ONE of the first things to impress me about Whanganui was the sheer number and diversity of local organisations and clubs.
We have an astounding array of interest groups, service clubs and sporting groups - plus there are many community organisations providing essential services.
Today I learnt that Whanganui has the highest per capita rate of volunteering in the country, which is surely something to celebrate.
And if you thought volunteering was the preserve of retired people (as I did), you'd be wrong. The Whanganui Volunteer Centre has virtually as many people under 30 volunteering (25 per cent) as people over 60 (26 per cent).
The social/recreational groups I've observed or been involved with have been largely made up of older people; and they make a bit of a fuss over new and younger members, because they seem to be something of a rarity.
It makes me wonder about the future, and how many of these organisations we may still have in 10 or 15 years time.
Community House manager Jan Dunphy says there's a growing shortage of suitable people to sit on the boards of community organisations. In part, that's due to increased legal responsibilities and perhaps some collective succession planning (and mentoring) is needed. Good governance is vital when community organisations employ staff and have to account for funding received.
It's easy to lament that "young people" don't show up (and "young" might be 20-somethings or 40- and 50 year-olds, depending on how old you are), but there are plenty of structural reasons for that.
Women are participating in the workforce in far greater numbers, so they don't have the time to volunteer the way my grandmother did.
It's difficult or impossible for the growing numbers of shift or casual workers to make commitments to attend regular events or meetings.
There are more single parents, and fewer people living in extended families, which can mean organising formal child care in order to attend a meeting.
And, just as new communication technologies are changing the way people work, bank and travel, they are changing how people socialise and how they learn.
If I want to figure out why I can't grow coriander without it bolting to seed, I no longer need attend a gardening club - 10 minutes of internet search will turn up some information.
People are organising events among their friends on social media; and groups on Facebook are connecting diverse people with shared interests, whether that's politics, keeping chickens, caravanning or parenting. And of course, dating.
And being "involved" in this sphere is casual, immediate and informal. There's little hierarchy and little commitment and you can participate from the comfort of your couch.
Compare that to an organisation that requires you to apply for membership, pay a membership fee, attend regular meetings or other events, perhaps conduct meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order and elects officials with officially delineated responsibilities.
There a whole question of style here, by which I mean the type of setting you're comfortable in. Formal structures like incorporated associations with official positions and bank accounts and minutes suited those generations that valued order, predictability and tradition, which took responsibility seriously and authority for granted.
In between these two poles (places to hang out online and formal clubs that meet face to face), are online tools that help people organise to meet in person.
Meetup for instance enables people to easily meet others who share similar interests, with a minimum of formality or organisation.
It's going off in Wellington, with groups organised around homeschooling, computer programming languages, a slow reading club (I so want to join), yoga, running and much more. With Meetup, anyone can organise an event and invite people to join in. So far only one Meetup in Whanganui.
Likewise, Neighbourly seems to be well used in bigger centres, but when I tried it out last year, the only action in my neighbourhood was generic messages from sponsors trying to frighten me into buying more insurance. I quickly bailed out.
I'm rather fond of talking to my neighbours the old-fashioned way - over the fence. But I'd be interested to hear if there are places in Whanganui where Neighbourly is working, where it's creating new or greater connections between people who live in proximity.
Perhaps we have less need here for the new ways because the old ways are working for many people. That's Whanganui for you ... all you need and then some.
*Rachel Rose is a writer, gardener, fermenter and fomenter.