MEMBERSHIP 101Membership Recruitment Strategies

Establish a Membership Committee

• Identify a Committee Coordinator and Committee Members• Know in detail (organize in writing) all of your

member benefits• Survey members and non-members• Identify existing member services that are most used• Pinpoint members’ top 5 wants/needs from your

association• www.surveymonkey.com

• Keep member recruitment projects manageable• Select one new initiative to implement

• Set project notification benchmarks

Promotional Membership Materials: 1

• Send a membership “Welcome Packet” within one month of joining or renewal • Personalized membership card• Welcome letter• List of member benefits• Future events, activities list • Volunteer, leadership opportunities

• Create a membership brochure detailing all member benefits and services• Contract services from TCA graphic artist

Promotional Membership Materials: 2

• Develop an annual/quarterly calendar, event mailer• Send to members and non-members

• Send plain text email updates using TCA email blast affidavit• www.txca.org/affidavit - at least 14 business days prior

to email send

• Send an HTML, image based newsletter • www.mailchimp.com - send up to 6 emails to 2,000

contacts each month for free• Create quick ads OR info flyers to promote

CEU events• www.recitethis.com

Develop a NEW Website• Identify one Webmaster• Use the new TCA website template (w/photo

sliders)• Create a Chapter website -

www.txca.org/chapterwebsite • Update an existing website - www.txca.org/webupdate

• Establish a website map and set of 2-3 theme colors• Use TCA’s suggested launch pages• Provide useful, helpful content• Consider developing or updating a logo

• Set a review schedule to keep content fresh

Enhance an EXISTING Website• Collect membership dues online• Use meeting and event photos to personalize the

site, engage members • ESX Flex Slider tool displays a rotating series of images

• Create a free, 30 sec. video and image based video• www.animoto.com

• Create a free, 5 minute illustration based video• www.powtoon.com

• Feature one of TCA’s PSAs on your homepage• 30 sec. TV• 5 radio - Drug Abuse, Suicide, Domestic Violence, Critical

Times, Breaking Point

YOUR: Professional Development Events: 1

• Host a workshop, learning institute or conference• Make your event a “must attend” • Offer credible speakers, timely unique topics • Discounted, or free rates for members• Promote event in local newspaper calendar listings,

TCA eUpdates• Have leadership wear logo pins, distribute free swag

• Collect email and contact information for all attendees• Apply for a $500 TCA Professional Development

Grant to help cover keynote speaker costs

YOUR: Professional Development Events: 2

• Send plain text event reminders using TCA email blast affidavit• www.txca.org/affidavit - at least 14 business days

prior to send• Host Awards Ceremony to recognize

outstanding members• Survey attendees for satisfaction metric,

future planning• Divisions may submit meeting assistance

requests• wwww.txca.org/meeting - at least 30 business

days prior to event

THEIR: Professional Development Events

• Promote membership at other CEU events as an Exhibitor• Use TEA calendar listings to identify possible events• www.tea.state.tx.us/TEA_Events_Calendar.aspx

• Use the State Board of Exaiminers to identify other professional associations, non-profit calendars • Create a booth banner-sign OR pop-up display • www.fastsigns.com

• Staff the booth with engaging members, leadership • Be sure to schedule shifts

• Distribute promotional membership materials, free swag• Host a photo booth with your computer• www.sparkbooth.com

Create an HTML Newsletter Campaign

• Identify an Executive Editor and Associate Editors• Establish a schedule to solicit, edit and publish articles

• Contract TCA’s graphic artist to develop a print newsletter • Send an HTML newsletter • www.mailchimp.com - send up to 6 emails to 2,000 contacts

each month for free• Find inexpensive, royalty free images and graphics• www.123rf.com • www.123rf.com/freeimages.php • www.graphicriver.net • www.office.com

• Feature interviews with outstanding members• Share research, discuss timely news• Start an advocacy column• Include meeting minutes, photos

Host a Membership Drive• List swap, for free with National Divisions• Access the State Board of Exaiminers rosters• www.dshs.state.tx.us/counselor/lpc_rosters.shtm• www.dshs.state.tx.us/mft/mft_rosters.shtm

• Member recruitment contests• Each One, Bring One goal• Bring in 5, Receive a free membership• Focus on diversity, new outreach

• Make personal courtesy calls to non-renewals • Send “Reminder to Renew” emails before

membership lapses• Engage colleagues on Social Media • TCA policy in Governance manual, plans for FY2015

Community Involvement• Sponsor or participate in community events • Mental health screenings• Anti-bullying assemblies• Family outdoor movie night

• Participate in area college career days• Offer scholarships for graduate students • Offer educational grants for workshop, conference

attendance• Engage the media• Submit PSAs• Write editorials on community impact issues• Submit calendar listings for local events• Share Press Releases for award winners, CEU events,

community engagement activities

Outline Your FY2015 Membership Recruitment

Goals• What services does my association provide to

members?• What are my association’s strengths?• What are my member’s main needs?• Can I even reasonably answer the questions above?• What services can I offer that provide value to my

members and establish credibility for the association?• What member service(s) do I want to see flourish

within my association?• Remember, keep it reasonable! Select only one.