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Club Membership Building and Retention John Kinsman District 36 Lt. Governor Marketing, 2013-14 jkinsman@eei.org. Why Build Membership?. Clubs should be at 20+ members – “charter strength” – to operate optimally. Allows more people to be available to fill meeting and club officer roles
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Club Membership Building and Retention John Kinsman District 36 Lt. Governor Marketing, 2013-14 jkinsman@eei.org
Why Build Membership? • Clubs should be at 20+ members – “charter strength” –to operate optimally. • Allows more people to be available to fill meeting and club officer roles • No one member is overburdened with responsibilities • Meetings are more fun, because more people are involved • It’s easier for a club to help members meet their educational needs • Balances natural attrition 9
Setting Membership Goals A goal of one new member each month will help keep an influx of new members for a strong, healthy club. 10
Membership-building Contests • Toastmasters Contests • Smedley Award • Talk Up Toastmasters • Beat the Clock! • Club Contests • Set up a goal/competition for club members • For bringing visitors, visitors who join, etc. • Track member progress at the meetings, e.g., through a bar chart • Reward for members sponsoring new members • CL manual credit (see Projects 8 and 10) 11
Membership-building Contests • Smedley Award (August 1 to September 30) • Talk Up Toastmasters! (February 1 to March 31) • Beat the Clock! (May 1 to June 30) • It’s simple—add five new, dual or reinstated members to your roster. • Qualifying clubs earn a special discount code for 10-percent off their next club order (and a ribbon for your banner). 11
Membership-building Steps Step 1: Find Prospective Members. • Work with VPPR to publicize meetings/demos. • You already know some prospects – invite them. • Word-of-mouth is the best advertising. • Members should talk with friends, familyand co-workers. • On average, 1 in 3 prospects will join. • There are resources to help. 12
Step 2: Make Every Meeting Great. • Work with VPE to hold a periodic open house or demonstration meeting geared to building membership! : • Planned and advertised in advance • Food as a lure • Guest packet / guest book • Hold mini-meeting • TMOD explains all roles and why • TMOD sells the program • Work brief testimonials in • Speeches are not by expert / evaluate to motivate 13
Step 3: Handling a Guest Visit • Several club members should say hello and spend a few minutes getting to know the guest. • Provide promotional literature (guest packet). • Collect their contact information (guest book). • Member sits with guest during meeting. • TMOD/GE explains roles and purposes during meeting. • Table Topics Master offers to let Guest participate. • At end of meeting, seek their comment. • Answer questions. • Invite to join / invite back • Close the Sale (next slide) 14
Step 4: Closing the Sale • Explain why the Guest should join? • Build confidence • Learn from doing and feedback - unique to Toastmasters • Structured program - explain CC and CL • It's not just speeches • impromptu speaking • learning to listen / giving feedback • leading meetings / the club • Great on resume 15
Step 4: Closing the Sale • Why the Guest should join? (concluded) • Cost is minimal • tremendous bargain vs. other options • We will not throw you in deep end • will have a mentor and start you with easier roles • Give personal testimonial • Invite guest to join • explain terms of membership and application • all officers must be well-versed in application • Follow up if necessary • In person >> telephone >> e-mail (last resort) 16
CLUBS WITHIN DISTRICTS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION For faster service, add and pay for your new members online at www.toastmasters.org/members Club Number: _____________________________ District Number: ___________ Club Name: ________________________________________________________ City: __________________________________________ Membership Type: New Reinstated (break in membership) Renewing (no break in membership) Dual Transfer from club number /name _______ /___________________ Member Number (if known) ___________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Last Name / Surname / Family Name First Name / Given Name Middle Initial / Name etc. 20
Step 5: Start New Members Off Right • Deliver what has been promised. • The how: • Coach them to excellence (mentor). • Induct them regally. • Get them involved. • Give positive reinforcement. • Use the resources. 17
Member Retention • Orient new members • Active mentor-mentee relationship for new (and other if needed) members • Follow up with members who miss two meetings in a row • Understand member motivations (member surveys) • Recognize accomplishments • Quality and fun meetings • Attend to all members during meetings 18
Maintain Member Satisfaction • Member Interest Survey (Item 403) • New Member Profile Sheet (Item 405) • Club Climate Questionnaire (Item 251C) 19