FWIW - Here's my story of how I became a member.
I'm a relatively new member to the CC>CC. I began collecting chips in 2012 and essentially stumbled upon the CC>CC through my various Ebay purchases. I wouldn't have ever known about the club if it wasn't for the business cards and/or promotional materials included with my chip shipments by established members of the club selling items on Ebay.

On a whim, I visited the CC>CC website and looked around. Fortunately, this was a just couple of months prior to the 2012 Annual Convention. I live somewhat close to Las Vegas so I figured, "what the hell... I'll join the club for one year, attend this convention and see what is up." Even though I'm not an overly outgoing person, I met a few club members here and there and eventually stopped by the membership booth and met Steve B. He was extremely friendly to a newbie and made me feel welcome into a club that, on the surface, looked like the "good ol' boys club."

To be completely honest, if I hadn't stopped at the membership booth, I probably wouldn't have given the club another thought after the convention. It's very easy for those of us who aren't extroverts to be a little alienated at the convention. I felt like I was crashing a private party and didn't feel like my (then) 1-month old membership granted me the privilege to jump into conversations or events and act like all of the other members who have known one another for years and years. Even though the convention is open to the public, from the outside looking in, the club does need a little "oomph" to make itself look more approachable. I wonder how many people walk through the convention floor and feel the same way I did.

ANYWAY... a few of the club members were very friendly, helped me see that this was a great group of people involved in a fascinating hobby, and I became hooked. Upon my membership renewal this year, I signed up for the 3-year option knowing I want to be involved more each year. I had personal chips printed and I attended the 2013 convention where I met even more members and exchanged personal chips. I also now correspond with some of these members regularly.

I tell this story only to say that the members themselves are the club's strength. I don't have all of the answers but I think the focus needs to be more on the people and less on the magazine or the MOGH. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy those benefits immensely. But I was a chip collector before I was a member. The desire to collect chips was there before I knew the club existed. I can always continue collect chips without the club's help. Knowing that there is a group of friends across the country (and world) who share my interests, enjoy the hobby as much as I do, and like to congregate in Las Vegas each year to meet in person... that's why I'm excited to be a member and wanted to sign up again.

I'm not sure of the average age of a current club member. I'm in my mid-40's and I've noticed that a lot of the members I've met are a little older than I am. I've never considered myself to be the "new" or "young" blood in an organization but I would say that the way to attract the "younger" blood is to play to your strengths.

Sorry for the War and Peace-sized post. Hopefully it was useful to some of you wondering what brings in new members. Thanks for welcoming me into "our" club!