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Basic barriers to acquiring club/CFC members
Chess can be played for free almost anywhere (millions may play for enjoyment say once a week). This is unlike golf of curling, for example. Tennis can be played for free at public courts, but at least some people may join tennis clubs so there is no risk of waiting to play at a public court. Nowadays chess can be played on the internet for free or at lower cost than at clubs (also taking travel time and costs into consideration).
So, even though these days anyone can search on the internet for chess in Canada, or their home town, which makes advertising less necessary, most citizens have no motivation to join a club or the CFC, certainly without being prompted (e.g. something spectacular like a Canadian or world chess event/person happens to be in the news) - it may be critical that CFC/club advertising/websites make a strong pitch why someone off the street should consider joining or playing in tournaments (perhaps also trying to describe what these are like).
Many citizens, especially adults, may be reluctant to join a club or the CFC because they believe there are no lessons available to them in their area (whether this is true or not - better advertising may be necessary). Here in Ottawa the RA club at one time received 3-4 calls a month from adults who might join if they could receive lessons. However even if, as of this year, a club such as the RA actually addresses this barrier, another barrier seems to come up. People who receive lessons may become discouraged because they feel they are not improving fast enough. This may be true of people who even do for a while join a club such as the RA, or join the CFC.
Most of the barriers I have mentioned would seem to always be there. Hence clubs or the CFC simply have to carry on, but should always try to apply a full court press to swell the ranks of new members as much as possible, with lessons being offered and advertising initiatives using strong pitches. Then as a spin-off effect these acquired members may have more of their peers to play against while they are improving, or lingering at a lower skill level. There will always be a high annual membership drop out rate for the CFC, and at the lower skill levels of club members or students.
So, even though these days anyone can search on the internet for chess in Canada, or their home town, which makes advertising less necessary, most citizens have no motivation to join a club or the CFC, certainly without being prompted (e.g. something spectacular like a Canadian or world chess event/person happens to be in the news) - it may be critical that CFC/club advertising/websites make a strong pitch why someone off the street should consider joining or playing in tournaments (perhaps also trying to describe what these are like).
Many citizens, especially adults, may be reluctant to join a club or the CFC because they believe there are no lessons available to them in their area (whether this is true or not - better advertising may be necessary). Here in Ottawa the RA club at one time received 3-4 calls a month from adults who might join if they could receive lessons. However even if, as of this year, a club such as the RA actually addresses this barrier, another barrier seems to come up. People who receive lessons may become discouraged because they feel they are not improving fast enough. This may be true of people who even do for a while join a club such as the RA, or join the CFC.
Most of the barriers I have mentioned would seem to always be there. Hence clubs or the CFC simply have to carry on, but should always try to apply a full court press to swell the ranks of new members as much as possible, with lessons being offered and advertising initiatives using strong pitches. Then as a spin-off effect these acquired members may have more of their peers to play against while they are improving, or lingering at a lower skill level. There will always be a high annual membership drop out rate for the CFC, and at the lower skill levels of club members or students.