History-type societies - an age and class thing?

[Mosaic]

I belong to a number of local history groups of different kinds, and they all share difficulty in recruiting and retaining members.
Part of this is caused by the simple fact that satellite TV and the internet has really upped the access to history that you can enjoy from home.

But, from observing, I feel there is a class and age thing going on ie what these groups really seem to desire is not more members - but more members exactly like the existing members.
Has anyone else noticed this long ago, and am I just as usual playing catch-up?

[jno]

it was exactly the same in 1673.

But it's in the nature of people to look for like-minded people, I suppose; there's probably not much point in trying to recruit history club members among the local Hell's Angels chapter. On the other hand, they probably would if they were at risk of dying out altogether

[Mosaic]

I suppose you're right Jno - it just strikes me as wanting the cake and the ha'penny.

[jno]

well, it's a question of efficiency. You look first where you think you are most likely to get the best results. Once you have exhausted your church congregation, the local reading club, the village hunt, the Eton Old Boys Association and so forth, you start to turn to the Hell's Angels - unless you've already found all the recruits you want.