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TRANSCRIPT
NEW SOUTH WALES
Staying connected:
A handbook for involving men
in groups and clubs
A COTA NSW Mate to Mate Project
Page 2
Acknowledgements
COTA NSW thanks all workshop participants in Sydney, Penrith and
Wyong for contributing their time and ideas to this resource.
For their additional support, we are particularly grateful to:
Granville Men’s Shed
Computer Pals Blacktown
CatholicCare Carer Support Program (South Western Sydney)
The Shed at Emerton
Staying Connected: A handbook for involving men in groups and clubs
ISBN: 978-0-9804223-5-1
Published by Council on the Ageing (Inc) NSW 2015
Edited by Jane Bringolf
This handbook and related videos form the final part of the COTA
NSW Mate to Mate Project. The project was funded by NSW Family
and Community Services and carried out in partnership with the
Men’s Health Information Resource Centre, University of Western
Sydney
Page 3
Contents Background ...................................................................................... 4
Who should use this handbook ....................................................... 5
Attracting older men to groups and clubs ....................................... 6
Designing and disseminating promotional material........................ 7
Language is important ..................................................................... 8
Checklist for language and terminology .......................................... 9
Design and layout of promotional material .................................. 10
Checklist for promotional material ................................................ 12
Website content ............................................................................ 14
Special events ................................................................................ 15
Use of media outlets ...................................................................... 16
Use of “freebies” ........................................................................... 16
Use of signage ................................................................................ 17
Other promotional activities ......................................................... 17
Tactics to get men to join and keep them coming ........................ 18
Group process ................................................................................ 20
Ongoing tactics .............................................................................. 21
Why men are reluctant, reticent or resistant ................................ 22
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Background
The COTA NSW Mate to Mate Connecting Older Men project was
undertaken in partnership with the Men’s Health Information and
Resource Centre at the University of Western Sydney. Extensive
research was undertaken which involved older men throughout all
stages of the research process. The project began by focusing on
connecting older men to community services and then the project
broadened to finding out what encourages and discourages men from
staying connected to community activities.
As the project progressed, it became apparent that groups and clubs
were vital in keeping older men connected and that a practical resource
to assist them in this task was required, and this handbook is the result.
Lunchtime at the Granville Men’s Shed
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Who should use this handbook
This handbook is designed for groups and clubs as a ready reference
to attract and retain male members and participants, particularly
older men. Staying connected in later life is a major factor in
maintaining physical and mental health. Much has been written on
this subject and will not be repeated here. The focus for this
handbook is on the “how-to” – practical tips and ideas for
encouraging social connectedness, particularly in the form of joining
a group and participating in a community activity.
From the first idea we started talking with men in the spirit of co-
production. Consequently much of the information was gathered
from three hands-on workshops involving older men and community
service providers who run groups for men, as well as field visits. Four
short case studies are also included.
There are four main sections:
1. Designing and disseminating promotional material
2. Tactics for attracting men
3. Tactics for retaining men
4. Why men might be reluctant to join a group or club
As men like to get their information from other men, eight short
video clips of four men talking about their experiences are included
in this resource package. The videos also serve as an example of
what can be achieved with an ordinary camera and free Microsoft
Movie Maker editing software, and are also an example of another
way to reach out to men.
The video clips can be downloaded from the ‘Community Resources’
section of our website: www.cotansw.com.au/council-on-the-
ageing-nsw-get-informed-publications
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Attracting older men to groups and clubs
The workshops included discussions about the stereotyping of all
men as being capable, confident and able to manage themselves in
new social situations. However, the opposite might be true for some
men. Consideration should be given to the unease of older men in
new social situations who are not confident about moving outside
their comfort zone and trying something new. Once men become
disconnected from the community, the more their confidence is
likely to diminish.
When first thinking about attracting new members, most groups
think about promotional material and this is where the handbook
starts. However, other tactics can be just as successful, if not more
so, as research suggests that men prefer to get their information
from other men.
The workshop sessions produced long lists of reasons that men
might give, and do give, for not joining a group or club. These were
collated and sorted into themes and are at the end of this
handbook. They serve as reminders of factors to consider when
seeking new male members. The full lists can be downloaded from
the ‘Community Resources’ section of our website:
http://www.cotansw.com.au/council-on-the-ageing-nsw-get-
informed-publications
Brainstorming ideas at the Wyong Workshop
Page 7
Designing and disseminating promotional material
Promotional material can be the first impression of a group or club –
so make it a good one!
