Fewer new members with the larger associations; Argo still most popular

Introduction to Argo © Marte Hofsteenge

Rowing association Argo did not diminish in popularity. ‘We can only accept a certain number of new members’, explains secretary of Argo Marlies Koerts. Out of 320 registrations during the AID, only 250 could start. Those who were accepted are introduced to Argo during a six-week period. During that time, they are taught about boat practice, container practice and ergometer practice. ‘Out of those 250, 215 became members.’

KSV Franciscus saw a decline from 192 to 123 – 36 percent. Chair Dirk van Besouw takes a broader look at the decline. ‘in 2017-2018, we had an absurd number of new members, and there was a significant peak between 2014 and 2017. We currently reside in a low. But the same is happening with the other associations.’ According to Van Besouw, the exact cause is difficult to determine. ‘Perhaps we have fewer registrations due to the gastroenteritis outbreak during the AID? Or it could be because of the housing shortage?’ But he does not worry. ‘I do have faith that we will remain a healthy association.’

SSR-W satisfied; Nji-Sri proud

Despite the number of new members at SSR-W being somewhat lower than last year, vice-chair Robbert Boers is satisfied. ‘112 is a great figure. It is a bit under SSR-W’s average, but it’s all about the active members. That cannot be measured.’ Nji-Sri has made a leap forward. Eveline Massop, secretary of External Affairs, is proud. ‘This year, we inaugurated 58 new members. This is the highest since we returned to Wageningen.’ Nji-Sri was established in Wageningen in 1904, but moved to Deventer with the Middelbare Koloniale Landbouwschool in 1912. In 2006, the association returned to Wageningen.

Additional reading:

• Societies attract fewer new member

  Student – 06 September 2018 14:48-For the first time in years, the number of people joining student societies during the Annual Introduction Days (AID) went down.