SIUSA/SKÅL International Membership Program Respectfully Submitted by Lisa Conway on behalf of SKÅL International New York

Challenges We Face Together Significant decline in membership contributable to many factors: Economy Aging Membership Perceived Value to Business Internet / Social Media Usage for Networking and Product Distribution Declines in membership are felt not only on a local level but affect the entire organization. Decline in attendance at Regional and World Congresses. Less Members mean more industry professionals remain ignorant to the benefits of SKÅL.

Now is the time for BOLD action to reverse our membership attrition!

Our Objective To provide a dramatic membership drive program this will enable any SIUSA chapter to increase its membership by twenty five percent (25%) for 2015. Provide the local SKÅL organizations the ability to introduce key industry executives to SKÅL International. Increase membership by 525 people during 2015 with the objective to retain 250 of these new members or 50% in 2016.

Proposed Process Conditional Membership Each chapter will be extended the equivalent of 25% of its 2014 rosters as “Conditional Members”, by which the chapter will offer a one year complimentary membership to a qualified candidate. Complimentary is defined as waiving the initiation fees and dues at the local, national and international level for 2015. Those club that include meeting fees as part of their dues will have to make arrangements for these “Conditional Members” to be charged separately for participation at the monthly functions. Example: A club with 100 members in 2014 would be allocated 25 “Conditional Memberships” for 2015. This Program is Optional to all clubs.

Qualifications for Conditional Membership Senior Manager in an approved SKÅL Category A candidate that had not contemplated joining SKÅL or is not aware of SKÅL Has not been a member of SKÅL for the past 10 years Must be actively employed within the industry Must be approved by the local chapter board Is active within the industry i.e. member of another industry organization or actively participates in industry events Has the ability to formally join SKÅL in 2016 as a paying member Has the ability to influence additional candidates from their respective industry segments

Implementation Notify all SIUSA Chapters of the program. After approval by SIUSA/SKÅL International Executive Committee: Notify all SIUSA Chapters of the program. Directly encourage each chapter to offer the “Conditional Membership” to potential candidates. Select a pre-determined date for cutoff for “Conditional Membership”, i.e. 1/31/2015. Create a buddy system for the ‘’Conditional Member” to insure communication and introductions within the local chapter. Notify SKÅL International of new “Conditional Member”. Track new member renewals for 2016.

Summary The inability to increase new membership in order to keep ahead of the annual non-renewals will continue to show a decline in membership until the point of unsustainability for the organization. A bold membership program is needed to increase overall membership and to have this ability be implemented at a local club level. By attracting new “Conditional Members“ into the organization, SKÅL will stimulate their peer group to consider SKÅL as a valuable business association. It is simple and uncomplicated to implement and there is no downside risk. We are also able to effectively track its success. This program, with its deadline cut off will not impede the new member applications that are going through the normal process.

Questions?