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A recent newspaper article described them as "consummate pragmatists," driven by excellence and practicality, with an apathetic sense of loyalty. The description refers to the baby-boom generation, which includes the 30- to 40-something crowd noticeably missing on today's stamp club membership roles. Needless to say, this generation of members is essential for clubs to continue to exist.

Clubs in smaller communities report a special lack of active members in this age group, and their elderly and declining memberships face a two-fold problem: (1) to recruit the boomers to the hobby, and then (2) pull them into their clubs. While their problems may be enhanced because they have a smaller populace from which to draw, they do have the advantage of being able to more easily reach their life-saving new blood. Their publicity isn't competing with the numerous other events and activities available in larger cities.

Hope is on the way with regard to recruitment, but I'm afraid it won't be until the years 2005-2010, when the "baby-buster" generation enters its third decade. At that time, the hobby can expect a return from recruiting efforts of that generation, which began in the early 1980s. Can our clubs hang on for another 12-15 years? And, can it be assumed that the busters will be more amiable to club participation than the boomers are today?

Regardless of how the busters may react, the problem remains that clubs and the overall hobby have an immediate gap to fill. If the characteristics of the current 30-40 age group are accurately described above, the approach might be to concentrate on introducing these individuals to the practical aspects of the hobby. Emphasis on philately as an inexpensive outlet to be enjoyed as a family might appeal to them. Clubs must offer concrete benefits of membership, such as group orders to obtain discount supplies. The boomers also might be more receptive to clubs that maintain a sense of structure.

The bottom line is that if the hobby and our clubs aren't serving the needs of this generation, its constituents will quickly be moving on. While I'm not totally sold on all this "psyche-babble" (to borrow a Rush Limbaugh term), I believe it's worth more in-depth consideration, and I welcome your comments.