Peggy Kelland
NYS Program Vice President

When planning branch programs or events, it helps to be mindful of how programming relates to membership.

To recruit new members, integrate members into the branch and support current members:

• Feature a member of the month in the newsletter
• Introduce new members and guests at all meetings
• Greet new members and introduce them to others
• Have a membership table at all events
• Select an Emerging Leader
• Have a member of the membership committee contact each new member to see how they are progressing and invite them to an event
• Recognize new members with a small gift at an event
• Use name tags at early event to facilitate the learning of names
• If you have luncheon meetings, a new member’s table (with suitable current members) helps
• Ask them to pour or take a sign-in sheet around (they will meet everybody)
• When you list them in your newsletter, note hobbies and interests
• Be sure a new member with an interest is put in contact with the appropriate committee or project
• Give new members small finite jobs
• Add new members to committees quickly but do not overwhelm them with too much responsibility too soon
• Invite members of a different group to join you at an event
• Record names at events and then follow up
• Have a new member event and find out what the newcomer’s goals are
• Contact a local school or college. Students are especially interested in campus safety and date rape. We can help. Form an affiliate or help an existing organization
• Use give-a-grad a gift
• Contact MALs several times (The Association reports it takes at least three contacts to make a difference.)
• Locate a new source of members (a large work place, those about to retire, those completing their PTA affiliation, etc.) and make several approaches
• Recruit a college member or form a student affiliate or create a student internship