RSL hires agency to reverse falling membership, ‘We’re not just a bunch of old blokes who drink beer on Anzac Day’
RSL: dwindling membership
Adelaide agency KWP! has been hired by the South Australian Returned & Services League to help the organisation reverse falling membership numbers.
KWP! takes on a brief to first research and later improve the community’s perception of the organisation.
RSL believes that the fall in membership is a result of people not being informed of its activities.
One of the things that is putting people off RSL clubs is their dependence on poker machines.
Lindsay, I know when i choose a place to go I always look at their financials and make sure they aren’t dependent on poker machines.
I was wondering is your last name troll? seriously
Paul, I am glad to know you are a caring individual who thinks about others as well as himself. Excellent.
Lindsay: firstly not all RSL clubs in South Austrlia have poker machines and if they do, it’s only a handful. You are obviously thinking of NSW and the pokie palaces that are RSL clubs in name only. Being a member of the Returned and Services League and being a member of one of those licenced clubs is a different thing.
Well done to the SA RSL for seeing what needs to be done.
Exactly my thoughts Lindsay.
With respect, I always thought that one the legacies of servicemen would be to improve / service their local communities.
Pokies do affect the most vulnerable people in local communities, and I am unsure if that is the legacy the RSL wants to leave behind.
I am sure they do plenty of other good things, but if they would have a nice cafe with a playground for the kids and good coffee, rather than derelicts in pokies rooms, then they might have half a chance to get my custom.
I hope they are brave enough to take this step. Money is one thing, reputation is everything.
Join the RSL – free prostate check included
Simple but serious question – Why would I join an RSL club? No I am not a troll, but would def like to know. I was a member when young and chasing cheap beer. But as a big person why would I? What are they offering me?
You are right Dan. I do live in NSW and was thinking of the RSL clubs here. Thank you for putting me right. I organize a dinner every few months for about 40 people. When I suggested an RSL club the numbers halved, but returned to normal when I moved the dinner to a restaurant. It might have been different if we had been in Adelaide.
One of things that put me off joining the RSL clubs was the RSL’s stance during the 1980s and 1990s when statements were made critical of Asians, blacks, refugees, and homosexuality. Yes, the RSL may have changed since then but some of us still remember those days. Since going to the local pub is free and I can get the same level of food and entertainment, for me there is very little point to the RSL clubs.