The main theme emerging from the workshops was that
promotional material should focus on what is important to the
potential new member and not on the organisation or group – look
outward to men, not inward to the organisation.
Certain words and pictures used in brochures, on websites and in
conversation can have a negative effect on some men. The language
of current male members is a good guide to the words to use.
Active language where men feel they can make a contribution,
achieve a goal, or help others, creates a more positive first
impression of the group. Language used in promotional material
needs to avoid the use of jargon, community service language that
indicates “care” or “support”, and words that might indicate
reduced independence. Gender based semantics can also matter:
men like to “help” but not “volunteer”; men “make things” and
women “do craft” activities, for example.
Promotional material should reach out to the intended reader, not
be an advertisement for the “good works” your group or club does.
Avoid emphasis on branding the group or club, particularly those
being run by larger organisations.
The name of the group can also have an effect on first impressions:
consider the suitability of the name and whether this might be
stigmatising. If possible, particularly for larger organisations that
auspice men’s groups, use short generic names, such as Thursday
Club or Men’s Lunch Club, for example. Both new and existing
groups can ask men to choose a name for their group.
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Language is important
Retaining a sense of dignity, independence and capability are
essential. Use an active voice rather than the third person. For
example, “We invite you to come and join us”, rather than
“Everyone is welcome”. You can change “This service has been
operating for ten years” to “We started the group ten years ago”.
Avoid any reference to being incapable, dependent and being cared
for. The key points are:
Avoid jargon The community service industry has its own language and a history in the care or medical model. For example: “Frail” or “Frail Aged” indicate weakness, feebleness, and dependence. “Day Care” is something for children. “Care” is for the sick. “Assessment” sounds like a test. “Client” is something a solicitor has.
Words to avoid
Focus on words that imply activity, participation, accomplishment, enjoyment, etc. Help, assist, care, elderly, aged, lonely, isolated, needs, are examples of words that men find disempowering.
Use “male-friendly” language
Men view community services as a female dominated industry. Use language that indicates men are welcome to join and participate. While some men respond to terms such as “mate” or “bloke”, others do not favour these terms. Much will depend on the type or purpose of the group if using these terms.
Avoid a long or stigmatising name
This is your first chance to attract male members – it is the first impression of the group. Avoid a long name – use a name that members might use.
Translation into languages other than English
If you have your material translated, make sure it is checked for language suitable for men from that culture, and that it retains the subtleties of “male-friendliness”. Do not use Google Translate.
Page 9
Checklist for language and terminology
Language is welcoming, empowering and retains the dignity of the intended reader □ There is no jargon – government funded community service groups are more likely to use this □ The language is simple and clear. Short sentences are used so that people with poor literacy or English language skills can understand it
□
The key points are emphasised with a picture to help with clarification □ Text relates clearly to the pictures used □ Male-friendly reference is not lost in translations into other languages – avoid Google Translate □
CASE STUDY: The Journeymen
On finding that male members in carer support groups tended not
to speak up and participate in mixed groups, the men were invited
to join a men-only group. One of the first tasks was to find a name
for the group. The coordinators asked the men to start thinking of
a name and they also devised a survey. Together they reviewed
the suggestions, and through discussion they talked about the
purpose of the group and how they have all been on a journey in
their caring role – hence the name “Journeymen” was agreed
upon. A good name helps to de-stigmatise the group and also
assists with attracting funding as it is specific and distinct. In this
case the name also had to reflect the values of the umbrella
organisation, CatholicCare, as well as being respectful to the
members.
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Design and layout of promotional material
Feedback from the workshops indicated that a DL envelope size or
A4 tri-fold is the preferred size for a brochure or flyer. This makes it
easier for men to fold once and put in their shirt pocket or back
pocket, making it more likely that they will take a brochure home.
A quick search of the Internet for “designing a brochure” could be
worth the effort. Some basic tips for a trifold brochure are:
Keep the margin size equal: The margins between panels in a
trifold should be twice as wide as the outer margins so that you
have equal margins in each panel when it is folded.
Order the information: Think about how the brochure will be
opened by the reader. Both the outer flap and back (centre)
panel are visible before opening the brochure then the inner flap
becomes visible. At the same time the left panel is exposed. The
inside inner flap (far right panel) is the last section to be viewed
– so don’t put any critical information there.
Use the inside 3 panels wisely: Use this space for key
information. With this small space keep words to a minimum –
keep sentences short and to the point. Avoid reducing font size
to include extra words. It needs to be easy to read.
