“I THINK I CAN”
There is a lot of power in positive thinking!
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULDA PRIMER FOR POSITIVE THINKING
A children's book written by Watty Piper Also a good guide for a lifetime
POST MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
FRED ROGERSVICE CHAIR DEPARTMENT TRAINING COMMITTEE
BRYAN, TX NOVEMBER 3, 2012
FIRST THINGS FIRST#1… Post Commanders You must:
Place a high priority on membership growth and achieving goals
Clearly express your expectations that membership growth is not optional and that we can meet our goals
The responsibility of each Post member Educate membership “Why should I
join?”
FIRST THINGS FIRST#2…1st Vice must have a positive attitude and be committed to growth and attaining goals
“Get the right person in the right seat on the bus”
Make a written status report at all meetings; where are we now? and how will we get to where we are going?
FIRST THINGS FIRST#3…Develop a Membership Committee
Have a written plan Divide up the work Make it a “Family” project…
Post S.A.L. Riders Auxiliary
ALL I EVER NEEDED TO KNOW……I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN
There is Power in Simplicity
QUOTE FROM ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alice to the Cat…“Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cat to Alice…”that depends a great deal on where you want to get to”
Alice…”I don’t much care where”The Cat…”Then it doesn’t much matter
which way you go”
DEVELOP A WRITTEN PLAN
It is your roadmap to success…Tactical What do we need to do? How are we going to do it? Who is going to do it? When will it be accomplished?
Keep it Simple and Flexible!
PLAN FOR GROWTH Work the Plan Review your progress…change
what does not work, be open to new ideas, be flexible
Keep it simple
WRITTEN PLAN ELEMENTS
Retain…“Close the Back door”• This is your #1 objective• Involve current members • Phone calls• Personal visits• Communicate, Listen &
Appreciate
WRITTEN PLAN ELEMENTS
Renewals• Set aggressive deadlines• Fast Start – 50% by July 31st
• 75% by Veterans Day
WRITTEN PLAN ELEMENTS
Recruit• Work Department 345 roster• Expired member list• Personal Letters• Phone calls
RECRUITING EVENTS Tie activities to recruiting opportunities• Color Guard events• Veterans Day • Memorial Day• Major Retailers• Police, Fire, Sherriff departments• Job Fairs…make a good 1st impression• VA Hospitals
RECRUITING FOLLOW UP Focus on new members• Send an introductory packet
Welcome letter signed by Commander
Meeting Protocol Emblem Sales catalog pages for
uniform cap, shirts and name tags List of active Post committees
RECRUITING FOLLOW UP• Assign them a “Buddy” or “Sponsor” • Introduce them at next Post meeting• Insure the new member knows
where to go to for help with questions
• Discover new members talents and skills and personally invite them to be involved
PERSONAL CONTACTS Responsibility of each Post
member Set expectation…everyone recruits
one Everyone carries a membership
form Keep membership informed of
progress Consider setting a “stretch goal” of
110% Keep the Post motivated - Awards Make it fun and exciting
SUPPORT LEGION PROGRAMS
The #1 way to grow Post membership is to be involved in your community! Boy’s State Oratorical Boy Scouts Junior Shooting Local High School JROTC
“SPREAD THE WORD” Media…insure the community
know what you are doing and why• Public Service Announcements
in newspapers …keep it simple• Post website…keep it up to
date• Social media…Facebook,
Twitter• Public Access TV
REVIEW Make growth a priority Have a written plan and work it Develop a committee with a positive
attitude that is motivated and committed Focus…Retaining, Renewals &
Recruiting Support Legion Programs “Spread the word”…media & internal Keep it simple interesting and fun
A QUOTE TO REMEMBER
“Membership success is not determined by fancy footwork or gimmicks. Effective membership programs are the result of one thing and one thing only, and that is effective leadership”
John A Breden III, Past National Commander 2003-2004
INTERACTIVE TRAINING
Being prepared is a confidence builder…both for you and the person you are talking with The Two Minute Drill: is simply preparing beforehand a response to anticipated questions
WHO IS THE AMERICAN LEGION?
The Two Minute Drill: The American Legion is the Nations largest and most influential network of U.S. wartime veterans. It was chartered by Congress in 1919 and is a 501 (c)19 non- profit organization.
WHY SHOULD I BELONG?
The Two Minute Drill: “Our mission is to help veterans and their families, educate our community’s children, keep our community safe, and lend a helping hand to those in need”.
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
The Visual Presentation – you don’t get a 2nd chance at a good 1st impression Cover the Table with a Legion tablecloth Have a flag set in the middle of the table Have the roll-up billboards on display Don’t clutter the table top
Brochures must have your contact information Keep chairs, food and drink out of the booth
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE…
The Visual Presentation…making a good 1st impression…continued Keep business cards in your pocket Stand in front of the table…in the aisle Keep chairs to a minimum if at all
Have enough man power so breaks can be taken
Greet visitors with a smile, an extended hand and an introduction
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
The Greeting… “Hello, I’m Fred (shaking hands)! Are you
familiar with The American Legion?” If they say “yes” inquire if they are already a
member…some of them will be 345 members If they say “no” qualify them as an eligible
veteran for membership If they are qualified this is your opportunity to
ask sincere “probing” questions.
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
The Presentation Keep a “Why You Should Belong” brochure
in your hand at all times Keep it brief and simple…you only have a
few minutes to get your point across. Ask sincere, probing questions and they
will tell you their interests. Show a sincere interest in them…thanks
them for their service
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
The Close… Remember you don’t have to wait to
the end of the presentation to close When you sense they are ready to
sign…go for it! If you don’t sense a closing
opportunity ask “I have an application right here and can sign you up today”.
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
The Follow-Up… Have a lap top computer on the table Capture contact information on
everyone -name, address, phone & email
Follow up a few days after the meeting with a letter and a phone call within 7 days
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
What works in your Post?
What one thing could you do differently that will result in a positive change?