Section and Branch Best Practices Webinar

1. Section and Branch Best Practices Webinar Angelica Sullivan Oct. 13, 2010

2. Overview Champions Finding New Members Engaging Members Retaining Members Converting Students Keeping Younger Members Involving Government Engineers Resources

3. Current Membership More than 144,500 members More than 25,000 students 20,000 life members 10% of membership is international

4. 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

5. 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

6. How Does ASCE Support its Membership Champions Brochures Applications Posters Pizza Party Membership Benefits PowerPoint Mailing Assistance Champion Liaison

7. Finding New Members Member Prospect Ideas Assigned Members – available on ASCE 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 Refer a colleague

8. Finding New Members Work with ASCE HQ on joint development mailings Pizza Parties – on us

9. 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

10. 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

11. Engaging All MembersIncrease Involvement of Members with Sample Nine-month Courtship Plan

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 $160 Fifth year after $210

16. 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

17. Keeping Younger Members Transferable Leadership Skills ASCE ExperienceWork 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

18. 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

19. Keeping Younger Members eLearning Webinars FREE member-only access to live, monthly Webinars Each a $249 value Gain valuable online training in: Professional and Leadership Development Technical Interests Society Event, Informational, and Training Programs Member Programs And many other areas that are critical to your success as a civil engineer    www.asce.org/elearning

20. Involving Government Engineers Involving government engineers: Invite as speakers Invite as guests Conduct a meeting at either facility

21. ASCE Resources

22. 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

23. ASCE Resources ASCE Gift Store Promotional merchandise and material www.asce.org/giftstore

24. ASCE Resources Request membership brochures and applications by: e-mailing: asullivan@asce.org calling (800) 548-ASCE (2723) downloading PDF applications, value ads or a PowerPoint presentation at www.asce.org/champion

25. Thank You Angelica Sullivan Manager, Membership Development asullivan@asce.org (800) 548-ASCE (2723) Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET www.asce.org

26. Questions and Answers