Section and Branch Best Practices WebinarBrad Holzwart

Oct. 14, 2009

Overview

Champions

Finding New Members

Engaging All Members

Retaining All Members

Converting Students

Keeping Younger Members

Involving Government Engineers

Resources

Current Membership

More than 144,000 members

More than 25,000 students

20,000 life members

10% of membership is international

Why Do People Join Professional Societies

It’s a career investment and a personal mission

They expect something of value in return Value, to a professional, is something that helps them:

Advance their careers Experience leadership Gain peer/professional recognition Gain access to lifelong learning

ASCE Membership Champions

Champions are the personal “face” of ASCE

Increase the visibility of ASCE in local organizations on a grassroots level

Encourage members to get more involved (retention)

Promote ASCE membership to non-ASCE Members

Work with the local membership committee to develop and carry out the membership plan

With local Board approval/support

How Does ASCE Support its Membership Champions• Brochures

• Applications

• Posters

• Pizza Party

• Membership Benefits PowerPoint

• Mailing Assistance

• Champion Liaison

Finding New Members

Member Prospect Ideas Assigned Members – available on FTP server Former/Dropped members Active non-members who may attend meetings or classes State licensing and registration boards Competing association members/attendees College and university alumni Public and private sector organizations Students and graduating students

Finding New Members

Work with ASCE HQ on joint development mailings

Pizza Parties – on us

• Success Snapshot:

The Northern Colorado Branch has a plan to visit ALL of the local engineering firms in their area to give a 1-hour talk about ASCE member benefits.

The Wichita Branch diversifies its board with members from local engineering firms and they spread the word throughout their companies.

Engaging All Members

Welcome new members using our FTP site

New Member Welcome Kit Send a special letter, e-mail or postcard welcoming new

members Personally invite them to events Establish welcome committee Volunteer Opportunities Follow-up with first-time attendees

Engaging All Members

Involvement – Committed members renew at a higher rate Outline clear expectations Acknowledge accomplishments Partner new members with current volunteers

• Success Snapshot – Nine-month Courtship Plan

• Work to eliminate the “new kid in school” feeling• Engage slowly at first

Engaging All Members

Increase Involvement of Members with Sample Nine-month Courtship PlanMonth 1 Welcome call from Local Officer or Membership Committee Mbr

Month 2 Welcome from Buddy who invites new member to next meeting

Month 3 Champion asks new member to help w/ check-in at next meeting

Month 4 E-mail/Call from Buddy – “save you a seat” reminder of next meeting

Month 5 Champion asks new member to be a greeter at next meeting

Month 6 E-mail reminders to take advantage of members-only benefits

Month 7 Publications Chair asks new member to look over web site with “new set of eyes” and make suggestions

Month 8 Buddy recommends new member for volunteer activity – appropriate chair calls to schedule coffee/lunch to discuss participation

Month 9 Buddy invites to carpool to annual meeting event

Engaging All Members

Contact at-risk members 1st, 2nd, 3rd year members Recently graduated students and students in their last semester Members who have not renewed by February

All at-risk members are available on the FTP site

Retaining All Members

Professional recognition Obtainment of Fellow or Distinguished Member distinction Honors and Awards Life Membership

Hold a special recognition program for presentation

Membership Advancement & credentialing For Example: Blaine Leonard, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE

Converting Students

Reaching out to student members:

Invite a Younger Member to a meeting (preferably an alumnus)

Join Younger Member Group activities, including K-12 outreach opportunities

Find an active Practitioner Advisor, like recently graduated alumni

Hold a joint Chapter-Section/Branch meeting

Hold your Section and Branch meeting on campus

Converting Students

Only 27% of students know about the graduated dues scale, including 64% of officers – plus Students upgrade FREE for the first year

First year after $50

Second year after $80

Third year after $115

Fourth year after $155

Fifth year after $205

Converting Students

ASCE Institutes propel the knowledge and practice of specific civil engineering specialties by focusing on the technical, educational and professional issues within your area.

Stay on the cutting edge of your technical discipline by joining one of our eight Specialty Institutes for FREE!

Keeping Younger Members

ASCE Sections and Branches are a safe environment for developing and refining: Leadership styles Communication skills An appreciation for skills in business development Expanding their circle of influence Mentoring Networking opportunities

Keeping Younger Members

Transferable Leadership Skills ASCE Experience Work Experience

team building staff management

consensus building decision making

negotiating negotiating

presentation skills public speaking

issues management setting priorities

fiscal responsibility financial management

fundraising/membership sales/marketing

Keeping Younger Members

Mentoring and eMentoring Members will benefit from personalized professional guidance

and seasoned experts eMentoring connects proteges and mentors regardless of their

location across the country and world www.asce.org/mentoring

Keeping Younger Members

eLearning Workshops FREE member-only access to live, monthly Web learning

programs Each a $249 value Hone critical career skills in areas such as:

Effective communications Leadership Team-building and management Improving people skills

www.asce.org/elearning

Involving Government Engineers

Involving government engineers: Invite as speakers Invite as guests Conduct a meeting at either facility

ASCE Resources

ASCE Resources

Best practices submitted from Sections & Branches

Online Advertising Library

Sample letters and scripts

Survey Template

Membership PowerPoint (two versions)

Career Stages Brochure

FTP tip in the Section Informant

For other tips throughout the year, download the Section/Branch calendar

ASCE Resources

Promotional merchandise and materials www.asce.org/local

ASCE Gift Store www.asce.org/giftstore

ASCE Resources

Request membership brochures and applications by: e-mailing drive@asce.org calling (800) 548-ASCE (2723) downloading PDF applications, value ads or a PowerPoint

presentation at www.asce.org/champion

Thank You

Brad Holzwart Manager, Membership Marketing bholzwart@asce.org

(800) 548-ASCE (2723) Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET www.asce.org

Questions and Answers