I visited a Folk club for the first time in 1965, it was common then foR clubs to have a membership. members getting reduced rates, after having joined. For a while, this went out of fashion, but is now popular again.
Ihave always thought it was an excellent idea, as people are encouraged to come back to get their moneys worth, it can also encourage the feeling of a social club, in my opinion important again.
one club that I played recently, CARRINGTON in NOTTINGHAM had a membership system and seemed to be very successful, the organiser Grenville Blattherwick also provided a curry and the atmosphere was friendly and like a genuine club. Club holidays have also been organised in the past [ canal boat trips etc].
The result is a well attended club with a friendly atmosphere, not reliant on guests to draw crowds , people go regardless, because of the atmosphere, and they trust the organiser to book quality guests. the epitome of a good folk club, club membership is one of the ingredients to making it a good CLUB.
Have any other organisers noticed an improvement after theintroduction of a membership scheme.DickMiles