1. School Nutrition Association’s Chapter Leadership Day June 28, 2009
Growing Membership
School Nutrition Association’s Chapter Leadership Day
June 28, 2009

2. Growing Membership Why is membership important?
Why would people want to join your chapter? (make sure you meet these needs at EVERY meeting)
Survey Results: What people want from their employers
Sense of accomplishment
Recognition for good work
Pay
Job security
Making use of my abilities
Doing challenging work
Feeling of achievement
Sense of competence
A feeling of belonging
Appreciation from others
Which ones are true for organizations too?
Why get involved?
1. personal/professional development
2. want to make a difference
3. community/networking/friendship/soial

3. Growing Membership Membership Committee Diverse, include new members
Have committee working groups for:
Recruitment
Orientation
Retention
Recognition

4. Growing Membership Recruitment Campaigns/Drives on regular basis
What are the questions a prospective member might ask?
To guarantee success, recruit people who match the job you need
As you recruit new members, you should be prepared to answer the following questions:
How much time will it take?
What is expected of me?
What are th tasks that need to be done?
What does the committee do?
How often does the chapter meet and where
What is in it for me?
How long do I have to serve – if asking for an office?
Is is a small group or a large group?
Is there any training?
How much time is involved (they want a number – Example: 1 hour/month)
How many others have volunteered?
Has anyone else like me volunteered?

5. Growing Membership Orientation New member orientation
First Timers Session at conference or meeting
Overview
Meet the Board -- or Officers – if time allows them to stop by
Composition of Book
Interest/Educational Tracks
General Session Speakers
Exhibit Hall –
Hours
Layout/directory – stop at each booth – thank exhibitors
Courtesy to vendors/members – no kids, no carts
Leftovers go to food pantry
Hot Spots
Monday night
Banquet
Health Walk
Making friends at each session
Farewell Luncheon – door prizes
Reminders and Wrap Up
Turn cell phones off
Win Packet to ANC 2007 ??
Questions and Answers
Ask Hosts – explain their appearance

6. Growing Membership Retention
How can you keep “experienced” member active and interested?
How can you keep “experienced” member active and interested?
Use them as mentors, for Special projects, historians
Retention: will stay because you care and they are having fun. You must have a relationship with them.
Ways to use Past Presidents:
1 Liaisons to other organizations
2. Writers for articles for newsletters
3. Speakers
4. Mentors
5. Mediators
6. Recruiters
7. Planners

7. Growing Membership Recognition Be sure that everyone gets “paid”
Recognition is a pay check. Be creative – web pages. WOW factor.
Recognition:
Thank members for participating and doing small jobs.
Have a thank you page on your website or in your newsletter
for participants
for hosteses
for bag stuffers

8. Put membership as action item on every agenda, no a report
Budget for Membership Committee
Promotion
Incentives
Recognition
Brochures/flyers
Processing

9. Growing Membership To grow members you have to value members
Make members feel important
Talk to them as individuals
“We need YOU!” NOT “We need volunteers.”
Make members feel good
Make members want to participate – until engaged, not involved
Value your members time
When you do all of the above, you will grow your Chapter.

10. Growing Membership MEMBERSHIP is EVERYONE’s job!
Any other successes to share?