Transcript "My Journey" website:

Virginia Elks
2015 Officer Training Seminar
Rick Gathen
Grand Lodge National Membership
& Public Relations Manager
"My Journey" website:
•
This website’s home page will feature a link to Bryan Klatt’s welcome video.
•
New Members who submit the “Share Your Story” survey are eligible to win great
Elks gear.
•
•
The "Learn More” page recaps the programs outlined in the Orientation video
with short videos.
The "Your Resources" page will have a link to the full Orientation video, plus
helpful links.
Effective Orientation Strategies
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Review answers from Investigation Question Book.
Send candidates/sponsors personalized invitations (encourage them to bring a companion).
Include a video presentation.
Invite key-note speakers.
Discuss how members contribute to the State Association.
Provide a list of Lodge officers (include stations/duties).
Explain the function of the various committees.
Provide information about the Lodge’s:
– Facilities (take a tour);
– Social activities;
– Charitable works;
– Programs;
– Special local rules; and,
– Recruitment strategies.
“What if?”
“It is what it is.” – Famous last words spoken by those who’ve surrendered
themselves to losing membership and given up on the idea of reversing the trend.
NOW is the time for the leaders among us to ask “What if?”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
“What if” you emphasize a business approach when selecting your Membership Committee?
“What if” your Membership Committee was sized appropriately to get the job done?
“What if" you implement an effective Membership Committee meeting agenda?
“What if” you implement an effective orientation agenda?
“What if” you implement the Membership Checklist on day one?
“What if” you implement an effective Lodge Relief committee meeting agenda?
“What if” you implement an effective Reinstatement Campaign?
“What if” you implement an effective Recruitment Campaign?
“What if” you implement an effective billing and collection Campaign?
“What if” you begin with a Membership Drive?
“What if” your Members were encouraged to sponsor their friends and family on a monthly basis?
“What if” you were to schedule monthly initiations on a weekend?
“What if” you turn initiations into a celebration?
LODGE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Do you have the correct size Committee
to get the job done?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Exalted Ruler
Lodge Secretary
Leading Knight
Membership Chairperson
Plus one additional committee member for every 100 Lodge members:
100 members = 1 additional committee member
500 members = 5 additional committee members
1,000 members = 10 additional committee members
Select a Great Membership Committee
• Apply good management practices. Emphasize a business approach that will improve the
condition of your Lodge.
• Like any service-oriented business, making the original sale is important but keeping the
customer sold is crucial.
• Committee responsibilities include recruitment, new member orientations, public
relations and dues collection.
• Think in business terms: sales, customer relations, public relations and collections.
• The three key individuals are the Exalted Ruler, Lodge Secretary and Membership
Committee Chairperson.
• The Exalted Ruler provides continuous supervision; the Lodge Secretary runs the
“Collections Department”.
• The Membership Chairperson needs committee members with various skills:
 Sales- working recruitment tables, working reinstatements, greeting guests and
inviting them to join.
 Public Relations/Marketing- Promoting membership on the social media page
and lodge website. Making sure everyone is aware of the positive impact the
lodge has contributed towards the community.
 Orientation- Educating, involving and inspiring the new Members to recruit and
be active. Matching their interests and time with a Lodge committee or activity.
 Collection Department – Assist the Lodge Secretary with billing, collection letters,
phone calls , emails and personal visits to delinquents. Patience and persistence.
EFFECTIVE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
•
•
•
•
•
Must meet regularly (suggest weekly April through June, then monthly).
Set goals to initiate 10% more members.
The collection goal: no more than 2% of the members dropped for non-payment of dues.
Review and study the membership manual.
Discuss initiatives to publicize membership efforts:
A. Use bulletins/social media/websites to encourage members to bring potential candidates to Lodge.
B. Publicize membership classes.
C. Discuss incentives and contests.
D. Discuss reinstatement opportunities and strategies.
E. Review Stray Elks.
F. Review delinquents and discuss collection strategies.
G. Review and evaluate Orientation program.
H. Review membership numbers and compare to goals.
Effective Agenda for
Lodge Standing Relief Committee Meetings
•
•
•
•
•
Section 13.010. The Exalted Ruler, Esteemed Leading Knight, Loyal Knight,
Lecturing Knight, Secretary and Treasurer shall constitute the Standing Relief
Committee of the Lodge, which shall examine the merits of all cases
suggesting the necessity of aid or relief.
Please review your Lapsation rolls with special emphasis on those Members
with many years of service to our Order who might be struggling financially or
in poor health (some have been loyal dues-paying Members for decades or for
more than half a century!).
After being reviewed for recommendation by the Standing Relief Committee,
your Lodge may legally vote on the appropriation to assist Members in need
with their dues. During a Lodge meeting, this can be accomplished by a
motion for such a request by any Member present.
Because this process is often overlooked or unknown, the Secretary is forced
to cancel memberships on good Members that may have been worthy of
Lodge assistance. Sadly, the Lodge Membership was never given the
opportunity to vote, as is their right to do so.
Please make sure your Lodge Standing Relief Committee performs this
important responsibility. Only then are we acting with Charity, Justice,
Brotherly Love and Fidelity.
Reinstatement Campaigns
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Review sample reinstatement letter from Manual.
Ask Lodge Secretary to run list of all former Members dropped for non-payment over
the past five years.
Former Members have misperceptions on the costs and process to reinstate.
It’s easy to come back home to the Elks…show them how and many will.
Schedule a “Welcome Back” party for former Members to attend and rejoin.
Send “We Want You Back” postcards.
Assign someone on the Membership Committee to call and email your former
members and invite them back.
Enclosed is an Application for Reinstatement. Fill out the form. Pay the prescribed fee of
$____ and this year’s dues of $___. Your application will be forwarded to the
Investigating Committee, who will contact you for an interview. After the interview, the
Committee will make their recommendation to the Members at a regular meeting. After
the Lodge vote, you will be notified by the Secretary. You will be required to pay a
prorated portion of annual Lodge dues. Then you will be issued your membership card.
Effective Billing Strategies
Heading for Mail Merge:
Dear __________
Enclosed you will find your annual dues invoice; please return it promptly with your payment.
Our Lodge is the premier charitable and patriotic organization in our community. Our programs
help hospitalized veterans, special needs children, and our nation’s youth with scholarships
and drug prevention programs.
We need your continuing support with our charitable and community projects. Every Member
of the Elks contributes in some way just by paying their dues. Even if you can’t be as active as
you would like to be, you are still an important part of our team.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would not be the organization it is today without
your Membership. Therefore, it is my sincerest request that you proudly and promptly pay
your dues.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lodge Secretary,
Recruiting in the Community
What We Do and How to Join
• Schedule a Member appreciation day in April, May
or June.
• Encourage Members to bring guests every month.
• Launch a Legacy Recruitment Drive.
• Launch a Military Recruitment Drive.
• All community events should include a strong
Public Relations and Membership presence.
Top recruiters:
1 Rob Townsend 90
2 Toni L Goodrich 66
3 Joe Romano
59
Share the Pride of Elkdom!
Share Your Lodge Impact
• You've likely heard it time and time again but it
bears repeating-you need to be routinely
sharing where your Lodges has made an
impact. This helps not only to recruit new
members but also retain the support of those
already members. Regardless of whether people
support the Lodge with a donation or
volunteering time, they'll likely want to know
they're contributing to making the community
and nation a better place. It's your job to make
sure they're able to see the impact they're
having through their involvement with your
Lodge.
3 Billion
Hamburgers Served
4.4 Billion
donated in Elks
volunteer hours
and cash
contributions