The results from the survey have clearly demonstrated many things about our members – most obviously that we have a large proportion of older, very educated, active members who enjoy being involved with NPA.

The survey respondents provide an interesting profile of NPA members. Compared with the general population, members are likely to be older (45+) and well educated.

Sixty-nine per cent of Survey respondents have at least a university graduate level education. This is significantly higher than the general population, and indeed makes some of us in the NPA office feel rather inadequate!

Members want an active relationship with NPA, and want reminders that they ‘belong’. They demonstrate a high level of interest in both the organisation itself and the publications it produces. NPA members want to be kept informed and have clear expectations of what they want from the organisation.

NPA has room to improve the servicing of its existing member base and this will be done before any moves are made to attempt to address the lack of, say, young families and other groups not well represented in the membership profile. In order to retain the members we currently have, and to provide the infrastructure for attracting future members, there are a number of things that need to be done. Some of these are relatively simple and can be done in the short term; others are recommendations for the longer term.

One exciting initiative will be to add a new option for membership – a regular-donor scheme. Strong interest was shown in the survey for a regular-donor scheme, and we are currently researching this program.

Of course, existing membership options will remain; however, this new option is definitely something to look out for!

There are many plans in the pipeline for NPA to implement in the near future. These include:

Membership Renewal

• implementation of an option for automatic direct-debit by credit card as a means of membership renewal;

• the addition of options for multi-year renewal.

• brochure aimed specifically at bushwalking;

• car window sticker for all our members;

• promotional kit to raise awareness of NPA in educational institutions;

• general merchandise such as caps and t-shirts.

• consider expanding bush regeneration activities at branch level;

          • expand current program of Biodiversity Surveys

 National Parks Journal

• update the style and image of the current (and very successful) National Parks Journal;

• include more wildlife articles in the Journal.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the survey respondents who offered their help in a variety of ways. We are still madly collating all the survey information into our database, and will be in touch with each of you as soon as possible.

Should anyone who was unable to respond to the survey wish to offer help in any of the following ways please contact me via email on membership@npansw.org.au, or through the NPA office on [02] 9299 0000.