Community Partnerships
Contributing to Membership Growth
The Background
Boating clubs are an oasis for so many people – regardless of their on-water agenda. Clubs can feel like a completely different world when entering the main gates. With boats, access to the water, club houses, beautiful grounds, and knowledgeable members, boating clubs have a lot to offer the general public.
In turn, membership based clubs are recognizing a need to improvise in order to keep their numbers. With the support of the community, a boat club has an increased chance for long-term sustainability as well as increased club awareness for promoting membership and/or revenue generating programs. Forming a community partnership is one of those improvised directions.
Partnerships are about creating opportunities and innovative strategies for club and sport sustainability. There are several great ways to engage the community that can increase the number of visitors and potentially new members. From Open House events, school groups, charity events, or corporate deals, all mean more publicity and increased community standing.
Why seek community partners?
- Attracting a new pool of members;
- Sport/Club exposure and awareness;
- Resource sharing;
- Potential for increased funding opportunities;
- Help meet unique goals of your club;
- Giving back to the community.
The Process
- Identify organization needs, short-term & long-term goals, and target populations to reach out to;
- Identify what the club is willing to offer (e.g. facility usage/rental, reciprocal membership, training and lessons, social or racing opportunities, cross-training, etc.)
- Assess costs, risks, benefits, impact for your club;
- Identify priorities and a common vision;
- Develop a written partnership agreement (including expectations and responsibilities of each party);
- Create action and evaluation plans with specific start and end dates.
WARNING: Successful partnerships require commitment and strong leadership!
Partnership Ideas
SCHOOLS – Safe recreational boating can be incorporated into many different areas of education: outdoor education, physical education, field trips, after school/before school programs, team building/leadership building, etc. This may require extending your on water season to include school days.
CHARITIES – Consider partnering with a charity for an event. For example, people can donate money for a boat ride or pay a flat fee to be accompanied by a `club professional` in a boat. Instead of an event, think about donating a certain portion of each membership fee to a chosen charity each year. These often fun and small acts can increase the organization’s good will status as well as awareness.
WATER SPORT CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS – Partnering with another water sport will increase likelihood of cross-over to your club and sport, as well as increase opportunities for preexisting members. There are some water sport organizations and associations that do not have a home base or permanent water-access or storage location. Think about forming reciprocal relationships with those clubs or sporting goods stores. E.g. Dragon boating, Kayaking, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Windsurfing, Canoeing, Kite-Boarding, etc.
SPORT CLUBS – Cross training opportunity! Find recreational multi-sport leagues that are open for additional programming. Partner with a gym for to deliver fitness classes on the Erg, moving towards rowing throughout the classes. Get creative!
GROUPS – SOCIAL, CHURCH, YOUTH & CORPORATE – Opening the doors of your club to the public for meeting space, event space, an open house or Try-It Day can bring in large quantities of people. These members of the public will be able to see all of the services and benefits the club has to offer. Give people the opportunity to see the club and boats!
Shells & Sails Resources
– Club Inventory Snapshot
– Partnership Agreement Sample & Template
– Community Partner Engagement Presentation
– Community Partners – Club Overview
– Community Partnership Agreement Template
If you did not receive the Shells & Sails resource library password, contact the Shells & Sails Program Manager.
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