Recruitment & Retention: Lifeline of Zonta AREA 1 & 2 WORKSHOP APRIL 11, 2015 PATRICIA LATONA AREA 1 DIRECTOR

Zonta International A Membership Organization ▪ People join because they believe in Zonta’s mission: they want to contribute their time and talents to fulfil these. ▪ A vibrant growing membership is critical to securing Zonta’s ideals. ▪ With your support and commitment, Zonta will continue as an organization that is relevant & attracts/retains members committed to realizing our mission ▪ What is Required? Clubs to think strategically to secure new members by: ▪ Approaching people who will be interested and are willing to support the goals of Zonta ▪ Informing them about Zonta ▪ Inviting them to join. ▪ A club’s membership strategy should cover Retention and Recruitment and be clear on the benefits of membership of Zonta.

Define Define Short & Long-term Goals Handout Sample Membership Plan Develop Develop A Plan 1. Recruit New Members 2. Retain Current Members Design Design Strategies To Identify Prospects. Then Sell Membership Develop “Elevator” Speech Sell Benefits Sell Benefits /WIIFM Solicit, Entice, Invite Follow-up Engage Mentor Identify A Mentor For Each New Member Jointly develop a program for new member’s involvement in club activities. Mentor Identify A Mentor For Each New Member Jointly develop a program for new member’s involvement in club activities. Evaluate Evaluate committee’s progress at least once a year. Have the goals been achieved? What worked? What needs to be changed ? An Overall Plan Authors: Membership Committee Recruitment, Rejuvenation, Revitalization, Retention

RECRUITMENT/RETENTION Steps to Success EXPLAIN EXPLAIN “What is Zonta?” - briefly, in simple language. SELL How to “SELL” the benefits of Zonta membership. FIND Where to FIND potential members & then interest them in membership. Following up with qualified prospects & invite them to join their Zonta club. ENGAGE How to ENGAGE new members – ensures retention - helps the club grow its membership.

First Step: Explaining Zonta Simply Who we are ! What is our purpose?! Remember our Mission “Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy” Write down Key words Remember our Vision “Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources…..are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men…..In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence” Write down Key words Elevator Speech!! From Your Key Words: What 3 Things Should People Know About Zonta? Elevator Speech!!

PREPARE Second Step: PREPARE to Sell Benefits Mission touches our heart. Empathy drives us to give back & make a difference. Proactive way of doing something to make the world a better place Chance to expand our horizons & celebrate other cultures & people Personal growth Increase knowledge about an issue Develop or strengthen skills Presented with unique & exciting opportunities Connect with others who share our passion which then expands “our circle of friends”. Networking Understand What Motivates, Inspires People to Join an Organization

Attract New Members Make a difference Quality service projects Effective advocacy Empowering women worldwide Passion for Zonta Mission Being asked/Feeling welcome Diverse members Working with others Learning about women’s issues; Leadership skills & development Networking Connectedness Personal Growth PREPARE Second Step: PREPARE to Sell Benefits Align What Motivates, Inspires People to Join with Becoming a Member

Prevention/Elimination of Violence Against Women Improving Women’s Health & Maternal Health Second Step: Selling Benefits How We Make a Difference Globally Gender Equality  Human Rights For full Description of International Projects go to Do/InternationalPrograms.aspx Do/InternationalPrograms.aspx

Source: GirlsNotBrides.org Second Step: Selling Benefits How We Make a Difference Globally Economic Equity Employment Options Delay of Early Marriage Education Job Skills

Second Step: Selling Benefits How We Make a Difference Locally ▪Young Women In Public Affairs Award ▪Jane Klausman Business Scholarship ▪College Scholarships ▪Domestic Violence Shelters ▪Rallies ▪Mentor Women In Prison ▪Kits For Homeless Women & Children ▪Education Programs e.g. Trafficking, Domestic Violence ▪Birthing Kits ▪RAVE Walk ▪Habitat for Humanity ▪Local Soup Kitchen ▪Meet with Legislators ▪Support of Anti-trafficking & Violence Against Women Legislation ▪A Day at the State Capital ▪Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women - 16 Days of Activism

Personal Contacts Names : From Our Club Members Other Club Members Their Families, Friends, Colleagues And Their Friends And Families Newspapers Local press (e.g. promotion announcements, press releases) Networks ( e.g. RN knows health care workers, financial planner knows financial associates, etc.) Chamber of Commerce  Community Leaders Third Step: LOOK & YE SHALL FIND

Third Step: “LOOK & YE SHALL FIND” Funders Attendees from Club events Business networks Organizations Professional Associations Places of Worship Retirement communities Local Colleges Country clubs Others? Zonta Club of …

Third Step: LOOK & YE SHALL FIND Third Step: “Continue to Tell your Story” Elaborate Elaborate on your “Elevator” speech heartwarming Tell people the heartwarming ways Zonta affects you & other Zontians Brag Brag about your club’s projects personalgained Make it personal - share what you have gained through Zonta  The ways it has influenced your life. Remember to touch on what motivates/inspires:  Mission, Making a difference, Personal growth, Expand circle of friends, Exciting opportunities, CompassionOpen MindWillingness Positive Attitude. Skills required? Compassion, an Open Mind, a Willingness to do whatever is needed, a Positive Attitude.

