Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/485425
ISEA Communiqué • isea.org March 2015 7 INFOGRAPHIC 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 10 ASK THEM TO JOIN CREATE A MEMBERSHIP PLAN SOLICIT TESTIMONIALS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONNECT LEADERS WITH MEMBERS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS RE-EVALUATE YOUR PLAN RECOGNIZE GOOD WORK ? ? ? DON'T LOSE CONTACT OVER SUMMER ? ? ? Not being asked is the number one reason people give for not joining their association. You need to go to them. Do not expect them to come to you. A letter or email from the association highlighting activities in the coming school year helps keep them engaged. Education professionals — especially new ones - look for ways to do their jobs better. Be ready to point out how the association helps them through various professional development offerings, mentoring and formal or informal advice for more seasoned members. The best way to recruit new members is to talk face-to-face at their worksite. Promote the value of being represented by a strong, collective voice as a prime benefit of membership. Evaluate your membership plan regularly and discard things that don't work. Bring new members into your membership committee to provide insight into how the newer educators view the association. Local leaders and boards of directors should regularly connect in-person with members in their schools. Solicit testimonials from members who can identify the benefits of membership. Include these in your newsletters and other communications. BE ABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION: "WHY ARE YOU A MEMBER?" BEFORE YOU TRY TO RECRUIT OTHERS. Public recognition for members who show up and do the association's work is the best way to retain their interest and commitment. Let no good deed, no matter how small, go unrecognized. PLAN Create a membership plan to help focus your efforts. Include ways to identify potential members and organize meet-ups as part of the plan. FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTION APPROACH PEOPLE ONE-ON-ONE NOT IN GROUPS. 4 academy tips to GROW your association 12 I ISEA