Rabbi Cohn, who was born in Bonn 66 years ago, makes no apologies for the membership decline.

Some of the membership decline was as a result of the change in name and in focus.

That explains why the association, which has seen membership decline 10 percent over the last decade, is searching for a new identity.

The movement experienced membership decline between 1960-1990.

Service club officers offer other reasons for the membership decline.

The union saw a membership decline of about 25 percent after the Panic of 1873.

He boasts that he has ousted corrupt officials, reversed a membership decline and balanced the union's budget.

While unions, which have seen their membership decline in recent years, have made positive contributions, the commission found, nonunion companies also function well.

By 1996, the union had reversed years of membership decline, recording a net gain of 4,000 new members.

Last year's membership decline was a blow to union leaders after they had boasted of an apparent turnaround in 1999.