3A groups are 65–70 % women, making them a great outreach path.

  • Suggested using the RSGB U3A subject advisor for coordination and guidance.

3. Maggie Atkinson (M7NLTF) – Attracting women and youth

  • Pointed out that many new M7s came via online exam platforms but then needed practical mentoring, which her club provides.

  • Reported success with Air Cadet squadrons – ten new under-18 M7s trained and licensed.

  • Emphasised DBS-checked trainers for youth work.

  • Recommended outreach to the WI (Women’s Institute) – influential and active in community engagement.

➡️ Panel response: Strong approval; echoed by others as a proven route to diversify and lower average age.

4. Brian (G4 NMB) – Loan and library schemes

  • Thanked Cray Valley RS for helping a foundation candidate progress to Intermediate.

  • Suggested clubs create a lending library not just of radios but of books, test gear and components.

  • Appoint a librarian to track who has what.

➡️ Panel response: Agreement; most clubs run or plan equipment-loan schemes, sometimes from silent-key donations.

5. Roy (M0 WTP) – Interactive social media

  • Asked whether any clubs had tried real-time interactive live streams (viewers posting questions via chat).

➡️ Response (Ian, MUARC): Few true live interactive platforms for ham clubs yet. Best to focus on one or two familiar outlets (e.g. YouTube + WhatsApp) and manage them consistently.

6. Daniel (M7 IBX) – New-licensee experience & POTA

  • New member of Bracknell ARC.

  • Praised Parks on the Air activations as a safe, fun way for newly licensed operators to get on air without buying equipment.

  • Noted how mentoring in the field helps overcome mic-shyness.

➡️ Panel response: Agreed — POTA is excellent hands-on Elmering and visibility.

Other Discussion Points Triggered by Questions

  • Show & Share Table (David Farmer, Norfolk ARC): a post-COVID success for rebuilding club sociability — members bring spare items to give away, sparking conversations.

  • Club shacks and loan gear: affordability and access for newcomers; several clubs now maintain shared or mobile stations.

  • Safeguarding: ensure DBS checks, two-adult rule, and parent inclusion for under-18s.

  • Publicity officers: vital for maintaining a visible presence in local press and online.

 

Closing Thought

The clubs that are thriving in 2025 are the ones that combine structure with warmth: clear training pathways, visible public engagement, and a culture that actively welcomes newcomers into real conversations—online and in person.

 
Clubs panel at the RSGB Convention 2025
Clubs panel at the RSGB Convention 2025

 

Key Discussion Themes from YouTube Chat

1. Community & Collaboration

  • Viewers loved the Men’s Shed and U3A partnerships; seen as “really great ideas about community groups.”

  • Some noted success linking clubs and Men’s/Women’s Sheds, and shared local experiences (e.g. Suffolk RED, Felixstowe club).

  • Calls for cross-club cooperation: invitations exchanged (e.g. Felixstowe inviting TARG to its military event).

2. Youth vs. Time-Rich Members

  • Guy Roberts: wanted ideas for attracting younger demographics.

  • GlassBoxMedia (Sarah 2E0ISJ): countered that time availability, not age, is the key factor — focus on people who can participate, not just “the young.”

  • Tim G5TM: suggested targeting 40–50-somethings returning post-family commitments.

  • Consensus: returning operators and mid-life entrants are an under-tapped audience.

3. Training and Practical Skills

  • Several hams stressed that online exams alone aren’t enough; clubs must provide hands-on mentoring.

  • Essex Ham Team: highlighted that “offering hands-on or show-and-tell nights is a definite win.”

  • GlassBoxMedia: reported success replacing “PowerPoint nights” with monthly kit-demo sessions and skills-sharing evenings.

4. Public Perception & Accessibility

  • The Ham Radio Junkie: praised clubs for welcoming newcomers at the RSGB National Radio Centre and helping lapsed hams renew callsigns.

  • BBC coverage and livestreaming (as cited by the panel) drew chat support — seen as raising visibility.

5. Online Media and Social Reach

  • Viewers credited lockdown-era YouTube and social posts with much of the hobby’s recent growth.

  • Essex Ham and others noted that clubs relying only on lectures or slides “seem to be the ones now struggling.”

6. Inclusivity and Safeguarding

  • Some agreed that working with under-18s is valuable but needs clear safeguarding (“full of other issues and risks”).

  • Others mentioned that clubs should also support parents and offer mixed-age entry points.

Alternative Clubs, Club Support Tags:

Comment (1) on “How to encourage clubs to thrive”

  1. the clubs i hear of and see online as growing are generally the ones which partner with other spaces and community groups , E.G Maker groups, scouting etc

    the clubs i see and hear not doing well are those who want to stay 100% traditional, CW / Voice only, no digital mode allowed and little or no social media

    so moving with the times (social media / new digital modes etc ) and working with other community groups seems to be the key to getting people into a club

    keeping them means the friendly welcoming atmosphere, interesting evenings (show and tell, elmering, club shack,) not just grumpy OAP men that live in the past

    Reply

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