BRIDGE-IT JANE’S FLYING SEMINARS MEMBER EXPERIENCE

BRIDGE-IT JANE’S FLYING SEMINARS MEMBER EXPERIENCE

GIVE MEMBERS A GOOD EXPERIENCE YOU GROW!!!

GIVE MEMBERS A POOR MEMBER EXPERIENCE YOUR CLUB WILL DECLINE AND CLOSE

IDEAS NATIONWIDE Looking from the outside in From embryos to our most senior of senior citizens

DON’T LEAVE IT TOO LATE!! Clubs with a declining membership of 100 plus should not be complacent Clubs with a declining membership of 40 – 100 members – hardest to change Clubs with 9 to 40 –easiest to change and help

CHANGING MEMBER EXPERIENCE If your club is declining and you keep doing what you are doing it will continue to decline. Look around your clubrooms next visit If your club is declining and you want to survive, you need to change what you are doing. Change can be hard for some. Change is necessary to survive.

LESSONS Typical cycle Bridge-It Jane’s cycle

RETENTION OF BEGINNERS PLAN AHEAD CAREFULLY MANAGE 3 MONTHS POST LESSONS Go for a WOW factor!

PLAN AHEAD! October – plan playing schedule 10 weeks lessons Term 2. (local needs) 2 weeks bid and play in school holidays. Final bid and play start of Term 3 - Invite Buddies Graduation evening – social wine/cheese? 2-3 weeks welcome pairs series with buddy (separate section if big enough club) 5/6 week individual series (ALL HANDICAP) 3 weeks teams including dress-up Ensure first event in New Year is a 3 week individual

BUDDIES BUDDIES – LYNCHPIN TO SUCCESSFUL RETENTION Their job – keep their beginner coming to club Before programme book goes out – book buddies Bridge ability worst qualification Patient, kind, understanding best qualification Buddies are not there to teach Buddies are there to ensure beginner comfort Buddies contact beginner when poor result

BUDDIES Every beginner receives a programme book on graduation – print extras – first names First time they play at club – start helping them to fill their programme diary – biggest aid to continuing Buddy checking in regularly and before each new series to ensure partner found Teacher/lesson administrator also double checks (in case buddies not doing their job) – get them booked in!! Contact beginner and offer game in New Year

COMMON BARRIERS Clubs allow existing members to get away with being rude to new members Playing too many boards (16 when first come in – 22 max in a field containing novices) Playing too late (give new members time to fall in love with the game before asking them to play beyond 10pm) Not following through after an absence diarising

SEPARATE SESSION Much harder for small clubs (Huntly) New session – their rules existing members have to comply Practice session – replay hands from night they played at club Small club – have to give over 3 months of each year to beginner type playing sessions to survive.

RETAINING BEGINNERS Green pens – no fancy system/no penalty doubles Improvers programme (1-3 years – sep night/before play) Monthly newsletter to beginners (templates) Buddy liaison – chivvying up buddies not doing their job Mini Moos – novice events

EXISTING CLUB MEMBERS SETTING EXPECTATIONS!! Include them in process – update in club announcements at playing session and emails Warn existing members: Expect noise!! Give no advice unless asked for by a beginner Cribsheets in use until first championship event in new year. Phone a friend Safety phrase – TMI – Buddies and Members

EXISTING CLUB MEMBERS Handicaps in place for first 3 months before adjustment. (But show both so existing members not left out – consider prize for raw in this period) Play will be slow 10 pm cut off point NO RUSH AND SHUSH!!! Don’t call director – let them pick up cards/allow a revoke (world will not end!!) Read Riot Act to members with OTS – stay away Poems

MEMBER EXPERIENCE Members are your most valuable asset What do you give your members? What is their membership experience? How much money do you have in the bank? GNH

WOW FACTORS Members are most valuable asset at any club – VALUE THEM!!! Blind date Create best impression Working bee/Decorations Heat Lighting Refreshments Websites

MONEY Savings – what are you saving for? No savings – grants Competition for leisure time Carpet – curtains – wobbly tables – assorted chairs Cup of tea and a biscuit Look modern, vibrant and alive!!

COFFEE CARDS

CELEBRATE – HAVE FUN!! Celebrate age – over 80s – cake Fish and chip suppers Quiz evenings - fundraisers

CARE FOR YOUR MEMBERS Almoner Send an email of congratulations when win a series Take photos to put on website Know who has come top for the first time ever See new players trying a senior session – encourage them – send email if they go badly Start of each new series – partnership steward – online entries - send an email/text inviting them along Last round – round of applause – appreciate

BRIDGE-IT JANE PROJECTS Nesting Pairs Starting in March 2018 6 monthly seminars and practice sessions YouTube seminars Skype in Bridge-It Jane

THAT’S ALL THERE IS TO IT!! Any Questions? My email address is: [email protected] Please contact me if you would like any help/ideas Rejuvenation video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v Vq--E8zf Gyo NZB – Resources - Marketing

THANK YOU . WAIKATO BAYS REGIONAL COMMITTEE Good Luck to your Region and All your Clubs Happy Bridging

THANK YOU – GOTTA FLY!!