As I see it the EFDSS has three quite distinct functions:

1) A learned society for the preservation and study of English folk music, which chiefly means the Library and the Journal, and a programme of lectures

2) To promote folk music as an art form, which it does mainly through professional artist development and various projects and collaborations

3) To support "grass roots folk" which possibly includes its education activities (although this could be seen as a separate function). This is where it is weakest, it doesn't seem to offer much apart from the activities at C# House. If you're outside London, forget it.

Among those friends I've asked about this, they attach most value to 1 and 3, although they don't feel their own grass roots activities get much support. EFDSS itself seems to put most emphasis on 2. This is possibly why it is failing to attract members.