“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 GROWTHFRED 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?