Theos-Talk Archives (June 1997 Message tt00105)

At 12:26 PM 28/06/97 -0400, you wrote:
>
>A few figures from Rodolfo Don's Website which I find interesting:
>"Membership in the Section as of June 30, 1995, was 4225, a decline of 3
>percent over the prior year. Internationally, membership in the Society
>declined 5 percent during the last two years for which we have figures
>(1993-1994)."
>
>Has anyone made a list of membership totals from past years or perhaps a
>graphic of membership totals for each year beginning with the first year
>these figures were given out? That would be a most interesting chart to look
>at. When I first joined the TSA in 1963 the membership was about 5200 (if my
>recollection is right). It appears there's been a decrease in membership by
>about 1,000 since then. 
>
>What's the story here? Has theosophy as currently formulated become passé or
>has the organization?? And besides, what's wrong in disseminating membership
>figures? If TSA theosophists are made aware of declining membership, they
>might be galvanized into doing something about it, i.e., finding ways to
>reverse the trend.
>
>I find your website informative, Rodolfo. Don't be discouraged by criticism.
>Keep up the good work.
>
>Megabeet
>
>

Dear Megabeet,
Hi!  What  does your signature mean????
The Adyar TS makes no secret of its membership figures  which are published
in the international magazine 'The Theosophist' .  Most Sections do the
same.  The Australian Section stands at  about 1,200.
The Pasdana TS does not publish its membership statistics, 'nor does the ULT.
I share concern  about the decline in membership numbers, but it is not just
a feature of TS scene but characteristic of many activities.  I belong to a
theatre club with about 120 members, and we have trouble filling the
offices.  The same applies to two tennis clubs I belong to.  The idea of
participation and service seems to be in abeyance with the rising generation.

Just the same, I do think that the message of theosophy is reaching more
people thta ever before due to the amount of publications and public
sessions being offered.  Most of our public sessions are very well attended
in Australia- but join and help- OH NO!

Regards,

Philip Harris
P.S.  I do like real names!