Placement of graphics: For more impact and maximising space,
consider bleeding the picture off the edge and/or across two
internal columns (go across the margins). Make sure graphics
are relevant to the text. Place graphics neatly, not randomly.
Font size and type: Use a sans serif font (that is without curly
bits such as in Times New Roman) as this is not helpful for
people with reduced vision. Most sans serif fonts (Arial,
Helvetica, and Calibri) are good at font size 11 or 12.
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Justification: Keep text left justified. Full justification (to create
a straight left and right edge) stretches the text and makes it
more difficult to read.
Emphasis: Don’t use underline, capital letters or italics for
emphasis – use bold. Minimise the use of upper case and italics
as this disrupts the flow of reading.
CASE STUDY: Men in the
Kitchen
Computer Pals Blacktown is
located in a new community
centre that has a dedicated
computer room and a caterer’s
kitchen among other facilities.
Computers are used as a focal
point to bring people together
in a range of activities and
groups. The Men in the Kitchen
group was set up by promoting
the activity as “cooking with
computers”. This entailed
looking up recipes on the computer or tablet, choosing one and then the
group cooks the dish in the community centre kitchen. Each week they
cook a different dish and in the process compile a small recipe book of
favourites.
Newspaper article: Lessons in plating up
Blacktown Advocate
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Checklist for promotional material
While some of these items are obvious, it is good to check that
nothing has been missed.
Checklist for content
The name of the group is short and catches the eye □ The focus is on what the potential new member could be interested in (not what you are interested in telling them) □ Detailed information about the background to the group is provided in another document, possibly a welcome pack. □ Activities are listed succinctly and pictures show people enjoying themselves or being involved in a task □ Sentences are short and clear □ There is just enough information to present the group as stable and well run □ The day(s) of the week, time(s) and place of the meeting or activity is clearly shown □ The costs of being involved are clearly stated, both joining and ongoing □ The name and phone number of two people to contact (preferably men) are easy to find and read □ Information on transport and how to get there is provided (perhaps also a map) □ It has been proofread by another person □
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Checklist for layout
Pictures are used to show participants in action to represent both task and people □ Pictures with related text show what happens in the group (helps to give a “flavour”) □ The font size and type is easy to read and only one font style is used □ The layout of the design is simple and does not look cluttered □ There are wide margins and lots of white space to make it easier to read □ The size of the document is DL envelope or tri-folded to DL size (can fold easily to put in pocket) □ The name of the group is in the top third of the front page (so it can be seen in a DL size brochure rack) □ The layout, pictures and text present a positive image to make it look welcoming to new people □ Current members have been asked for their opinion on the design □
Photos of people in action
emphasise both the social and
practical aspects of the group.
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Website content
Much of the information for brochures applies to websites. While
many groups will not have control over website design, they may
have control over the way that language is used and the amount of
information provided. Scrolling or sliding banners on websites are
popular, but for older visitors, and particularly those unused to using
websites, these can be very distracting and possibly disorientating.
Here are some additional points to consider:
Checklist for websites
The home page welcomes the visitor and encourages the reader to look further into the site □ All pages have a large font (not less than 12pt) □ Detailed information about the background to the group can be put on an “About us” page □ It is easy to navigate to other sections of the website □ A FAQ section or “what is” section about the group has been included □ Past activities with pictures are included and show the history of activities (can make a picture gallery) □ Upcoming activities are listed clearly with relevant information (time, place, day) □ Contact Us page has a name, email address and phone number of a contact person(s) as well as a standard pro-forma Contact Form
□
There are no more than three clicks to the relevant information □ The website is kept up to date (it is discouraging to see the last post was a year ago) □
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Special events
Have an open day or other event and advertise with a big banner
in a prominent location
Have a special social day or evening (no committee meeting to
sit through)
Have more face to face interaction – info booths at fairs,
markets, local shopping centre
Network with groups with similar goals and create a local “expo”
to advertise group activities and volunteering opportunities
Have a bring a mate day - encourage existing male members to
bring another man
Have a BBQ in the local park with a large sign for your group so
others can see you having fun. Be prepared to speak to anyone
who looks interested – make the first move to introduce
yourself.
