B A SIC S K ILLS
CLUBS SHARE SUCCESS STORIES ABOUT INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP
compiled by BRENDA GLIDEWELL
Introductory membership continues to be a successful tool for clubs across the country wish- ing to attract new skaters. Many clubs choose to package this membership with other programs, special benefits and services. Te introductory membership is a full
membership available to first-time full members at a discounted rate. Tis membership is available only through a member club. Introductory mem- bership carries the same privileges as a full mem- bership, including a subscription to SKATING magazine and all testing and competition rights. Anually at Governing Council, the Mem- bership Committee presents “Plus 10 Award” and “Plus 10 Encore Award” honors to clubs that excel in using the introductory membership cate- gory.
Plus 10 recognition is given to clubs that
register 10 or more introductory members during the season. Plus 10 Encore recognition is awarded to clubs that register more than 10 in- troductory members during the previous season and retain 75 percent or more of those members the following year. Te following is a sampling of the testimo-
nials from various figure skating clubs that have enjoyed success with introductory membership and received awards this past season. To view other testimonials about introduc-
tory membership, visit U.S. Figure Skating’s Fanzone blog at
usfigureskatingfanzone.com.
BALTIMORE FSC
(“PLUS 10”) Baltimore Figure Skating Club’s success
with introductory membership began with a member survey in 2012. We asked members how we could increase membership and participation; they told us we needed more ice time for less-ex- perienced skaters. Te board worked with our rink partners at the City of Baltimore’s Mount Pleasant Ice Arena to find an additional hour of ice time and to create a low freestyle session. Te session targets younger skaters and acts as a bridge from the rink’s learn-to-skate program.
With the support of the rink and our coaches, in two years, the session has grown from a few skat- ers to more than 20 on a regular basis. We also price the introductory membership attractively, include it in all of our membership materials and market it at all of our other sessions and events. We invite every learn-to-skate participant to our parties and exhibitions. We run a used skate and clothing sale during learn-to-skate sessions to get young skaters the equipment they need and to connect them to the club. We reward volunteers who dedicate eight hours to our annual fundrais- er, the Chesapeake Open, with free membership and test sessions.
— Brian Messaris
BRAZOS VALLEY FSC (“PLUS 10”)
“Life is more than just skating, but skating brings so much more to our lives.” Tis is the philosophy Brazos Valley Figure Skating Club in College Station, Texas, has adopted, and it has helped grow our organization to a vibrant, active club. Once skaters join the club, we have a high retention rate. Yet a few years ago, we found a need to build the foundation of our club, engag- ing beginning skaters. We established an intro- ductory membership, offering a discounted rate for first-year members. While the discounted price is appealing, we recognized that we also needed to promote this type of membership to prospective members. Since we pride ourselves in maintaining a positive working relationship with Spirit Ice Arena, we collaborate with the figure skating director. During our rink’s Christmas and spring shows, Brazos Valley FSC hosts a milk and cookies night and a pizza night, feeding all show participants during dress rehearsals. Likewise, we work with the rink to have bridge classes that benefit both our skaters and our club. Our Bra- zos Blades Synchronized Skating Team and our Teatre on Ice team, ITS HOT, have increasing involvement, many taking advantage of the in- troductory membership to the club in order to join the teams.
— Margo Dailey Carolinas FSC
(“PLUS 10 ENCORE”) Our rink, Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail,
CAROLINAS FSC
North Carolina, has a strong learn-to-skate pro- gram, in which the director (Jenny Gwyn, Basic Skills director of the year) communicates effec- tively to the parents and skaters about when they can and should join the club. Our introductory membership is available for about half the cost of a full membership, and potential new members are encouraged to try it out for a year at the lower rate. Learn-to-skate students who are in private lessons also hear from their coaches about the advantag- es of joining the club, and are encouraged to try out the introductory membership. Te coaches are also great at reminding existing club students to renew. Over the last year, the Carolinas FSC board took a close look at our club and did some strategic planning as encouraged by U.S. Figure Skating, and used some of the material that it pro- vided. At our annual banquet, we passed out club logo magnets, and later in the summer, reusable grocery/cooler bags with our club logo on them. We also made our club merchandise available for immediate purchase instead of online only. Our club brochure was updated and made readily avail- able to anyone who walks into the rink. — Wendy Tompson
FSC OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
(“PLUS 10” AND “PLUS 10 ENCORE”) Te Figure Skating Club of Southern Cali-
fornia in El Segundo created a special category for Brazos Valley FSC
Baltimore FSC
44 FEBRUARY 2016
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