Recruiting?

[33rd mtn ranger]

due to economic struggles many units are dwindeling in numbers. the unit i am a member with the 33rd va is going through a dry period. we will actualy be in the battalion that will portray the 33rd at th 150th manassas and the way things are looking our numbers will not be at the strenngth we would like them to be. anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how to recruit new members?

CHARGE!

 

[Nathanb1]

I know everyone always talks about how poor college kids are--but in many cases Mom and Dad are still providing the funding. Have you seen their cars? (Okay, I know....some of you ARE the funders)

In that vein and knowing college kids sometimes have spare cash for a good cause, have you thought about contacting history profs at various area colleges (not knowing where you are but assuming there are some in at least a 100 mile radius) about encouraging students to become reenactors? Obviously, I'd go for folks who teach Civil War courses.....maybe even try to get a word to the student history organizations? I know when I was at school a few years ago, a lot of our history majors volunteered at the Renaissance Festival and nearby Celtic Festival, etc......you never know....it's a group ripe for the picking, at least.

Student ROTC groups? At least they might have some idea how to march?

 

[Joey12thga]

Free Beer.

 

[Tin cup]

Do you have a web site to show folk something about your unit?

Kevin Dally

 

[M E Wolf]

33rd Mtn Ranger,

You wrote:

due to economic struggles many units are dwindeling in numbers. the unit i am a member with the 33rd va is going through a dry period. we will actualy be in the battalion that will portray the 33rd at th 150th manassas and the way things are looking our numbers will not be at the strenngth we would like them to be. anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how to recruit new members?

CHARGE!

Everybody has been suffering in the ranks. If it isn't economics, it is being deployed overseas in service to our Nation.

I have "heard" waving event fees for those lacking in the opposite ranks have done much to improve attendance. Not sure which Virginia unit was at Fort Ward (Alexandria, Virginia) on December 11, 2010 -- But they were very nicely received.

Perhaps keeping a network open, as to stay as local as possible and those who don't want to drive long or far; can walk on or join you on one of your events. Sponsoring an event, perhaps put it in the announcement format, as to give date, time, location and contact information. Web sites are always helpful.

Invite enlarged Union reenactors to perhaps swap uniforms as to make it a balanced event.

U.S. Park Service might have ideas.

Host a joint Blue-Gray drill. As history goes, Hardees' Infantry was used by both Federal and CSA troops at First Battle of Manassas/Bull Run.

There are a lot of Confederate cemeteries. If the ranks are thin, consider creating an honor guard and 'tighten things up' uniform wise, discipline and presentation. There is a memorial to the Confederates at Arlington National Cemetery--it is in a decayed state. Perhaps if you are near Washington, D.C. as a unit - contact the U.S. Third Infantry Re-enactors; Company K (Buffsticks) 1st Lt. Jason Eckhart (Military Commander) and see if you both can present honor guards for special occasions at Arlington National Cemetery --

Check with the Manassas Civil War museum -- there was a huge assembly, to include Stribling's Artillery; Cavalry, Union units, Telegraph tent, to include entertainment, vendors and such. They may have ideas also.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

 

[carson_reb]

Recruiting college students is a good idea...especially those either majoring in history or theatre. They are often hungry for some hands-on experience. They may even be in need of a capstone project or unpaid internship.

You can also try recruiting high school or college students who are taking an American history class, or enrolled in drama, and are looking for a class project to complete.

When I was a high school junior, our U.S. history class actually performed a "reenactment" of a civil war battle in the classroom. It was pretty crude (we used yard sticks as muskets and swords) but it got the point across and we had a lot of fun with the hands-on history lesson. As long as your club/unit doesn't have by-laws against the participation of minors, then I would encourage recruiting high school students.

ROTC is a great idea, too. Not only do these young people have some idea about military behavior, but a reenactment gives them a chance to have a little fun while drilling, too.

 

[Poor Private]

I find that in one of my units it's the maintaniing of the troops we have more than worrying about recruiting. Now that they have announced that gas will be at or over 4 bucks a gallon in May (event starting time up here in the north) and over 5 in 2012. I can see less and less being able to travel much further than an hour from home. I can see less cannon making trips- I cant even imagine the cost of a truck pulling a heavy trailer loaded down with a cannon and all it's goodies. I don't think but about 2 or 3 of the 2nd Kentucky members live in the same general area. We are scattered throughout West Michigan. We did pick up about 5 new members last spring. so maintenance is prime first of all before more recruiting.

