Since we are approaching the end of this year, perhaps we should start thinking about 2019. What do we need to do better? Our most successful event this year in terms of the largest turnout was the Loftus-Spiegel debate. We had a poor turnout for the recent Dr. Maloney presentation. We've also seen a certain amount of previous members and one-time drop-ins not returning.
As such, it seems important to consider what our group offers. It seems that the most basic answer is "community." We are a community of free thinkers, agnostics, and atheists. Therefore, our target audience should be people with similar viewpoints that may be looking for a group like FreeThought Fort Wayne. Our most successful event followed that theme.
In order to stage an event like the debate, we need to follow a well thought out process, devoting enough time to ensure a successful outcome. The AHA grassroots manual suggests up to 90 days from conception to presentation. That would limit us to no more than four such events per year.
Finally, we need to develop a plan to follow up with new people in order to retain them as members. I hope we can take the time to discuss these thoughts and any others that can help our group grow. We want, indeed need, our members to help guide us in the direction they would like to see us move forward. Please consider contacting any board member with your thoughts/ideas AND consider volunteering or running for a board position when we hold our annual member meeting and board elections early next year!
Robert Brandt, Former President of FTFW
This "Message from the President" was included in Volume 1, Issue 10 of the Hoosier Humanist Herald, which was published on 10/15/18 by FTFW.