Recruiting, Maintaining & Engaging Members Presented by: Anita Castora, CRM, IGP, CBCP

Membership Recruitment Where do we look?

Where do you draw from? Related professional organizations Referrals New members Existing ARMA members on 099 List Reinstatements Retention Other Ideas for sources of new members?

Recruitment Tips: Add a personal touch Welcome members and guests upon arrival Introduce members to members / guests Ensure no one feels excluded Develop a camaraderie of fellowship Entice members and guests to come back Follow-up / Follow-up / Follow-up !

Maintaining Membership

How do we get people to stay? Listen to and meet expectations. Introduce new members to others. Engage members in meaningful activity. Based on their needs Based on their skills Achievable, non-threatening Give recognition for contributions. Other ideas that have worked for your chapter?

Consider these facts: It costs more to get a new member than to keep one. 1st & 2nd year members are less likely to renew – if they do not see the value of ARMA & your chapter!

Four step program for member retention Focus on new chapter members Get everyone involved in an activity Give Recognition to those who do Get Involved Develop an Effective Process for Renewals

Engaging Members

Outreach Methods Assign a mentor Follow up with: Letters & Emails and Phone Calls Media (including social media) LinkedIn, Facebook Newspapers or business journals Other?

Assign a mentor Introduce them to another member in the same industry to be their mentor Ask mentor to stay in touch via email/phone Address new member/mentor re: industry topic at each meeting Invite to Board Meeting Other?

Stay in touch Personalize letters or emails to the extent possible Include earned designations such as CRM, CDIA+, MD, etc. Always be professional Determine if it is appropriate to use first or last names (depends on the culture of the organization or locale) Refer to Chapter website for meeting information Encourage use of Facebook & Twitter Make it fun!!!

Wrap Up Why do we join ARMA? Keys for recruiting Where to look for members Maintaining members Communications and Outreach Engaging members