Alan Mattingly, Ramblers Vice President, visited our office today. Alan was General Secretary (the previous name for Chief Executive) over a period spanning the 1970s to the early 2000s. He was telling us how Ramblers Groups roughly quadrupled between 1975 and 1995; and that the membership of the Ramblers roughly quadrupled too, during the same period.
There appears to have been, during that time, a strong link between the establishment of new Ramblers Groups, and the growth in membership. By contrast, over the past decade, apart from the 20s-30s groups (and more recently the 40s+ groups), there have been few new groups formed.
We want to finish this year 2010/11 with at least 121,500 members. That’s more members than we started the year with – which would be the first time since about 2003. If we can grow our membership again, we can have more campaigning clout, a bigger pool of potential volunteers, as well as more resources. Perhaps we need Areas to be looking at setting up some new Groups – either geographical-, or interest-based ones – or if not new ones, sub-groups of existing ones? I’d be interested in your thoughts. Can you remember that period of rapid membership and group growth?
Tom
Tom Franklin
Chief Executive
Follow my log at http://twitter.com/RamblersTom
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The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.
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