MEMBERSHIP 101

Membership Recruitment Strategies

Establish a Membership Committee

• Identify a Committee Coordinator and Committee Members

• Know in detail (organize in writing) all of your member benefits

• Survey members and non-members

• Identify existing member services that are most used

• Pinpoint members’ top 5 wants/needs from your association

• www.surveymonkey.com

• Keep member recruitment projects manageable

• Select one new initiative to implement

• Set project notification benchmarks

Promotional Membership Materials: 1

• Send a membership “Welcome Packet” within one month of joining or renewal

• Personalized membership card

• Welcome letter

• List of member benefits

• Future events, activities list

• Volunteer, leadership opportunities

• Create a membership brochure detailing all member benefits and services

• Contract services from TCA graphic artist

Promotional Membership Materials: 2

• Develop an annual/quarterly calendar, event mailer

• Send to members and non-members

• Send plain text email updates using TCA email blast affidavit

• www.txca.org/affidavit - at least 14 business days prior to email send

• Send an HTML, image based newsletter

• www.mailchimp.com - send up to 6 emails to 2,000 contacts each month for free

• Create quick ads OR info flyers to promote CEU events

• www.recitethis.com

Develop a NEW Website

• Identify one Webmaster

• Use the new TCA website template (w/photo sliders)

• Create a Chapter website - www.txca.org/chapterwebsite

• Update an existing website - www.txca.org/webupdate

• Establish a website map and set of 2-3 theme colors

• Use TCA’s suggested launch pages

• Provide useful, helpful content

• Consider developing or updating a logo

• Set a review schedule to keep content fresh

Enhance an EXISTING Website

• Collect membership dues online

• Use meeting and event photos to personalize the site, engage members

• ESX Flex Slider tool displays a rotating series of images

• Create a free, 30 sec. video and image based video

• www.animoto.com

• Create a free, 5 minute illustration based video

• www.powtoon.com

• Feature one of TCA’s PSAs on your homepage

• 30 sec. TV

• 5 radio - Drug Abuse, Suicide, Domestic Violence, Critical Times, Breaking Point

YOUR: Professional Development Events: 1

• Host a workshop, learning institute or conference

• Make your event a “must attend”

• Offer credible speakers, timely unique topics

• Discounted, or free rates for members

• Promote event in local newspaper calendar listings, TCA eUpdates

• Have leadership wear logo pins, distribute free swag

• Collect email and contact information for all attendees

• Apply for a $500 TCA Professional Development Grant to help cover keynote speaker costs

YOUR: Professional Development Events: 2

• Send plain text event reminders using TCA email blast affidavit

• www.txca.org/affidavit - at least 14 business days prior to send

• Host Awards Ceremony to recognize outstanding members

• Survey attendees for satisfaction metric, future planning

• Divisions may submit meeting assistance requests

• wwww.txca.org/meeting - at least 30 business days prior to event

THEIR: Professional Development Events

• Promote membership at other CEU events as an Exhibitor

• Use TEA calendar listings to identify possible events

• www.tea.state.tx.us/TEA_Events_Calendar.aspx

• Use the State Board of Exaiminers to identify other professional associations, non-profit calendars

• Create a booth banner-sign OR pop-up display

• www.fastsigns.com

• Staff the booth with engaging members, leadership

• Be sure to schedule shifts

• Distribute promotional membership materials, free swag

• Host a photo booth with your computer

• www.sparkbooth.com

Create an HTML Newsletter Campaign

• Identify an Executive Editor and Associate Editors

• Establish a schedule to solicit, edit and publish articles

• Contract TCA’s graphic artist to develop a print newsletter

• Send an HTML newsletter

• www.mailchimp.com - send up to 6 emails to 2,000 contacts each month for free

• Find inexpensive, royalty free images and graphics

• www.123rf.com • www.123rf.com/freeimages.php

• www.graphicriver.net • www.office.com

• Feature interviews with outstanding members

• Share research, discuss timely news

• Start an advocacy column

• Include meeting minutes, photos

Host a Membership Drive

• List swap, for free with National Divisions

• Access the State Board of Exaiminers rosters

• www.dshs.state.tx.us/counselor/lpc_rosters.shtm

• www.dshs.state.tx.us/mft/mft_rosters.shtm

• Member recruitment contests

• Each One, Bring One goal

• Bring in 5, Receive a free membership

• Focus on diversity, new outreach

• Make personal courtesy calls to non-renewals

• Send “Reminder to Renew” emails before membership lapses

• Engage colleagues on Social Media

• TCA policy in Governance manual, plans for FY2015

Community Involvement

• Sponsor or participate in community events

• Mental health screenings

• Anti-bullying assemblies

• Family outdoor movie night

• Participate in area college career days

• Offer scholarships for graduate students

• Offer educational grants for workshop, conference attendance

• Engage the media

• Submit PSAs

• Write editorials on community impact issues

• Submit calendar listings for local events

• Share Press Releases for award winners, CEU events, community engagement activities

Outline Your FY2015 Membership Recruitment

Goals• What services does my association provide to

members?

• What are my association’s strengths?

• What are my member’s main needs?

• Can I even reasonably answer the questions above?

• What services can I offer that provide value to my members and establish credibility for the association?

• What member service(s) do I want to see flourish within my association?

• Remember, keep it reasonable! Select only one.