1. Recruiting and Retention Marine Corps League
Dept. of Mississippi
State Convention 2017
Jr. Vice Clifton Addison

2. Recruiting

3. Recruiting
50-50
The new goal is
50% under 50
50% over 50

4. Recruiting
Get active in your community so people will know of the MCL and what we do.
Most Marines have never heard of the Marine Corps League

5. Recruiting
Have your own business cards to hand out when you meet a potential member.
When you see someone wearing Marine gear, go up to them and introduce yourself. Give them one of your cards and invite them to the league.

6. Recruiting
Wear a Marine Corps shirt, cap or any kind of Marine gear. Other Marines will notice you and then you can tell them about the league and invite them to your next meeting.

7. Recruiting
Work with your local recruiter and future Marines . Do things to help them and when they get out, they will already know what the MCL is all about.

8. Recruiting
Stay in touch with the county VSO. Give the VSO business cards to give to Marines when they come in to see them. If they will, have the VSO get the Marine’s name and phone number so you can contact them.

9. Recruiting
If you have a reserve unit close by, work with them and help them with some of their needs. (Offer to have a cookout for them; talk to the CO or First Sgt. to let them know that if any of their Marines need help, you can see how the League could help)

10. Recruiting
Have a web page and keep it updated with your info. Potential new members can check out your detachment. Put photos on it to let people know what you are doing.
Have a Facebook page also.

11. Recruiting
When recruiting, let potential members know what we do. We help other Marines and veterans. (Helping with rent, utilities, food, etc.)

12. Recruiting
Give a cash reward or a prize to whoever recruits the most members in a year

13. Recruiting It is not just the Jr. Vices job to recruit.
Every member is a recruiter.

14. Retention

15. Retention
When you get a new member, have one of your members mentor them.
They should call them and remind them about meetings.
They should call them occasionally to see if everything is ok.

16. Retention
When you get new members, give them something to do, a responsibility. It makes them feel needed.

17. Retention
If a member cannot drive to a meeting, have someone pick them up.

18. Retention
Make time for fellowship. Serve a meal or a snack before the meeting. Have a happy hour before the meeting where everyone can shoot the bull.

19. Retention
Make your meeting fun and not all about business. Maybe once a quarter you can have a short meeting and have a cook out.

20. Retention
Keep your meetings under an hour.

21. Retention
Keep the attire for your meetings casual. A detachment shirt and/or casual attire will make the younger Marines feel more comfortable.

22. Retention
Some young Marines cannot come because they have young families. If possible, maybe a member’s wife could volunteer to keep the children during meetings.

23. Retention
Younger Marines do not feel like they fit in an older crowd. Try to find out what the younger ones like to do.

24. Retention
Let the younger Marines know you care. Be ready to help them or just be there to listen to them. If they need counseling, recommend a good counselor. Sometimes the younger ones just need someone that will listen.

25. Retention
If a member quits coming, call them and find out the reason. Encourage them to come back.

26. Retention
Send them a post card two months before their dues are due and again one month before. By the due date, if they have not paid, call them. You can them also.

27. Retention
One thing we all have in common is that we are Marines. We need to take pride in Once a Marine, always a Marine.