As far as I can see, there's nowhere where the RSPB itself is discussed. It's understandable almost all the posts are about birds, which we all enthusiastic about, but is there not also a need to examine how we're doing as an organisation? Suggestions for our new Chief Executive perhaps, or thoughts about membership turnover (we sign up lots of new members, but why do so many leave us before long?), or about how we spend our funds in UK or overseas, or about how well campaigns are going (lots of signatures for letter to the future, but not so good when you see it's less than a quarter of our membership).
You will probably guess I'd like to start with a good moan! I volunteered for a couple of different things, and the first response in both cases was "please fill in this form authorising a CRB check". Not very welcoming I thought, how about a phone call first to see if I suit the job and the job suits me! How does the RSPB recommend its staff to handle the first contact with a new volunteer?
Overall the RSPB does a really great job, so this isn't really about moans but about fostering continuing success, by exchanging ideas about how we do things and what we might do extra/differently/less of.
Hi,
maybe I'm going to sound like an old grouch here but.... the RSPB sub effectively starts at £3 a month, £36 a year.
A pint of beer is between £1-50 and £ 3 . Cinema tickets £6.
It's not a bad deal anyway! :) National Trust sub is the same and THEIR ATTRACTIONS ARE THE SAME EVERY TIME- RSPB attractions moult, breed, fly and vary with the seasons.
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
seymouraves said: National Trust sub is the same and THEIR ATTRACTIONS ARE THE SAME EVERY TIME-
National Trust sub is the same and THEIR ATTRACTIONS ARE THE SAME EVERY TIME-
Tell me about it. After the umpteenth dimly lit stately home with paintings I could only remember them by how good their cream teas were (or weren't). I resigned when that detestable TV cook with the double barreled name and the predeliction for killing wildlife got onto the NT Council.
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
My local reserve is free for locals, so I dont have to pay the 3 quid!!! a month to support the RSPB but thats exactlty why I pay - so I can support them.
Sometimes I go over there and see nothing of that interest but other times its so rewarding when you get to witness species like Penduline Tit, Beareded Tit, Grasshopper Warbler, Wigeon, Short earred Owls, Hen Harriers, marsh Harriers, Avocets and a really rare species like the White tailed Plover (I am no twitcher but I do understand the excitement in such species!) that turn up on that odd occasion.
But like Seymour points out, I can only watch half of the film at the cinema hehe
thanks
Craig
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein
Good for you, Craig. I think our discussion assumed that the solid core of RSPB membership feels the same, and thank goodness for them. We were just chewing over if we could do anything to reduce the number of new members not sticking with us, and wondering if we were either overdoing the freebies (attracting too many people never likely to be committed) or could switch the emphasis to encourage the first renewal or two (where that might just tip the balance between leaving and long-term membership). Then we wondered if, in the emphasis on getting new members, we were failing to appreciate the veteran members as much as we (at no significant cost) might. No one was saying these committed members were going to leave, but it's nice to be appreciated and the visible appreciation might also encourage others to keep up their membership.
Like I have mentioned Swift
I did not receive any freebies as a new member, so I am not sure where that idea has come from.
This websites users does not reflect the whole membership of the RSPB and so really we can only flirt with the idea that we all feel the same (I for one disagree on certain comments).
I think if people join for a few months then leave what ever thier circumstance (this could be purely financial or they may have moved country for example) then thats fine with me; thier time and money during thier membership still counts.
I just think that any charity has to keep pushing ahead and inviting new members in. Its not an exclusive club and especially the drive for younger people to join is just as important than anyone that is been a member for years (after all none of us will live forever); its all good progress.
By means of appreciation is this really essential to what is after all a wildlife charity and lets not forget that a token of veteran loyalty will no doubt come out of the RSPB budget rather than going on the conservation work itself.
I much rather see money being spent on new land and habitat rather than the RSPB forking out on a Platinum shaped Avocet ornament for 25 years loyalty as an example.
