All successful clubs regardless of the sport will share common characteristics.  Some of these are:

 1.  Sound planning in the short, medium and long term

• Gives direction to a successful clubs operation

2.  Understand the clubs strengths and weaknesses

• Action plan is in place to improve strengths and eliminate weaknesses.

3.  Designated marketing committee

• This committee will drive the promotional activities and membership recruitment / retention of your club
• Marketing plan in place

4.  The club knows its local community

• Knows where and how to target members
• Has key contacts in council and funding agencies
• Understand the demographic make up of the surrounding area

5.  Local community knows the club

• People know of and can locate your club
• Club news regularly appears in the local newspaper
• Club promotional material is available in the community at shops, libraries etc
• Local council is supportive of the club

6.  Effective communication with club members

• Club members know what is going on at the club at all times and they feel like a major contributor to the club

7.  Club members recruit by ‘word of mouth’

• Word of mouth is the best promotional tool – but this only works if the members are happy!
• Club runs incentive schemes for members who recruit new members or ‘invite a friend’ evenings etc.

8.  Team of active volunteers

• A successful club has a large number of volunteers who are happy in their role – spreading the volunteer load.

9.  Something for everyone

• Bowls and social calendars meet the needs of almost anyone.  Something different for collegiate, juniors, mature age, families, businesses, people with a disability, weekday bowlers, weekend bowlers, social members etc

10.  Welcoming attitude

• Club members are positive and welcoming to new members
• Buddy system / welcoming committee (mentor system)