CASE STUDY: Emerton Shed
Starting out as Emerton Men’s Shed this group has become more
of a community centre – hence they changed the name to “The
Shed”. Its history as a place for men means it is mainly attended by
men. It is open Monday to Friday and some government outreach
services such as Centrelink visit once a month. This is an attraction,
particularly for those who do not use computers. Each Wednesday
they have a free barbeque lunch which attracts people of all ages
from the surrounding area. They have bread and fruit donated
which people can take home. A wall mounted television with
comfortable chairs in a corner encourages conversation in a small
group. Large logs under trees provide a more private and casual
environment where people have quiet one to one conversations,
sometimes with outreach workers. The informal approach
encourages men to talk.
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Use of media outlets
Use the local radio for information and promoting events/new
member days
Use availability of folk media, the arts, pageants and celebrated
events to promote the group
Use community media channels with media releases with a
human interest story related to the group
Use social media - Facebook and Twitter
Get a spot on the local community radio and tell good stories
about the people and the activities, but don’t make it sound like
a “service” or “caring” or “for the lonely”
Use a range of media for getting information out - don’t rely on
one method
Use of “freebies”
In some situations men can be attracted by free or gratis items such
as a lunch, food to cook and share, second hand books, or help to
access the internet and social media.
Approach the local chamber of commerce, supermarket for
donations of food items
The local library often has old books they no longer loan
The local service clubs might have connections with businesses
that can provide in-kind donations
Free and convenient access to services and information can also be
attractive. This is includes free use of a computer. Some government
services have outreach workers who might be available to make
regular visits, such as health workers and Centrelink staff.
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Use of signage
Street signs to the Shed
(see the Council for this),
it’s also advertising
Have a sign on the club
bus indicating who you
are and that “we are
enjoying ourselves”
A large sign for the club
building that can be seen
from a distance
Have a sandwich board
with the name of the
group to put out when the group meets and/or at special events
or BBQ in the park
Other promotional activities
Put brochures in suitable places: library, GP surgery – go where
men go
Letter box drop in the local area
Existing male members to seek out opportunities for giving
presentations at other group meetings and gatherings
Testimonials of current members who could present and
advertise the group to churches and other clubs
Increase word of mouth promotion - encourage existing
members to talk about the group, what happens, how good it is,
once people start they keep coming, etc.
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Tactics to get men to join and keep them coming
Depending on the type of group or club, there can be different ways
of retaining men in the group. It may have taken courage and effort
to get this far. Consequently, a warm welcome is essential.
Sometimes the first contact is made at another location, such as a
street stall, or by telephone. Listed below are some of the ideas
generated at the workshops.
Specifically invite individuals – make them feel personally invited
Offer to provide transport for the first time, or agree on a time
and place to meet so you can arrive together
Many men are used to women being organisers – telling them
when to be ready and what to take – you may need to do this
Assign “meeters and greeters” for each gathering to make sure
newcomers are welcomed
Have a first contact person who has a checklist to make sure all
important points and FAQs are covered
Ensure there is consistent welcome information for new
members and visitors
Make up a welcome pack with answers to questions they may
have after their first visit (so you don’t have to burden them
with lots of information straight away)
Have one point of contact who knows how to encourage, not
just to list off by rote the time and place, etc.
Contact person to find out some background info – to help with
selecting a buddy
Contact person to arrange a buddy to accompany the new
member initially and to ensure quick integration into the group
Seat newcomers near someone who can buddy and befriend
new members
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Newcomer induction process is known and used by everyone -
include the basics - toilet, kitchen, transport, and parking
Invite to have a look - not join in the first instance - take the
pressure off joining right away
Wear name tags - it is difficult to remember all the names
Have a 24 hour phone line with recorded message (dedicated
phone number) with promise to call back (and do call back!) This
is so that the phone number stays the same regardless of
personnel movements and doesn’t go out of date on publicity
and the website.
Shake hands warmly - women should do this too when greeting
men - both hello and goodbye
Ask members what they can do – use the skills within the group
CASE STUDY: Granville Men’s
Shed
This Shed is typical of what most
people would expect in a Mens
Shed – woodwork, metalwork,
machinery and tools. The
machinery takes up most of the
available space, so there is no
room for a “social corner”. To
overcome this, they have one
day a week dedicated to social
activities: outings, a barbeque
lunch or guest speakers. Men who are not confident with machinery
can be given other tasks. From time to time the Council gives them a
contract to make a batch of items. This year it is bird nesting boxes
which have several steps in the making – cutting, glueing, painting,
assembling, and most men can undertake at least one of the tasks.
