220 likes | 338 Views
How To Grow Our Membership Fred Rogers…frrtx@icloud.com…972-977-9342. What are our Objectives?. Believe that we can ! Acknowledge the need for growth Understand the role of strong leadership Importance of a Membership Committee Identify written Action Plan elements Review.
E N D
How To Grow Our MembershipFred Rogers…frrtx@icloud.com…972-977-9342
What are our Objectives? • Believe that we can! • Acknowledge the need for growth • Understand the role of strong leadership • Importance of a Membership Committee • Identify written Action Plan elements • Review
“I Think I Can” Positive Thinking is Powerful and Contagious!
Why Is Membership Growth Important? • To maintain a dynamic voice in Washington that will continue to protect the interest of all veterans, service members and their families • If we fail to grow…it is only a matter of time before we cease to exist…it is our lifeblood! Our Leadership is committed to Membership Growth, and we must all support that initiative
5 Traits of Successful Commanders 1 - Leadership…out in front 2 - Training…teaching / learning 3 - Mentoring…helping develop others 4 - Monitoring…follow up 5 - Motivating…appreciate & recognize accomplishments
The Threat of an “Escalator”Society • Have we become so accustomed to “taking the escalator” that we forget that we must take “Steps” to be successful? • Do we want to arrive at our destination without taking the trip? • Success will occur when we take the proper steps and plan
5 Steps to Success Step #1 - Division & District Commanders Step #2 - Post Commanders Step #3 - Post 1st Vice Commanders Step #4 - Membership Committee Step #5 - A written Action Plan Let’s discuss each step individually…
Step #1 Division & District Commanders you must • Place a high priority on membership growth and achieving goals • Clearly express your positive expectations that achieving assigned goals is not optional • Stress that it is the responsibility of each Post Commander and get their agreement Communicate – Monitor – Mentor - Motivate
Step #2 Post Commanders you must… • Place a high priority on membership growth and achieving goals • Clearly express your positive expectations that achieving assigned goals is not optional • Stress that it is the responsibility of each Post member and get their agreement
Step #3 1st Vice Commanders youmust… • Be committed and have a positive attitude • Make a written status report at all meetings… • where are we now? • how will we get to where we are going? Lead your committee to success
Step #4 Develop a Post Membership Committee • Divide up the work…assign specific responsibilities • Involve the entire membership – “everyone recruits one” • Make it a “Family Project” • Legion, Auxiliary & Sons
Step #5 Develop a written plan…it is your roadmap to success…the tactics • 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
Six Elements Of An Effective Membership Plan • Retention • Renewals • Recruiting • Legion Programs • Communicate – “Spread the Word” • Reward Let’s discuss each element…
Element #1 - Retention • #1 Objective is to “Close the Back Door” • Involve your membership • Post activities • Solicit involvement on committees • Personal phone calls • Personal visits Communicate, Listen & Appreciate
Element #2 - Renewal • Set aggressive deadlines • Fast Start • 25% by July 31st • 50% by August 31st • 100% by Veterans Day • Personal phone calls & visits You will finish the same way you start…
Element #3 - Recruiting • Use Headquarters “345” Roster • Personal letters & Phone calls • mylegion.org • Expired Member List • Membership Drives • Major Retailers • All Post events
Element #4 – Legion Programs • Boys State • Oratorical • Boy Scouts • Legion Baseball • Junior Shooting • High School JROTC • School Awards Your Post will grow if you are involved in your Community!
Element #5 - Communicate Does your Community know what you are doing and why? External Does your membership know what you are doing and why? Internal • Public Service Announcements • Post website…is it up to date? • Social Media…Facebook • Public Access TV
Element #6 - Reward! • National Commanders Annual Award • Lone Star Recruiter Award • Posts / District Competitions • Continuous Years - recognition • Citations – “Certificate Maker”CD
Review • We must believe! • We must recognize the need for growth • Understand the role of strong leadership • Importance of a Membership Committee • Develop a written Action Plan • Five Action Plan Elements: Retain, Renew, Recruit, Legion Programs & Communicate • Reward successes
One Last Comment Execution Is Essential