It's a fact that most of the clubs, resorts and organizations for naturists are established at least a generation ago, and their memberships are declining. Many need to be passed on to the next generation but often find no one to do so. I have been approached but reluctantly declined because there's simply no one else but me. What prompted the proliferation of naturist organizations a generation ago and how can we revive that?

As much as I am loathe to acknowledge this, for any endeavor to be a success, a great deal of money has to be spent.  Winning society over to naturism one sincere person at a time is never going to work, insofar as reaching the proliferation you're talking about.
I believe that someone (or some group) who is sympathetic with naturism as a lifestyle, but also has very deep pockets, would have to commercialize; take out ads in very popular venues, both printed and online, that target young, energetic adults who are looking for something to put some spark in their life.
Basically, a media blanket that can't be ignored for its presence is what I'm talking about.  Just like any other product, idea or endeavor, the more people are exposed to it, the more they think it must be a growingly popular thing and that makes them want to try it out.
Am I wrong?  Thoughts here.  I just don't think that the past generation's idea of fun in the sun equals sitting in a lawn chair and reading a ragged paperback while naked is going to fly any more.

If you actually sit back and take a good long look, naturisum has moved. There is no coincendence that large investors are putting their money into clothing optional complex's in Europe and the warmer regions. People especially younger adults want vacation type holidays in a clothing optional resort, with pools and bars and even a clubbing eperience, and all connected to a warm sunny beach. Almeria is a good example of how modern clothing optional resorts are slowly changing the landscape. The problem is they all come at a price, and that is why investors are shelling out their capital because there is profits to be made.

I think British Naturium has lead the way through lockdown, by introducing online activties to do at home such as yoga, cooking and online pub meets and coffee mornings, these are things the young can embrace, and that maybe explains the sudden rise in naked living and British Naturisums sudden increase. I actually feel optomistic as i think maybe in time as the popularity grows, this could filter through to the local club level, but if I am very honest I do think the established clubs need to take a good look at how they run their establishments and look to being more diverse in what they offer. I have to admit when Rin and myself looked at clubs we found many of them to be a little stuffy and not really that appealing to her. I would happily sit and read on a lawn, I already do at home, but for those younger than me i think clubs need to bring in a younger mind set to help educate them on the needs of younger generations.

I hope that the current trend we are seeing around the UK of people being naked at home is a longer term trend, I am not sure that after lock down it will continue, but if it does, the good news is more people will be open to naked life, and that could lead to a greater intrest. Looking at this site which is the first we have felt we could participate on, and seeing how fast it has grown in just a month again gives me hope that with luck things will continue. What I do know is we are enjoying watching to see what happens and will where possible play our part to encourage others.

It is an interesting thought and there are lots of angles to it. It could be that sister questions could be asked within individual continents. The issues regarding naturism in the USA could be linked to a more general fear of nudity, the issue in Australia could be linked to a concern of people misbehaving on beaches and the issue in the UK may be linked to the weather. 

Spain has very few naturist clubs but 100s of beaches where naturism is allowed. Do people not see the need for a club because they can just head to their local beach. It is not unusual to see large groups of friends share picnics and chatting by the waters edge while the children play in the sea.

Another issue is club joining in general. When we were children everything had a club. Cereals, comics, traffic safety, TV programmes....then there was fan clubs, brass bands, acting, dancing, factories and industry had clubs. People reached out and joined things. If this has diminished then why shouldn't naturism be the same.

The way we spend our leisure and holiday time has also changed. When a lot of the naturists clubs started textiles were having similar holidays. Airplane travel was not very common among the masses and chalets, caravans and camping were  prolific. The decline of the naturist club at home must be linked to the growth of naturist beach use abroad.

Then the is the idea of "stuffiness" as Robin and Rin mention. Many clubs are seen to be a little out of touch, and the issue is dominoed by a decline in members leading to a decline in money to be spent on updating and adding. With each generation we move further a way from abiding by rules and looking for individuality. Some of these changes can be good or bad or just not matter. Some changes have strengthened the communities in one way others have damaged society in others. Walk down a British street today and you will see a completely different set of people behaviing completely differently than when I was a child let alone when our parents were or most of the clubs were started. People like to be individual, unique, rebellious and set their owns rules. They don't join clubs that give them rules as it makes them feel controlled. 

Recognising ideas why numbers in club joining drop does not however answer what can be done about it. 

Remove rules and we end up with clubs moving away from naturism and towards swinging - which may pander to the the extreme idea of letting people do whatever they like but long term offers these clubs to a smaller minority and reflects badly on attitudes towards naturism and has a knock on effect of "possible naturists" fearing all clubs have similar attitudes. 

How do we find a balance to encourage and please all generations and encourage a free yet controlled environment?

SamD50 may be right in the idea that a wealthy benefactor could help in the positive promotion of naturism. Naturism also maybe needs a united worldwide voice with a common set of guidelines that it uses to promote and protect the lifestyle and the venues. Guidelines created to protect naturism but not make members feel hemmed in - to keep naturism as universal and working within family and legal ideals without appearing fuddy duddy and fussy. Clubs can still be adult only for reason other than sexual and still be given the naturist seal of approval. If it is made clear by federations and clubs that naturism can be trusted to be legal and safe then that will make a big difference - then they just have to find ways of making it fun and cost effective. 

Does anyone have any idea of how club fees have changed over the decades and how the running costs may have changed too? I bet insurance policies are much higher, and health and safety rules and regs are probably also much tougher. How about rent and rates? I think people have become more spoiling of themselves in some ways in recent decades and I think that makes less willing to hand money over to clubs. I could spend that money on myself! They would rather have a new suit than a years membership running around in their birthday suit. 

One last thought linked to "running" is that the younger generations are not as active as they were a few decades ago. Naturist clubs are often linked to sports, activities, swimming, fresh air....is this something that a lot of youngsters have little interest and experience in?     

Lots of good opinions shared and all have their merits. The fundamental question remains that how naturists can get the reinforcement from each other that we are perfectly normal people going forward, just without clothes.  At the end of the day, naturism is not a given in society and certainly not mainstream.  Those starting out need this reinforcement.  Those already into naturism risk marginalization if we let it be just "something we do". Afterall being nude is a physical state, not a thought or concept.  If we leave it as something in our minds only, we may have no more than a fantasy.