Transcript Post Membership Growth April 30, 2011

There is a lot of power in positive thinking!
“I THINK I CAN”
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD
A PRIMER FOR POSITIVE THINKING
A children's book written by Watty Piper
 Also a good guide for a lifetime

POST MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
FRED ROGERS
VICE CHAIR DEPARTMENT TRAINING COMMITTEE
BRYAN, TX
NOVEMBER 3, 2012
FIRST THINGS FIRST
#1… Post Commanders You must:
Place a high priority on membership growth
and achieving goals
 Clearly express your expectations that
membership growth is not optional and that
we can meet our goals
 The responsibility of each Post member
 Educate membership “Why should I join?”

FIRST THINGS FIRST
#2…1st Vice must have a positive attitude
and be committed to growth and
attaining goals
“Get
the right person in the right seat on
the bus”
Make a written status report at all
meetings; where are we now? and how will
we get to where we are going?
FIRST THINGS FIRST
#3…Develop a Membership Committee
 Have
a written plan
 Divide up the work
 Make it a “Family” project…
Post
S.A.L.
Riders
Auxiliary
KNOW…
…I LEARNED IN
KINDERGARTEN
There is Power in Simplicity
QUOTE FROM ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Alice to the Cat…“Would you tell me please, which
way I ought to go from here?
The Cat to Alice…”that depends a great deal on
where you want to get to”
Alice…”I don’t much care where”
The Cat…”Then it doesn’t much matter which way
you go”
DEVELOP A WRITTEN PLAN
 It
is your roadmap to success…Tactical
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!
PLAN FOR GROWTH
 Work
the Plan
 Review your progress…change what does
not work, be open to new ideas, be
flexible
 Keep it simple
WRITTEN PLAN ELEMENTS
 Retain…“Close
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•
the Back door”
This is your #1 objective
Involve current members
Phone calls
Personal visits
Communicate, Listen & Appreciate
WRITTEN PLAN ELEMENTS
 Renewals
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Set aggressive deadlines
Fast Start – 50% by July 31st
75% by Veterans Day
WRITTEN PLAN ELEMENTS
 Recruit
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Work Department 345 roster
Expired member list
Personal Letters
Phone calls
RECRUITING EVENTS
 Tie
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activities to recruiting opportunities
Color Guard events
Veterans Day
Memorial Day
Major Retailers
Police, Fire, Sherriff departments
Job Fairs…make a good 1st impression
VA Hospitals
RECRUITING FOLLOW UP
 Focus
•
on new members
Send an introductory packet
 Welcome letter signed by
Commander
 Meeting Protocol
 Emblem Sales catalog pages for
uniform cap, shirts and name tags
 List of active Post committees
RECRUITING FOLLOW UP
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•
Assign them a “Buddy” or “Sponsor”
Introduce them at next Post meeting
Insure the new member knows where to
go to for help with questions
Discover new members talents and skills
and personally invite them to be involved
PERSONAL CONTACTS
 Responsibility
of each Post member
 Set expectation…everyone recruits one
 Everyone carries a membership form
 Keep membership informed of progress
 Consider setting a “stretch goal” of 110%
 Keep the Post motivated - Awards
 Make it fun and exciting
SUPPORT LEGION
PROGRAMS
 The
#1 way to grow Post membership is to
be involved in your community!
Boy’s State
Oratorical
Boy Scouts
Junior Shooting
Local High School JROTC
“SPREAD THE WORD”
 Media…insure
the community know
what you are doing and why
• Public Service Announcements in
newspapers …keep it simple
• Post website…keep it up to date
• Social media…Facebook, Twitter
• Public Access TV
REVIEW
 Make
growth a priority
 Have a written plan and work it
 Develop a committee with a positive attitude
that is motivated and committed
 Focus…Retaining, Renewals & Recruiting
 Support Legion Programs
 “Spread the word”…media & internal
 Keep it simple interesting and fun
A QUOTE TO REMEMBER
“Membership success is not
determined by fancy footwork or
gimmicks. Effective membership
programs are the result of one thing
and one thing only, and that is
effective leadership”
John A Breden III, Past National Commander 2003-2004
INTERACTIVE TRAINING
 Being
prepared is a confidence
builder…both for you and the person you
are talking with
The Two Minute Drill: is simply
preparing beforehand a response to
anticipated questions
WHO IS THE AMERICAN LEGION?
 The
Two Minute Drill:
The American Legion is the Nations
largest and most influential network of
U.S. wartime veterans. It was chartered
by Congress in 1919 and is a 501 (c)19
non- profit organization.
WHY SHOULD I BELONG?
 The
Two Minute Drill:
“Our mission is to help veterans and
their families, educate our community’s
children, keep our community safe, and
lend a helping hand to those in need”.
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
 The Visual Presentation – you don’t get
2nd chance at a good 1st impression
 Cover
a
the Table with a Legion tablecloth
 Have a flag set in the middle of the table
 Have the roll-up billboards on display
 Don’t clutter the table top
Brochures must have your contact information
Keep chairs, food and drink out of the booth
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE…

The Visual Presentation…making a good 1st
impression…continued
 Keep
business cards in your pocket
 Stand in front of the table…in the aisle
 Keep chairs to a minimum if at all
 Have
 Greet
enough man power so breaks can be taken
visitors with a smile, an extended hand and
an introduction
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

The Greeting…
 “Hello,
I’m Fred (shaking hands)! Are you familiar
with The American Legion?”
 If
they say “yes” inquire if they are already a
member…some of them will be 345 members
 If they say “no” qualify them as an eligible veteran for
membership
 If they are qualified this is your opportunity to ask sincere
“probing” questions.
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

The Presentation
 Keep
a “Why You Should Belong” brochure in your
hand at all times
 Keep it brief and simple…you only have a few
minutes to get your point across.
 Ask sincere, probing questions and they will tell you
their interests.
 Show a sincere interest in them…thanks them for
their service
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

The Close…
 Remember you don’t have to wait to the end
of the presentation to close
 When you sense they are ready to sign…go
for it!
 If you don’t sense a closing opportunity ask
“I have an application right here and can
sign you up today”.
WORKING A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
 The
Follow-Up…
 Have
a lap top computer on the table
 Capture contact information on everyone name, address, phone & email
 Follow up a few days after the meeting with a
letter and a phone call within 7 days
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

What works in your Post?

What one thing could you do differently that will
result in a positive change?