LISTEN Ask Them About Their Interests & Really Listen To Them Gives you a better sense of who they are Allows you to tell them about aspects of your club that most interest them. PERSONALIZE Important To Make A Real, Personal Connection. If they feel you are interested in them & they get to know you the more comfortable they will feel being a part of your club. Gear your conversation/story to the individual. Convey why their participation is important; what they can contribute that might be special or unique; what they will gain. Tell them that you need them & really need their skills. IT’S OK, PEOPLE LIKE TO BE NEEDED! “NNOW – Let Them Tell Their Story

INVITE INVITE prospect to club meeting, club event, project, program. Don't wait for them to take the initiative Don't assume they are too busy or won't be interested SUPPLY THEM WITH INFORMATION SUPPLY THEM WITH INFORMATION – Always have membership material at every event, meeting Include – Contact Information, Club Brochure, History of Zonta, Club Calendar, Newsletter Fourth Step: “One Way to Close the Deal” Invite to Meeting/Event Meetings/Events: ARE YOU PREPARED? Ask Yourself … Are guests greeted warmly; introduced to officers & members? Does your club keep a guest book; provide visitors with name tags? Are guests invited to introduce themselves to the group? Are guests invited to join?

Choose a Theme Honor Professional Day Information Banquet for Groups/People Club Supports Information Reception for Younger People Homecoming/ Bring Them Back Meeting OTHER ? Planning is Key Membership chair/committee Develop a Plan with Goals Allocate Funds Announce & Promote “Roll Out The Red Carpet” with a Membership Drive At Regular Meeting or Special Recruitment Event ( see D3 Membership Handbook for details) “Another Way to Close the Deal” Membership Drive

Fourth Step : “The Devil is in the Detail” At the membership drive; At the meeting/event Every Prospect Should Receive A Membership Application : Fill out the application prior to event Want to give the prospect a feeling of being wanted? Offer a Hearty Welcome!! They Join Next Day: send welcome letter/ from secretary or president First step in Retention They Didn’t join? FOLLOW UP FOLLOW UP – , Phone call

Dear Ms. _______________: We enjoyed having you as a guest at the Zonta club of ______ meeting on Wednesday, November 5, and the opportunity to better acquaint you with our club and with Zonta. Perhaps by this time you have reviewed the handout material and would like additional information. If so, please feel free to contact any of the club members or call our Membership chair, __________________ at (___) ___ ____. Our next meeting will be held December 5 at __________________ from 6:30 pm 8:30 pm. Please join us to learn more about Zonta’s mission and the new and exciting opportunities membership can offer you. Again, it was a pleasure to have you at our Zonta meeting. We look forward to seeing you again. Sincerely, President Follow Up Letter

longboring The organization’s meetings are long and boring do little leaderstalk. Members do little other than to listen to leaders talk. They feel useless or frustrated cliquepower A small clique has all power; they don’t encourage others to get involved not valuednever thanked or praised Members are not valued, never thanked or praised for the work they do few projects or are not relevant Club has few projects or are not relevant to Zonta’s mission getting nothing out of Members feel that they are getting nothing out of the club Retention Oops! Why we Lose As fast as we Recruit

Avoid Burn-Out: offer members a series of slowly increasing responsibilities. Don’t ask to do too much too quickly Avoid Cool Out: Opposite of asking to do too much to fast… NOT asking them to do anything at all. Don't hesitate to ask people to do things...They joined to make a difference & feel useful! Team them up with experienced members Don’t Shun: Important that newcomers feel included/part of the team Veterans gravitate towards one another. Mix it up – “old” & “new” Begin meetings with discussions that include new & old members. Incorporate a social component into your meetings. !!!!!!Leaders –get to know your members Retention Minimize our Loses

soon  Does your club hold an installation ceremony soon after member joins? pin welcome packet  Do you present membership pin and welcome packet? mentor  Does your club assign a mentor for each new member? skills/experiences  Are new member’s skills/experiences assessed? introductory workshop or orientation  Do you have introductory workshop or orientation for all new members so that they understand the organization and its work involved  Is the new member given the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the club’s activities? enjoyable (FUN is good!) educational  Are enjoyable (FUN is good!) and educational meetings planned? participate  Do your members participate in area, district and international events? inter-club  Are inter-club events encouraged and planned? newsletter  Is your club’s newsletter issued on a regular basis and your website kept updated? Maximize Our Gains “How are you doing”?

*Are all projects based on the mission of Zonta?* Do meetings begin and end on time? Use Parliamentary Procedure?Are club meetings varied & exciting? Speakers, Themes? Do you use committees to do the work, not general membership meeting? Are award applications submitted to Zonta International? ▪ Maximize Our Gains “How are you doing”?

Retention More Ideas Provide Opportunities to Grow Volunteer work should be interesting; offer variety; a chance for personal growth. Is there boring work? Sometimes: Try to distribute it evenly; mix in some fun Show Appreciation Members enjoy, need & deserve it. Otherwise lose faith in value of what they're doing. Show respect for their opinions & work: return phone calls, answer s, provide relevant information. Call if missed several meetings. Give Recognition Recognize members: for bringing in members, birthday, anniversaries, for any reason Feature a member(s) in monthly club newsletter Recognize your club's performance at the end of an event.

Final Thoughts Then work on ideas that might make the club more satisfying Evaluate - Periodically have your members appraise their experiences; if their expectations being met Know what skills needed for leadership roles Help members develop those skills over time. New leaders = New ideas = Change o Remember: tensions can arise as new people challenge the way the club functions o But also Remember……… Encourage Leadership - Will keep your new and old members active & growing for a long time Growth & Change Should be Synonymous to Keep Zonta Healthy & Alive

DISTRICT 3 “THE WININGEST TEAM”

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ American College of Emergency Physicians