We did a summary of SHC membership. Thought it is good to share with you. Due to difficulty of collecting response, I would give an accuracy of +/- 5%.
Membership composition:
– Total registered – close to 3,000 with a mix of Chinese, Indian and Malay.
– to the best of our knowledge, 100% are over 45 years.
– 85% are still actively employed or engaged in own business.
– 15% are retired or not working.
– 60% are females and 40% are males.
Language:
– English is commonly used.
– 10% speaks mainly Mandarin, and not comfortable to join SHC activities because English is our common medium.
PC and internet fluency:
– 40% have no access to a PC at home, or their kids occupy most of the computer time.
– 60% have access to internet at home/office.
– at least 50% are not comfortable with PC and internet.
– about 80% prefer phone and SMS communication.
Reasons for joining SilverHairsClub:
– a high 85% join with the aim of finding new friends, although we are not clear about the remaining 15%.
– common reasons for joining include friendship, finding travel partners, find healthy activities and sharing retirement issues.
Interesting perceptions about the SilverHairsClub:
– each month, we encounter about 5-10 queries if SHC is linked to any government agencies, in particular RC groups. We try to stay as an informal social club.
– prior to joining SHC, common queries include "whether SHC is a dating club?" However, after going through the SHC website, and when told SHC is not a dating club, these group still decide to join SHC.
Feedback:
– More than 80% of members prefer SHC to remain independent, simple and free and easy.
– some 5% prefer an organised structure, with a management structure or committee. SHC operates by events. Each event is led by an Event organiser, with a small adhoc committee. All are volunteers.
– there are suggestions for a membership subscription of $1-2 per month to help with expenses. SHC has taken the decision, no subscriptions will be collected.
– SHC receives strong support from members for its one single objective of providing a platform for SilverHairs, over 45, to meet new and more friends.
– Many members have accepted our taboos on politics, sex, race, religion, direct selling and MLM during club’s events.
We would like to your feedback to this summary.
Terence Seah