1. Section and Branch Best Practices Webinar Brad Holzwart Oct. 14, 2009

2. Overview Champions Finding New Members Engaging All Members Retaining All Members Converting Students Keeping Younger Members Involving Government Engineers Resources

3. Current Membership More than 144,000 members More than 25,000 students 20,000 life members 10% of membership is international

4. Why Do People Join Professional Societies It’s a career investment and a personal mission They expect something of value in return Value, to a professional, is something that helps them: Advance their careers Experience leadership Gain peer/professional recognition Gain access to lifelong learning

5. ASCE Membership Champions Champions are the personal “face” of ASCE Increase the visibility of ASCE in local organizations on a grassroots level Encourage members to get more involved (retention) Promote ASCE membership to non-ASCE Members Work with the local membership committee to develop and carry out the membership plan With local Board approval/support

6. How Does ASCE Support its Membership Champions Brochures Applications Posters Pizza Party Membership Benefits PowerPoint Mailing Assistance Champion Liaison

7. Finding New Members Member Prospect Ideas Assigned Members – available on FTP server Former/Dropped members Active non-members who may attend meetings or classes State licensing and registration boards Competing association members/attendees College and university alumni Public and private sector organizations Students and graduating students

8. Finding New Members Work with ASCE HQ on joint development mailings Pizza Parties – on us Success Snapshot: The Northern Colorado Branch has a plan to visit ALL of the local engineering firms in their area to give a 1-hour talk about ASCE member benefits. The Wichita Branch diversifies its board with members from local engineering firms and they spread the word throughout their companies.

9. Engaging All Members Welcome new members using our FTP site New Member Welcome Kit Send a special letter, e-mail or postcard welcoming new members Personally invite them to events Establish welcome committee Volunteer Opportunities Follow-up with first-time attendees

10. Engaging All Members Involvement – Committed members renew at a higher rate Outline clear expectations Acknowledge accomplishments Partner new members with current volunteers Success Snapshot – Nine-month Courtship Plan Work to eliminate the “new kid in school” feeling Engage slowly at first

11. Engaging All Members Increase Involvement of Members with Sample Nine-month Courtship Plan Month 1Welcome call from Local Officer or Membership Committee Mbr Month 2Welcome from Buddy who invites new member to next meeting Month 3Champion asks new member to help w/ check-in at next meeting Month 4E-mail/Call from Buddy – “save you a seat” reminder of next meeting Month 5Champion asks new member to be a greeter at next meeting Month 6E-mail reminders to take advantage of members-only benefits Month 7Publications Chair asks new member to look over web site with “new set of eyes” and make suggestions Month 8Buddy recommends new member for volunteer activity – appropriate chair calls to schedule coffee/lunch to discuss participation Month 9Buddy invites to carpool to annual meeting event

12. Engaging All Members Contact at-risk members 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd year members Recently graduated students and students in their last semester Members who have not renewed by February All at-risk members are available on the FTP site

13. Retaining All Members Professional recognition Obtainment of Fellow or Distinguished Member distinction Honors and Awards Life Membership Hold a special recognition program for presentation Membership Advancement & credentialing For Example: Blaine Leonard, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE

14. Converting Students Reaching out to student members: Invite a Younger Member to a meeting (preferably an alumnus) Join Younger Member Group activities, including K-12 outreach opportunities Find an active Practitioner Advisor, like recently graduated alumni Hold a joint Chapter-Section/Branch meeting Hold your Section and Branch meeting on campus

15. Converting Students Only 27% of students know about the graduated dues scale, including 64% of officers – plus Students upgrade FREE for the first year First year after $50 Second year after$80 Third year after$115 Fourth year after$155 Fifth year after $205

16. Converting Students ASCE Institutes propel the knowledge and practice of specific civil engineering specialties by focusing on the technical, educational and professional issues within your area. Stay on the cutting edge of your technical discipline by joining one of our eight Specialty Institutes for FREE!

17. Keeping Younger Members ASCE Sections and Branches are a safe environment for developing and refining: Leadership styles Communication skills An appreciation for skills in business development Expanding their circle of influence Mentoring Networking opportunities

18. Keeping Younger Members Transferable Leadership Skills ASCE ExperienceWork Experience team buildingstaff management consensus buildingdecision makingnegotiating presentation skillspublic speaking issues managementsetting priorities fiscal responsibilityfinancial management fundraising/membershipsales/marketing

19. Keeping Younger Members Mentoring and eMentoring Members will benefit from personalized professional guidance and seasoned experts eMentoring connects proteges and mentors regardless of their location across the country and world www.asce.org/mentoring

20. Keeping Younger Members eLearning Workshops FREE member-only access to live, monthly Web learning programs Each a $249 value Hone critical career skills in areas such as: Effective communications Leadership Team-building and management Improving people skills www.asce.org/elearning

21. Involving Government Engineers Involving government engineers: Invite as speakers Invite as guests Conduct a meeting at either facility

22. ASCE Resources

23. Best practices submitted from Sections & Branches Online Advertising Library Sample letters and scripts Survey Template Membership PowerPoint (two versions) Career Stages Brochure FTP tip in the Section Informant For other tips throughout the year, download the Section/Branch calendar

24. ASCE Resources Promotional merchandise and materials www.asce.org/local ASCE Gift Store www.asce.org/giftstore

25. ASCE Resources Request membership brochures and applications by: e-mailing drive@asce.org calling (800) 548-ASCE (2723) downloading PDF applications, value ads or a PowerPoint presentation at www.asce.org/champion

26. Thank You Brad Holzwart Manager, Membership Marketing bholzwart@asce.org (800) 548-ASCE (2723) Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET www.asce.org

27. Questions and Answers