 

[Nathanb1]

When I was a high school junior, our U.S. history class actually performed a "reenactment" of a civil war battle in the classroom. It was pretty crude (we used yard sticks as muskets and swords) but it got the point across and we had a lot of fun with the hands-on history lesson. .

I'm not giving them sticks of any kind. But I have been toying with the idea of super squirters and local fire trucks if they pass their exit test in May. Sort of a Pickett's Charge with no blood. That way, maybe some of the smarter ones will volunteer to be Yankees.

 

[Blessmag]

I'm not giving them sticks of any kind. But I have been toying with the idea of super squirters and local fire trucks if they pass their exit test in May. Sort of a Pickett's Charge with no blood. That way, maybe some of the smarter ones will volunteer to be Yankees.

AMEN sister, get them brains up narth

 

[carson_reb]

I'm not giving them sticks of any kind. But I have been toying with the idea of super squirters.

Just be sure the squirters are single shot. Maybe try those foam noodle thingys that people get at baseball or football games...At least if they hit each other (or you) it won't hurt. Yard sticks still can; especially the ones not made out of balsa wood. LOL

 

[DixieDude007]

Do you have a web site to show folk something about your unit?

Kevin Dally

YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK ARE GREAT!!!! My unit has our own website and a facebook page and I am making videos had over fist to get people. I would love to get some young people in my unit. We have a 13 year old drummer boy a 17 teen year old pvt (yours truely) an 18 year old pvt a two 22 year olds and the rest are middle aged. I would hope that the 150th would bring people in (maybe even a few families with some daughters my age i am just saying). But i digress... Talk to people at church, work, like someone else said college campuses. I am pretty sure that the history majors would love it. If your unit can try to go to gun shows and small city festivals (that will cost money so look out) and it would be cool to have a few dress out but you also need for people to see your a normal person.

 

[CoA49thNCT]

Our unit has been low of numbers for a while now as well. But I believe that might be changing soon. Hope the same goes for your group. God bless!

 

[sargebill]

My unit the 17th conn,we used to have over 30 rifles (that was years ago) we slowly fell in numbers till we had only 3 members left,now we are back to around 12-15 rifles on a regular basis.....it's not quantity but quality of the members that counts!

yours respectfully: William Weiss 17th Conn co H

 

[firefite44]

our unit is 7th Tenn Co.M DSMT and here is how we have been recruiting members. 1.) Contact your local SUV (sons of union veterans) or SCV (sons of confederate veterans) to get members. 2.) Advertise on forums like this and other sites like cwreenactors. 3.) Build a website on a free site and post things about your unit and schedule for people to come check you out. 4.) Make it feel like a family atmosphere and you get more members. 5.) Start a Facebook page for people to check you out. 6.) Have fun or at least ACT like you are.

These things have really worked well for us. We started out with 8 members in 2009 and now have grown to 32 full time members and quite a few civilians. Others wonder how we do it, I guess it can be a **** shoot but it has worked well for us.

 

[scarter92]

Take heart. I think interest in periods in history fluctuates.

 

[DLShake]

iF THE PEOPLE NO LONGER PARTIPATING WOULD MAKE THEIR UNIFORMS EARILY AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE RESONABLY OR EVEN BORROW HTAT WOULLD BE ENCOURAGING. mAKE AN INFORMATIONAL FLYER TO HAND OUT AT EVENTS.mY INTEREST IS NEW, JUSGT SINCE I STARTED RESEARCHING MY FAMILY TREE. i HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF rEINACTORS, LIKE HOW OFTEN THEY MEAT, CLOTHING ETC REQUIRED, ITS COST. AND IVE ALWAYS WONDERED DO YOU ASSUME THE IDENTITY OF AN ACTUAL ORIGINAL SOLDIER OF THE UNIT:???

 

[scarter92]

I think the Internet makes flyers obsolete. It has never been easier.