Figures released to The Star reveal the extent to which the number of returned service people in - and the overall membership of - the Dunedin RSA has dropped since 1999.
Then, it had 829 returned service members and a total membership of 1200. Last year, it had 272 returned service members and a total membership of 846.
With the number of returned service members diminishing sharply, RSAs are engaging in a battle to attract younger service people and more associate (non-service) members.
''The turnout on Anzac Day is wonderful to see - there are sometimes three generations of families at services,'' Dunedin RSA executive committee member Fred Daniel said.
''But the change in society, where clubs and societies seem to be diminishing, means we have to get in and reorganise ourselves.
''We must re-establish ourselves in the modern sense as to how we can best serve the veteran community.''
Dunedin RSA senior vice-president Lox Kellas said the whole social fabric had changed, ''especially in the cities where there is a greater range of social options for people''.
Since World War 2, about 66,000 New Zealanders had served in the armed forces and other services, including the police, but not everyone wanted to join the RSA.
It was a challenge to help people see the value of membership, and to make people aware that anyone who shared its philosophies could become an associate member, Mr Kellas said.
In smaller towns in Otago and Southland, including Mosgiel, Gore, Queenstown and Arrowtown, RSAs are finding success by adopting a town and country club model. Others are amalgamating with other social clubs.
RSA Otago Southland president John Longman said RSAs in country districts were still strong despite having fewer returned service people.
''It takes a different approach - the RSA is not a pub, it's a hub.''
The economic situation meant tough times for clubs, with many people - particularly those with young families - unable to afford to go out.
However, most RSAs in the region had good numbers of members aged under 18 through the organisation's close ties with cadet services, Mr Longman said.
The situation for the Dunedin RSA has been particularly difficult in the past two years, with the liquidation of the United Services Club in mid-2011 leaving the RSA bereft of clubroom space.
Activities for members, such as dances, have been held in other community facilities and regular social gatherings are held on Fridays at the Garrison Club at the NZ Army's Kensington Army Hall.
The lack of an RSA-owned central city space in Dunedin reflected the situation in other urban centres, with neither Christchurch nor Wellington having a central city RSA, Mr Kellas said.
''In today's economy, it is increasingly difficult to run a viable stand-alone club in the city,'' he said.
RSA Dunedin president Jenepher Glover said the sale of the United Services building in February would improve the situation.
''We are going to be in a position to do more in terms of organising events for our members, and to continue to meet the demand for commemorations such as Anzac Day and Armistice Day,'' Ms Glover said.
The Dunedin RSA was in talks with a local bowling club to provide a space for members to meet during the day.
''Although we would like to run a club, the time is not right at the moment - we simply don't have the money.
''At this time, the Garrison Club is the RSA and I urge people to come along and enjoy the great atmosphere there,'' Ms Glover said.
National membership
Returned: 69,528 in 1991, 17,507 in 2011
Service: 27,1262 in 1991, 7,633 in 2011
Associate: 22,359 in 1991, 68,741 in 2011
Total: 119,013 in 1991, 113,881 in 2011
