This struggle that GTALUG and other LUGs are facing is not limited to LUGs.
It is also a challenge with any volunteer-based group. Even faith-based orgs that have a large client base but cannot attract the doers to help outreach etc.
Having said that - there are two key challenges and solutions: (1) effective communication; (2) welcoming culture.
This is a challenge I see with the linux community. I follow a few on social media. The negative is: there is a core very vocal tech-focussed nerdy group that is condescending and off putting to the broader non-linux community that does not engender linux to them. The message is: if you are not part of the cool crowd then we dont want you. This has to stop.
Then there is another group that is extremely helpful and tries to assist whenever they can in solving basic user challenges in a very respectful manner. Here basic is VERY basic such as compatible software. The limiting factor is lack of in-person time as there is only so much you can do via chat etc.
Both 1 and 2 go hand-in-hand.
Effective comms can range from tech to the politics of FOSS (why it's important to have open source) especially in the age of AI etc.
This then opens the door to anyone whose main interest is anything in-between.
We need lots of champions to attract diverse members.
cheers
Sam