Recruitment: Building Opportunities

Recruitment Goals Importance of Membership Factors Affecting Recruitment The Basic Ingredients –Identify Target Audiences –Develop Marketing Plan Removing Roadblocks Collecting Dues Fundraising Ideas Summary

Importance of Membership Need new recruits to replace those who graduate or move on. Recruitment efforts can expand student learning, involve the community and build your program's size, prestige and support. The more students, the wider and more influential your results. Linked to Extended Day / Year Standards –Chapter will have a minimum of 80% FFA membership. –Extended Day / Yr salary was created to work with FFA members after school and during Summer. –Submit enrollment count (Membership based on Unduplicated) –Submit roster by October 15th

Strive for 100%

FACTORS AFFECTING RECRUITMENT

The Basic Ingredients Establish Expectations –How many members do you need to reach 80%? –How many members do you need to reach 100%? –Who will do what? How and When will they accomplish it? (Officer / Alumni / Teacher) –Establish S.M.A.R.T. Goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely

Research Effective Recruitment Strategies and Activities used by Ag Teachers (By Rank) –Feeder School Contact –Agricultural Teacher / Student Interaction –FFA Chapter Events –Publications –Curriculum –Parents/Teachers/Support Groups –Recruitment Events Myers, B., Dyer, J., & Breja, L. (2003) Recruitment Strategies and Activities Used by Agriculture Teachers. Journal of Agricultural Education. Vol 44. p

To be successful in meeting your recruitment goals, you will need to identify a much larger group of prospects than the actual goal you have set. Start Recruiting Early Focus on “Next Generation” –Students who are first eligible to take your courses this year –Students with “extra” elective hours –4-H members, CTSO members, Sports –Students working at agriculture-related businesses –Students working in agriculture-related jobs for nonagricultural businesses –Science fair entrants Identify Target Audience

Develop A Marketing Plan Develop a Theme –“Awaken the Echoes” Media Coverage –Inform public, teachers, guidance counselor, administrators –Develop newsletters, recruitment videos, webpage, etc. Youtube Pope High Website

Showcase Diversity –Field Trips, Livestock, Curriculum, SAE, CDE, etc. –Plan Activities and programs that offer variety –Organize social events –Have a presence at school activities Brainstorm –Develop Recruitment Activities to Gain Student Interest Develop A Marketing Plan

Planning a Recruitment Activity –Identify your audience. –Reflect on your program. List the benefits of your program and see how they relate to the target audience. –Balance the educational aspect with fun activities. Include audience participation as much as possible to retain interest and excitement. –Involve current students and FFA chapter officers to promote your program. The audience will be more receptive if the activity includes someone their own age. –Provide each participant with a brochure, handout or flyer with additional information. Recipe for Success

Recruitment Ideas Ice Cream Social Peanut Boil FFA Idol (Talent) Wild Game Supper Ag Olympics Farm Safety Camp (young) Pizza Party Challenge Class to 100% –Reward with meal Sale Beef Sticks Sale Fruit Give T-Shirts Trip to Fair Kiss A Pig Sign Up 5 Friends / Get 1 Membership Free Attend other school events

Common Obstacles –Course scheduling conflicts –Block scheduling –Conflicting graduation requirements –Lack of diversity in your program –Lack of awareness about your program –Perception of your courses –Perception of careers in agriculture –A mismatch between the program and student and community needs. Removing Roadblocks

Collecting Dues Keep adequate and accurate records –Produce Receipts –Treasurer Spreadsheet (Excel) –Let Chapter Secretary maintain Spreadsheet Develop Membership Form What are some ideas to help build Chapter Funds? –Group Discussion

Fundraising Ideas Raffle (Deer Stand, Mower, etc) Fruit Sales Pageant Auction Grant Sponsorship (Jacket, Trip, Dues) Booth at Local Fair FFA Foundation Projects Plant Sales Boston Butt Sales Chicken Sales Country Meats Sale Snacks During School

In Summary What have we learned? Questions –General? –Class Improvements?