Identify Your Membership

Ways to recruit new membersClubs are always looking for ways to grow

and recruit new members. There are many things club members can do in order to attract new members.

Can you think of some off the top of your head?

Shout them out.

Here, are some viable approaches:Letters or personal contact with local

businesses or Chamber of Commerce Place pamphlets in doctors’ offices, hospitals,

cafeterias, libraries, etc. Design club brochure, guest information

packets, new member kits Send letters to people in the news with an

invitation to visit & speak to the club Print club business cards with club meeting

location and time

Hold high-profile meetings Hold wine and cheese receptions for

prospective members Honour outstanding community members

with awards Build a club web site, Facebook, Twitter Use group email to promote your club

Ask corporations and employers to sponsor or subsidize membership

Have a reward program for those who bring in new members

Create more fun Invite prospect to attend 1-2 meetings to see

if there is more interest Invite the media to cover well known

speakers

Look for members in ethnic groups not represented in your club, possibly men

Hold joint meetings with other groups Write letters to the newspaper about

the campaigns your club is working on Publicize club successes & events in local

newspapers Circulate the club newsletter widely

Hold recruiting events with two or more clubs

Send newsletter to guests Ask every member to submit 3 prospects to

the membership chair Promote Zonta! Hand out a club decal or

bumper stickers. Members, wear your Zonta pins, shirt, hoodie

Have a one minute elevator speech ready 

Bring your boss or co-workers to a club meeting

Make direct contact with women’s business associations

Hand out invitation cards for a “Free” lunch (breakfast or dinner)

Develop a strategic plan membership. It is a year-round priority and needs to be planned

Select a missing classification and work on filling it

Contact all members who have resigned in the past 3 years

Display lawn signs: “Zonta is coming”, then finish up with a newspaper article all about Zonta

Ask benefactors of service or donations to speak at a meeting

Article originally appeared in November 2004 issue of Membership Matters, written by Chris Offer.

Source: Membership Matters, Vol. 4 No. 5 November 2004 The ClubRunner Newsletter Additional editing by C. Shoji

Ways to TARGET recruitAttracting younger members:

1) Partner with a young ladies’s clubAttend meetings and interview its members

2) Cater to your Target MarketLook at meeting details – location, time of

dayConsider meeting online, conference calls

3) Web Presence 

Where is your younger audience?Answer: online

Facebook Twitter Official website

4)  NetworkWord-of-mouth marketing, elevator speech  Club newsletter

Facebook

Twitter

Ways to Get Qualified Potential Members to Join Your ClubPower of Persuasion: show them what's in it

for them.

Be prepared: elevator speeches, a guest invitation card, club brochures, information about Zonta events

Reflect on the primary reason you first joined: When you effectively share your story with true passion, it will become easier for you to generate interest among prospective members.

Listen to the prospective members:

Uncover their objections or concerns. Don’t dismiss them as excuses.Do not to pester the prospective member. Educate them more and then give them a

chance to further think about the idea of joining.

Learn from the objections: Address those concerns. Take their concerns

seriously. This will portray your club to be welcoming and caring – something that the prospective member will feel proud to be a part of. 

Follow up with prospective members: This will make them feel desired, important and

will give you an opportunity to remind them of their interest in the club.

Reinforce and reiterate the benefits of joining the club. The first year is crucial to getting the new member involved, so that they stay for the long-term.

http://www.civitan.org/clubsuccess.pdf