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Group process
These points were provided by workshop participants as good ways
to make people feel welcome and included:
Seating arrangements are important - a circle is good for
including everyone
Don’t break into small groups - at least, not straight away. This
can inadvertently isolate newcomers
Keep the conversation uncontroversial at the beginning (be well
behaved)
Introduce new people to members - get them to briefly describe
themselves, or get some background info and do the
introduction yourself (less embarrassment)
Get new people to talk about themselves (to a buddy) initially –
don’t bamboozle them with lots of information about the club.
See where the potential connections are with others, what
interests he has and/or how you can ask for his help
A television set (switched on) with seating can be a good
“escape” for men who are feeling socially awkward at first, and
programs can be a conversation starter
Identify tasks that newcomers can do with another person to
make them feel helpful and included
Looking up a recipe on the
iPad at “Men in the Kitchen”
Page 21
Ongoing tactics
The need to belong can be a powerful motivator. Establish a sense
of belonging quickly to keep men returning. Here are a few tips from
workshop discussions:
Ask men what they’d like to do, see, and/or hear - survey those
who have left or are irregular attendees to find out the reasons
Listen to members and what they like or don’t like then action
that
Challenge new and existing members with a task or project - for
those that like a challenge or competition
Follow up once-only attendees
Make sure they go home happy
Invite speakers on issues of interest - that is, if they want them
Ask for help – make him feel useful
Check that transport is not going to be a problem in the future
Provide “free stuff” - lunch – tea and biscuits - food to take
home – a chocolate – a lucky door prize – free computer use
Computers can be used
as a base point for
other activities:
photography, cooking,
music downloads for
exercise, creating a
family tree, patterns for
making things
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Why men are reluctant, reticent or resistant
The workshop discussions produced a long list of potential reasons
men might not be motivated to join a group or club. While some
reasons are logical and understandable, many others could be
categorised as expressing reticence or resistance. Three themes
emerged: psycho-social, health and disability, and practical barriers.
It is quite likely that some men will have more than one factor for
their reluctance to join a group or club. Consequently, there is no
single solution to attracting and retaining men in a group.
Psycho-social reasons:
These aspects could be related to depression or fear of moving out
of a comfort zone, for example: “It sounds boring”; “I’m just not a
joiner”; “it’s not for me”; “I’m happy as I am”. Or they could be
genuine expressions of the individual’s situation.
The stereotypical man is expected to be confident and in control,
but taking the first step alone can be very daunting for some men.
Fear of making a fool of oneself, of not fitting in, or concern about
not being able to get out of an uncomfortable situation adds to the
potential reluctance.
Having English as a second language or having experienced
discriminatory behaviour in other groups can have an ongoing effect
on willingness to join a group. Men need to be confident that there
will be a reasonable number of men to talk to in mixed groups –
they tend to shy away from groups where women predominate.
Health and disability reasons:
Some of these aspects are difficult to overcome with any tactics.
While being in a group can be good for mental health, it is not easy
Page 23
to overcome the effects of depression and anxiety to get motivated
to join a group in the first place.
Compensating for and overcoming physical disability should be dealt
with regardless as it is a requirement under disability discrimination
legislation. However, an environment of background noise can be
very isolating and distressing for men with hearing loss. Coaching
group members in ways to identify and include someone with
hearing loss is important.
As people age they tend to start limiting their activities as some
things become more difficult to accomplish. They may also begin to
become concerned about having an “incident” in public, or being the
centre of attention if special arrangements or help are needed
Practical aspects
These are probably the most genuine of reasons for not joining,
particularly in terms of transport and cost. Being too busy with
family commitments, such as child minding, or caring for their wife
or parents are other practical aspects to consider.
Not having access to relevant
information is also a difficult issue to
address – if men don’t know about a
group, they can’t join! Finding the
places men go regularly, such as the
doctor’s waiting room, shopping
centres, and the local council and
library, are good places to place
promotional material.
Page 24
To download all videos and other resources related to this
handbook, as well as a digital copy of the handbook, you can:
Visit the “Publications” page of our website at:
http://www.cotansw.com.au/council-on-the-ageing-nsw-get-
informed-publications
Then click on the “Community Resources” tab to access all resources related to this handbook
CONTACT US COTA NSW is located in the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Building Level 6, 280 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000 Web www.cotansw.com.au Email [email protected] Phone (02) 9286 3860 Fax (02) 9286 3872 Toll-free for callers in regional NSW 1800 449 102