Hey Folks,

   I recently led a hike up Old Rag Mountain.  I was happy to have a total of 8 people, but everyone who attended was either someone I already knew, or someone that one of those people knew.  I know there are a lot of ODC members out there-many of whom actually live in Montgomery County, Maryland, where I am located, but I've never seen any of you!  The question I pose here today is why don't more of you show yourselves?  It seems the same people are always leading the hikes, and rarely do we get a full turnout on our activities.  Tho, I have noticed that hikes that advertise an alcoholic reward usually tend to book up!  

   So tell those of us who want to keep leading activities, but have become disillusioned by the often sorry turnouts, exactly what keeps the rest of you from surfacing.  What can we do, outside of bribing you with the promise of alternative hydration fluids and other -possibly illegal -offerings, to get you shadow members to come out into the light? 

   Are the activities we're planning too strenuous, too over-the-top, too boring?  Are they not being scheduled at times you are available?  Do you need more information than we give on the trip descriptions.  Would you like the activities to be at more convenient locations?  Maybe you'd like to lead a hike or something, but are intimidated by the whole process?  Talk to me, people. 

I know of at least a couple of ODC members who are mostly jumping ship and landing in MOC due to higher turnouts and a larger, more diverse, offering of activities.  I really like the ODC and I'd hate to see it fizzle out, at least, in the Northeast area, due to apathetic membership.  Please offer some suggestions on how to keep more members from losing interest!

Hey Pam,

As you probably know, even less people read this Message Board than actually sign up for trips (even though there are many, many people who have profiles in the Northeast).  My best guess is that some of these people signed up and at some point changes their email address so they don't get trip notifications.  OR they just aren't interested.  I used to think the same.  No prob. 

My suggestion would be to focus on NEW members.  They're are a variety of flyers, pamphlets, business cards  you can download or get from the Admin.  I throw a few up on car windshields when I'm at a park, trailhead, crag, etc.  You can even ask some local gear, climbing, cycle shops if you can throw up a flyer.

Hope it helps and keep posting (they will come)!  Who knows, a few us up here might road trip down for a hike or a climb.  Heard the rock down there in Sweeeet!

Scott,

   Thanks.  I know you're right about the message boards, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try.  That's a great idea about the flyers, tho.  I should be able to post one at my climbing gym and a few other places.

  Those of you up North are often good about coming down this way for hikes. Afterall-I had Brian and Sistine on my Old Rag hike!  I hope one day to get up to some of the events in PA and beyond -one day! 

   And, yes-the rock here is sweet!!

Pam,

If you ask the Admin nicely, he might even send you some good promo stuff. 

Scott

Who's the Admin?  Do I have to be nice? :D

http://www.outdoorsclub.org/about/Flyers.asp

Admin, aka. Webbie, aka. Uncle Tim, aka. webmaster@outdoorsclub.org  or you can click "contact us" under the YOUR CLUB tab at the top of this page.  Any YES, a little sweet talkin' never hurt.

Thanks, Scott and Mr. Wizard Of Oz-like Admin/Webbie/Uncle Tim.  I got the info and didn't even have to be nice.  Awesome! :D  I printed the flyers, and I will post them!!

Just a heads up... For non-technical support or questions contact Club Info at Info@outdoorsclub.org

Thanks, Great Wizard!

Hi Pam, I read your post- I don't get large turnouts for my hikes either, but you shouldn't feel disillusioned...Are you all having a great time when you go? Are they wonderful experiences? Eight participants is quite a turnout for a hike! On my last hike we were a total of four participants, and we had an absolutely incredible time. For me, I'd prefer quality to quantity. I've led close to 40 hikes in the past year, and eventually,with consistency, you begin to establish a core group. How many trips have you led? Maybe as you lead more trips, you will begin to establish more of a solid core group. Good luck, keep hiking, and hang in there!-Athina

Hi Athina,

  Thanks for your comments.  I guess I wasn't making myself clear: it's not that we don't have fun with just a few folks, but I am perplexed as to why only a few of the regulars seem to sign up for things, and rarely do we see new faces.  There is a huge roster of people on the books, but few ever come out.  I have met several wonderful people and enjoy seeing them on these trips.  I guess I was just wondering where everyone else is.  But Scott had a good point about there being a lot of people who join these things, but may not update their e-mail addresses, or just lose interest. 

   I guess I am also hoping to find more people who are in my area so that I might have friends I can call on a whim for short local hikes, climbing, etc.  Most of the people who join in the hikes seem to travel a long distance to come.

  Anyway, thanks for your support! :D

Pam,

I read your message on the Sugarloaf thread and just to make you happy I'll throw in a comment here. It's not that I was too apathetic to respond to this thread earlier; it's just that I thought you and I had gone over this subject pretty thoroughly before. Of all the ODCers in the state of MD I think I'm the last one that can be accused of apathy!

