Our club suffers from the same beginners apathy too. Out of a beginners course of about 10 in March, there are only two regular attendees every week (me and my sprogg). And some of the dropouts have even paid their membership fees for this year, and still not bothered coming back. Nobody from the club has followed it up as to why this might be, but it should be analysed IMHO.
It's a very personal thing, but having been shooting for about 6 mths now, my motivation is to compete with peers of the same class/h'cap as me, and hopefully beat them, but learn at the same time the reasons for me failing to do so! The Class system is good, especially for kids as it seems much easier for juniors to achieve their badges, and (in my kid's case) he's desperate to get his 1st class this season. For adults it's a lot more difficult to achieve, but not unrealistically so, so for me it's the betterment of my h'cap that drives me on, rather than a tin badge.
I would like to see things like "Intermediate" courses run though, to learn more about equipment, how to improve your scores, and general coaching on a more formal level. My club is great if you ask someone, and there's always someone there who'll help in whatever way they can, but it's not done on a formal basis. (*note to self* - maybe they're scared of the competition!)
It does seem a shame though that we lose archers like this, as after all, todays beginners are tomorrows champions. Well, maybe!