Recruiting and retaining members

1. Student Org Center Recruiting and retaining members

2. Because students are what make an organization… So… we need them right? Lets start with the basics.

3. The Basics… • Reflect on why you joined the organization. This will help you build a foundation for your recruitment process. • Have members meet to review the organizational goals and objectives, and to discuss ideas and aspirations for the future. • Put some in charge of recruitment, like a recruitment chair • Get your entire organization involved. Have current members recruit their friends. Word of mouth is the best advertising!

4. The Basics Continued… • Know the group image you want and sell that image. If people see your group as a party group – and if this is not the image you want – then you need to promote the image you would prefer in all of your recruitment materials. Recruit people who fit the image you are pursuing. • Set recruitment goals. How many new members would you like? What are your standards for the new members you are recruiting? • Figure out why students would want to be involved on-campus or in your organization. Keep in mind that most students who want to get involved want GRAPEs – Growth, Recognition, Achievement, Participation, and Enjoyment in student life.

5. Get Their Attention… • Smile! No one wants to join a “frowny” organization. Be friendly in all your recruitment efforts. • Avoid monotony. Break the ice with creative ice breakers. There’s more to breaking ice than having the prospective members stand up and state their name, major, and why they want to join your organization. • Don’t overlook anyone. Try to recruit even those who merely glance through your banners or flyers. If they took time to read your organization’s name, then, at least take time to ask for their contact information.

6. Get their Attention Cont. • Have your current club members get new members who are looking for a way to get involved on campus. There is a lot of underutilized talent out there, but you have to go find it. • Have a membership drive. This can happen at anytime of the year, and remember that you will have most competition at the beginning of the year when ever other organization on campus is recruiting. Advertise the membership drive, but remember that advertising and motivating your current members to get out there and meet people will make the most difference. • Give away key chains, cups, and other items. This helps to let people know you are out there.

7. Get their Attention Cont. • Don’t forget about commuter students! Commuter students often lack a sense of belonging and way to receive information. Be creative in ways to reach out to this underutilized segment of the student population! • Utilize Campus Life Night effectively! This is a great time when many students are looking to get involved! • Have a party! Plain and simple. When there is food, students will come! • Get exclusive rights to a really cool “members only” job. For example, if your organization members always get to be ushers for on-campus concerts, people will want to get involved so that they can work concerts too. Same thing for athletic games – anything where people have to pay to get in.

8. Get their Attention Cont. • Co-sponsor campus events so that your organization’s name will be out there more. Be sure to always have membership information available at all events you sponsor. • Create a display that you can set up all over the place. Include photos and descriptions of what your organization does on a local level, and a national level, if applicable. • Talk to a local pizza delivery place about letting you tape flyers to the tops of their pizza boxes. That is a sure way to get attention! • Make your own recruitment video. Show your members at events, meetings, or just hanging out. Make it entertaining and make people want to be a part of the fun they see on screen!

9. You got them… be considerate • Being inviting, and make invitations to your organization’s next meeting. • Think about how the invitation will sound to the prospective member. Ask positively with the expectation that s/he will accept. Show your interest in the person and your commitment to your organization’s mission. • Personalize your invitation. Talk about how you organization membership will meet an important need that s/he may have expressed or will provide an opportunity for community involvement, friendship, and personal growth. • Identify the best person(s) in your organization to share the invitation to membership. Hold or attend workshops so that all of your members have strong communication skills.

10. You got them… be considerate • Bring closure to the conversation. A prospective member may want to think about the invitation or may want to consult others. Agree upon a time when you will contact him/her again to learn his/her decision. • Follow up quickly. If you invitation to join the organization is accepted, be ready to move forward with induction and orientation. You’ll want to involve the new member as soon as possible. • Accept “no” graciously. The timing and situation may not allow a prospective member to accept your invitation to membership at that time. • Be realistic about your expectations of members. A working parent may need a flexible schedule and may not be available to attend all meetings. Consider how your organization can fit into their family’s schedule and work routine.

11. For more info… For more information on Recruitment and Retention, consider Workshops on Demand! Visit the “Resources and Forms” page on the OSL website (www.gvsu.edu/studentlife) to request a personalized workshop for your student organization!