1. Post Membership Growth & How To Conduct A Successful Membership Drive
i. To be able to recognize the importance of strong leadership in membership growth
ii. To emphasize the importance of a committee and a written plan
iii. To impress the plan elements of Retaining, Renewals, Recruiting, Legion
Programs and Communication
iv. We will review what we have discussed
The American Legion

2. What are our Objectives?
Acknowledge the need for Membership Growth
Understand the important role of strong leadership in Membership Growth
Recognize the importance of a Membership Committee and a written plan of action
Identify written plan elements
1. Post Commander must “get out in front” of the membership and lead
them to achieving goals by clearly expressing positive expectations
2. 1st Vice must have a “can do” attitude and committed to growth
a. Develop a Membership Committee
b. Have a written plan – it is your road map to success
c. Assign responsibilities…divide up the work
i. Who, How, What, When & Where
ii. Written plan elements
1. Retain – close the back door
2. Renew – start fast & set aggressive deadlines
3. Recruit – DMS Roster, Expired members, Membership Drives, Recruiting events
d. Assign a sponsor to new members
e. Work the plan – review & adjust as necessary
f. Keep it fun, exciting & motivational – build on the positives
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3. Why is Membership Growth Important?
To maintain a dynamic voice in Washington that will continue to protect the interest of all veterans, service members and their families
If we fail to grow…it is only a matter of time before we cease to exist
Simply put…membership is our lifeblood
Other Departments are growing and Oregon can too!
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4. Essentials to membership growth
Training…learning
Leadership…get out in front
Mentoring…developing others
Motivating…be appreciative
Monitoring…follow up
1. Support Legion Programs – Boys State, Oratorical, Boy Scouts
2. “Spread the word” – Communicate!
a. Insure membership knows what you are doing and the benefit
b. Insure the media knows what you are doing and why
c. Insure the community know what you are doing and the benefit
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5. Learning #1… Post Commanders, You must:
Place a high priority on membership growth and achieving goals.
Clearly express your positive expectations that membership growth is not optional and that we will meet our goals.
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6. Leadership Stress that it is the responsibility of each Post member
Lead your Post to success.
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7. Mentoring #2…1st Vice Commanders you must:
Have a positive attitude and committed to attaining goals.
Make a written status report at all meetings; where are we now? and how will we get to where we are going?
Lead your committee to success
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8. Motivating #3…Develop a Membership Committee
Divide up the work…assign specific responsibilities
Involve the entire membership - ”everyone recruits one”
Make it a “Family Project”…Post, Sons, Riders, Auxiliary
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9. Monitoring
#4…Develop a written plan…it is your roadmap to success…tactical
What do we need to do?
How are we going to do it?
Who is going to do it?
When will it be accomplished?
Keep it Simple and Flexible
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10. There’s power in simplicity All I ever needed to know… I learned in kindergarten
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11. Quote from Alice in wonderland
Alice to the Cat…“Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cat to Alice…”that depends a great deal on where you want to get to”
Alice…”I don’t much care where”
The Cat…”Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go”
The American Legion

12. Elements of a written plan
Retain…#1 objective is to close the back door
Renew…set aggressive deadlines
Recruit…at all post activities, 114 List
Legion Programs…#1 easiest way to growth
Communicate…”Spread the Word”
External: insure the community knows what you are doing and why
Internal: insure the membership knows what you are doing, how they can help and why
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13. A Quote to Remember
“Membership success is not determined by fancy footwork or gimmicks. Effective membership programs are the result of one thing and one thing only, and that is effective leadership”
John A Breden III, Past National Commander
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14. Review Make growth a “top of mind” priority
Develop a committee with a positive attitude that is motivated and committed
Have a written plan and work it
Focus Items:…Retain, Renew, Recruit, Legion Programs & Communicate
Keep it simple interesting and fun
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15. Evaluation Are there any questions?
What are the first 4 steps to being successful in Post Membership Growth?
What are the 5 focus items of a written plan for Membership Growth?
Effective membership programs are the result of what one thing?
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16. How to Conduct a Successful Membership Drive
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17. What are our Objectives
Discuss the important role education plays in a successful effort
Understand the importance of making a good 1st impression
Review how to set up an effective display
Detail how to make a presentation and the importance of follow-up
Review our presentation
The American Legion

18. education
Being prepared is a confidence builder for both you and the person with whom you are talking
The Two Minute Drill: is simply preparing beforehand a response to anticipated questions
Educate the membership…”2‐minute drills”
a. Who is the American Legion?
b. Why should I belong?
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19. Who is The American Legion?
The Two Minute Drill:
The American Legion is the Nations largest and most influential network of U.S. wartime veterans. It was chartered by Congress in 1919 and is a 501 (c)19 non-profit organization.
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20. Why Should I Belong The Two Minute Drill:
“Our mission is to help service members, veterans and their families, educate our community’s children, keep our community safe, and lend a helping hand to those in need.”
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21. The Visual Presentation
You don’t get a 2nd chance at a good 1st impression
Dress to impress
Cover the Table with a Legion tablecloth
Have a flag set in the middle of the table
Have the roll-up billboards on display
Don’t clutter the table top
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22. DO…
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23. The Visual Presentation
Making a good 1st impression…continued
Brochures must have your contact information
Keep business cards in your pocket
Stand in front of the table…in the aisle
Keep chairs to a minimum if at all
Greet visitors with a smile, an extended hand and an introduction
Keep chairs, food and drink out of the booth
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24. The Visual Presentation
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25. A Welcoming Greeting
“Hello, I’m Fred (shaking hands & smiling)! Are you familiar with The American Legion?”
If they say “yes” inquire if they are already a member…some of them will be members
If they say “no” qualify them as an eligible veteran for membership
If they are qualified this is your opportunity to ask sincere “probing” questions.
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26. The Actual Presentation
Focus on the 4 Pillars from a local perspective
Keep it brief and simple…you only have a few minutes to get your point across.
Ask sincere, probing questions and they will tell you their interests.
Keep a “Why You Should Belong” brochure in your hand at all times
Show a sincere interest in them…thank them for their service
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27. The Close
Remember you don’t have to wait until the end of the presentation to close
When you sense they are ready to sign…go for it!
If you don’t sense a closing opportunity ask… “I have an application right here and can sign you up today”.
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28. The Follow-up
Capture contact information on everyone - name, address, phone &
Follow up immediately with a letter and within 7 days with a phone call
Briefly discuss benefits of membership
Show a sincere interest in them
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29. The Follow-up Appoint a sponsor for new Legion Members
Have “New Member’s Post Sponsor Checklist”
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30. The American Legion

31. Review Education…2 minute drills A good 1st Impression… be prepared
A warm greeting…polite & professional
Qualify…know to whom you are talking
The Presentation…the 4 Pillars
The Close…ABC = Always Be Closing
The follow-up…your best opportunity
a. Growth must be a priority
b. Have a written plan and work the plan
c. Develop a Membership Committee with a positive attitude that is motivated and
committed to growth
d. Focus…Retaining, Renewals, & Recruiting
e. Support Legion Programs
f. “Spread the Word”…media and internal
g. Keep it simple, interesting and fun
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32. Are there any questions?
Evaluation
Are there any questions?
What is the 1st step in an effective membership drive?
What will a great visual presentation insure?
Following the greeting what fact do you need to establish?
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33. The End
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