Regards
I'm with Craig on the freebies thing, it doesn't bother me not getting free stuff from any of the charities I'm a member of, and with at least one of those there were no freebies given at all. I join because I want to support the work the charity does not to get free stuff and I think joining for freebies is joining for the wrong reasons. The work that many charities do is all around us and for me it is a reward to see deserted sites transformed into a haven for wildlife or see something that was previously threatened or even extinct start to recover. With Sooty's example of the Osprey picture though, I feel it is highly unfair to offer something to new members that current members have no chance of getting because it is exclusively for new members - I feel that IS punishing everyone who is already a member by waving something nice in their face and saying you can't have this. I think any repeats of something like this should certainly be avoided because I do feel that is an insult to members. If there were limited numbers surely it would be far better to hold a competition to win one rather than giving current members no chance at all of getting one.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Craig, on the whole I agree with what you say. The hope behind the proposed forum though is to generate some constructive ideas for improvement. Any idea that anyone suggests will have some disadvantages and can be criticised and disagreed with. Fair enough, but let's not kill off every idea before it has the chance to be built on. From your perspective as a newish member, what would be the best way that we can attract more (lasting) new members that we're not already trying? Might you have joined sooner if we'd done something different, for instance?
As you say, everyone's different and what works for some won't for others. May still be worth trying though.
Regards, Swift
I think to attract new members the whole intial step has to be from that person.
If people are not interested in wildlife then they wont join so becoming a member is down to a limited amount of people in the country, this goes for any charity.
Generally speaking most people make that bond with wildlife when they are young and I think thats important and already the RSPB have many educational programmes running for schools and kids to encourage them into respecting and enjoying the natural world - These are the future RSPB members.
On the other hand my generation (early 30's) are a mixed bunch and this I think is down to the education system at the time. I had no real contact with nature at secondary school level and only some at primary level and my school was right next door to a nature park! Schools I think even now could still improve on this .
Lucky for me my grandparents and parents love the natural world and we went on many outings and its there I gained a passion for all things wild but for others of my age this was not the case and now that we live in a much more commercial, busy, money earning society; wildlife I am afraid doesnt even show on the radar for some.
So like I say its getting people interested when they are young that I think is the key to keeping RSPB members in the future.
Thanks
KatTai said: I'm with Craig on the freebies thing, it doesn't bother me not getting free stuff from any of the charities I'm a member of, and with at least one of those there were no freebies given at all. I join because I want to support the work the charity does not to get free stuff and I think joining for freebies is joining for the wrong reasons. The work that many charities do is all around us and for me it is a reward to see deserted sites transformed into a haven for wildlife or see something that was previously threatened or even extinct start to recover. With Sooty's example of the Osprey picture though, I feel it is highly unfair to offer something to new members that current members have no chance of getting because it is exclusively for new members - I feel that IS punishing everyone who is already a member by waving something nice in their face and saying you can't have this. I think any repeats of something like this should certainly be avoided because I do feel that is an insult to members. If there were limited numbers surely it would be far better to hold a competition to win one rather than giving current members no chance at all of getting one.
Hi everyone
I have been a member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust the same amount of time that I have been with the RSPB, and I have never felt the need to receive freebies at all in any way at all. It is good that we get free access to the reserves with our membership cards plus a discount at the Bird fair for being a member of the RSPB as it is without complaining any more about what we have not got - regarding our membership.
All the voluntary work that I contributed towards the Scottish Wildlife Trust
Example: Manning the visitors Centre at Hollyrood Park in Edinburgh while it was open to the public for a long time.
It was one of the best voluntary contributions I have ever done and it was great meeting members of the public along with having knowledge of the local area so you could answer their questions. It was an open door to help the SWT cause.
To me it is a way of meeting like minded people, and the extras did not even enter my mind. All I want to see is a better world for people who love nature and are willing to add their quota to help that happen - without brownie points, or any special treatment at all.
Yes, if people are not interested in nature/wildlife/RSPB they will find it hard to show that they care, and people will work them out sooner or later for who/what they really are.
I feel in my own mind that having RSPB membership (as long as I have, and always have had) would be a good thing to state to people on this Fourm so genuine people will be taken on their merits.
Say you become a member of the RSPB after so long on this Forum, and entice peiople to join the RSPB on this Forum that would be a good idea too. It would be a good thing all round for everyone. The people who really love nature will come out on top each and every time.
Kathy and Dave