I've been in three clubs, one lost its field, then I moved. I really wasn't trying to complain, but to put forth to any club leaders out there that they may not be making their club as accessible as they might think.
Dennis, you said...
I've been on the BOD of one club for about seven years. We are constantly asking the members for help with projects, committees, or ideas for programs at meetings. We have about 120 members; how many offers or suggestions do you think we receive per year? (Try one or two if we're lucky.)
Now, this isn't directed at you personally, but it's striking that you've been on the BOD for 7 years and in ALL three clubs I've been in, the club leadership has also been ensconced for many years.
Doesn't it strike you that if the board and leadership never changes, that eventually the rest of the club will give up and feel disenfranchised.
Obviously, there may be situations where no one runs for an office, but in all three of the clubs I've been in, there simply wasn't any competition. I would've liked to have run for an office, but since there was no competition, I kept my mouth shut.