CORT Chapter Orientation & Retention Team Custom Designed for:

1. CORTChapter Orientation & Retention TeamCustom Designed for: Presented by: Mike Scott, CSD Membership Development VP

2. CORT Chapter Orientation & Recruitment Team

3. Chapter Orientation & Recruitment Team • “We all want to pick the apples…… • …but we must always remember to water the tree.”

4. Why CORT? • CORT program is designed to act as a ‘backstop’ in conjunction with Operation Harold Hill-2012. • BHS has set a goal of adding 3,200 new members in 2012 as part of OHH-12. • If our Society is experiencing a 37% membership loss of members within the first year. • Discovered - some members ‘got lost or uncomfortable’ in their first year and did not renew. • CORT focus = Orientation and Retention Team. • If there is a potential problem – catch it EARLY and resolve it.

5. Is Your “House In Order?” • Common retention challenges (for Guests) to overcome: • Did we ‘over promise’ on expectations? • Did our new guest walk into a chapter meeting/rehearsal only to find it was unorganized, incoherent, poorly planned? • Director’s frustration was radiating all over the place putting a chill in the room? • Did the new guest, especially if he came in on his own, feel as if he had to fend for himself – while veteran members were busy ‘shooting the bull’ in the corner – and guest was ignored? • Had no clue of ‘what to do’ as a first timer, but we just expected him to “know”. • There’s 100 other common scenarios…..

6. What about current “members”?A sample of other pitfalls to avoid. • Are Chapter meetings/rehearsals too predictable – nothing new in months? • Do Members have any idea of what to prepare for at “next week’s rehearsal” due to Director, Music Team and Program VP lack of proper planning & direction? • Very weak leadership in place and either burned out or thinking ‘why bother, no one else seems to care’? • Eventually, once dedicated members will soon look for reasons NOT TO GO. • No longer having fun and fellowship? • A member’s TV Remote Control can become our greatest threat!

7. District Activity Flow & Reporting CORT STURCTURE Local Chapter Membership Development VP

8. CORT - YOUR CHAPTER MANAGEMENT TEAM • Trained and know what to do (ahead of time). • CORT TEAM LEADER • GREETERS • RISER BUDDIES

9. CORT TEAM • CORT TEAM LEADER: • VP of Membership Development • Oversees the implementation of the CORT plan. • Selects 3 Asst. Team Leaders – “Right Hand Guys”. • Selects “Greeter” and “Riser Buddy” Teams. • Make sure you have ample team members if someone is unable to make a chapter meeting.

10. GREETERS • GREETERS: • Door Greeters, name tags, fill out Guest Info Sheet, assign Riser Buddy, etc. each week. • Comprised of chapter members who are friendly. • Who attend meetings consistently. • Should also be there no later than 15 minutes before the beginning of the chapter meeting and sooner for organized guest nights. • (Note: Add more for special ‘Guest Nights”).

11. RISER BUDDIES • RISER BUDDIES: • Assigned to a Guest for the 4 week program. You are their escort for the evening. • Chorus Members, who sing well. • Sing the same section based on guest’s voice part. • Show guest which line to sing on the sheet music + hand single copy out of the Guest Folder to keep it simple! • Are knowledgeable about chapter policies and procedures • Are friendly and patient, and presents a good physical image. • Guys who really care and understand the mission. • Riser Buddies should also be members who attend consistently. • (NOTE: 4 Week program – make sure you have ample Riser Buddiesto cover each guest from start to finish.)

12. CORT TEAM - Line Item Action List • You will find the specific ‘game plan’ action items to follow on the CORT – LINE ITEM ACTION LIST (separate documents). • Contains all check list items to follow each week. • Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4 plan and process. • “When to say goodbye” - How do we handle a guest that is may not a good fit for your chorus. • Who not to invite onto your CORT Team (Valid Reasons).

14. Chapter “Cheers” Friendly – “Where everybody knows your name! • ANYONE REMEMBER THE LONG-RUNNING TV SHOW CHEERS? • WHY WAS THAT PROGRAM SO POPULAR AND STILL RUNNING ON TV TODAY? (1982 - 30 YEARS AND STILL GOING) • REMEMBER THEIR TAG LINE? • “WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME!” • Of all the Pubs in Boston - why was this one so special – they made a TV show out of it? • A friendly atmosphere where they could hang out with friends, relax and enjoy themselves.

17. Wrap Up • Each chapter, following a consistent, proven method of meeting and greeting our new guests. • Your CORT Team – Dedicated individuals who will give their commitment over the next year to follow the game plan. • Fill out Guest Information sheet for each new guest. • Create a database of names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. that will be at your fingertips for future guest nights and your annual show and other events. • The Chapter MVP will submit The Key Performance Indicators (KPI) data to the district Membership VP. • Put your CORT Team together immediately – while its fresh in your mind. Lock this into auto-pilot each week ! • Work toward your Operation Harold Hill goals over the next 10+ months.

18. This concludes the CORT Program Power Point • Reminders…. • If Membership growth is your #1 priority, then we need to allocate ample time in our chapter meetings to discuss strategies, roll out new programs – such as Operation Harold Hill, CORT and Supercharging Your Chapter. • Assign your chapter CORT team & follow the blueprint plan. • Fill out and submit the End of Quarter reports to your District MVP. • Practice the role playing 5 minutes each meeting as highly recommended in the Supercharging Your Chapter program. • Get familiar with the SWOT analysis exercise and do it at the beginning of each new year. • Understand why MINDSET CHANGE must be part of your success.