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Pharos-Tribune
What is causing the decline of local club memberships? By CHERYL CARMIN SHAVER
The doors to most service clubs are still open, but not as many members are walking through them these days. Has there been a recent decline in memberships to these clubs? "Yes," according to Jeff Pfiffer, exalted ruler of the Elks Lodge No. 66, Logansport. In 1979, there were 54,000 statewide members. Now there are only 27,000." Several years ago, the Elks had 1,500 Logansport members, but only 500 residents belong to the club, according to Pfiffer. "We actually had a waiting list," he added. "Someone had to pass away to allow for another new member." Some lodges are not able to survive the fall and are going to close, said Pfiffer. "We offer lunch, but nowadays, when someone goes out to lunch, they go to Applebee's or someplace like that." Many of the dedicated Elks have died, according to Pfiffer. "Last Monday I conducted an Elks funeral and we just lost another member last night." Younger members do not want to do the same things that the older members do, according to Pfiffer. "And maybe those things don't work well for them and they need to do something different. We have to change with the times." During district department meetings, Pfiffer said he discovered the same thing all over the district. "Everyone's in the same boat." The Elks plan to develop a Web site that will feature the club menus, activities and charitable events, said Pfiffer. "We also are planning various programs to help with memberships. Although we do a lot for charity, we plan to get closer to our roots of patriotism, pride, charity, fidelity and brotherhood. We will do whatever it takes to get more people to join." Carl Cain, from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3790 in Logansport, is in charge of membership. He has seen a definite decline in new members over the past few years. "I think it's because of attrition. Many of the World War II and Korean veterans are dying. Although we took in 15 new members, 52 members died in 2004." The VFW does have several programs and charitable activities geared to younger members and their families, according to Cain. "But the younger guys are still building their families. They don't have the time," he said. "Some posts are going to close," said Cain. "The one in Reynolds and a post in Lafayette are small and have closed." The local post has its ups and downs, but so far has been able to stay "in the black," said Cain. "We serve breakfast and lunch all week and on Saturday evening we have a big dinner. We also have karaoke twice a week and those (events) help with the funding." Members are preparing for the Memorial Day Parade and the Poppy Drive scheduled for May. "A lot of times I'll see someone there who says they are a veteran, and I say, 'Well come on down and join the club,'" said Cain. John Randle, commander of the American Legion Post No. 60, thinks younger veterans have lost interest in clubs. "They have a lot more things to do," he said. "Older veterans had more time to spend in the clubs." None of the area Legions has closed, but Randle can see it coming. "Some of the little posts with 100 members will probably have to close," he said. "But our post is in good shape." Older members will more aggressively recruit members, according to Randle. "We're just going to have to get out there and talk to the Iraq veterans." During a ceremony to honor men coming home from Iraq recently, local post members went to the National Guard Armory and offered free membership for one year to all the returning veterans, said Randle. "Some dropped out, and some kept their memberships. I just don't think younger families are as tightly knit as they used to be," he added. That may or may not be true, however, part of the problem is strictly business, according to Richard Hogan, associate professor, sociology and American studies at Purdue University. "I think that AARP is very successful in recruiting people of our age," said Hogan "But, when it comes to joining the American Legion, what does that club have to offer? What is the incentive?" "Before Social Security, people used (service clubs) to provide social insurance," said Hogan. Members agreed to help widows and families of fallen members. "But when Social Security came along, there was no longer the need for social insurance. So, what else are they (service clubs) providing?" Years ago, those who held memberships in service clubs were often local business owners, according to Hogan. "They used to go into the club and pass their business cards around." But, as small-scale retail entrepreneurs decrease, people no longer feel compelled to join a club, said Hogan. "It isn't hard to see the decline of small businesses," he said. The clubs are capable of reinventing themselves, according to Hogan. "Why aren't they?" he asked.
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