“Innovation is the Game Changer “ How to Modernize the Membership Billing Operation. How lodges can leverage CLMS reports to drive “Organic" membership growth Social Media and PR are Cousins By Richard Gathen, PSP

What is an Elks Member is Worth? $100 In Membership Dues $58 In Cash Contributions $238 in Non-Cash Contributions = $396/year Age at Initiation Dues Charitable Life of Membership 65 $1,000 $580 $1,580 55 $2,000 $1,160 $3,160 45 $3,000 $1,740 $4,470

Revamp ALL Elks Websites The Must Haves (jobs): Who We Are What We Do Why Join How to Join How to Reinstate How to Pay my Dues on Line How to Donate on Line Who is in charge What is happening at the Lodge Make me Proud to be a Member

“ Lodge Secretary Tool Box “ http://www.obituaries.com/Obits.asp Searches obituaries from newspapers from all states within US & Canada. Search by name (first & last). You don’t have to specify which state. Can search for past month, past year, past 2 years, or all the way back to 1930. http://www.anywho.com/whitepages Are you searching for a for a past member ? Trying to verify an address of a member? Or maybe you see an unfamiliar phone number in your records? AnyWho provides a free online white pages directory where you can find people by their name, address or you can do a reverse lookup by phone number. The AnyWho White Pages is updated weekly with phone numbers of individuals from across the nation. For best results, include both the first and last name when searching the AnyWho White Pages and, if you have it, the ZIP Code.

Revamp Dues Invoices The Must Haves (jobs): Make me Proud to be a Member Make it Easy for me to understand Make it Convenient for me to pay Make it Easy for me to donate online Allow me to be Active from anywhere

How Does My Lodge Get Started? 1. Go Daddy.com 2. Accept Major Credit Cards 3. Promote

We Want You Back 1. Who is your target? Are these Members who stopped 12 months ago? Two years ago? Decide first who you want to try and reinstate. If someone quit 10 years ago and you're just now getting around to sending them a letter, it's probably too late. 2. Why did these Members quit? You need to understand why your Members left. Knowing the reasons they probably left will enable you to craft a message that addresses those issues specifically. 3. Use CLMS segmentation or personalize . If you can segment these formers, you can make your reactivation campaign that much more effective. The rules here are the same as for any direct marketing: don't just send a mass "We want you back" e-mail. Instead, use whatever knowledge you have of the person in order to create a more relevant message.

How to Reinstate in your same lodge: Go back to your old Lodge and ask the Secretary for 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. Once your dues have been paid, you will be issued your membership card.

How to Reinstate in a new lodge: Should you wish to reinstate your membership in Elkdom with a Lodge other than the one in which you were initiated, you must reside in the jurisdiction of that Lodge. Before you reinstate, you have to obtain a Certificate of Release from your previous Lodge. Write a check payable to the previous Lodge in the amount of $___ and ask the Lodge Secretary to forward a Certificate of Release. When you receive your Certificate of Release, present it to the Secretary of the Lodge you want to reinstate your membership with. Then you would go through the steps described earlier. If a Lodge has no proof of prior membership, the burden of proof falls on you. Proof of prior membership can be an old membership card, a canceled check, or an affidavit signed by two members attesting to prior membership (It must be notarized) If you cannot provide proof of prior membership, it will be necessary to apply for membership as a new member.

Social Media drives membership and revenue! 57% of Adults have joined a Social Network. It’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate . People are not just a demographic anymore. To connect with them you need to understand relationships are powerful.

The Goals of your Lodge Facebook Page are Simple ENABLE Members INSPIRE Media INFLUENCE Friends ENGAGE

Do’s & Don'ts Do be clear about your objectives? Do accept Members as “Friends”. Do set privacy controls. Do know when to ask for help. Do focus on using social media to encourage attendance at lodge social events. Do post photos of committees performing charitable work. Don’t dive in head first. Social media beginners should focus on a few things and do them well. Don’t post photos of members drinking or smoking. Don’t post names of children. Don’t post Lodge business that would be in violation of your Obligation.

Lodges that are good Examples on Facebook Lake Hopatcong , NJ Galveston , Texas Anchorage, Alaska Anniston, Alabama Prescott, Arizona Borger, Texas