1. Communicating the Value of AFP
Member Retention:
Communicating the Value of AFP
June 16, 2011 1

2. Q&A and Information Sharing
Today’s Agenda
Part 1: Retention of new members
Part 2: Engaging veteran members
Part 3: Special Cases
Part 4: Resources from IHQ
Q&A and Information Sharing 2

3. if you want something done, ask a busy person!3

4. Focus on keeping the members you already have
Member retention is 75% at May 31, 2011, but it has been as low as 72%.
Low retention affects your budget, programming, diversity, volunteer leadership, advocacy efforts and more.
Keeping your current members has a greater ROI than seeking new members.

5. Retention begins the moment you get a new member!
Make them feel welcome
*Buddy system
*Welcome message
*New member orientation
Help them use their benefits
Engage them immediately 5

7. Engaging More Veteran Members
Make them feel valuable
*Ask them to share knowledge
*Let them “spout off”
Remind them to use their benefits
Ask them to do something specific
*Target a discrete project
*Escalate their International involvement 7

8. Special Cases Economic challenges *Retention scholarship
*Installment program
Introductory membership category
*Communicating dues “step-up” 8

9. Resources Available
AFP Printed Marketing Materials and Logos for Chapters:
AFP Information Central:
AFP Online Membership Toolkit:
er=1693#memchair
My AFP Profile:
mNumber=531 9

10. AFP PrintQ – www.afpprintq.com
First, AFP printq—our online system for chapters to order marketing materials and access their chapter logos. Membership marketing materials are free and shipping is free. All of the chapter’s custom logos are downloaded from this site. You’ll also find stationary, signage and more that are available to your chapter for a fee. The screen you are seeing is the PrintQ login screen. You can access this by going to Your username and password for this site are both your 3 digit chapter code in all caps.

11. AFP Info Central
Next is AFP Information Central—a system that allows each chapter access to rosters and reports on its members. Each chapter has a unique login and these login credentials should only be shared with key members of your board since that login gives the user access to all your member’s information. If you ever forget your login, please just send a request to for the information.
Info Central will provide you with things like membership rosters, new and lapsed member reports and your chapter profile, which you see on the right side of this slide. The chapter profile is important because it lets you know who we have on file for your leadership positions—and who we are communicating with about specific topics. It’s populated with the information provided in your Chapter Leadership Form, due each December as part of the Accord process. If you have any changes in leadership or need to make any updates, please let us know.

12. The third resource is the online membership toolkit and this can be found in the chapter resources section of the website through the green “chapters” tab.

13. Within the online membership toolkit there are resources on a variety of topics related to membership and they are linked to this page including the link to list your chapter’s educational programming, samples of new member guides, key member messages—which is also available in Spanish and a description of “buddies for new members”. This is also where you will find the sample membership survey template.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please give any of us a call and we’ll be happy to help point you in the right direction.
You may also want to ask someone on your Membership Committee to take a look at the online membership toolkit—and report on any particular items that will assist your committee.

14. The fourth online resource is to “My AFP Profile
The fourth online resource is to “My AFP Profile.” First, log in to the AFP website, click on the heading above the log in box—”My AFP Profile”.

15. This takes you to the page of resources that are available to members only. This is the place where you can manage your membership—renewing it, changing your contact information, accessing the member directory—so you can connect with any AFP member. You can join any of our discussion listservs and take advantage of connecting with your peers throughout the association.
Urge your members to log in to the AFP website and then click on My AFP Profile for some of the quickest access to the 24/7 benefits of their membership.

16. Open Discussion 16

17. Contact Information
Ann Hale, CFRE
Senior Development Officer
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska
Val Lay
Director, Chapter Services, Central U.S. 17

18. Thank you for all you do for AFP!18