1. Is your club fading away?
Recipe For a Thriving Club

2. No Silver Bullet
What made your club successful before is not likely what will make your club successful now
The sled world has changed and the people who are getting into the sport today are not the ones who created it or understand what it took to get to where we are
Be patient and encouraging
There is no single thing that will make it work

3. Location Where do you hold your club meetings?
Do you have a venue that is inviting and caters to many different people?
Recommendations
Find a restaurant or brew house that will allow you to use their space for free and allow you to order off the menu instead of a limited menu
Is it family friendly?
Is it affordable for a family to attend?

4. Atmosphere Social Hour – The most important aspect!
Are club leaders mingling with new members?
Are new members made to feel welcome?
Fun and Friendly
Introduce new club members to others and invite them to sit together to make them feel included
“Clicks” SUCK! 

5. The Meeting 1 hour total 20 min or less of business updates
30-40 min of fun/informative presentations
Various presenters through the season
Have a screen or TV to present visual aids
Build Power Point presentations (offer help)
End on time!

6. Content Business Update Presentations
Business planning and discussions completed at Board meetings
Updates on Events / Announcements / Budget / Membership /Etc…
Presentations
Power Point on a screen or TV
Short Video
Designed to help riders learn and be engaged
Allow others to contribute / ask for guest speakers
Ideas
Riding areas / Equipment Maintenance / How to get unstuck
How to lead a ride / Sled Recovery / Sled Towing / Towing Tips
GPS use / First Aid / CPR / Community Guest Speakers / Etc…

7. Communication/Interaction
Social Media
Set up an interactive Facebook Page that riders can easily schedule rides and network with others
Notifications are proactive engagement/reminders
Don’t be afraid of what others will post
If you are then set it up so that posts have to be approved
Website
Have a base structure that is current and useful
Resources and information
Don’t count on people proactively seeing items here

8. Rides! Set clear expectations for the club
Avalanche Gear / No alcohol
Ride Etiquette / “don’t be that guy”
Schedule a Monthly Ride – (Why did I join the club)
Schedule fun events
Steak Ride / Military Ride / Family Day
Set up rides based on skill level
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced (set expectations)
Group size for each type of ride is important
Have a plan that includes a back up ride leader/tail gunner
Safety gear required (Set expectations…again )

9. Have FUN!!! Don’t take yourself or the club too serious
Everyone there is a volunteer
Make people “WANT” to be there
Roll with it / nobody likes a dictator
Empower others and encourage
Be grateful for everyone’s help (recognition)
Take the “meeting” out of the meeting
Open up your board meetings to club members
The general meeting should be designed to get people interested in the club so that they to want to attend the board meeting to “preserve the fun”
This has to happen organically

10. Thank you Jon Ferrian  Family Man  WSSA Safety Chair/NWAC Board
Cascade Drift Skippers/Northwest Glacier Cruisers/Sno-Jammers
 Family Man 