After experiencing a decrease in membership recently, the North Hill Community Club in Des Moines is looking for more people to get involved.

Last year the club was down to only 25 members and two officers.

Now it is back up to 35 members who have paid their membership dues - and about 65 other members who have not paid their dues yet.

North Hill Community Club vice president Gwen Koch thinks it is important that people have strong communities, which are represented by clubs like this.

But she believes that the recent technology boom has led to fewer people getting involved in their communities.

"The young people are not joining clubs," Koch said.

The North Hill Community Club has monthly meetings at which there is a short business session and usually a speaker for the evening.

"It's important that people have social contact," Koch said.

Only about 15 people attend each meeting, she added.

It costs just $10 a year to become a member of the North Hill Club, and all members must live on North Hill. A family membership costs $20 a year.

Residents in the North Hill area founded North Hill Community Club in 1934. In 1940 the Steier family, who were long time North Hill residents, donated the land for the club house.

Since 1940, the building has had several renovations, but has remained on the same plot of land donated by the Steier family.

The goal of the club is to provide the residents of North Hill a meeting place and a club-organized program for social, recreational, educational and community purposes.

At their October meetings, club members invite people running for local offices to speak before Election Day.

In the past, members' dues, renting the facility, and fundraisers have paid for the costs of operating the club and building. Rising expenses and decreasing numbers, however, are making it more difficult for the club to stay in existence without increased interest from the community.

Rental of the North Hill Community Club facility includes a fully equipped kitchen and a large main room that can support a number of group activities.

Members of the club can rent the facility for $50 a day. Non-members can rent the facility for $35 per hour and a $150 deposit is required.

The building has been used for wedding receptions, birthday parties, memorial services, and various church services.

Club officers are Cami Diatolla, president; Koch, vice president; her husband, Milt Koch, treasurer; and Bobbie Maskule, secretary. The officers are elected each year at the December meeting.