1. Club Membership Building and Retention John Kinsman District 36 Lt. Governor Marketing, 2013-14 jkinsman@eei.org

2. Clubs should be at 20+ members – charter strength – to operate optimally. Allows more people to be available to fill meeting and club officer roles No one member is overburdened with responsibilities Meetings are more fun, because more people are involved Its easier for a club to help members meet their educational needs Balances natural attrition 9 Why Build Membership?

3. A goal of one new member each month will help keep an influx of new members for a strong, healthy club. 10 Setting Membership Goals

4. Toastmasters Contests o Smedley Award o Talk Up Toastmasters o Beat the Clock! Club Contests o Set up a goal/competition for club members For bringing visitors, visitors who join, etc. o Track member progress at the meetings, e.g., through a bar chart o Reward for members sponsoring new members o CL manual credit (see Projects 8 and 10) 11 Membership-building Contests

5. Smedley Award (August 1 to September 30) Talk Up Toastmasters! (February 1 to March 31) Beat the Clock! (May 1 to June 30) Its simpleadd five new, dual or reinstated members to your roster. Qualifying clubs earn a special discount code for 10-percent off their next club order (and a ribbon for your banner). 11 Membership-building Contests

6. Work with VPPR to publicize meetings/demos. You already know some prospects – invite them. Word-of-mouth is the best advertising. Members should talk with friends, family and co-workers. On average, 1 in 3 prospects will join. There are resources to help. 12 Membership-building Steps Step 1: Find Prospective Members.

7. Work with VPE to hold a periodic open house or demonstration meeting geared to building membership! : Planned and advertised in advance Food as a lure Guest packet / guest book Hold mini-meeting TMOD explains all roles and why TMOD sells the program Work brief testimonials in Speeches are not by expert / evaluate to motivate 13 Step 2: Make Every Meeting Great.

8. Several club members should say hello and spend a few minutes getting to know the guest. Provide promotional literature (guest packet). Collect their contact information (guest book). Member sits with guest during meeting. TMOD/GE explains roles and purposes during meeting. Table Topics Master offers to let Guest participate. At end of meeting, seek their comment. Answer questions. Invite to join / invite back Close the Sale (next slide) 14 Step 3: Handling a Guest Visit

9. Explain why the Guest should join? Build confidence Learn from doing and feedback - unique to Toastmasters Structured program - explain CC and CL It's not just speeches impromptu speaking learning to listen / giving feedback leading meetings / the club Great on resume 15 Step 4: Closing the Sale

10. Why the Guest should join? (concluded) Cost is minimal tremendous bargain vs. other options We will not throw you in deep end will have a mentor and start you with easier roles Give personal testimonial Invite guest to join explain terms of membership and application all officers must be well-versed in application Follow up if necessary In person >> telephone >> e-mail (last resort) 16 Step 4: Closing the Sale

11. CLUBS WITHIN DISTRICTS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION For faster service, add and pay for your new members online at www.toastmasters.org/members Club Number: _____________________________ District Number: ___________ Club Name: ________________________________________________________ City: __________________________________________ Membership Type: New Reinstated (break in membership) Renewing (no break in membership) Dual Transfer from club number /name _______ /___________________ Member Number (if known) ___________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Last Name / Surname / Family Name First Name / Given Name Middle Initial / Name etc. 20

12. Deliver what has been promised. The how: Coach them to excellence (mentor). Induct them regally. Get them involved. Give positive reinforcement. Use the resources. 17 Step 5: Start New Members Off Right

13. Orient new members Active mentor-mentee relationship for new (and other if needed) members Follow up with members who miss two meetings in a row Understand member motivations (member surveys) Recognize accomplishments Quality and fun meetings Attend to all members during meetings 18 Member Retention

14. Member Interest Survey (Item 403) New Member Profile Sheet (Item 405) Club Climate Questionnaire (Item 251C) 19 Maintain Member Satisfaction