I find myself in agreement with you on this subject (pretty scary, huh?). I concur it's great that we have a few regulars who are good friends but the club will suffer an inevitable, if slow, death locally should we stop there. If we were only interested in a "core group" with no variations there would be little point in posting events via ODC. Why bother advertising on this site if all you want is a semi-private group of regulars? A few personal e-mails would do the trick and the ODC web site would become largely superfluous as a vehicle to faciliate outings. I don't think that's what we want here.

BTW, I have tried the flyer approach at park information kiosks at Gambrill, Catoctin, SNP, Nottingham (PA), and a few others. I don't think they've had an impact, but then again I am only one person. I have also spread the word amongst several of my MOC aquaintances, and even to a handful of SC folks. Again, all I can hear are the crickets chirping and the tumbleweeds blowing by. Remember, people in Maryland have a LOT of club choices when it comes to outdoor activities. SC, MOC, MCM, PATC, and others are all far better known locally than ODC. If we want to get serious about growing ODC locally, it will in my view take more of a team effort. Meantime, I'm leading a MOC hike this Saturday up at Holtwood. I'd invite you to join us but the event is filled up and there's a waiting list.....   : )

Hello-

A couple of things (all my opinion): 

In the year or so since I became acquainted with ODC, I have received one, that's right, one email from the club with the upcoming events. I haven't changed my email in five years.

One element that makes the MOC so successful is that it has a wide array of types of events. It is not just an outdoor club. In fact, some have accused it of being a drinking club that has some outdoor events. I think those social events and the monthly social hours go a long way in introducing people to the club and keeping them active. I know some people are hesitant to show up at something where they don't know anyone or don't know exactly what to expect. They get excited when they read about a hike or something but then chicken out when the time comes.

Most importantly, the MOC also has a powerful overlord who is completely dedicated to the club's expansion. I don't see that with the ODC.

I hope this is seen simply as some input and not a criticism. I have always enjoyed ODC trips and would hate to see the club vanish.

Hi

What happens when you guys cross post ODC events on the MOC website??

John P-

 Thanks for your comments.  Holding some social activities sounds like a good idea.  I may just do that!

Alice S.-I can't speak for anyone else, but I had an event that somehow got posted on the MOC website and one person from there did sign up, however I , personally, added my last event to the MOC site (In both instances the events were listed under other organizations events.) and, despite the fact that it was posted a couple of weeks in advance, I got no crossover sign-ups.  Go figure.  Maybe the problem with my last hike was that it was on a Sunday and/or (as Steve Webber will attest) it was held when folks had graduations to attend.  I do intend to continue to cross post whenever I plan something. 

 

I am amazed that Fogle dude's (word on the street is he's becoming a Californiaphile) led a hike to Kelly's Run that  drew 7 people on ODC, and the same hike, also led by him, is getting near 20 this weekend on MOC. I agree with other folks that ODC is still in a growing stage in the NE.

 

I haven't been a member for long.  There are several of the trips I would have liked to joined in on, but it seems like most would have required me adding at least 2 days for travel to and from the meeting point that I am not always able to take.  And the few times I could have taken the time, I had something else that I had to do.  The few trips I have taken myself since becoming a member have either been too 'up in the air' or too last minute to be appropriate to post as a trip for me to lead.  At least since I have become a member.  I look forward to being able to join some trips and possibly lead a few trips soon.

Wow!  It's nice to know that some people besides Scott Sherlock and John Fogle actually do read these message boards!

Glad you came out of the woodwork, Rick. :D I hope more will follow.  If you're in WV maybe a trip near Harper's Ferry would be a good idea?  John had a bunch of us hike up there in January.  It was mighty cold, but well worth it.  If you've never been to an ODC event, I hope you make it out sometime, and if you've never led one and would like to, but are a little unsure of the procedure, I'm sure any one of us who have led activities would be happy to help you.  And anyone else out there who might like to try leading an activity, but might be too nervous about it: don't hesitate to contact other members, like myself, who have been in the same position.

Steve-yep, it's something that that Fogle dude is getting all these followers in the MOC.  We'll just have to start hijacking those MOC events! :-O

                      Pam

Maybe some of the ODC veterans in SoCAl can shed some wisdom on their experiences in dealing with some of these issues when the ODC was in it's infancy............I'm sure they might 'peek' at this thread from time to time. 

Don't give up boys and girls, keep at it (no they aren't paying me for the this).  Also, I have an ODC banner if anyone ever wants to use for an event, just let me know and i'll ship it to you.

subtle message in the background--KEEP POSTING, THEY WILL COME!